Hi Everyone. I’ve been working on my itinerary for a family trip to Japan in late March. Thanks to everyone for sharing ideas and opinions here. There’s been tons of great info to work with.
Sites and meals are all flexible and I assume we’ll adjust along the way when we see how things are going.
I know heading to Shibu Onsen/Shiga Kogen adds much more travel, but we were really interested in checking out Japanese skiing/snowboarding and seeing the Snow Monkeys, so felt like it was worth it.
I appreciate any and all feedback. Specifically, if anyone has tips about getting to Shibu Onsen from Tokyo or getting to Kyoto from Shibu Onsen/Nagano, that would be appreciated.
**Day 0 – 3/23**
Depart LAX to HND
**Day 1 – 3/24 – Arrival**
Arrive in Tokyo Haneda 2:35PM
Transportation to Ginza (train or taxi)
Check into hotel
Walk around Ginza area
Dinner and chill
**Day 2 3/25: Tokyo – Shinjuku**
Walk around Shinjuku
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (good for Sakura viewing)
Tower Records
Samurai Museum
Maybe: Lunch Food Hall Isetan Store
Check for Purikura photo booths (all around Shinjuku)
Maybe go to Akhibara, if not too tired.
Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe
Kanda Matsuya – classic soba
**Day 3 3/26: Tokyo – Harajuku & Shibuya**
Morning: Harajuku
Meiji Shrine
Yoyogi Park Harajuku, with Takeshita-dori and Tokyu Plaza Omotesando
Afternoon: Shibuya
Shibuya Crossing Walk around Shibuya, including Hachiko Statue, Patchinko
Maybe: Shibuya Sky, Karaoke Kan Shibuya
Spain Zaka to Shibuya Parco mall – 6th floor cyberspace –Nintendo Store and Pokemon Center, open until 9pm
**Day 4 3/27: Tokyo – Chiyoda and Shimokitazawa**
Toyosu Market fish auction – if we want to wake up early (arrive between 5am and 6am, 6:30 latest – could be any day if we wake up early with jet lag, except close on Sunday)
Chiyoda/Taito Ward
Akihabara
Ueno Park
Tokyo National Museum
TeamLab Planets in Afternoon (Get tickets in advance – soon; Wear white and shorts if you can)
Maybe: Tokyo Cruise (water taxi) from Odaiba Seaside Park to Asakusa (70 mins) – You can also go the opposite direction if that works better for your itinerary.
**Day 5 – 3/28 – Depart Tokyo for Shibu Onsen**
Tsukiji Outer Market in the AM for breakfast (Sushi Dai!)
Could co any morning we can’t sleep
Tokyo morning and travel to Shibu Onsen in afternoon
1.5 hr Shinkansen + 1.5 hr bus ride or local train from Nagano
Check into Shibu Onsen ryokan.
Explore town and have dinner at Ryokan (be sure to arrive by dinner time)
**Day 6 – 3/29 – Ski & Ride Shiga Kogen**
Taxi or bus to ski area. Rent equipment (probably from Alpina Sports – rent in advance) and ski & ride for the day.Lunch on the mountain
Dinner at ryokan (be back in time for Kaisekei dinner)
**Day 7 – 3/30 – Shibu Onsen to Kyoto**
Snow monkeys at Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen) in the morning
Then travel to Kyoto (expect it to be 5-6 hrs)
Check into Hotel and get dinner
Maybe: Hataka Nagahama Miyoshi – Ramen (described as “sex in a bowl”)
Maybe: Check out Gion Neighborhood in the evening
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**Day 8 – 3/31 – Explore Kyoto Day 1**
Kiyomizudera Temple
Hokanji Temple Pagoda (Yasaka Pagoda)
Maruyama Park (for cherry blossoms)
Higashiyama district
Gion Neighborhood & Pontocho Alley
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**Day 9 – 4/1 – Explore Kyoto Day 2**
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Philosopher’s Path in Higashiyama district
Tea Ceremony Camellia FLOWER – (book in advance)
Maybe Sushi class: https://www.atelierthe99sushi.com/
**Day 10 – 4/2 – Kyoto Day 3 – Arashiyama**
Check out of hotel and move to Ryokan (maybe check bags until afternoon)
Arashiyama
Arashiyama Rilakkuma Tea House
Afternoon:
Nishiki Market
Maybe: SAMURAI & NINJA MUSEUM
Go to Ryokan and dress in traditional clothes for dinner
Kaiseki Dinner at Ryokan (be sure to be back with enough time to get ready)
**Day 11 – 4/3 – Osaka Day 1**
Check out and travel to Osaka by Shinkansen
Dotonbori (Japanese times sq)
Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
Kuromon Market
Maybe: Round1 Stadium Sennichimae
Shinsekai (Historic Shopping Area)
**Day 12 – 4/4 – Osaka Day 2 and Hanshin Tigers game**
Umeda & Umeda Sky
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle Park
Maybe Cup Noodle Museum (but it’s 50 min’s away)
Maybe: Alternate to Kyoto Cooking Class: https://www.cooking-sun.com/osaka-cooking-class/
Planning on Hanshin Tigers Game – waiting for timing to be released.
Contact https://japanballtickets.com for tickets.
**Day 13 – 4/5 – Journey Home**
Fly from Osaka (ITA) to Haneda (HND) – 12:30 Arrive 1:40PM
HND to LAX – 4:45PM
Arrive LAX 11:10AM
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Thanks!
by Horror-Track-304