We’re a couple in our late 30’s going to Japan for the first time in October. We enjoy nature and animals, cultural experiences, palaces/museums, and food. Not big on nightlife and normally go to bed around 9pm on vacation. We often get up early to see major sights to avoid the crowds, then retire to our rooms late afternoon/early evening to relax and recharge.
I have been to Korea several times before, while my husband has never been to Asia. I would say we are mid-experienced travelers. We’d like this to be a comfortable trip as my previous trips to Asia were on a shoestring budget, and have set aside a budget of 15-20k.
I’d like to nail down our itinerary soon, as I’m looking into booking hakones. I already called Hakone Ginyu and they’re fully booked.
Here is our itinerary thus far. Thank you for all of the helpful souls who share their advice in this sub and also the discord!
October 2: Fly into Tokyo, arrive at 4:45AM. Train to hotel in Ginza. Looking at places near Shimbashi station. Take it easy and recover from travel.
October 3–Tokyo
Tsukiji Fish Market; early morning fish bowls. Team Labs Planet
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October 4–Tokyo. Imperial Palace.
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October 5–Tokyo. Shibuya Crossing. Shinjuku Gyo-en Garden. Meiji Shrine. Tokyo Metro Govt. Building overlook
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October 6–Tokyo. Tokyo National Museum. Sensoji Temple
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October 7–Tokyo. Chill day. Shop. Tokyo Tower. Team Labs 2 Borderless?
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October 8–Train to Hakone ryokan. Relax
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October 9–Hakone. Open-air Museum
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October 10–Train to Kyoto. Relax
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October 11–Kyoto. Fushimi-Inari Shrine
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October 12–Kyoto. Kiyomizu-Dera Temple. Gion District
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October 13–Kyoto. Nijo Castle. Kinkakuji Temple
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October 14–I just realized this day will be a Japanese holiday – Sports day. Will this be a problem?
Train to Nara for daytrip, then train to hotel in Osaka. forward luggage from Kyoto to Osaka
Nara park. Isui-en garden.
Todai-ji temple.
Nakatanijou mochi
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October 15–Osaka. Dotonbori District. Aquarium
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October 16–Osaka. Osaka Castle and gardens
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October 17–Plane to Seoul. Hotel in Myeongdong. Relax
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October 18–Seoul. Gwangbokeum Palace. Bukchon and Ikseon-Dong hanok Villages
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October 19–Seoul. North Seoul Tower. Myeongdong Market. Gwangjang Market
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October 20–Seoul. Gangnam District. Coex/Starfield library
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October 21–Seoul. National Museum of Korea
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October 22–Fly back to US; flight at 10am
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Still need to do more food research as good eats will be sprinkled in there as well. Was also looking at Arashiyama district/monkeys in Kyoto and DMZ in Korea but I don’t know that we’ll have time.
by rumraisin