Hi everyone, this sub has been so helpful, any feedback would be greatly appreciated. We are a couple, both 22 y.o. from NYC, traveling to Japan beginning on May 19. Neither of us have ever traveled to Japan. We have our flights and accommodations booked but there’s still time to switch up the hotel reservations. I’d like to know if there’s anything I’ve missed that we should try to see? Or is there anything that seems unfeasible for us to do? Is there anything I have planned that you would suggest we skip? I’m also open to any tips or suggestions in general as a first time traveler to Japan. My plans for our last leg of the trip in Tokyo are much looser and more based on what neighborhoods we want to wander around on that day.
Our flights leave from HND around 5pm at the end of our trip so I am also unsure what to do between checking out of the hotel, and going to the airport.
I am also concerned about how feasible it would be to do Himeji in the morning and Make it to Kinosaki by 2 or 3 pm to get the most out of our ryokan/onsen stay.
I’m most anxious about navigating the subways and trains, but, coming from New York City, hopefully I will be able to pick it up quickly. Besides google maps and other route planners what helped you navigate transit Japan the most??
Here’s the itinerary:
**May 20 Tokyo**
Arrive at HND around 3:40 pm, get cash and suica card
Check into hotel (Asakusa)
Explore local area
**May 21 Tokyo**
Sensoji temple
Attend sumo tournament
Sky tree
**May 22 Tokyo→Kyoto**
Shinkansen to Kyoto, stow luggage at hotel
Nishiki Market
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
**May 23 Kyoto**
Fushimi Inari Shrine (arrive early, do the whole hike)
Toji Temple
**May 24 Kyoto**
Arashiyama, arrive early, see the bamboo grove, monkey park, Tenryu-Ji and Jojakkoji Temple
**May 25 Kyoto**
Send luggage to osaka
Saiho-Ji (moss temple)
Tour/tasting at Suntory Whiskey Factory
**May 26 Kyoto→Nara→Osaka**
Train to Nara
Nara Park
Todaiji Temple
Nakatanidou Mochi Shop
Nara Museum
Train to Osaka
Explore Dontonbori/ America-mura
**May 27 Osaka**
Den-Den Town
Kuromon Market
Fancy Omakase Dinner
Shinsekai
**May 28 Osaka**
Kaiyukan Aquarium
Asahi Brewery tour
**May 29 Osaka→Himeji→Kinosaki**
Train to Himeji
Himeji Castle
Train to Kinosaki
Check into ryokan and enjoy dinner and onsen
**May 30 Kinosaki→Kanazawa**
Breakfast/onsen
Train to Kanazawa
21st Century Contemporary Museum
Nagamachi Samurai District
**May 31 Kanazawa**
Kenrokuen Garden
Higashi Geisha District
Omicho Market
**June 1 Kanazawa→Tokyo**
Take Shinkansen to Tokyo
Check into Accommodation (Roppongi)
Kanda neighborhood (specifically to go to the TOBICHI store)
Diver City Tokyo Plaza- Gundam Statue
Walk around Roppongi at night and do Teamlab Borderless
**June 2 Tokyo**
Harajuku
Shibuya
Shibuya Sky at Sunset
Fancy jazz bar reservation
**June 3 Tokyo**
Ghibli Museum
Nakano (Nakano Broadway Mall)
Ikebukuro
**June 4 Tokyo**
Tsukiji Fish Market
Ginza
Tokyo Station
Rooftop Bar reservation at Prince Park Tower
**June 5 Tokyo**
Shinjuku
June 6 Tokyo
Ueno
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Akihabara
buy suitcases on our way back to the hotel
**June 7 Tokyo**
Check out of hotel and leave from HND
Thanks so much to anyone who takes the time to look at this!
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by eternal-sunshine3005