Hi! I’m solo travelling for my first time to Japan from October 10-22 and wanted to know if I am giving myself enough time in each city I plan on visiting or if I am scheduling too much and should cut down on some items.
As a solo traveler, I wanted to ask if it is worth it to visit an amusement park by yourself? I keep hearing that Disneyland and Universal Studios are top recommended sites but the thought of doing it alone seems a bit sad to me. I’ve added Universal Studios to my Osaka days, but if the consensus is to take the day and explore more of Osaka I’m ok with removing.
I’m also planning on doing a day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura as that seems super popular to do, but I also wanted to visit Kawaguchiko for Mt. Fuji views and exploration. I was planning on staying overnight in Kawaguchiko knowing that the travel time is about 2 hours, but my next city would be to Kyoto and I’m unsure if it’s now worth it to spend the travel time visiting Kawaguchiko (2 hours from Tokyo to arrive there, plus another 5 hours to get to Kyoto from there) or if I should just reinvest that time in Kyoto or Tokyo.
Items that are **bolded** in the itinerary are things that I absolutely want to do/go visit.
October 10 – travel day from Toronto to Narita Airport
October 11 – arrive at Narita airport in the Evening (Tokyo Day 1 but really 0.5)
* Try to stay awake as long as possible to adjust to the time zone difference, check into my hotel (planning on staying near Shibuya), grab dinner and explore nightlife of the nearby area.
* Things to see: **Shibuya Crossing**, Center Gai, Dogenzaka Street or Nonbei Yokocho
October 12 – Tokyo Day 2
* Morning: Visit the **Tokyo Skytree** and have breakfast nearby
* Mid-morning: **Pokémon Center Tokyo DX** in Nihombashi.
* Afternoon: Visit **Meiji Shrine** in Shibuya and explore **Harajuku**
* Early evening: **Mario Kart** in Shibuya.
* Late evening: Explore **Kabukicho Tower** in Shinjuku.
October 13 – Tokyo Day 3
* Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market
* Afternoon: Asakusa to visit Senso-ji Temple and explore Nakamise Shopping Street. teamLab Planets visit (is this something that you would recommend doing as a solo traveller as well?)
* Evening: potential Sumida River cruise + nightlife in **Roppongi** or **Shinjuku**
October 14 – Day Trip to Kamakura and Enoshima Day 4
* Morning: Arrive in Kamakura, have breakfast near the station and visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
* Afternoon: Visit the **Great Buddha of Kamakura** (Kotoku-in) then depart for Enoshima. Explore **Enoshima Island** and visit Enoshima Shrine. Grab lunch and visit some souvenir shops
* Evening: Catch the sunset from Samuel Cocking Garden or Enoshima Sea Candle observation tower. Head back to Tokyo after dinner
October 15 – Tokyo to Kawaguchigo Day 5
* Morning: Travel to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo.
* Afternoon: Explore Lake Kawaguchi, visit **Oishi Park**, and take a ride on the Kachi Kachi Ropeway for views of Mount Fuji.
* Evening: Relax at an onsen (hot spring) resort
October 16 – Kawaguchigo to Kyoto Day 6
* Morning and Afternoon: Travel to Kyoto, most likely hit up the **Pokemon Centre** at this time
* Evening: Check into accommodations (hopefully a ryokan), get dinner in the **Gion District** and relax
October 17 – Kyoto Day 7
* Morning: Visit **Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and gardens and Ryoan-ji Temple**.
* Afternoon: Explore **Arashiyama district**, including the bamboo groves and **Tenryu-ji Temple, Katsura River Iwatayama Monkey Park**
* Evening: Explore Gion district for dinner.
October 18 – Kyoto Day 8
* Morning: Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Nishiki Market
* Afternoon: Visit Nijo Castle, **Fushimi Inari Taisha**
* Evening: Explore Pontocho Alley
October 19 – Kyoto to Osaka Day 9
* Morning: Travel to Osaka from Kyoto. Visit **Osaka Castle** in Osaka Park. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
* Afternoon: Explore Shinsekai district for games shopping and lunch
* Evening: **Dotonbori** for nightlife
October 20 – Osaka Day 10
* ALL day: Universal Studios or another day of exploring Osaka TBD
October 21 – Osaka Day 11
* Morning: Visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
* Afternoon: Explore Shinsaibashi or Kuromon Market, visit **Pokemon Centre**
* Evening: Explore Dotonburi
October 22 – Osaka to Narita Airport
* Will need to reach the airport for 12:00pm.
by sayahhlicia1
