Hi everyone,
I have done a lot of lurking in this Reddit group and have read through many many posts. I am really appreciative how many people have shared their itineraries and their experiences! You all have made planning this trip really fun!
I am a solo female traveler, going to Japan in March. I’ve traveled solo before through Europe, but never solo anywhere in Asia. I am really excited for this adventure! I really am just hoping for some input on how I have planned out my trip. Appreciative of anything people can weigh in on!
**A few things about me:**
* I love food but am also celiac so will have the added challenge of navigating being gluten free in Japanese (as an English-only speaker). I have read a lot of blog articles, but would love some gluten free food suggestions if anyone has any! I have read that 7/11 will hilariously be my best friend and keep my from going hungry in Japan.
* I enjoy art and music, so would love to check out galleries and live music.
* I love baseball, and am going to try to get in at least one or two games.
* Would really be interested in checking out some fun cocktail bars and dive bars.
**My planned route:** Tokyo–> Kyoto –> Hiroshima –> Osaka –> Tokyo
**Some questions I have are**:
1. Should I spend one less night in Kyoto?
2. Do I need to spend 2 nights in Hiroshima, or would one night and leaving late in the day/early evening on the second day suffice?
3. Should I spend more than 2 nights in Osaka?
4. Any amazing live music venues people would suggest?
5. Did anyone with tattoos go to an Onsen that I should check out?
6. Outside of hotels and travel expenses, how much money did you end up spending daily when you were there? Obviously this is a difficult question to answer because everyone spends money differently, but I’m aiming to keep it things fairly budget-friendly (maybe a few mid-range dinners). I was planning to bring $2000 Canadian in spending money for daily expenditures (food, inner-city travel, museum entries, etc.) Is this realistic if I’m not including my hotel or bullet train tickets in this?
7. Did you do a tour to Mt. Fiji that you would recommend?
8. Pocket wifi or get a SIM card?
9. Is go-carting in Tokyo worth it?
**My tentative itinerary:**
**Day 1** \- arrive in Tokyo late afternoon
* planning to go to my hotel and crash
**Day 2** \- Tokyo – operation relax & explore!
* **Morning** \- Go to the Hisamatsuyu Onsen (I have tattoos, so my choice in onsen is limited, I have learned)
* **Early-afternoon** \- check into capsule hotel (Shinjuku)
* Explore Harajuku
* Nezu Museum
* Meiji-jingu Shrine
* Explore Shibuya
* **Evening**
* Eat dinner in Roppongi
**Day 3**
* Mt. Fiji – I still haven’t landed on a tour yet, but will likely sign up for one so I don’t have to navigate getting there on my own
**Day 4** \- Fish Market + Imperial Palace Area and Shinjuku
* 5am – Go to Toyosu Market
* Explore Waterfront and Odaiba
* **Morning**
* Visit Imperial Palace East Garden
* Walk through Kitanomaru-koen Park and visit Yasukuni-jinja Shrine
* **Afternoon**
* Lunch in Shinjuku
* observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices
* **Late afternoon** \- back to hotel to rest
* **Evening -** back to Shinjuku
* Golden Gai bar strip
* Zoetrope (whiskey bar)
* Dinner in Shinjuku
**Day 5 -** Traditional Tokyo/East Side
* **Morning**
* Asakusa and visit Senso-ji Temple.
* Ueno – museums and park in Ueno.
* **Afternoon**
* Lunch around Tokyo Station
* Baseball game at Tokyo Dome (12 min by transit from Tokyo Station)
* **Evening**
* Go-karting?
* Dinner in Roppongi
**Day 6** \- Travel to Kyoto
* **Morning**
* Take bullet train to Kyoto
* **Afternoon**
* Explore downtown Kyoto
**Day 7** \- Explore Northern Kyoto
**Day 8** \- Explore Eastern Kyoto
**Day 9** \- Explore Central Kyoto
**Kyoto ideas:** Minato Mirai, Kodaiji Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto’s Imperial Palace, Turquoise Bar, find an Onsen in Kyoto to visit
**Day 10** \- Travel to Hiroshima
* **Morning** \- travel to Hiroshima
* **Afternoon**
* Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park & Museum
* **Evening**
* Koba Bar – [https://gethiroshima.com/nightlife/koba/](https://gethiroshima.com/nightlife/koba/)
**Day 11** \- Hiroshima
* Miyajima island
* Itsukushima Shrine
**Hiroshima ideas:** kagura shows, Mitaki-dera temple and bamboo forest, Hiroshima castle and garden, the Futabanosato temple walk, Mazda Museum, baseball games, Peace Pagoda
**Day 12** \- Travel to Osaka
* **Morning** \- travel to Osaka
* **Afternoon**
* Explore Den-Den Town
**Day 13** \- Explore Osaka
* Sumo tournament
* Explore Dotonbori
* **Evening**
* Dinner – find somewhere to eat prime Japanese beef shabu shabu
* Speakeasy bars (Bar Shiki, Bar Nayuta, Bible Club Osaka, Bar Matsuda)
**Osaka ideas:** Amerikamura, Cup Noodle Museum,
Universal Studios
, Kuromon Market
, Kani Douraku (crab restaurant)
**Day 14** \- Travel to Tokyo
* Morning – travel to Tokyo (currently debating between taking the bullet train or flying)
* Afternoon
* Wander Akihabara (Electric Town)
* Hopefully catch a Yomiuri Giants game
**Day 15** \- Tokyo
* Disney World!
**Day 16** \- last day in Japan
* Explore Ebisu neighbourhood
* Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
* Matsuoka Museum
* Meguro River Cherry Blossoms Promenade
* Jolly’s Liquor Store
* Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
* Evening
* Depart Tokyo (fly home)
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I look forward to being able to contribute to other people’s travels after my trip!
Many thanks in advance! 🙂
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