Hey everyone! We are going to Japan in April of this year! We know it will be busier due to Cherry Blossom season but have planned it so we’ll be gone before Golden Week. This is our 2nd time to Japan (the first was in March 2019) and we cannot wait to get back! We are familiar with the transit plans, getting from place to place and what to expect so planning this trip seems a lot easier!
We are doing a combination of return visits to favorite places/places where we didn’t do everything we wanted to and some new destinations. We are a young active well-traveled couple who enjoy good food, local spots, and outdoor time. We are good moving around a bit more and are comfortable having a combination of planned out days and days with fewer plans where we just wander around. We are also very good at cutting out items on a trip if we are tired or too busy and being spontaneous if something catches our eye. We will not have a JR Pass as it wouldn’t save any money and all our hotels are already booked (we are Points enthusiasts so used that for accommodation but were careful about near stations and centrally located). We have a few remaining questions at the bottom and greatly appreciate any advice!
**Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo**
Arrive at Haneda around 14:30. Pick up Pocket Wifi and Suica cards. Head to Shinjuku hotel and grab dinner/wander until tired.
**Day 2: Tokyo**
Tsukiji Fish Market for Breakfast (early, due to jet lag)
TeamLabs Planets reservation at 12:00
Odaiba and Rainbow Bridge Area
**Day 3: Tokyo**
No plans, suggestions welcome!
**Day 4: Move to Kyoto**
Take the train to Kyoto
Check into Accommodation in Gion
Wander Gion and get dinner (possibly at Izakaya Ryosen)
**Day 5: Kyoto**
I will try to get a breakfast reservation at Choshoku Kishin
Philosopher’s Path
Nishiki Market
**Day 6: Kyoto**
No plans, either another day to explore Kyoto or take a trip. Suggestions welcome!
**Day 7: Kyoto**
Day trip to Himeji
Himeji Castle
Kokoen Garden
Shoshazan Engyoji
**Day 8: Move to Osaka**
Drop bags at the hotel in Dotonbori
Explore Dotonbori
Possibly explore Shinsekai
**Day 9: Osaka**
USJ
Dinner in Dotonbori (depending on how USJ day goes)
**Day 10: Move to Takayama**
Check into a hotel near the station
**Day 11: Takayama**
Hida Folk Village
Old Town
Higashiyama Walking Course
I will try to get a reservation at Sakurajaya
**Day 12: Takayama**
Take bus to Shinhotaka Ropeway
May do a shorter hike if possible
Dinner back in Takayama
**Day 13: Move to Tokyo**
Check into a hotel near Asakusa station
**Day 14: Tokyo**
Possible visit to the Tokyo National Museum
Possibly revisit SkyTree (went on a previous trip)
**Day 15: Leave Tokyo**
Last-minute shopping and lunch
Flight around 16:30
Our biggest remaining questions that we would love advice on are:
1. What are some underrated or off-the-beaten-path activities we could consider in Tokyo and Kyoto?
2. Are there any restaurants worth booking in advance in any of our destinations that aren’t crazy expensive (IE: in the 15,000-20,000 yen for two people price range)? Any recommendations for great spots that don’t require reservations?
3. Are there any food tours worth booking in Kyoto, Osaka, or Tokyo? I just did one in Bangkok and loved it but so far haven’t found any comparable ones in my research.
4. Aside from TeamLabs (already booked), USJ (booking date planned), and PocketWifi (reserved) are there any other major items we need to pre-book on this schedule?