Apologies in advance for the novel. My dad (55M) and I (28F) will be visiting Japan for the first time in a couple of weeks (Sep. 24 – Oct. 3) and I’d love to get some feedback on our itinerary. Other than the specific questions peppered throughout, I’d also appreciate input on the general feasibility of these plans. I figure some things will need to go but don't yet know how to choose.
Notes:
- I’ve been asked why we’re spending so much time in Kanazawa, and the answer is that my dad has to be there for work/educational reasons. Some activities will be on my own and others we will do together. The Tokyo plans are all for us to do together.
- We’re interested in arts, culture, stationery, and handicrafts; I’m also interested in history, anime, and video games.
- I have a chronic illness that impacts my energy levels and will be renting a power wheelchair to have as back-up (can still handle a little walking on bad days though). I realize that certain locations on the itinerary are not wheelchair-friendly, so my thinking is that if, say, Day 6 ends up being such that I can’t handle a whole day on foot, I can switch it with, say, Day 7, and if I’m still not well enough then, I’ll have to just come up with a different plan. Wheelchair-accessible alternatives to the inaccessible places would be wonderful!
- Nothing is booked after Day 5, so Days 6-9 can be shuffled around.
- We’re very open to using taxis.
- With the exception of Harukor, we aren’t planning for specific restaurants. I have been pinning some wheelchair-accessible ones on Google Maps just in case. Recommendations for those are appreciated too.
- I’m still not sure how much time to budget for the below shrines and temples. I want to take in the scenery, read any informational signs, and get goshuin without feeling rushed. I’ve heard that it really varies; I’ve also heard that 1-1.5 hrs per shrine/temple is best. I’d especially love to hear about this from anyone who’s visited the ones in my itinerary.
- Bonus points for anyone who can point me to specific places in these areas that sell Hello Kitty or Kewpie gotochi (or any regional trinkets of that sort).
Day 1
10:25 Arrive at Komatsu Airport; forward luggage to hotel
- Question: Does anyone know how long it might take to get through immigration, set up luggage forwarding, etc.? I know it can take a long time at Narita but can't find any info on international arrivals in Komatsu (our route is YVR > TPE > KMQ).
Taxi or bus to Uhashi Shrine
If I can get there before they close, Hiyoshi Shrine and/or Suamakumano Shrine
Chaku Chaku Chaku (cheap thrift store)
Train to Kanazawa
Day 2
Morning (starting at 7?): Kanazawa Castle Park, maybe Kenroku-en
Lunch: Omicho Market
After lunch: split up. I want to tackle at least one of Oyama Shrine, Kanazawa Shrine, and Ishiura Shrine.
- Question: For someone who wants to take it all in and also get goshuin, how many (or which ones) out of those shrines are realistic for ~3 hours?
16:00 Reunite; Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art OR Nagamachi (Nomura-ke)
Day 3
Split up
9:00 Joganji (Mikawa); might visit nearby Fujitsuka Shrine or explore area
Train back to Kanazawa; Yasue Hachimangu
After lunch: taxi to Haseyama Kannon-in; Higashi Chaya
16:00 Reunite; Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art OR Nagamachi, whichever was not visited the day prior
Day 4 – Shirakawa-go day trip
8:10 Nohi Bus to Shirakawa-go (booked)
9:25 Arrive in Shirakawa-go
- Gassho Zukuri Minka-en, eat, wander
15:10 Bus departs Shirakawa-go (booked)
16:35 Bus arrives in Kanazawa
Time/energy permitting: thrifting at Off House
Night: Kenroku-en
Day 5
8:09 Shinkansen to Tokyo
10:37 Arrive at Tokyo Station; drop off luggage and (if feeling well) wheelchair at hotel next to station
Lunch nearby or at Azabudai Hills
13:00 – 13:30 entry to teamLab Borderless (already booked, with tea)
16:30? Leave for Harukor to arrive a bit early for 17:00 open and ensure seats
Post-dinner: explore Shinjuku? (Neither of us are big on drinking/nightlife.) Or perhaps go down to Shibuya?
Day 6
9:30 Yushima Seido
Whenever we’re done there: Akihabara
- Specific targets: Mandarake, Suruga-ya, Radio Kaikan, Earl’s Favorite, 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan
- Basically reserving this day for exploring Akihabara, because I am a weeb who likes to shop.
Day 7
Trying to plan a more or less wheelchair-friendly day here, because I might be totally shot by this point.
7:30 Senso-ji, Asakusa Shrine, Hikan Inari Shrine
- Question: Considering that this means leaving the hotel during rush hour, would taking a taxi be any better than public transit (in this case, the Ginza Line)?
Nakamise-dori and neighbouring shopping streets
After lunch: Tokyo National Museum
Time permitting: temples/shrines in Ueno Park e.g. Shinobazu no Ike Benten-do – not wheelchair-friendly?
After dinner: ideally, Ginza for Ito-ya and ancora (we have to fit those in somewhere, my dad will not accept otherwise)
Day 8 – Kamakura/Yokohama day trip
8:00 Hasedera; Kannon Museum; Kotoku-in; Retro Games Store B-Dash; Goryo Shrine
- Question: I know that last one gets crowded, but I’m not sure how much of that is for the shrine itself (specific hours?) vs. the train track photo op (anytime?). Does it matter what time of day we go there if we want less of a crowd?
Lunch; shop around Kamakura Station before heading to Yokohama
If we arrive in time: Hikawa Maru
Chinatown
- Specific targets: Goku Tea House, Kuan Ti Miao
Other options: Red Brick Warehouse, World Porters, Marine Tower?
Day 9
10:00 Snoopy Museum
After lunch: Shibuya, if we didn’t get there on Day 5 (mostly for the Capcom and Nintendo stores at Shibuya Parco – not sure how much shopping I’ll do there otherwise because I’m not built for Japanese clothes lmao)
Any “musts” we didn’t get to previously
- If there are none, then Nakano Broadway?
Day 10
17:25 flight from Narita Airport
- Debating what time to leave for the airport via Narita Express. I’m not keen on trying to cram more sightseeing in just in case something goes sideways, but it is a later flight. That said, I definitely want to at least visit the Pokemon store for the exclusive Pikachus.
Thank you to anyone who took the time to read all this!
by girlonplanet