(Oct 20–30, 2025)
About me: solo M35, culture > nightlife, cafés/street food, no pork / no raw fish.
Hotels: Tokyo – Asakusa Tobu • Osaka – Vessel Inn Namba.
Day 1 – Mon (Asakusa)
Land in Tokyo early 8AM
Senso-ji & Nakamise (late morning)
Tea ceremony at Maikoya (late afternoon)
(Optional) Asakusa Culture Center roof or Hoppy-dori. Imado Shrine is nearby if I want the “cat” angle.
Day 2 – Tue (Nezu/Yanaka → Akihabara → Shibuya)
Nezu Shrine + Yanaka backstreets (AM)
Akihabara around 11:30–2:00 (shops open late)
Shibuya dinner + Crossing view
(Optional) Kanda Myojin or quick Ameyoko loop
Day 3 – Wed (Shibuya/Harajuku – garden/design)
Meiji Jingu
Nezu Museum garden → Aoyama/Omotesando walk
(Optional) Cat Street browsing
Arona Spa at night
Day 4 – Thu (Mitaka/Kichijoji → Shimokitazawa)
Ghibli Museum (or Suginami Animation Museum if no tickets)
Inokashira Park + lunch in Kichijoji
(Optional) Swap Gotokuji for Koenji cafés or extra Kichijoji time
Dinner in Shimokitazawa
Day 5 – Fri (Asakusa crafts)
Hands-on mochi class
Kappabashi Kitchen Street – 1.5–2 hrs (shopping)
(Optional) Kuramae “makers” stroll; Suzukien gelato
Day 6 – Sat (Kagurazaka)
Iidabashi → Kagurazaka lanes/cafés
Wagashi class or calligraphy workshop
(Optional) Quick photo stroll: Omoide Yokocho or Golden Gai
Day 7 – Sun (Tokyo → Osaka)
Shinkansen to Osaka (AM, reserved)
Dotonbori after dark + dinner
(Optional) Namba Yasaka night photo
Day 8 – Mon (Osaka)
Den Den Town after lunch (many shops open ~noon)
Hozenji Yokocho
(Optional) Nakazakicho cafés or short Shinsaibashi/Kuromon loop
Day 9 – Tue (Kyoto day trip — pick two)
A: Fushimi Inari early → Gion/Pontocho dinner
B: Arashiyama early → Gion/Pontocho dinner
(Optional) Add the third only if I’m ahead of schedule
Day 10 – Wed (Nara + final night)
Todaiji, Nara Park, Isuien/Yoshikien (AM)
Bar Nayuta at night (arrive early; no reservations)
(Optional) Umeda Sky at sunset if clear
Day 11 – Thu (Departure)
Pack, easy breakfast, checkout at 12:00 → KIX by ~13:30 for 5:00 PM flight
Would love feedback: any day feels too tight or routed weird? Easy swaps within the same areas? Also open to food recs that fit no pork / no raw fish. Thanks!
by SpongeBobSmallPants