I wasn’t able to book this trip until this week and I’m leaving 4/12. Been working on this for a few days and here’s what I have so far. Only a few truly booked events but would love some more advice on if I’m missing anything big or if the plan makes sense as a whole
For context I’m 27M and traveling solo. Looking to eat some good food and see a lot of the sights but also want to go out and meet new people/enjoy the nightlife.
Apr 12 (Sun) — Travel day
• LAX → Tokyo (HND)
• Flight departs 11:20 AM
Apr 13 (Mon) — Tokyo (get in at 4:45pm local time)
• Base: Shinjuku / Jingugaien area
• Dinner near hotel
• Explore neighborhood / get bearings
• Optional: Shibuya Crossing
Apr 14 (Tue) — Tokyo
• Base: Shinjuku / Jingugaien area
• Tsukiji Outer Market
• Optional: Imperial Palace area
• 5:30 PM — Shinjuku Sumo Club
• 8:30 PM — Sushi Ryujiro
• Optional: karaoke / nightlife after dinner
Apr 15 (Wed) — Tokyo
• Base: Shinjuku / Jingugaien area
• Matcha / coffee in Shinjuku
• 12:30 PM — Shinjuku Food Tour
• Harajuku
• Cat Street
• Omotesando
• Chill dinner
• Early night
Apr 16 (Thu) — Nikko day trip
• Base: Shinjuku / Jingugaien area
• 7:00 AM — Nikko / Kegon Waterfall / Chuzenji Lake tour
• Back to hotel / shower / reassess
• Optional: bars / club if not too tired
Apr 17 (Fri) — Tokyo
• Base: Shinjuku / Jingugaien area
• Meiji Jingu
• Miyashita Park
• Optional: Shibuya Crossing if not already
• Optional social plan: Tokyo Pub Crawl
Apr 18 (Sat) — Hakone
• Base: Hakone-Yumoto
• Travel to Hakone
• Open-Air Museum
• Optional: Pirate ship or Hakone Shrine
• Onsen / relax
Apr 19 (Sun) — Kyoto
• Base: Gion
• Travel to Kyoto / check in
• Optional: Nijo Castle if timing works
• Dinner / get bearings
• Optional night out
Apr 20 (Mon) — Kyoto
• Base: Gion
• Kiyomizu-dera
• Sannenzaka
• Yasaka Pagoda
• Yasaka Shrine
• Open rest of day
Apr 21 (Tue) — Kyoto
• Base: Gion
• Fushimi Inari
• Flexible Kyoto day / explore more central areas
• Optional evening plan: GEAR
Apr 22 (Wed) — Kyoto
• Base: Gion
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
• Relaxed Arashiyama day
• Optional: river / temple area
• Flexible afternoon
Apr 23 (Thu) — Osaka
• Base: Namba
• Travel to Osaka / check in
• Optional: Kuromon Market if time
• Optional: Osaka Aquarium
• Dotonbori
• Nightlife in Namba / Shinsaibashi
Apr 24 (Fri) — Osaka
• Base: Namba
• Osaka Castle
• Optional: Umeda Sky Building
• 5:15 PM — Osaka Food Tour
• Shinsekai / Tsutenkaku at night
Apr 25 (Sat) — Tokyo
• Base: Ginza
• Travel back to Tokyo / check in
• Explore Ginza / get bearings
• Optional: nap / hang out nearby
• 6:00 PM — teamLab Planets
• Night out after probably at Baia
Apr 26 (Sun) — Tokyo
• Base: Ginza
• Nakano
• Koenji
• Catch-up shopping / souvenirs
• Uniqlo / Don Quijote if needed
Apr 27 (Mon) — Departure
• Base: Ginza
• Easy morning in Tokyo
• Nice brunch / lunch
• Head to HND
• Flight departs 4:45 PM
by thndrdsc