Hello! My partner and I (both early 30s) will be leaving for Japan in about a week. He has never been to Japan before or traveled internationally. I went last year for a 2 week solo trip (Tokyo, Kamakura/Enoshima Island, Hakone, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto.) He's told me to plan everything and he'll be happy with wherever I take him, but to make sure I don't kill his knee with a place with too many stairs. So I'm trying to go to some places I went to that I think he might enjoy while I also mix in things that are new to me that I didn't do last year.
Day 1 – Tokyo
- Land at Haneda around 530pm
- Pick up Pocket wifi (locked phones), yen, and a suica card for myself (Samsung phone)
- Check in at hotel near Shinagawa station
Day 2 – Tokyo -> Kyoto
- Hop on early morning Shinkansen to Kyoto
- Check in to hotel early (technically late check-in, paying for the night before)
- Explore Gion, Yasaka Shrine towards sunset, and then Pontocho Alley in the evening
Day 3 – Kyoto
- Head to the Arashiyama area early in the morning. Might skip out on the bamboo forest though.
- Tenryu-ji, togetsukyo bridge, nison-in temple, gioji temple
- No plans for evening yet
Day 4 – Kyoto (Osaka day trip)
I havent fully thought about this day yet besides going to Dotonbori area in the evening. So any suggestions would be appreciated
Day 5 – Kyoto
- Nishiki Market and some nearby shopping. Could add more to this day but might try to just make it more of a chill day to get rested
Day 6 – Kyoto -> Kanazawa
- Check out and hop on train to Kanazawa
- Leave bags at hotel (near station) and go to Omicho Market
- Explore the area a bit
Day 7 – Kanazawa
- Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en
- More exploring in the area
Day 8 – Kanazawa -> Tokyo
- Take Shinkansen to Tokyo and leave bags at hotel (near Kanda Station)
- Thinking about going to Shin-okubo area to go to the koreatown there but let me know if we should skip it
- Then head to shinjuku and explore down there
- Probably check out golden gai in the evening
Day 9 – Tokyo
- Ueno Park
- Ameyoko plaza
- Senso-ji before sunset and stay til to see it all lit up at night
Day 10 – Tokyo
- Monster Hunter Bar for lunch (he's a big fan)
- Head to shibuya to explore and shop
- Going to try to book shibuya sky tickets around sunset time
Day 11- Tokyo Day Trip Day
Now I'd appreciate some advice here. I was thinking about going to Kamakura in the morning and then going to Yokohama later in the afternoon. But if it's too much then probably just a full day in Yokohama
Day 12- Shopping day
- Head to Ginza to do a bunch of shopping. Then probably end up at a Don Quijote somewhere
Day 13- Fly back to LA
- Check out and leave luggage at hotel. Enjoy some konbini food and hangout in the area until its time to go to the airport. Flight leaves around 5pm
I managed to do a ton on my solo trip but I don't want to make my partner too tired, so hopefully this is a decent enough pace that should be doable. I'd appreciate any suggestions or advice!
Thank you!
by Individual-Tooth9827