Hi everyone! My Fiancé and I are travelling to Japan for the first time in April for 17 days. We are visiting Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka and would greatly appreciate any insight and recommendations. Please let me know what you would add or take out of our itinerary.
Also in great need of some food suggestions in all areas- specifically ramen, any good meat places, and desserts!
Important notes:
-We will be there from April 6-22
-We will not be purchasing a JR pass since we didn’t think it would be worth it if we are only using the Shinkansen 3 times, will it be a hassle to buy train tickets in person? Would most likely do this within our first few days in Tokyo
-My Fiancé is also a huge anime lover
Day 1- Tokyo
– arrive at Narita airport @ 1500, take the skyliner to our hotel close to Tokyo station.
– Either go to Ginza or Akihabara for the rest of the day (suggestions on which? also looking for food suggestion around this area for this day)
Day 2- Shibuya/ Harajuku (slower morning due to potential jet lag)
– yoyogi park / meiji shrine
– explore harajuku -takeshita street
– shibuya crossing
– shibuya sky (hopefully for sunset-will book in advance)
Day 3- Asakusa/ Sumida (would this be possible/recommended to start later in the day? assuming we’re still jet lagged)
– Senso-ji
– asakusa shrine
– area around here (gate, pagoda, etc.)
– denboin garden
– nakamise-dori street
– walk to sumida park
– walk to tokyo sky tree
Day 4- Ghibli Museum & Shinjuku
– Ghibli Museum (if we get tickets, will book in advance- any tips on getting tickets?)
– Shinjuku goyen national garden
– Explore Shinjuku
– Piss alley & Golden Gai in the evening
Day 5- Tokyo DisneySea
Day 6- Central Tokyo, Ueno & Akihabara/Ginza (depending on where we didn’t go on Day 1)
– Imperial Palace/ East Garden
– Ueno Park
– Tokyo National Museum
– Koshikawa Garden
– Akihabara or Ginza
Day 7- Kyoto
– Travel to Kyoto via Shinkansen
– Check into hotel/drop off luggage
– Kyoto tower/Kyoto station
– Nishiki Market
– Shijo-dori street
– Gion
– Pontocho
Day 8- Eastern Kyoto
– Start the day off in Kiyomizu-Dera
– From here, walk back to Gion while hitting spots (sannenzaka/ninenzaka, Kodai-ji, yasaka shrine, maruyama park)
– *should more be added to this day?*
Day 10- Hop on/ Hop off bus tour
-Kinkaku-ji
– Imperial Palace/Goyen national garden
– Teramachi-dori
– Ginkaku-ji
– Philosophers Path
– Nanzen-ji
– walk to Heian- Jingu shrine
– complete rest of bus tour if possible
Day 11- Arashiyama Area (what is the best way to get here from Kyoto Station?)
– Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
– Explore around Arashiyama
– Monkey Park
– Wanting to do either Sagano Romantic Train or Hozugawa River boat ride- any suggestions on which would be better?
-Also wanted to do Gio-ji & adashino nenbutsuji- is it worth it/ possible?
Day 12- Rest of Kyoto
– Fushimi Inari Shrine
– Tofuku-ji
– *any suggestions on what can be added to this day?*
Day 13- Osaka
– Travel from Kyoto to Osaka via Shinkansen
– Check in/drop off luggage at hotel
– Osaka Castle
– Umeda area (sky building, hep 5 Ferris wheel)
Day 14- Osaka
– Shinsekai
– Namba Yasaka Shrine
– Den Den Town
– Kuromon market
– Dotonbori
– Shinsaibashi
Day 15- USJ
Day 16- Day trip to Nara Park
Day 17- Tokyo
– Travel back to Tokyo via Shinkansen
– Check into hotel/drop off luggage
– TeamLab Planet
– Tsukiji Market
– Free evening
Day 18- Last minute shopping and head to Narita airport to travel back home
Looking forward to all suggestions/feedback/tips!! Thanks for reading!!
by AstroBlaster08