Hey everyone, we are planning our honeymoon trip to Japan March 23-April 04. We are flying in and out of Tokyo, arriving March 24 and leaving April 4.
Questions for the masses:
1: Is $250 a night a good estimate for hotels? We are looking for LGBTQ friendly areas, 3-4 stars.
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How did everyone do the trains? I can't figure out which trains to buy tickets for and do you need to buy in advance?
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Our main cities are Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Any cities in-between we should stop and see, smaller ones and maybe stay overnight?
Below is an iten that I used AI to help create, but I am not sure. Feel free to chime in with options, unknown facts.
Tokyo
Day 1:
Relax from Travel
Day 2
Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa) early to beat crowds. Walk through/Nakamise Shopping Street.
Mid-Morning: Stroll along Sumida River Park for cherry blossom views.
Afternoon (14:30): Ramen-making Class.
Explore Akihabara (Electric Town) for anime/manga culture.
Day 3
Lake Ashi Pirate Ship cruise. See Mt. Fuji from a distance.
Owakudani Volcanic Valley (eat the black eggs!).
Day 4
Visit Meiji Shrine and walk through Yoyogi Park (prime sakura spot). Walk down
Takeshita Street in Harajuku.
Ikebana (Flower Arrangement) Workshop
COSTCO MAKUHARI visit!
Karaoke Night Bar
Day 5
Tsukiji Outer Market (fresh seafood). Visit Imperial Palace East Gardens.
Afternoon: Visit teamLab Planets (Toyosu) for immersive digital art.
Arrange for luggage forward for Travel to Kyoto
Kyoto
Day 6
Fushimi Inari Shrine (10,000 red torii gates). Hike up the mountain.
Dinner in Pontocho Alley (atmospheric dining street) and walk through Gion.
Day 7
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) – Arrive at opening.
Visit Ryoan-ji (famous Rock Garden).
Tea Ceremony Experience at Tea Ceremony Kyoto.
Late Afternoon: Arashiyama District. Bamboo Grove/Tenryu-ji Temple/Togetsukyo Bridge.
Day 8
Change Hotelt to a Traditional Ryokan Stay
Walk the Philosopher's Path. Visit Ginkaku-ji.
Snack through Nishiki Market ("Kyoto's Kitchen").
Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei.
Relax on tatami mats, wear yukata, enjoy private bath/onsen time.
Traditional Kaiseki Dinner included at the Ryokan.
Day 9
Traditional Japanese breakfast at Ryokan. Luggage Transfer
Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple (huge wooden stage). Shop on Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka
slopes.
Train to Osaka (JR Special Rapid, 30-45 min, ¥570).
Osaka
Day 9 Evening in Osaka
Evening: Dotonbori Food Crawl (Self-guided). Must eats: Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Kushikatsu. See the Glico "Running Man" sign.
Day 10
Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, and Museum.
Train + Ferry to Miyajima Island.
See the floating Great Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Meet the wild deer. Try Momiji Manju (maple leaf cakes) and grilled oysters.
Train Return to Osaka.
Day 11
Osaka Castle and park (Sakura picnic spot).
Kuromon Market (fresh seafood/wagyu beef).
Shinsekai District (Retro vibe). Visit Tsutenkaku Tower.
Final shopping in Shinsaibashi. Pack for departure.
Day 12
Checkout. Leisurely breakfast.
Shinkansen to Tokyo Station (2.5 hrs, ¥13,320).
Narita Express from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport (60 min).
Flight Departure. Sayonara!
by Drawing_Dangerous