I'm flying into KIX at 6pm Jan 21, and flying out of HND at 9pm Jan 27. I'm wondering if it's excessive to change places twice – Dotonbori > Shinjuku > Asakusa. I've been once to Kyoto and Shinjuku, but I am bringing a friend this time who is just generally curious about Japan, but doesn't really need to do all of the super touristy things. Preference is general exploration, good eating and drinking.
- 1/21: Train to Osaka, check in, wander around Dotonbori late and get some food and drink.
- 1/22: Up early, day trip to Nara. Return late afternoon, Namba, izakaya, music bars, old school video gaming
- 1/23: Up early, check out, head up to Kyoto, leave bags in lockers, rent bikes (weather permitting) and explore some shrines, off the beaten path neighborhoods. Return bikes by 3pm and shinkansen to Tokyo.
- Check in (Shinjuku), dinner, vinyl bars, etc.
- 1/24: Up early, Shinjuku Gyoen or Meiji Jingu, lunch in Shibuya, shopping, dinner back in Shinjuku, probably more bars
- 1/25: Head across town to Asakusa for the last two days. Senso-ji, wandering north off the beaten path for a little more of a quiet experience
- 1/26: Sumida river, maybe Tokyo Skytree, general exploration
- 1/27: Open to ideas, fly out of HND at 9pm
Obviously I wish I had more time in general – my main concern is just hanging out in the same spot in Shinjuku and having four days of crazy bright lights and noise and whatnot. I'm also checking if there are any January-type things to take into consideration.
Thanks for any thoughts.
by VWGeeTeeEye