Hi all! I will be in Japan 10/22 – 11/8.
I have some flexibility on activities, but hotels are booked already.
I like historical, culture sites, food, and also just wandering around. I like anime and am a avid BL (yaoi) fan. Any recs for that? I'm not a huge shopper but I am looking for a kitchen knife, ceramic dishes, and maybe some clothes? I am looking for some neat souvenirs that aren't useless knick knacks. I hate clutter and dont want to buy something that'll just get stashed in a drawer.
I know my trip has some very tourist spots esp. kyoto but I figured it's my first time so why not. There's always future trips to explore more.
I havent made reservations for any activities or restuaurants yet. I think only the teamLabs will need them. For food I don't plan to go to any michelin star places but I am looking for good quality sushi and wagyu beef. Will I need reservations for that? (Please send any recs my way!) In general, is it better to plan what restaurants I'll go to before hand or is winging it okay?
Appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Are some days are too packed? Should I combine or skip certain activities? Should I re-arrange anything?
10/22 Wed
- Land Osaka 7:50pm (take airport bus to namba)
- Check in hotel
- Walk around Dotonburi and find food
10/23 Thurs
- Himeji Castle (try to arrival 9am)
- ?? find something to do after
- Kobe – Dinner here want to try kobe beef
- Umeda sky
10/24 Fri
- Head to Nara
- Todaiji
- Nara Park
- Nakatanidou (mochi pounding)
- Go back to Osaka or Uji?
10/25 Sat
- Osaka Castle (outside only)
- Shinbaishi
- Kuromon Ichiba market (later afternoon lunch)
- Shinsekai
- Namba
- Dotonburi
between Shinsekai, Namba, and Dotonburi what's best for food?
10/26 Sun
- Do whatever I missed in Osaka
- Head to Kyoto
- Check in hotel in Kiyomizu
- Dinner idk where
10/27 Mon
- Fushimi Inari (8am early enough?)
- Philosopher path (Ginkakuji to Nanzenji)
10/28 Tues
- Kiyomizu Dera (8am early enough)
- Nishiki Market (lunch)
- Explore Gion (dinner)
- Yasaka Shrine
10/29 Wed
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Arashiyama Monkey Park
- Ryoan-ji
- Kinkaku-ji
- Potoncho (dinner)
10/30 Thurs
- Head to Tokyo
- Check in hotel at Shimbashi Hibiyaguchi
- teamLab Borderless
- Tokyo Tower
10/31 Fri
- Imperial Palace
- Akihabara
This day is pretty empty for me
11/1 Sat
- Tsukiji Market (10am what's good time for food?)
- teamLab Planets
- DiverCity Plaza
- Odaiba
- Ginza (Muji, Ginza Six, Uniqlo Tokyo)
11/2 Sun
- Meiji Jingu
- Takeshita Street
- Omotesando
- Yoyogi Park
- Shibuya Parco
- Shibuya Scramble
- Don Quijote
- Shibuya Sky
This seems like the most optimal path when I looked at Google Maps. But not sure if it's doable. Still need to find time for lunch and dinner
11/3 Mon
- Sensoji (How early should I get there?)
- General Asakusa area
- Tokyo skytree
- Kappabashi kitchen street (looking for aa knife and ceramicware)
- Ueno Park
- Ueno Zoo (Maybe closes at 5pm)
- Drop off luggage hotel Higashi Shinjuku
In hindsight I should've kept a hotel in tokyo this night so I don't have to move luggage around.
11/4 Tues
- Arrive Nikko Station 9:30am
- Shinkyo Bridge
- World Heritage Sites
- Rinnonji Temple, Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine
- Kanmangafuchi Abyss
- Check in hotel Togichi Nikko
- Kirifuri Plateau
- Back to hotel
I'm not sure how feasible this day is. Maybe I should move Kirifuri Plateau to next day before Lake Chuzenji?
11/5 Wed
- Bus to Lake Chuzenji
- Sightseeing boat Lake Chuzenji (1hr)
- walk around find lunch
- Travel back to Tokyo
- Check in hotel Higashi Shinjuku
- Dinner
11/6 Thurs
- Tokyo Metro Govt Building
- Omoide Memory Lane
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
11/7 Fri
- Free day. Shopping I guess?
11/8 Sat
- 6pm Flight Depart
by weelilme