Hi everyone, I am planning to go for 2 weeks in April (10-24). Only 2 people, both Male adults 18+. We are trying to see the must-see things for a first trip so it’s mainly Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Looking for any advice and help if the itinerary is too packed on certain days or if something should be changed/added for a first-timer. Thank you in advance!!
Some questions I have are:
1.) What phrases or words should be needed to survive for foreigners?
2.) I heard most places are cash only is that true and do credit cards work over there?
3.) Because April is cherry blossom season is everything gonna be packed and should we wake up early every day?
4.) When should I begin to reserve hotels?
Itinerary:
**April 10 (Day 1):** Leave USA
**April 11 (Day 2):** Arrive in Tokyo around 3 PM
Take a train to Shibuya to the hotel
Walk around Shibuya
**April 12 (Day 3): Tokyo – Shibuya/Harajuku**
Morning:
Shibuya Crossing (10-15 minutes for pics)
Hachiko Statue (15 minutes)
Pokemon Center Shibuya (1 hour)
Afternoon:
Shibuya 3D Billboards: Akita and Panda (Shibuya Center Gai) (10 minutes)
Tokyo Plaza Stairs (Quick pics, 15 minutes)
Visit Takeshita Street (1 hour)
Nintendo Store Tokyo
Shibuya 109
Tokyo – Tsukiji Outer Market/Tokyo Tower/Zojo-ji
Night:
Shibuya Sky (30 minutes)
Explore Shibuya
**April 13 (Day 4): Tokyo – Akihabara/Ueno/Ameyoko**
Morning:
Ueno Park/Visit Senso-ji Shrine/Ameyoko Shopping District
Rest of the day: Akihabara
**April 14 (Day 5): Tokyo – Roppongi Hills/The Mori Art Museum**
Mori Garden
Japan National Stadium
Meiji Jingu Gaien
TeamLab Tokyo
**April 15 (Day 6): Tokyo – Shinjuku**
Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine/Park
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Golden Gai
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Dinner at Rotating Sushi Oedo Shinjuku Nishiguchi
Explore Omoide Yokocho
Stay in Shinjuku
**April 16 (Day 7): Yokohama-day trip**
Explore Yokohama (Chinatown, Minatomirai, Gundam Factory, Cup Noodle Factory, Hikawa Maru, Motomachi, Bashamichi, Sankei-en Garden) – Note: Might not have time for all?
**April 17 (Day 8): Kyoto**
Day 1: Southern Higashiyama, Downtown, and Fushimi-Inari
**April 18 (Day 9): Kyoto**
Day 2: Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Daitoku-ji
**April 19 (Day 10): Kyoto**
Day 3: Kurama/Kibune and Northern Higashiyama
**April 20 (Day 11): Osaka**
Osaka Castle
Go to Den-Den Town (Akihabara of Osaka) during the day; Amerika-Mura for Japanese Street Fashion
**April 21 (Day 12): Osaka – Nara Day Trip**
Nakatanidou to see mochi pounding
Walk around, eat at Okaru
Kofuku-ji Temple
Wander through Isuien Garden
Visit Todai-ji Temple
Explore Nara Deer Park and Mt. Wakakusa
Visit Kasuga-Taisha
Shop on Higashimuki Shopping Street & Mochiidono Shopping Arcade
**April 22 (Day 13): Osaka**
Aquarium
Umeda Sky Building
Dotonbori – Street food
Shitenno-ji
Namba Yasaka Shrine
**April 23 (Day 14): Tokyo** \- Gift Shopping/Last Minute Shopping
Akihabara/Don Quijote gift shop?/Thrifting
**April 24 (Day 15):** Leave Tokyo back to USA
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