Hi everyone!! Looking to make sure my itinerary I’ve drafted makes sense in terms of pacing, order, etc. It’s my first time traveling to Japan but not internationally, and I’m looking to focus mostly on J-fashion, art museums, a few nicer restaurants, as well as enjoying a few days in the countryside during the middle(ish) of my trip! All of my hotel dates are already booked so I’m just looking to fill in activities. TYIA for reading my very long post!!
A few questions:
I already know my itinerary is too full, which things should I get rid of?
Are there any museums I shouldn’t miss that I haven’t already added?
Should I change my Harajuku / Shibuya plans to 3 days if I’m focusing a lot on clothes shopping?
I’ve read a lot about Akihabara being almost skippable, is Akihabara and Ikebukuro in the same day doable?
Are there any spots I should stop at along the coast of Wakayama while I have a car for 2 days?
Is there anything I should know about driving in Japan? I’m traveling from the U.S. so I’m feeling a little hesitant to drive “backwards”.
Tokyo
Wed. Feb 11
Flight arrives @4pm
At NRT: Suica card, exchange for cash and coins, pick up bags
Keisei Narita Skyaccess ► Ginza Line ► Tokyo hotel
Check in Tokyo hotel after 3pm
Adjust
Thurs. Feb 12 – Fri. Feb 13 (Harajuku / Shibuya)
Takeshita Street
Watarium Art Museum
Cat Street
Laforet Harajuku
Tower Records
Shibuya109
MEGA Donki
Shibuya Parco / Nintendo Tokyo
RURU Shibuya
Meiji Jingu
HAUTE COUTURE CAFE
Gotokuji Temple
Sat. Feb 14 (Akasaka)
Mori Art Museum
Mori Garden
The National Art Center, Tokyo
21 21 Design Sight
NOBU / Sougo
Sun. Feb 15 (Ikebukuro / Akihabara)
Sunshine City
Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo / Pikachu Sweets
Epetice Bloom Space
BOOKOFF
Closet Child
Final Fantasy Eorzea Cafe
Asst. Akihabara shopping
Mon. Feb 16 (Kamakura Day Trip)
Hasedera
Kotoku-in
Komachi-dori
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Houkukuji
Tues. Feb 17 (Ginza)
Hamarikyu Gardens
Tsukiji Outer Market
Ad Museum Tokyo
Ginza Shopping
Tokyo Station
Imperial Palace
Kyoto
Wed. Feb 18
Check out of Tokyo hotel before 10am
Uber ► Tokaido Shinkansen ► Karasuma Line ► Kyoto Hotel
Check in Kyoto hotel after 3pm
LE LABO CAFE
Kawaramachi OPA
Nishiki Market
Thurs. Feb 19 (Arashiyama)
Monkey Park Iwatayama
Miffy Sakura Kitchen
Rilakkuma Tea House
Tenryu-ji
Yusai-tei Gallery
Bamboo Forest
Gioji Temple
Preserved Street
Otagi Nenbutsuji
Maikohan Arashiyama
Fri. Feb 20 (Nara Day Trip)
Keihan Main Line ► Kintetsu-Kyoto Line ► Kintetsu-Nara Line
Higashimuki Shopping Street
Kofuku-ji
Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum
Todai-ji
Nara National Museum
Nara Park
Ukimido Pavilion
Kasugataisha Shrine
Kintetsu-Kyoto Line ► Karasuma Line ► Hotel
Sat. Feb 21
Kiyomizu-dera
Chiikawa Mogumogu Honpo Fushimi Store
Fushimi Inari
To-ji Temple
Kyoto Aquarium
AEON Mall
Sun. Feb 22
Nijo Castle
Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace / Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
Okazaki Shrine
Okazaki Park / Heian-jingu / Art Museums
Murin-an Garden
Nanzen-ji
Osaka
Mon. Feb 23
Check out of Kyoto hotel by 11am
Kyoto hotel ► Hankyu-Kyoto Line ► Osaka hotel
Check in Osaka hotel after 3pm
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Tempozan Park
Tempozan Ferris Wheel
Tues. Feb 24
NAKKA
Shinsaibashi shopping
Final Fantasy Eorzea Cafe in Osaka
Dotonbori
Hozen-ji
Wed. Feb 25
Pick up rental car
Osaka hotel ► Various stops ► Susami hotel
Check in Susami hotel after 3pm
Thurs. Feb 26
Check out Susami hotel before 11am
Ebitokanino Aquarium
Susami hotel ► Various stops ► Osaka hotel
Fri. Feb 27
Kuromon Market
Nipponbashi Denden Town
Tennoji Park
Diorama Cat Shelter & Cafe
Shinsekai
Tsutenkaku
Tokyo
Sat. Feb 28
Check out of Osaka hotel before 11am
Uber ► Tokaido Shinkansen ► Uber ► Tokyo hotel
Check in Tokyo hotel after 3
Finish Akihabara if needed
Sun. Mar 1 (Shinjuku)
Shopping around Shinjuku Sta.
LUMINE EST Shinjuku
Shinjuku-Marui Annex
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Tokyo Toy Museum
Waseda El Dorado
Mon. Mar 2
Free day
おいぬさま (salt shrine)
Plushie Shop Foo.
Tues. Mar 3 (Nakano / Kichijoji)
Ghibli Museum
Inokashira Park Zoo
Cake Building
Kichijoji Petit Mura
Nakano Broadway
Wed. Mar 4 (Kappabashi / Asakusa)
Kappabashi shopping
Senso-ji
Nakamise Shopping Street
Tokyo Skytree
Thurs. Mar 5
Check out of Tokyo hotel by 10am
Tokyo hotel ► Ginza Line ► Skyliner ► NRT
Flight departs @6:30pm
by tooperonion