Hi all,
I'm doing my first ever solo trip starting 2nd September and I picked Japan as my destination due to the numerous good things I've heard regarding safety, activites, culture and friend recommendations. I've made a very rough plan of things I wouldn't mind seeing during my time in Japan but other than activites I've had to reserve tickets for, nothing is set in stone and if anything catches my eye wandering around I'm more than happy to divert to explore. My plan doesn't feature any food stops or bars as it'll be a case of deciding as and when I'll want a break or if I fancy a night drinking. So far here is my 'finished' itinernary.
2nd September – Flight from UK/Doha/Haneda
- Arrive at Haneda 23:55, will pick up a physical Suica if possible at this time, if not use iPhone wallet, taxi to hotel in Shinjuku and hopefully sleep!
3rd September – Shinjuku
- Shinjuku Gyoen
- Hanazono Shrine
- Kabukicho Tower
- Tokyo Metropolitan Goverment bulidling, both for the view and to see one of the evening light shows
- Kabukicho (EDIT: Just the tower, not here for anything else)
- Golden Gai? Depending on how jet lagged I am at this point.
4th September – Shibuya
- Yoyogi Park
- Center Gai
- Nintendo/Capcom/Pokemon/SEGA Stores
- Don Quijote
- Shibuya Sky at 20:20
5th September – Day trip to Kamakura/Enoshima
Kamakura
- Kotoku-in
- Hase Temple (Hasedera)
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
- Komachi Street
Enoshima
- Enoshima Aquarium
- Enoshima Benten Shrine
- Iwaya Caves
- Enoshima Sea Candle and Garden
- Benzaiten Nakamise Street
There's also the possiblity of me just wanting to hit the beach and go in the sea for a little while so this plan will very likely change.
6th September – Osaka
- Shinkansen to Osaka, purchase ticket at station rather than pre book, leave luggage at hotel as I'll arrive before check in time.
- Osaka Castle Park
- Namba Yasaka Shrine
- Nipponbashi
- Dotonbori
Will be returning to hotel at some point after 3pm to check in.
7th September – Day Trip to Nara
- Kofuku-ji Temple
- Nara Park
- Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- Todai-ji Temple
8th September – Osaka
- Kaiyukan Aquarium
- Umeda Sky Building
- Pokemon Centre
- Tsuruhashi
- Shinsekai
- Dotonbori
- Visit Space Station Bar? Sounds a fun bar
9th September – Osaka, Universal Studios
- Enjoy my childhood self in Super Nintendo World
- Try doing everything else!
10th September – Kyoto
- Train from Osaka to Kyoto, leave luggage at hotel as I'll arrive early
- Explore Gion
- Higashiyama
Not planning much for this day as my feet will most likely be destroyed from USJ, will return to hotel after 3pm to check in.
11th September – Kyoto/Uji
- Early start Fushimi-Inari hike
- Nintendo Museum at 15:00
Again, light day, will be relying on things catching my eye this day.
12th September – Kyoto
- Early start at Kiyomizudera
- Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
- Ryoan-ji
- Sagano Bamboo Forest
- Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama (Maybe)
13th September – Tokyo, Akihabara
- Shinkansen to Tokyo, leave luggage at hotel in Akihabara as I'll be arriving early
- Yodobashi Akiba
- Namco Akihabara
- Tokyo Skytree at 19:30
I've booked the skytree for this day as I don't think I'll have much time on the later days to try it and I would like to see it in the evening. I'll most likely be wandering in the various arcades and anime shops this day.
14th September – Ueno/Akihabara
- Ueno Park
- Ameyoko Shopping Street
- Monster Hunter Cafe at 16:00
- teamLab Borderless at 19:30
15th September – Asakusa
- Sensoji Temple
- Culture Tourist Info Centre
- FC Tokyo vs Tokyo Verdy football match at 19:00 at Ajinomoto Stadium, I know this isn’t in Asakusa be will be going to the stadium from there.
Again, another day where I'll wander around Asakusa for anything to catch my eye.
16th September – DisneySea
- Enjoy the day!
17th September – Best of Tokyo
- Tokyo Sea Life Park
I've left this day pretty much empty as I'll be using it to revisit my favourite places as it's my last full day in Japan.
18th September – Fly back to the UK
- My flight isn't until 22:50 so again I'll be using the day to wander around locally and get ready to go home, will probably head to Haneda airport around 19:00.
And that's it for my plan, any advice, warnings, criticism and recommendations are welcomed!
EDIT: One thing I will ask for in regards for food, is Kobe beef better in Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto?
by CaptainSmeg