Hey everyone, I’m back!
I’m still planning my first trip to Japan for November (16 days total) and I’ve been working hard on a day-by-day schedule. My goal is to balance the "must-see" cultural spots with my interests in tech, PC hardware, and gaming, while trying to keep travel time between activities as efficient as possible.
I’d love to get your insights on the flow of this itinerary—does it feel too rushed? Are there any hidden gems for tech/hardware I’m missing?
The Itinerary
Part 1: Tokyo
• Day 1: Arrival at Haneda → Check-in in Akihabara. Rest and initial exploration of Electric Town.
• Day 2: Meiji Jingu → Harajuku (Takeshita St.) → Shibuya (Crossing, Shibuya Parco/Nintendo Store, Shibuya Sky for sunset).
• Day 3: Senso-ji (Asakusa) → Ueno Park (Museum of Nature & Science) → Ameyoko Market.
• Day 4: Hard Off Hachioji Owada (Eco Town) → Nakano Broadway.
• Day 5: Day Trip to Hakone (Odakyu Romancecar).
• Day 6: Shinjuku Gyoen → Tokyo Metropolitan Govt Bldg → teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills) → Tokyo Tower.
• Day 7: Imperial Palace → Ginza → Final Akihabara walk.
Part 2: Kyoto & Uji
• Day 8: Shinkansen to Kyoto → Evening walk in Gion & Pontocho Alley.
• Day 9: Fushimi Inari (7 AM start) → Kiyomizu-dera → Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka → Kodai-ji.
• Day 10: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove → Tenryu-ji Temple → Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).
• Day 11: Check out → Uji (Nintendo Museum & Byodo-in Temple) → Travel to Osaka and check-in.
Part 3: Osaka & Nara
• Day 12: Universal Studios Japan (Full day for Super Nintendo World).
• Day 13: Osaka Castle & Park → Museum of History → Umeda Sky Building & Shopping.
• Day 14: Nature & Tech: Katsuo-ji Temple → Minoh Park (Waterfall walk) → Den Den Town (Nipponbashi).
• Day 15: Day Trip to Nara (Nara Park & Todai-ji) → Evening in Namba/Dotonbori.
• Day 16: Last minute shopping in Namba → Departure.
Hotels I’ll be staying at:
Akihabara Washington Hotel
Ibis Style Kyoto Station
Dotonbori Hotel
Specific Questions:
1. Tech Hunting: As an enthusiast, is there any specific spot in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka you’d recommend for small form factor (SFF), Retro gaming stuff or high-end PC components?
2.Efficiency: Does the grouping of activities make sense geographically, or am I backtracking too much?
Thanks in advance for any feedback or tips! I'm open to any and all suggestions to make this first trip unforgettable.
by hollowsinchris