Hello we are group of 4 guys visiting Japan for the first time. We are spending the first week in Shinjuku during golden week which makes us unsure if we can do what we had planned or that we will be stormed by too many people to visit these places. Please feel free to let us know your thoughts on our itenerary and feel free to add any suggestions/modifications to our trip!
April 30 (Tuesday): Arrival in Tokyo
\-3pm: Arrive in Tokyo. Ask Around if they sell a Pasmo or Suica card for all transportation
\-Take Narita Express (N’Ex) is a JR train and goes direct to Shinjuku or the Limo bus
\-Unpack and walk around Shinjuku.
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May 1st (Wednesday): Teamlabs
\-Wake up early and head to Minato City
\-1:00 PM: Visit TeamLab Borderless (tickets on klook app)
\-After visiting TeamLab Borderless, eat at Kisuke restaurant
\-Afternoon: explore Minato City further. Visit the Tokyo Tower for an impressive view or Zojoji Temple, a historical Buddhist temple.
\-Evening: visit Blue Note Tokyo in Minato for jazz music and a bar
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May 2nd (Thursday): Ghibli Museum and Shinjuku
\-Morning: Visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for a peaceful walk through the beautiful gardens. Note: it takes an hour to get to ghibli museum and can’t be late
\-2:00 PM: Visit the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. (tickets in your favorites on cellphone)
\-After the museum visit the Inokashira Park and look around
\-Evening: Explore Shinjuku for food and nightlife. Try Ramen Hayashida for shoyu chicken ramen,. Visit Omoide Yokocho for izakayas and street food. (made skip this because of golden week and revisit later)
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May 3rd (Friday): Shibuya and Harajuku
\-Morning: Visit Shibuya Parco to explore the Pokémon Center, Nintendo Store, and Capcom Store.
\-Walk to and explore Takeshita Street in Harajuku for shopping and unique fashion. Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine for a serene temple experience.
\-Evening: Dine at Katsudon-ya Zuicho for katsudon, or try Sushi Zanmai for sushi. Visit Golden Gai in Shinjuku for a unique nightlife experience.
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May 4th (Saturday): Asakusa and Akihabara
\-Morning: Visit Asakusa and explore Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street.
\-Afternoon: Head to Akihabara for electronics, anime, and gaming-related shopping.
\-Evening: Check out SG Club in Shibuya, or visit Sky Lounge Stellar Garden for a bar with a view.
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May 5th (Sunday): Day Trip to Kamakura
\-All Day: Take a day trip to Kamakura. Visit the Great Buddha, hike the Daibatsu Trail, and spend time on the beach.
\-Evening: Return to Tokyo for dinner. Consider Narikura for tonkatsu or Tsujihan for seafood donburi. Visit The Park Hyatt New York Bar Tokyo for jazz and a view.
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May 6th (Monday): Arrival in Osaka
\-Morning: Arrive in Osaka and check into your accommodation in Dotonbori
\-Afternoon: Visit Osaka Castle, then head to Tokumasa Udon Morinomiya for curry udon.
\-Evening: Return to Dotonbori and explore. Consider dining at Hanamaruken Namba Hozenji for late-night ramen and gyoza. Enjoy the vibrant nightlife and street food in Dotonbori.
\-Consider visiting Round1 Stadium Sennichimae for some fun
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May 7th (Tuesday): Universal Studios Japan
\-ARRIVE AT 6AM: Spend the day at Universal Studios Japan
\-Evening: After Universal Studios, return to Dotonbori for dinner. Enjoy a conveyor belt sushi dinner at Daiki-suisan Kaitenzushi.
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May 8th (Wednesday): Kyoto Day Trip
\-Morning: Take the train to Kyoto and visit Fushimi Inari Shrine.
\-Late Morning: Explore Kiyomizu-dera for stunning views. Keep walking to get Hōkan-ji Temple and the yasaka pagoda close by
\-Afternoon: head to Nishiki Market for street food and shopping if you have time .
\-Evening: Return to Osaka
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May 9th (Thursday): Umeda
\-Morning: Visit Umeda Sky Building for panoramic views. Explore the Daimaru Umeda Store for One Piece, Capcom, and Nintendo shops. Have lunch at FishMonger Stand Fujiko for fresh seafood.
\-Evening: Head to Kuromon Ichiba Market for dinner and street food
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May 10th (Friday): Nara Day Trip
\-Morning: Take a train to Nara. Visit Nara Park and interact with the deer. Brighton tea room has regular american breakfast if you are craving it
\-Late Morning: Visit Todai-ji Temple and explore the grounds.
\-Afternoon: Explore Isuien Garden and Kasuga-taisha.
\-Evening: Return to Osaka.
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May 11th (Saturday): Osaka Day
\-Morning: Explore Den-Den Town for electronics and anime shops.
\-Afternoon: Visit Amerikamura for shopping and youth culture.
\-Evening: Enjoy dinner at Rokunomiya unlimited a5 wagyu bbq
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May 12th (Sunday): Departure from Osaka
\-Revisit your favorite places or something that you missed depending on the trip
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May 13th (Monday): Return to Tokyo
\-Morning: Return to Tokyo and check into your accommodation.
\-Afternoon: Visit the Ueno region to explore Ameyoko Shopping District and the Tokyo National Museum.
\-Evening: Dine at Cafe Legato ( Reserve in advance)
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May 14th (Tuesday): Ikebukuro and Shinjuku
\-Morning: Visit Ikebukuro for shopping and food. Vist Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo
\-Eat at SAKANA NO UMAI IZAKAYA for sashimi don.
\-Evening: return to Shinjuku and visit Shinjuku Pitt Inn for a concert jazz bar experience.
\-Night: Visit Golden Gai or Omoide Yokocho if you couldn’t because of golden week or if you liked it.
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May 15th (Wednesday): Day Trip to Yokohama
\-All Day: Take a day trip to Yokohama. Visit the Red Brick Warehouse and Yokohama Chinatown for food. Explore the Ramen Museum (Unsure if we need tickets in advance?).
\-Evening: Return to Tokyo
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May 16th (Thursday): Ginza and Minato City
\-Morning: Explore Ginza for shopping. Visit the Uniqlo Ginza Flagship Store and GINZA SIX Mall.
\-Afternoon: Visit Polene Tokyo for a designer bag for girlfriend.
\-Evening: Visit Bar Fiddich (fully booked but maybe check online beforehand) for upscale cocktails or Sky Lounge Stellar Garden for a view.
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May 17th to May 20th (Friday to Sunday): Flexible days
\-Revisit favorite places or Visit any stuff you might have missed. Don’t forget to get lots of souvenirs/goods for back home.
by Randomguysasd