Hi everyone, going to Japan soon and super excited about the trip. I had made a post a couple months earlier on overall itinerary and its all fixed, but had a couple quesitons on Tokyo. I’ve read countless itinierary posts and tried to plan on some of the “must visit” places, but i’m equally open to just chilling a bit more in Tokyo as the rest of the trip in betweeen the 2 Tokyo Legs (Hakone>> Takayama>> Kanazawa>> Kyoto>> Osaka+ Nara+ Hiroshima & Miyajima>> Tokyo) will be pretty full on. So looking for advise on whether the below Tokyo Itinerary is too packed, whether i need to shift some things to different days, or whether i’m missing something key. I’ve highlighted a couple questions in **Bold** in the below itinerary that would love ot get your thoughts on.
I generally like urban exploring, food (both street / casual food but also love omakase sushi), cafes, etc. Not the biggest fan of arts/museums, etc. but like historical sites.
Tokyo Leg 1 (May 10-15) – staying in Shinjuku, Leg 2 (May 24-27) staying in Ueno
*Tokyo – May 10:*
* Arriving at Haneda Airport at 5:20 PM from London
* Pick up Japan Rail Pass from Haneda – **is it better to get it somewhere else? I understand queues at Haneda can be long. Activation is 13th May**
* Drop off bags in Hotel in Shinjuku
* *If i have time/energy, get to Shibuya and check out Shibuya Scramble and maybe make it to Shibuya Sky at night for their 9pm last entry*
* Get some Ramen for dinner near Shibuya / Shinjuku
* One of my favorite DJs is playing in Kabukicho that night, so go to their gig and come back to hotel at reasonable time (hopefully)
*Tokyo – May 11:*
* Visit Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Koen
* Check out Takeshita Street
* *Shibuya, Center-Gai & Scramble Crossing if skipped night before*
* Pokemon Centre
*
Early Dinner at Sushi Ryujiro
*
Explore Omoido Yokocho / Golden Gai
*Tokyo – May 12:*
* Tsukiji Outer Market early morning **(is it worth it? Have heard food is overpriced, and will be in Kanazawa later which is known for their seafood)**
* Imperial Palace Gardens
* Hamarikyu Gardens
* Zojoji Temple
* Tokyo Tower (only from outside)
* Roppongi (view from Mori Tower)
* TBD Dinner somewhere \[Butagumi?\]
*Nikko (Daytrip) – May 13:*
* Early Morning Train to Nikko from Shinjuku at 7:20am
* Train back to Tokyo in evening – TBD when, but can probably just get on non-reserved seats using JR pass?
*Tokyo – May 14:*
* Explore Naka-Meguro
* Explore Shimokitazawa
* Dinner Reservation at Kintaro Sushi
*Hakone – May 15:*
* Early Morning Train to Hakone from Shinjuku at 7:37am
*Train to Takayama arrive in afternoon – May 16:*
*Train to Kanazawa in late morning, Explore Kanazawa – May 17:*
*Explore Kanazawa till afternoon, then train to Kyoto – May 18:*
*Explore Kyoto – May 19:*
*Explore Kyoto – May 20:*
*Train to Osaka late morning, explore Osaka – May 21:*
*Nara (Half Daytrip from Osaka) – May 22:*
*Hiroshima & Miyajima (Daytrip from Osaka) – May 23:*
*Himeji 1/2 Daytrip from Osaka, shinkansen to Tokyo in late afternoon / evening- May 24:*
* **Is Himeji Castle worth it? I don’t plan on going inside, just walking around the grounds. Or is it better to spend more time in Osaka / get back to Tokyo early**
* Check into Hotel in Ueno
* **TBD could use suggestions for what to do / where to eat in Tokyo for the evening**
*Tokyo – May 25:*
* Kaminarimon Gate, Sensoji Temple & Asakusa Shrine
* Nakamise Market
* Ueno Park and museums nearby
* Akihabara in the late afternoon/evening
Tokyo – May 26:
* **Buffer Day – Any suggestions?
Kichijoji looks like a cool place to check out**
Tokyo – May 27:
* Flight back to London at 9:45 AM from Haneda Airport
by kalabandor_neat