We're planning a tour in April. It's myself and one other person, and we're both in our 30s. I've already booked our hotel and flights–we're firming up our plans so I know if there's tickets I have purchase now.
This is what I have so far! My question are: Does this itinerary make sense? Are there days that are too full?
April 7: Arrival & Asakusa Night
- 4:30 PM: Arrive at Narita Airport.
- Evening: Check into Hotel.
- Activity: SkyTree, and food
April 8: Tsukiji, Gaming & Books
- 7:00 AM: Attend morning chanting at Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple.
- Late Morning: Akihabara Gamer’s Day.
- Late Afternoon: Jimbocho Book District.
April 9: Asakusa
- Early Morning: Senso-ji for the monks' morning chanting.
- Imado Temple & Sumida/river walk
- 10:00 AM: Samurai Museum & Kimono Tea Ceremony.
- Afternoon: Tokyo National Museum (Ueno Park) or Nakamise Shopping Street
- 8:00 PM: Sumo Wrestling Dinner.
April 10: Shinjuku & Nintendo History
- Morning/Afternoon: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
- Mid-Afternoon: 84 Hashi (Bar 84)
- 6:00 PM: Shinjuku Food Tour through Kabukicho and Omoide Yokocho.
April 11: Harajuku & Shibuya Trends
- Morning: Meiji Jingu Shrine & Yoyogi Park.
- Lunch: Harajuku’s Takeshita Street and a walk down Cat Street.
- Afternoon: Shibuya highlights—Nintendo Tokyo Store (Shibuya Parco), the Scramble Crossing, Hachiko.
Considering we are coming from Asakusa the Shinkansen is likely the winner. Albeit, the Romancercar does it easy to get from Tokyo to Hakone but it also requires us to go to Shinjuku. I know I still have to buy the Hakone Day Pass but won't have pay the premium for the Romancecar/it will need to start Odawara. I also plan on using a luggage forwarding service here.
April 12: Hakone
- Travel: Depart for Hakone
- Activity: Complete the Hakone Loop (ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise).
April 13: Kyoto Arrival & Geisha Arts
- Travel: Shinkansen to Kyoto; check into Hotel
- 2:00 PM: Miyako Odori (already booked)
- 5:00 PM: Geisha Stories Tour in the Gion district.
- Find food after in Pontocho?
April 14: Kyoto Nature & Sake
- Morning: Philosopher's Path walk followed by lunch at Maruyama Park.
- 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Sake Tour.
- Leisurely walk Gion's backstreets.
April 15: Arashiyama Highlights
- Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple.
- Afternoon: Monkey Park Iwatayama.
- Nishiki Market?
April 16: Transition (Kyoto → Nara → Osaka)
- Morning: Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Afternoon: Nara Deer Park and the Great Buddha at Todai-ji.
- Transit to Osaka.
I plan on using luggage forwarding this day between Osaka and Kyoto because of the fairly active aspect of this day. I was thinking about getting a JR Hiroshima-Kanasi Area Pass that would cover my travel between Osaka and Kyoto as well as that to Hiroshima and back from Hiroshima to Osaka.
I hear what people are saying about doing Nara between Kyoto and Osaka. We could also skip it and do it the following day. The afternoon on the 16th would be Osaka Castle and Den Den Town, if time permits.
April 17: Osaka History & Food
- Morning: Explore Osaka Castle and its grounds.
- Afternoon: Den Den Town for more gaming and electronics.
- 6:00 PM: Food Tour.
April 18: Himeji Castle to Hiroshima
- Morning: Visit Himeji Castle on the way to Hiroshima.
- Stay: Check into your Hiroshima hotel, dinner
April 19: Hiroshima & Miyajima
- 9:00 AM – Lunch: Hiroshima Tour
- Afternoon: Miyajima Island
I was torn about Miyajima Island on the same day as our Peace Park tour. However, it doesn't really fit anywhere else.
April 20: Back to Tokyo (Ueno)
- Travel: Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Tokyo (~4.5 hours).
- Evening: Ameyoko Market.
April 21: Departure
- Morning: Japan National Museum/Ueno Park?
- 3:30 PM: Depart for airport
- 6:30 PM: Flight Departure.
by blackwhitekatten