Dates: {Feb 1/2 – 13}
For context, I've made my itinerary to improve on my first trip to Japan, which almost touched all of the same cities! The only new city is Otaru. Lodging is very cheap save for one ryokan and the last hotel bc I will not be spending significant time in most lodgings. I DO know that this lines up with Setsubun, though I cannot figure out which initial day of February it falls on. I can adjust if need be. I usually over plan and cut back so I have less decision paralysis in the moment.
I have bought and or reserved my flight in and out of Japan, all lodging (minus Night Bus), pocket WiFi, and the 2 Michelin Star lunch.
Day 0
Landing at HND 3PM [Mon Feb 2]
HND: Customs and pick up Pocket WiFi. I already have a green Suica card from prior vacations.
Lodging for Tokyo Leg 1: Akasaka Guesthouse HIVE
The first night is flexible and left vague on purpose with a priority of getting a reservation at Bar BenFiddich if it is open that night.
Day 1
Ueno, potentially getting a massage to have loose shoulders
RESERVED Lunch at Kikunoi Akasaka, 2 Michelin Stars. It is close to my lodging.
Sauna Tokyo, to relax post-lunch.
Omotsando, potentially getting a custom scent from: ann fragrance to associate with this vacation.
This night is also open, free, and flexible.
Day 2, West Side
CHECK OUT
Breakfast at Onigiri Bongo. If I wake up early enough to stand in line, I could eat inside, hopefully!
Sugamo Jizodori Shopping Street (clothes). It's nearby, but I might cut for time or move elsewhere.
Shinjuku
o Tokyo Metro Government Building
o Lunch @ the above’s Staff Cafeteria! I make a point to go here on almost every Tokyo trip because of prices, a free view, and a chance to see Mt. Fuji!
o Map Camera + Tower Records Shinjuku (mostly to just browse)
o Train Tracks View by Yoyogi
Takadanobaba
Nakano Broadway
Shimo-Kitazawa
Shibuya
The above four areas I have Google Maps pins marking mostly stores to look through.
Supper and Drinking in Ginza
Lodging: Night Bus to Kyoto
Day 3 Kyoto
Early at Fushimi Inari + Sannenzaka Slope / Kiyomizu-dera
Kyoto International Manga Museum for a portrait
The new teamLab Biovortex Kyoto
nokishita711 for a super off the wall cocktail experience, will move to the next day depending on when they are open
Lodging: Backstage Party Hostel & Bar in Osaka
Day 4 Osaka
Umeda: Osaka Castle + Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street
Namba Area
Bar Call me Tell me
Day 5 (Feb 7, Sat)
Fly from ITM / KIX to CTS. Flight will arrive before 11AM, cost appears to be 146-200 USD as of writing. Both airports by Osaka are equidistant time-wise from my lodging
Pick Up Noboribetsu Rail Pass within CTS
Lunch: Hokuhokutei Chitoseten
Limited Express Train + Bus to Noboribetsu. Yes, a bus would be cheaper, but I like the trains that run between Sapporo and Noboribetsu/Hakodate
Lodging that I splurged on: Dai-ichi Takimotokan with an Exclusive Kaiseki Dinner. I went here on my first Japan trip just for the baths, but it was ultra rushed and I wish I spent a whole night in the onsen area.
Day 6
Bus + Limited Express Train to Sapporo for… the Sapporo Snow Festival! I missed it trip 1, but now I can see as much snow and ice as I do in Minnesota haha
Lodging: Washington R&B Hotel Sapporo Kita 3 Nishi 2. This was one of the cheapest available hotels that was not too far from Sapporo Station. I looked and booked it in August and already many places were full, likely for the festival
Day 7
It's all about Otaru today! I will be there all day for the Otaru Snow Light Festival. I also hope to bring a music box home
Day 8 (Feb 10, Tues)
Spending the morning in Chitose for wine and souvenirs
Midday flight back to HND
Lodging at: Henn na Hotel Hamamatsucho. Here for the novelty AND being right off of the Tokyo Monorail
Riding the Yurikamome around before taking the "TRY Commute by Boat" from Toyosu to Nihonbashi for some new views
Day 9
Mostly the east side, so Asakusa, Akihabara, and Tokyo Station / Ginza areas. We'll see how I feel day of haha
Gotanda, since a colleague rec'd an izakaya here!
Day 10 is Completely Open!
Only thing I might do is go to the Costco in Chiba, but it's otherwise purposely left empty. I might go into Yokohama, who knows?
Day 11: I fly back home ;-;
That’s it! I've been to Japan a few times now, but this is what I want to do this time, with a focus of not darting around as much (first Japan trip where I might not ever ride the shinkansen). I would go more days, but this is the most my accrued PTO will allow. Thoughts, feedback, and perspectives are welcome!
by Bossball4