Hello!
I’ve seen a lot of people post their itineraries and ask for the opinions of those who are more experienced and knowledgeable about Japan.
My husband and I are going to visit for the first time from May 27th to June 11th of next year. I want to try and start booking hotels soon so I’m checking to see what you fine folks think about what we have planned.
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Here is our itinerary:
May 27th – Arrive in Tokyo at 2:20p; Grab Pocket Wifi and Suica; Check in to Hotel; Open Exploration
May 28th – Hotel in Tokyo; Meji Jingu Shrine in the morning; Explore Shibuya in the afternoon/evening
May 29th – Hotel in Tokyo (send luggage to Kyoto-Osaka); Go to Senso-Ji in the afternoon; Explore Asakusa in the evening
May 30th – Hotel in Osaka; Travel to Osaka in the A.M.; Shitenonji in the afternoon; Explore Shinsekai in the evening
May 31st – Hotel in Osaka; Travel to Nara Deer Park in the morning; Explore Nara all day
June 1st – Hotel in Osaka; Visit Namba Yasaka Shrine in the morning; Nippondashi Denden Town in the afternoon; Dotonbori in the evening
June 2nd – Hotel in Osaka; Kiyomizu-Dera in the morning; Explore Sannenzaka or Ninenzaka in the afternoon; Yasaka Shrine in the evening; Explore Pontocho Alley in the morning
June 3rd – Hotel in Osaka; Fushimi Inari in the morning; Explore Nishiki Market/Go to Samarai & Ninja Museum in the afternoon; Open Evening
June 4th – Hotel in Osaka (send luggage to Tokyo); Universal Studios Japan
June 5th – Hotel in Kinosaki; Travel to Kinosaki; Explore
June 6th- Hotel in Kinosaki; Explore
June 7th – Hotel in Tokyo; Travel to Tokyo; Open Day for Exploration
June 8th – Hotel in Tokyo; Explore Akihabara in the morning/afternoon; Explore Shinjuku at night
June 9th – Hotel in Tokyo; Explore Harajuku in the morning/afternoon; Explore Omototesando
June 10th – Hotel in Tokyo; Explore Odaiba
June 11th – Travel back home at 5:25p
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Since we fly in and out of Tokyo, I sandwiched our time there in the itinerary. In general, does this itinerary look good? Is it too busy/do I need to plan for more rest time? Are there things that don’t really make sense to do/visit or maybe things I’m leaving off for a first time trip that I absolutely must do?
From what I understand, Kyoto and Osaka are very close to one another, so I planned on just staying in Osaka even on days that we will spend our day in Kyoto. Is that silly?
Also! Can anyone tell me more about the luggage forwarding? How easy or hard is this to do? Is there anything I should keep in mind? I plan on booking hotels exclusively that offer this service at their site (it seems that some don’t).
Thanks in advance!
by lowlandtenakth-21
