Mid-30s Northeast US couple visiting Apr 18-May 1. This is the longest vacation we’ve taken since working! We don’t really drink but like cafes/mocktails. Already done some research and added points of interest to Google Maps.
Likes: SailorMoon, Sanrio, DragonBallZ, Gundam, nature/gardens, Asian food, West Coast Swing dancing. First time to Japan and limit # of cities to spend more time to soaking in culture, sights. We like ramen and hubby a little scared of raw fish but should be fine in Japan especially right? His animal protein okays include chicken and seafood.
**Osaka 4 days**
Day 1: Fly in from prior trip in Seoul, arrive 3:30 PM
Walk around, see castle
Day 2: Universal Studios Day – already have FastPass. **Go straight to DemonSlayer ride or line up Super Nintendo to play games more than once?** Looking forward to MarioKart \~10:30 in morn, reserving cafe spot. Then Harry Potter in PM.
Day 3: Travel to Himeji Castle, Denden town retro video games in evening
Day 4: Osaka Aquarium in morning, head to Kyoto in evening
**Kyoto 4 days -** staying near train station
Day 5: Fushimi Inari Takisha shrine early in morn, **something with geishas in the evening. I wanted an opportunity to wear a kimono at some point. Not sure to do tea ceremony or watch Kyo Odori performance**
Day 6: Kinkaku-hi Temple (World Heritage Site)
Day 7: Arashiyama Bamboo grove
Day 8: Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace tour AM (already reserved)
**Hakone 1-2 days**
Day 8 PM: Train to Hakone (**waiting to book train on left hand side to see Mt Fuji, SmartX doesn’t like my Visa cards. Will book at station when I get to Japan).**
Day 8-9 (depending on weather): Open air museum, book private onsen hour (hubby is shy), walk to see Mt Fuji.
**Tokyo 6 days** staying in Roppongi
Bought the Greater Tokyo Klook 4 event Pass ($82) but it’s not a good deal anymore cause lot of the attractions are <20 USD (starred). Options that we def need to do: Team Borderless (reserved), Sanrio Puroland\*, Small Worlds\*, train ride to NRT airport\*. Considering pricier options such as TeamLab Planets, Joyopolis to get money’s worth of Pass. Hubby wants to go to Shibuya Sky\* but we are going to the Tokyo Metropolitan bldg. **Worth it to visit TeamLab Planets even if go to Borderless?**
Day 9: Walk around Shibuya, potentially go to Shibuya Sky or get haircut/highlights at Album Japan
Day 10: Ginza/Koto City Day – chose Sat cause Ginza streets closed off
SmallWorlds AM – there’s a Sailor Moon exhibit 🙂
Gundam StatueDiverCity TokyoSanrio Store Ginza
**add TeamLab planets in AM? then SmallWorlds in PM or is that too much?**
Day 11: Akihabara-arcade manga area, streets close SundaysImperial GardensSensoji (oldest temple)
Day 12: Team Borderless & EnTeahouse – reservation at 10 AM ( start of Golden week – Showa Day 🙁 )
Shibuya CityHarajuku (including petting cafe – there was Kawaii place no reservations or Chiku Chiku in Shibuya (hedgehog) with reservations…**I’d prefer more variety of animals but worried places get too crowded?** )
Day 13: Sanrio Puroland AM – early AM
Watch sunset at Tokyo Govt building
Shinjinku nighttime
Day 14: Relaxing Head spa in morning (recommendations?).
Head to NRT airport for 5 PM flight
We’re bringing only a carryon there, plan to do laundry in hotel. may return with the carryon in checked baggage. Might buy a few Sailor moon/Sanrio clothes, clothing basics, some cosmetics (mascara), nail clippers, and Gundams.
Realistically probably will not wake up earlier than 7:30 AM and sleep around 10-11 PM. Reserving some nights for swing dancing. **Not sure if we need to book more things around Golden Week but also hear ppl head out of Tokyo that week.** Was originally going to Yokohama on Day 9 to see Gundam factory but it’s closed. Intrigued by snow monkeys and going a bit more north to see cherry blossoms as its past peak elsewhere but already seeing a fulfilling itinerary and plenty of things to keep us busy in the cities featured 🙂
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by CommonSympathy5521