Japan newbies May 16-31

Hi Everyone,

young couple going to Japan for first time. Looking to have a relatively relaxed time, still want to see the sights. Plan to go to Japan again so not trying to have a jam packed trip.

For May 25, we want to book a Ryokan, however everyone has said to book it once inside Japan because prices drop! so we are taking that risk. Likely looking for a Ryokan near Osaka.

We have booked day trips because they’re a great way to see sights with some context and not have to worry about travel.

We are not buying a JR pass, only using bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo and back and used Klook to buy.

Any recommendations for things to do would be amazing!

thank you!

Arrive May 17 at 4:25pm.
Go to Narita Airport Terminal 1 station, get on the Nippori line to Shin-Okubu, 15 minute walk to hotel in Shinjuku
 
May 17
Check in at hotel in Shinjuku
–       Need to pay $55,079 Yen at property. Aka 477.41 cad.
–       Hangout, get settled, maybe walk to Senso-ji Temple.

May 18
–       Team lab Borderless booked for 12:30-1pm ($81 total)
–       Explore Shinjuku
–       Possible bar hopping night tour in Shinjuku (not booked)

May 19
–       Tokyo Disney Sea booked (154 cad), be here for a good few hours
–       Check out Omoide Yokocho in evening (narrow alleys for bars and food)

May 20
–       Checkout from hotel at 07:00, takes 48 minutes to train to Tokyo station.
–       Walk 13 minutes to Shin-Okubo Station, take Yamanote line to Osaki Station, then get to Tokyo Station
–       Board the Tokyo Station Bullet train to shin-osaka 08:30-11am – might want to change for later time
–       Then board the shin-osaka to yodobashi
–       Yodobashi to temmabashi
–       walk to hotel
–       Check into Hotel drop off luggage
–       Check out downtown Osaka, dotonburi in evening

May 21
–        Osaka Castle
–       Possible gokart tour If we get international licensees
–       Chillax

May 22
–       Tbd?
–       Maybe Nintendo world?

May 23
–       Need to leave at 6am, hr train ride to Kyoto and 9 minute walk to coffee
–       Wake up, eat breakfast, go Kyoto coffee shop by 07:45, look for Japan Panoramic Tours
–       Bus tour from Tully’s Coffee Kyoto Avanti Shop (150 each, lunch included)
–       Full day trip to Tully’s, will take the reverse home to Osaka

May 24
–       Tbd, possible day trip somewhere?

May 25
–       Check out of hotel in Osaka, go to ryokan
–       Freee day

May 26
–       Check out of ryokan
–       Train to Shin-Osaka, bullet train from shin-Osaka to Shingawa station (paid, 283), 09:57-12:17 arrive at Shingawa
–       shingawa to shimbashi, then shimbasi to tameike-sanno, walk to next hotel
–       check into next hotel bear Shibuya (53,188 YEN at property)
–       chillax for day, checkout Tokyo SkyTree

May 27
–       Go to Odaiba Island, checkout Akihabra Anime and Mange Universe, chillax in evening

May 28
–       Rest day for shopping/exploring, see friend in evening for clubbing or drinks

May 29
–       Day trip to Mount Fuji and Hakone, paid, 315 total.
–       Wake up, eat breakfast, neede to be at Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu at 0800,
–       So we leave hotel at 7:15, take the  Roppongi-Itchome Station to Shimbashi Station, Toronamon, walk to Toranomon station to Kyobashi station, walk 5 minutes to bus terminal.
–       should be there for 7:45
–       day trip will take like 10hours.
–       End same place as began.
–       Go back to hotel and chillax
May 30
– checkout of hotel, send luggage to Narita hotel, train to Narita and spend day there doing tbd???
May 31
do something during day and flight at 6pm

by gordonramsaystoe