We are visiting Japan for the 2nd time. We went in July/August 2023 and did a classic route (Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka/Kanazawa/Shirakawa-go/Tokyo). Now we are going for the 2nd time, and my MIL is joining us (her first time in Japan!). So we are balancing some more classic touristic things we have already seen while also trying to see new things as we have been last year. MIL is fairly fit, so no accessible routes or anything necessary, but still a normal pace is better for her (also for me). Just wanted to check if I am missing some cool spots. We are going in May, just after Golden Week. Also, I will be 16 weeks pregnant while visiting, so any tips/ideas/experiences when pregnant are very very welcome!
**Day 1: Tokyo, arriving at NRT in the morning**
Forward suitcases to hotel at airport (staying around Takadanobaba, just above Shinjuku)
\- Shinjuku and surroundings for the day
\- Tokyo Met. Gov Building
\- Omoide Yokocho
\- Golden Gai
\- Kabukicho, maybe Shinjuku Gyoen?
**Day 2: Tokyo (Harajuku, Shibuya)**
\- Meiji-Jingu, Takeshita-street, Harajuku
\- Center Shibuya (check out the crossing, also for my MIL)
\- Maybe: stroll around Tokio Tower? Other neighborhoods or attractions around Shibuya that are worth it?
**Day 3: Tokyo**
\- Kagurazaka
\- Ikebukuro (probably some karaoke)
\- Might want to go to the Tokyo National Museum. Worth it?
**Day 4: Take shinkansen from Tokyo – Hiroshima**
We are travelling from south back north, so we have a long train ride ahead.
Checking in to hotel , take an afternoon stroll in the area we are staying (center, Nagarekawacho) and then look for a great birthday meal for my husband in Hiroshima.
**Day 5: Hiroshima**
\- Hiroshima Peace Park
\- Find the best okonomiyaki at Okonomimura
\- Hiroshima Castle
\- Shukkeien Park
**Day 6: Hiroshima – Miyajima**
\- Take the ferry to Miyajima
\- Drop luggage at hotel (Arimoto)
\- Itsukushima Shrine
\- Miyajima town (shopping street etc)
\- Maybe: take the ropeway to Mt Misen
\- Dinner is kaiseki in the hotel
**Day 7: Miyajima – Kyoto**
\- Spend morning around Miyajima for a bit
\- Ferry to Hiroshima
\- Shinkansen to Kyoto
\- Dinner and a stroll around hotel (Kawaramachi, so a stroll towards Yasaka, Pontocho or Gion at night is close)
**Day 8: Kyoto**
Bit earlier in the morning to beat a few crowds, as this will be Saturday…
\- Higashiyama area
\- Kiyomizu-dera
Then, we go north for a bit:
\- Ginkakuji
\- Walk Philosophers Path
Was doubting to do a tea ceremony, any experiences? Is it worth it?
**Day 9: Kyoto, Uji**
Also a bit earlier:
\- Fushimi Inari
\- Get the train to Uji
\- Uji: Byodoin temple, tea ceremony or tea tasting? I love anything matcha so very excited!
**Day 10: Nara**
Day trip to Nara from Kyoto 🙂 Do all the classic things. I LOVED Nara, so want my MIL to have the same experience.
\- Todaiji, Nara Park, Horyuji
**Day 10: Kyoto to Izu Peninsula**
Was really struggling with these days. Doubting between Fuji Five Lakes, Mie, or Shiga. Really want to do Nagano also, but want to have more time when travelling through Nagano so will do it next time. Decided on Izu for now, because of the island-feeling 🙂 Still doubting if other area’s aren’t a better choice though. Just want to escape busy parts! Also staying at a sort of ryokan onsen kind of hotel, with dinner included.
\- Take shinkansen from Kyoto to Atami and pick up rental car
\- Jogasaki coast, drive around for a bit
\- Kadowaki bridge
**Day 11: Izu Peninsula**
\- Kawazu Seven Waterfalls
\- Shimoda
\- Irozaki coast
\- Visit a beach and just hang around for a bit 🙂
**Day 12: Izu Peninsula – Tokyo**
\- Check out
\- Mount Omuro
\- Wasabi fields Ikadaba
\- Shuzenji for lunch and walk around
\- Drop off car at Atami and take Shinkansen to Tokyo (staying at Asakusa)
**Day 13: Tokyo (Nikko)**
\- Day trip to Nikko!
\- Shinkyo bridge
\- Toshogu shrine, Taiyuin
Depends on what time we get back, we might check out Senso-ji at night.
**Day 14: Tokyo (Kamakura)**
\- Day trip to Kamakura
\- Take train to Kamakura
\- Great Buddha
\- Hasedera temple
\- Komachi-dori
We skipped Kamakura last year. Is it alright to do everything on foot?
\- On the way back we have dinner in Yokohama 🙂
**Day 15: Tokyo**
Our last day in Tokyo. Probably will spend it in Asakusa.
\- Nakamise-dori
\- Senso-ji
\- Walk around Asakusa
\- Might go to Kappabashi street to shop some chopsticks and stoneware 🙂
**Day 16: Going home :)**
**Some questions (!)**
\- We have to make some choices in Tokyo. Last year we didn’t visit Nikko and Kamakura, so I really want to visit them this time. I now have a lot of time in Shibuya/Shinjuku. Any other ideas for Tokyo are very welcome.
\- Went to Nishiki market last year, which I thought was fun but very busy. Also struggling to plan it within our Kyoto days. Any other ideas for markets/food strolls, where we can taste a lot if different foods with my MIL?
\- Dinner in Yokohama: fun and worth it or would be able to skip?
\- For the evenings I don’t want to plan a lot, as we also have to check how the day goes for my MIL and for my pregnant self. Any things I am missing that are great at night?
\- My MIL loves anything cultural: theater, (classical) music… Would really want to take her somewhere. Any ideas?
Then my last question is about the pregnant thing. Really wondering how you or your partner of anyone you know that has been pregnant while visiting Japan has experienced this. We have some pretty strict advices against some food where I am from when you’re pregnant. No raw meat or fish, no raw egg (yolks)… What’s your experience with food changes, requests in restaurants, hotels etc?
Thanks so much, looking forward to seeing your responses and feedback!
by Capital_Designer_229