Hello! I’ll be visiting Japan departing March 14 and returning March 25. This will be my first trip ever solo, as well as first time leaving the USA. Visiting Japan has been a lifelong sort of goal, and I am excited to treat myself for graduating college. I’ll be back other times in the future, to visit other places, but this first time I’ll mainly be residing in Tokyo.
I am looking for guidance/review of my itinerary, recommendations, and general info regarding the necessities and budgeting of my trip. I’ll also give a bit about myself in order to get more attuned recommendations. I’ve done a fair amount of research, but still feel overwhelmed in a sense.
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Day 1 – Friday, March 15
\- Arrive at 2:20pm, and go to my Ueno accomodation ( Toyoko Inn Asakusa Kuramae No. 2 ). Plan to arrive sometime between 4-5pm
\- Find something to eat, maybe go to a nearby park, but I left this day open not knowing how I’d feel after the plane ride.
Day 2 –
Sensoji early in the AM before crowded, Tokyo Sky Tree, Ueno park, shop for a bag that I can carry around
Later in the day head to Nakano Broadway(around 4) and hang around until I can go chill at the Jojo themed bar
Day 3 –
Tokyo Metropolitan gov building, shinjuku gyoen, hanazono shrine, yayoi kusama art exhibit, head to omoide yokocho to end the day
Day 4 –
TeamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills) at opening – i dont want to deal with crowds.
Yoyogi park, thrifting in shimokitazawa, gift shopping at don quijote. Not sure what else to do in this area. Head to Shibuya Sky around 5-6pm.
Day 5 –
Imperial Palace at 9-ish, walk to koishikawa korakuen, bunkyo furusato museum, shop around for books in jimbocho, head to the Tokyo Dome for a baseball game (Giants vs Lotte). Grab something to eat on the walk back to Ueno, and pack up for my overnight trip
Day 6 –
Leave for Nikko, arrive at the Nikko Senhime Monogatari at 11am. Check out the Toshogu Shrine, Taiyuinbyo, kanmangafuchi abyss, and the shinkyo bridge. Enjoy the hot springs at my accomdation. (I’ve got a single tattoo, in the shape of a star, about palm sized right on top of my trap. Basically, the joestar mark. Would this be an issue?)
Day 7 –
Check out of my hotel, and head back to Ueno. Do some shopping, looking for a kitchen knife, a yukata, toys/hobby stuff, maybe a cup. Nothing else planned
Day 8 –
Tsukiji Outer Market – maybe go to Yokohama to see the gundam statue and nearby attractions.
JDM Global Warehouse – I want to see Daikoku PA pretty badly – the service costs at least $200 alone though.
Day 9 –
**Open**
Day 10
**Flight**
Okay! Thats the jist of my itinerary, omitting some small stuff like seeing specific areas of parks. To go over my own interests,
I used to be big into anime, not much any longer, but I am well familiar. I do especially love JJK, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Vagabond, Vinland Saga. I’m not too big into statue collecting, I would, but I’d love more unique merch like animation frames or something. I’m no art major, but I can find general art interesting. I am big on fashion and streetwear, not in terms of designer/luxury brands but just like stylish fashion regardless of brands. I would **really** like to try some Wagyu – I love steak. I’m into car culture – not necessarily interested in engine work but I grew up in love with the “Fast & Furious” and “Need for Speed” japanese-inspired car-culture, and would really love to get to Daikoku PA on a weekend. Nature is beautiful too, of course. I skateboard, and also would find general sporting events interesting, particularly pro-wrestling. Videogames also up there in interests. I’d very much also like to participate in some nightlife – a club welcoming to foreigners (in particular… a black american one) would be nice. Samurais and their weapons are also cool I liked ancient war history a lot at one point- unfortunately the samurai museum I wanted to see seems to be “temporarily”(permanently more like) closed.
So, onto my questions, in order of priority:
1. Is this itinerary feasible?
2. Particular recommendations for activities/locations I should visit?
3. I’m working on a budget primarily – my accommodations come up to roughly $600. I’m not one for the trendiest shops, the luxury foods, etc. Maybe one **good** meal ($10-15?) a day, konbini-type prices otherwise. **How much money would have me not double checking my budget?** About a thousand USD?
4. Transportation – is there a certain rail pass I should purchase for the areas I intend to visit? Do I need to pre-purchase these?
5. How much physical cash should I withdraw? Should I do so at the airport or elsewhere?