Hey guys, been lurking in this subreddit for a while to draft out my November plans. Please tell me if it's too packed. I like overplanning to ensure I have backup plans when I run into free time or if I decide to skip places.
I've been to Japan a couple times to visit family and friends. This time I focused on nature walks and my otaku driven hobbies. I tried to put them in the order I'll go through them every day, but I can easily swap days as needed if weather affects my plans.
I'll be awake around 5-6 am and head to bed by 10 pm latest most days. (This is my literal sleeping schedule right now since I work nights) My main issue is finding morning activities to fill in the lull before places are open. Most morning breakfasts in Osaka will probably be Matsuya for budget or Komeda as an alternative. In Tokyo, I have Dormy Inn for breakfast and soba if I want a light dinner at night. I plan to buy quick meals in the market for days I wake up before restaurants are open (hike/day trips).
Lunches and early dinners are when I'll splurge for good meals. I just pinned a bunch of spots featured in JapanEats I liked and recommendations from friends for whenever I get hungry.
All places with asterisk (*) are optional pivots if I'm ahead of schedule and finish early. If you have any suggestions enroute for days lemme know.
—
Day 1 – Nov 4
– Arrive in Osaka (KIX)
– Check in at Namba Hotel
– Dinner at Sushiro or Yakiniku
Depending on energy levels, I might knock out early. I'll land in the afternoon, but I doubt I'll get any sleep on flight. Sushiro or Yakiniku should be good for a low stress meal. I'll make a supply run to a supermarket nearby like LIFE to get some drinks and discounted bentos/onigiris for quick meals. Depends on selection.
—
Day 2 – Nov 5
– Shop in Umeda
– Hanshin Tigers Shop
– Kinokuniya Umeda
– MARUZEN & JUNKUDO
– Mandarake Umeda
– FireBomBAR
After Hanshin Tigers, I don't mind going off script if I something that catches my interest. I just wanted some places I know I'll be interested to head towards as a framework.
—
Day 3 – Nov 6
– Kobe Day Trip
– Nunobiki Falls Hike
– Nunobiki Herb Garden* (Might be too early so I'll pass if so)
– Kobe Beef Ramen Yazawa
– Center Plaza West
– Motomachi Street*
– Chinatown / Guanyu Temple
– Kobe Minato Onsen Lotus
I should be able to get on the trail by 7AM. Might wake up earlier than 5 AM today. I'll take the ropeway down if I need the break, but I don't mind the exercise. I fully expect to be here all day and end in the onsen around 9 PM
—
Day 4 – Nov 7
– Kizu Market
– Sennichimae Doguyasuji/Kuromon Market* (If DenDenTown not open yet)
– Den Den Town
– Amerikamura
– CAOFF DISCOVERY
– Dotonbori*
I haven't been to Kizu Market so I decided to check it out. If anyone has any suggestions for stuff to do before Noon in the area, let me know. Considered going to Tsuruhashi instead of Amerikamura.
—
Day 5 – Nov 8
– Minoh Falls
– Ryuan-ji Temple
– Katsuoji Temple*
– Tempura no Yama
– Relaxation Salon Fortuna (Or another Spa option)
– Head to Bed Early
I had considered walking through the Takedao Abandoned Railway Trail, but I chose Minoh Falls instead since it's autumn. I plan to retire by early afternoon and try to get a spa visit appointment to decompress so I can sleep blissfully.
Tomorrow will be a long day so I plan to sleep around 9 PM or so.
—
Day 6 – Nov 9
– Shinkansen to Nagoya (Early Morning)
– Nagoya Castle (Gift Shop Only)
– Osu Shotengai
– Nagoya Touken Museum*
– Hard Off / Hobby Off Shimadaminami*
– Shinkansen to Tokyo (Evening)
– Check in at Dormy Inn
I regret setting my hotels early on in Osaka and Tokyo. Spending a night here would of been less hectic. According to the dates, some of the places I had considered won't be open on this day. I plan to arrive in Nagoya early in the morning on the first train or so and be in Dormy Inn around 8-9 PM.
—
Day 7 – Nov 10
– Akihabara
– Nakano Broadway
– Find Dinner in Nakano Area
Didn't plan to fill this up too much. I've been here many times already, so I'll probably finish early and look for stuff to do after browsing Nakano Broadway. Might revisit a maid cafe. Any suggestions for places to go around Nakano Area to eat?
—
Day 8 – Nov 11
Mt. Takao & Hachioji
– Mt. Takao hike (Trail 6 up / Trail 1 down)
– Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu
– Lunch here or wait until DAPS*
– ECO Town (Hard Off Megastore)
– DAPS Famous Hood Joint
– Inokashira Park
Wonder if I'll get any good autumn leaves on this day. ECO Town and DAPS is the main reason I wanted to come to this area. If it rains I'll do something else in Kichijoji or swap to another day's plans.
—
Day 9 – Nov 12
– Head to Saitama
– Visit Friends
– Omiya Bonsai Village
– Railway Museum*
I like bonsai. Might go trainspotting.
—
Day 10 – Nov 13
– Yokohama Day Trip
– Shonan Monorail (Flexible)
– Amimoto Izu Sushi
– Yokohama Chinatown (Guanyu Temple here too?)
– Yamashita Park*
– Red Brick Warehouse*
Saw a good spot to film the Monorail passing you from below on youtube and wanted to check it out. Post Chinatown is mostly filler.
—
Day 11 – Nov 14
– Okachimachi Niconico Theater (Guaranteed event on Fridays)
There's an idol event here every Friday so unless I find another one available, I'll probably go here.
—
Day 12 – Nov 15
– Design Festa Vol 62
– Odaiba Statue of Liberty
– Unicorn Gundam Statue
– Dinner in Odaiba* (Or just head back if too crowded)
Not sure how crowded Design Festa will get this year, but it'll be nice to find something cool here. Good excuse to check out Odaiba more if I decide to leave early.
—
Day 13 – Nov 16
– Hatonosu Gorge
– Moegi-no-Yu Onsen
– Gallery Poppo*
– Lunch at Gorge or DAPS food joint
– Tori no Ichi Festival (Shinjuku)
Hatonosu Gorge was originally an alternative plan I thought of if I didn't want to head to Mt Takao. This was originally a free day, so I can easily change this to something else if I get updates on more events.
—
Day 14 – Nov 17
– Miyashita Park
– Shibuya PARCO
– Shibuya MODI
– glamb (Harajuku)
– Tokyu Food Show (Souvenirs)
– Bar Ginza Panorama Shibuya (Revisit)
Souvenir Day. Getting omiyage for friends and family. If you're into trains and train models, Panorama Bar is worth checking out. The owner and regulars there are pretty welcoming.
—
Day 15 – Nov 18
– Check in Hamamatsucho Hotel (Leave bags early morning check in later)
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– ARTNIA (Square Enix Cafe)*
– Shinjuku Marui Annex
– Tower Records Shinjuku
– Kabukicho
Fudged my hotel/flight dates. Decided on a hotel closer to the Tokyo Monorail to make the best of it. Since it's the last day, I'll probably stay out late. I always wanted to do a night walk in Kabukicho to compare the landscape to Kamurocho (Yakuza Series).
—
Day 16 – Nov 19
– Ginza Steak in Ebisu for last meal
– Return to hotel → collect bags
– Depart for HND
– Duty-free shopping
– Board Flight
The flight is in the evening, but I might head to HND early afternoon for ease of mind. I haven't explored the airport so that would give me something to do.
by Altruistic_Lab_4183