Hi
We are a couple (early 40s) first visiting for 14 days in Japan (Tokyo/Kyoto/Nara/Osaka) from late Mar/early April for the first time and feeling excited.
Firstly, a huge thanks to this community for providing us with valuable insights and advice. .
We are hoping anyone here could advise or recommend anything that would help balance our itinerary, provide insights, and let us know if we have allocated sufficient time for everything.
My girlfriend is more interested in Art and Nature, and I am more interested in technology, food and music.
My girlfriend also smokes, how difficult is it to find smoking areas lately in Japan. Will we have to go to dodgy bars, or is this a good time for her to quit?
This is our current itinerary..
Tokyo (7 Nights)
Day 1: Arrival and Evening in Shinjuku
Explore Shinjuku’s. Considering visiting Omoide Yokocho.
Day 2: Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree
Harajuku, Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (Taito). Ueno Park, museums, cherry blossom viewings. (or Rikugien Gardens)
Tokyo Skytree and dinner nearby.
Day 3: Akihabara
Check out electronic shops and themed cafes. Nakamise shopping street for souvenirs.
Day 4: TeamLabs Borderless and Odaiba
Spend the day in Odaiba, TeamLabs Borderless exhibit.
Seaside park and maybe a visit to the Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation). Robotics Museum or restaurant.
Day 5: Roppongi and Shibuya
Tokyo Tower, Mori Art Museum and Roppongi Hills.
Explore Shibuya
Day 6: Ginza and Imperial Palace
Shopping in Ginza
Imperial Palace and gardens
Day 7: Hakone Day Trip
Visit the Hakone Open Air Museum.
Kyoto (4 Nights)
Day 8:
Evening in Gion, Maiko, Geiko
Day 9: Temples and Cherry Blossoms
Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and Ryoan-ji, Kasuga Taisha
Cherry blossoms at spots like Maruyama Park or the Philosopher’s Path.
Day 10: Arashiyama and Bamboo Forest
Explore Pontocho Alley , and the Arashiyama area, including the Bamboo Grove and Iwatayama Monkey Park.
Day 11: Nara Day Trip
Visit Todai-ji Temple and Nara Park
Osaka (2 Nights)
Day 12: Dotonbori and Namba
Explore Dotonbori area (Okonomiyaki Sakaba) in the evening
Day 13: Osaka Castle and Local Exploration (or Shitteno-ji)
Visit Osaka Castle then explore areas like Nipponbash Den Den town, Umeda or the Shinsekai district.
Day 14: Tokyo
Evening visit to Yomiuriland for Jewellumination
by callatista