JJapan Trips

I’m FINALLY going to Japan next year!

  • September 26, 2025

I made it 😀 I got the tickets! Now I'm planning our itinerary. We love anime and games. Is this a good itinerary? I have polished it using ChatGPT. Thank you in advance! Also, any tips are very much appreciated.

🗓 Tokyo + Osaka Anime/Gaming + Wizarding World – March 2026

Day 1 – Thu March 5 (Arrival, Tokyo)

  • Arrive Narita 12:50 pm → train to Ikebukuro or Shinjuku.
  • Evening:
    • Quick stroll in Shinjuku: Godzilla head, arcades, neon streets.
    • Dinner at ramen shop or casual izakaya.

Day 2 – Fri March 6 (Akihabara – Anime & Gaming)

  • Morning: Explore Akihabara: Mandarake, Animate, Super Potato, Radio Kaikan.
  • Lunch: themed café (Final Fantasy, Pokémon, or similar).
  • Afternoon: arcades & anime figure shops, retro gaming stores.
  • Evening: optional Shinjuku arcades or rooftop bar for night views.

Day 3 – Sat March 7 (Ikebukuro + Sunshine City)

  • Morning: Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, Animate HQ, Otome Road.
  • Lunch in Ikebukuro.
  • Afternoon: short visit to Sunshine City (shopping + Sky Circus Observatory).
  • Evening: optional mini arcade crawl or anime merchandise hunting.

Day 4 – Sun March 8 (Ghibli Museum + Nakano Broadway)

  • Morning: Ghibli Museum (pre-booked tickets).
  • Short stroll in Inokashira Park for photos.
  • Afternoon/evening: Nakano Broadway → retro & rare anime shopping, arcades.

Day 5 – Mon March 9 (Odaiba / Anime + Tech)

  • Morning: Odaiba tech & anime highlights (skip Gundam).
    • Check out arcades, shopping malls, VR/tech attractions.
  • Afternoon: teamLab Planets for digital immersive art.
  • Evening: short stop at Palette Town / DiverCity area or explore Odaiba’s shops.

Day 6 – Tue March 10 (Travel to Osaka)

  • Morning: Shinkansen to Osaka (~2 hr 30 min).
  • Afternoon: Den Den Town (retro anime, gaming stores, themed cafés).
  • Evening: Dotonbori → neon streets, street food, anime pop-ups if available.

Day 7 – Wed March 11 (Universal Studios Japan – Wizarding World)

  • Full day at Universal Studios Japan:
    • Wizarding World of Harry Potter as priority.
    • Optional: short ride in Super Nintendo World (if you want video game experience).
  • Evening: return to Osaka, relax in Dotonbori or hotel area.

Day 8 – Thu March 12 (Osaka – Anime & Gaming Wrap-Up)

  • Morning: revisit Den Den Town or explore Osaka Station area shops.
  • Afternoon: quick stops at anime/culture cafés (maid cafés, retro game cafés).
  • Evening: last dinner in Dotonbori, neon photo ops, souvenir shopping.

Day 9 – Fri March 13 (Departure)

  • Early Shinkansen Osaka → Tokyo Narita (~2 hr 30 min) OR fly from Kansai Airport.
  • Flight departs 10:55 am.

by AndiLoredana