Hello everyone! I am going to Japan for the first time with my wife at the end of November (November 16-29). I have been working hard on an itinerary and would love to see if you all have any advice, or if anything seems unrealistic? I have a tendency to try to pack too much into days when I plan trips so am really trying not to do that here while also trying to do a lot haha. I tried to consolidate where we are staying as well because I also have a tendency to hotel/location hop. Also, we are thinking about maybe using a luggage forwarding service from Tokyo to Kyoto ~ has anyone used these before/are they reliable? Thanks in advance 😀
- Day 1: N/a
- Day 2: Arrive in Tokyo in the afternoon. Check into our hotel in Shibuya and wander Shibuya until we are tired. Dinner/drinks, light shopping, etc. Early bed.
- Day 3:
- Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, View from Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center.) in the AM
- Walk from Asakusa to Ueno (maybe via the Kappabashi Kitchen Street). Spend the afternoon in Ueno (Ueno Park, Gojoten Shrine). Drinks/Dinner in Ameyoko Shopping District.
- Then back to Shibuya to wander again until we are tired.
- Day 4:
- AM: Tsukiji Fish Market
- PM: Shinjuku (Wander the streets, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden View at top of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Guided Food Tour in the evening)
- Day 5:
- 10 AM: TeamLabs Planets
- Afternoon: Harajuku (Takeshita Street, Omotesando Yoyogi Park -> Meiji Shrine) & Shibuya (Shibuya crossing, Hachiko statue,)
- Maybe try to get into Shibuya Sky at sunset
- Day 6:
- Morning train from Tokyo to Hakone.
- Hakone Loop
- Day 7:
- AM: Hike in Hakone (I'm thinking the Mt. Kintoki hike)
- PM: Onsen, either in town or at our ryokan
- Day 8:
- AM: Travel from Hakone to Kyoto
- Gion District, Higashiyama District
- PM: Illumination event at Kiyomizu-dera Temple?
- Day 9:
- AM: Bike tour of Arashiyama area
- PM: Kinkaju-Ji, Ryoanji Temple
- Dinner in Pontocho Alley
- Day 10:
- AM: Walk to top of Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Nishiki Market
- PM: Hozugawa River Boat Ride? (not sure about this excursion yet) OR Philosopher's Path
- Day 11:
- Day trip from Kyoto to Osaka (Osaka Castle (just touring the grounds), Shitenno-Ji Temple, Isshin-Ji Temple, Namba Yasaka Jinja Temple Umeda Sky Building Shinsekai Market, Kuromon Ichiba Market Dotonbori)
- Food Tour in the evening
- Day trip from Kyoto to Osaka (Osaka Castle (just touring the grounds), Shitenno-Ji Temple, Isshin-Ji Temple, Namba Yasaka Jinja Temple Umeda Sky Building Shinsekai Market, Kuromon Ichiba Market Dotonbori)
- Day 12:
- Day trip from Kyoto to Nara (Nara Park, walk to top of Mt. Wakakusa, Todaiji Temple,Kofukuji Temple, Naramachi)
- Day 13:
- AM: Train from Kyoto to Tokyo
- Staying in Asakusa, so spend the rest of the day wandering this area, shopping, etc.
- Day 14: Leave.
by Ok_Distribution9310