My girlfriend and I go on our first trip to Japan this summer and we just finished our itinerary. I am thankful for any insights or criticism!
Days 1-8 Tokyo
Day 1: Shibamata
– Arrival at 9am, go to Hotel
– Explore Shibamata
-> Taishakuten Sando
-> Yamamoto-tei
(Day 1 is highly depending on the energy level after 15 hours of travel overnight and the potential jetlag. Therefore we did not plan too much.)
Day 2: Shibuya
-> Sengaku-ji
-> Institute of Nature Study
-> Explore Shibuya 109 and respective area and shops
-> Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky at evening/night
Day 3: Asakusa
-> Tokyo Skytree and Sumida Aquarium
-> Yanaka Ginza and Museum of Sculpture
-> Rest of the day: Explore Imado Shrine, Nakamise-dori Street, Kaminarimon Gate, Hoppy Street, Kappabashi Street
-> Senso-ji and Sumida River Walk at night
Day 4: Riogoku->Harajuka->Akihabara
-> Sword Museum
-> Chill/Explore Yoyogi Park, Takeshitadori Street, Harajuku Street, Meiji Jingu
-> Games at Gigo
-> Kanda Myojin Shrine At evening/night
-> Yodobashi Akiba at night
Day 5: Shinjuku
->Gyoen Park, Suga Shrine
->Hanazano-jinja, Godzilla Road
->Pokemon Center Mega Toshima
(-> The Making of Harry Potter) We are not sure about this. Do you think we have the time to slide it in and is it worth it?
-> Kabukicho, Cross Shinjuku Vision and Tokyo Government Building at night
Day 6: Ginza->Minato->Odaiba
-> Tsujiki Fish Market very early in the morning
-> Hie Shrine
-> Imperial Palace + Park and Yurakucho
-> Zojo-ji
-> Momiji Waterfall
-> teamLab Planets
-> Daiba Game Hall
(-> Lego Discovery Center)Not sure. Worth it?
-> Statue of Liberty and Rainbow Bridge at night
This day is obviously packed! Is it realistic though?
Day 7: Disneyseas
Day 8: Ueno and travel to Kyoto
-> Ueno Park
-> Ueno Zoo
-> National museum and maybe some other shrines and museums in the Park, depending on time and mood
-> travel to Kyoto
Days 9-12 Kyoto
Day 9:
-> Heian-ji
-> Imperial Palace
-> Nijo Castle
-> Kitano Tenmangu
-> Kinkaku-ji
-> Ryoan-ji
Day 10:
-> Hozu River Ride
-> Arashiyama Monkey Park
-> Bamboo Grove
-> Tenryu-ji
-> Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
-> Adashino Nenbutsu-ji
Day 11:
-> Fushimi Inari Taisha
-> Komyo-In
-> Chill/Explore Maruyama Park
-> Samurai Ninja Experience + Museum (including tea ceremony)
-> Kiyomizu-dera
-> Hikan-ji at evening/night
Day 12: Uji-> Nara and travel to Osaka
-> Byodo-In, Uji Bridge and Kosho-ji
-> train to Nara
-> Chill/Explore Nara Park
-> Sake Brewerey
-> train to Osaka
Days 13-17 Osaka (+Day Trips)
Day 13: Osaka
-> Kuromon Market
-> Explore Nipponbashi
-> Namba Yasaka Jinja
-> Tsutenkaku
-> Tennoji-Park
-> Explore Shinsaibashi
-> Dotonbori and Shinsekai at night
Day 14: Osaka
-> Sumijoshi Taisha
-> Osaka Castle
-> Kaiyukan
-> Tempozan Ferris Wheel
-> Umeda Sky Building at night
Day 15: Universal Studios
Day 16: Day Trip to Kobe
-> Animal Kingdom
-> Shin-kobe Ropeway + Garden
-> Back to Osaka
-> Explore Abeno Harukas and surrounding area
Day 17: Himeji and travel to Hiroshima
-> Himeji Castle
-> Koko-en Garden
-> Engyo-ji
-> Japan Toy Museum
-> train to Hirsohima
Days 18-19 Hiroshima and Day Trip to Fukuyama
Day 18: Day Trip to Fukuyama
-> Fukuyama Castle
-> Auto&Clock Museum
-> Shinsho-ji
Day 19: Hiroshima
-> Miyajima
-> Peace Memorial Park and Museum
(-> Hiroshima Castle) If there is time left…
Day 20: travel to Tokyo for flight back home
In general most days are interchangable and can be switched according to the weather and mood – except for the travel days of course. We usually start our days rather early and want to do so in Japan as well to make the most of it.
What do you think about the whole itinerary? Would you recommend any changes?
Thank you very much!
by Glulars