Review request. Thank you.
We are two otaku males traveling light, the plan is to buy big suitcases on the last day for shopping and presents. We only have 10 days, the plan is to have a mixture of traditional & pop-culture Japan on the route of Tokyo – Hakone – Kyoto – Osaka. Got tickets to Nintendo Museum in Kyoto so this one cannot be changed (day 8). For food, we are seeking for popular and regular food chains with good price/performance rather than fancy stuff with long wait times.
Thank you for any comments or tips. Arigatou gozaimasu.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Friday, October 4 – Arrival in Tokyo
- Arrive at Narita Airport (NRT). Take the Narita Express (N'EX) to Shinagawa.
- Check in to your hotel in the Takanawa district.
- Food Tips: For a quick and cheap dinner, try gyudon (beef bowl) at chains like Yoshinoya or Matsuya near Shinagawa Station.
Day 2: Saturday, October 5 – Tokyo City & Culture
- Explore Meiji Jingu Shrine and Takeshita Street in Harajuku.
- Travel by JR Yamanote Line to Shibuya. Experience Shibuya Crossing and visit the Hachiko statue.
- Go to Tokyo Tower for a city view.
- Food Tips: Try Harajuku street food (crêpes). In Shibuya, visit Genki Sushi for a fun electronic ordering experience or Ichiran Ramen for a unique ramen meal.
Day 3: Sunday, October 6 – Traditional & Pop Culture
- Visit Kanda Myojin and Yushima Seido shrines.
- Travel by JR Yamanote Line to Ikebukuro and explore Otome Road for anime and manga.
- Food Tips: Ikebukuro is famous for its ramen, so try a local shop like Mutekiya Ramen. You can also find great okonomiyaki restaurants.
Day 4: Monday, October 7 – History & Anime
- Visit Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise-dori in Asakusa.
- Travel by Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Ueno Park and its museums.
- Explore Akihabara for gaming and anime.
- Food Tips: In Asakusa, try traditional tempura or soba noodles. In Akihabara, Kura Sushi is a great choice for conveyor belt sushi, or get curry rice at Coco Ichibanya.
Day 5: Tuesday, October 8 – Journey to Hakone
- Travel by Shinkansen to Odawara. Purchase a Hakone Freepass (approx. 6,100 JPY for 2 days).
- Take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Hakone-Yumoto.
- Check in to your Balinese-style onsen ryokan in Hakone.
- Food Tips: Near Hakone-Yumoto Station, you can find small restaurants serving local soba noodles. Dinner is included at the ryokan.
Day 6: Wednesday, October 9 – The Hakone Loop
- Take a full-day tour using the Hakone Tozan Railway, Cable Car, Ropeway, and pirate ship.
- See Owakudani and Lake Ashi.
- Food Tips: In Owakudani, try the famous black eggs cooked in the volcanic springs. Dinner is included at the ryokan.
Day 7: Thursday, October 10 – Journey to Kyoto
- Travel by Shinkansen to Kyoto.
- Take the Karasuma Subway Line to your hotel in the Shijo district.
- Explore the Gion district and Yasaka Jinja shrine.
- Food Tips: Gion has great kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) and ramen shops.
Day 8: Friday, October 11 – Nintendo & Kyoto
- Visit Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji temples.
- Travel from Kyoto Station via JR Nara Line to Uji for your booked entry to the Nintendo Museum at 1:00 PM.
- Food Tips: In Uji, try dishes made with local matcha green tea. Back in Kyoto, enjoy a great bowl of ramen.
Day 9: Saturday, October 12 – To Osaka
- Store luggage at Kyoto Station.
- Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine.
- Travel to Osaka via JR Special Rapid Service (Shin-kaisoku).
- Check in to your hotel in the Namba district and spend the evening in Dotonbori.
- Food Tips: In Dotonbori, you must try takoyaki and okonomiyaki, Osaka's iconic street foods.
Day 10: Sunday, October 13 – Osaka Highlights
- Visit Osaka Castle.
- Travel by Osaka Loop Line to Nipponbashi (Den Den Town) for pop culture.
- Discover Shinsekai and Dotonbori in the evening.
- Food Tips: In Shinsekai, try kushikatsu (fried skewers). For your final dinner, return to Dotonbori for more great food.
Day 11: Monday, October 14 – Departure
- Check out of your hotel early (8:00 AM).
- Take the Shinkansen to Tokyo, then the Narita Express (N'EX) to the airport.
- Arrive at Narita Airport at approximately 2:00 PM for shopping and check-in.
- Depart at 5:50 PM.
by lzap