Hi everyone. I’m planning a first time trip with my family to Japan in early march. I’ve been doing my research and editing a ton to keep the geographical structure in check, but I’d love to get a second opinion. I plan to visit Tokyo, followed by Kyoto, ending off with Osaka. I’m open to all tips and recommendations. Thanks for the help.
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**> Hotel 1 : Hundred Stay Shinjuku**
**Day 1 (6/3)**
* Arriving 3.35pm at Haneda Airport
* Pick up pocket wifi and set up eSIM
* Hotel-arranged ride to hotel in Shinjuku (I expect to reach latest 6pm after all the airport shenanigans and travel time)
* Hotel check-in
* Any suggestions on what to do in Shinjuku for the rest of the day since I plan to dedicate Day 2 to exploring Shinjuku (no jetlag cuz of 1 hour time difference)
**Day 2 (7/3) : Shinjuku**
* Tokyo Metropolitan Govt Building
* Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
* Hanazono Shrine
* Kabukicho
* Shinjuku Golden Gai
* Any suggestions
**Day 3 (8/3)**
* Tsukiji Outer Market (breakfast)
* Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu (4-5h)
* Any suggestions
**Day 4 (9/3) : Harajuku/Shibuya**
* Meiji Jingu
* Takeshita Street
* Shibuya Scramble Crossing
* Shibuya 109
* MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya
* Nintendo Tokyo
* Hachiko Memorial Statue
* Shibuya Sky (I plan to catch the sunset view)
**Day 5 (10/3) : Asakusa/Akihabara**
I plan to use TA-Q-BIN services offered at Hundred Stay to forward our luggages to the next hotel in
Kyoto. Any idea how early I should send them so that they arrive before we check in?
* Nakamise-dori street
* Asakusa Shrine
* Kappabashi Dougu Street
* Don Quijote Akihabara
* Akihabara Electric Town
* Mandrake Complex
* Animate Akihabara
* Akihabara Radio Kaikan
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**>** **Hotel 2 : Matsubaya Ryokan (Kyoto)**
**Day 6 (11/3) : Fushimi**
* Shinkansen to Kyoto (approx 2h 15 min)
* Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
* Fushimi Sake Village (lunch)
* Fushimi Inari Taisha (sunset)
* Any suggestions (Not sure if time will be tight considering the travel time in the morning)
* Hotel check in
**Day 7 (12/3) : Downtown Kyoto/Gion**
* Kyoto International Manga Museum
* Nishiki Market
* Samurai & Ninja Museum
* Pontocho Alley
* Gion
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**> Hotel 3 : Hilton Osaka (Osaka)**
**Day 8 (13/3) : Namba area**
* Shinkansen to Osaka (12-15 mins)
* Store luggage in hotel
* Den den town
* Donguri Kyowakoku (Ghibi Store)
* Dotonbori
* Tonbori River Cruise
* Any suggestions
* Hotel check in
**Day 9 (14/3)**
* Osaka Aquarium
* Osaka Castle
* Any suggestions
**Day 10 (15/3)**
* Hotel checkout
* Nara Park (morning)
* Any suggestions
* Flight at 11.20pm (Kansai International Airport)
I might need some help optimising the itinerary for Days 8, 9 and 10.
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by therealkuru
2 comments
For day 4 and 5, maybe go to the Mandarake in Shibuya instead of the one in Akihabara: the former is far less crowded, and you can substitute it for the Don Quijote visit, as the Don Quijote in Shibuya is not particularly good.
For Days 2 and 4, it seems rather a waste to pay to go up to the Shibuya Sky place just two days after you’ve gone to the (free) Metropolitan Government Building: they’re not all that far apart, and the views are about the same.
For Kyoto to Osaka consider other transport options like the JR Thunderbird. It will take you from Kyoto Station to Osaka-Umeda, whereas the Shinkansen puts you at Shin-Osaka and the requires a local train transfer to Osaka-Umeda.
For Osaka, Kuromon Market is bigger than Kyoto’s Nishiki. It’s also wider and easier to maneuver in. It’s close to dotonbori and the walk from there to Denden Town is quiet.