Hello! Going to be heading to Japan for the first time next month and was hoping for some insight from experienced travelers. When I travel in Europe, I usually like to see castles/palaces, cathedrals/churches, other historic buildings/sites, and the beauty of nature. Also open to stores that are unique to Japan, makers’ markets, etc. Not big on clubs, I do drink, love food, and I’m traveling alone. As you can see, I have a couple days with nothing planned…I wanted to ask if my other days are packed too tight (or if they seem too empty?)? And if not, suggestions for other sites I’m missing, or day trips. I am worried about getting temple fatigue, especially in Kyoto. I could do a day at DisneySea or USJ, I could group the two days together and add Hiroshima to the trip, or something else?
**Friday Feb 23 Tokyo**
Arrive Haneda afternoon
considering staying in Shibuya, or Akasaka? advice appreciated
**Saturday Feb 24**
Hanegi Park for plum blossoms (try ume daifuku)
Shimokitazawa
**Sunday Feb 25**
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Yoyogi Park
Harajuku/Takeshita St
Cat St
Shibuya Scramble and Hachiko Statue
**Monday Feb 26**
Tsukiji Outer Market
(is Tsukiji Honganji worthwhile? anything else in this area?)
Shinjuku Gyoen
Golden Gai
3D billboard
**Tuesday Feb 27**
Sensoji Temple
Kappabashi Dougu St
Akihabara
**Wednesday Feb 28**
Day trip to Hakone? Or somewhere with nice views of Mt Fuji. If Hakone could stay the night and take train to Kyoto
**Thursday Feb 29**
What have I forgotten? Could be Tokyo or Kyoto
**Friday Mar 1 Kyoto** considering staying in Gion
Arashiyama (bamboo forest and monkey park)
Kinkakuji (golden pavilion)
Kitano Tenmangu
Kamishichiken
**Saturday Mar 2**
Kiyomizu-dera
Hokan-ji Temple/Yasaka Pagoda
Nishiki Market
Nijo Castle
Fushimi Inari Taisha (sunset?)
**Sunday Mar 3**
**Monday Mar 4**
Philosopher’s Path (Ginkaku-ji, Honen-in, Otoyo-jinja, Nanzenji)
Train to Osaka
**Tuesday Mar 5 Osaka**
Morning to Himeji (castle, koko-en)
Worth it to stop in Kobe on the way back to Osaka?
Osaka Castle (exterior only?)
**Wednesday Mar 6**
Morning to Nara (deer park, Todai-ji, Kasuga Taishi, Kofuku-ji, Isuien Garoken)
Shinsaibashi
Hozenji/moss statue
Dotonbori
**Thursday Mar 7**
Namba Yasaka Shrine
Kurumon Ichiba Market
Depart KIX evening
I haven’t started researching food places yet (although I’ve made a list of foods to try), I really want to get which days will be where sorted so I can book hotels first. I will probably be doing a lot of eating-wherever-is-close-when-I-get-hungry but if you have a place you love near somewhere I am going please do share. Thanks in advance!
by KindofaButterface