My husband and I are going to Japan for the first time this coming week, and I’d really appreciate some eyes on this itinerary and insights on a few things I’m unsure of. We have been dreaming of, and saving for this trip for the last year but due to work schedules it wasn’t a destination in our near future. Circumstances changed very quickly and we found ourselves in a mad rush to book tickets, accommodations, and tickets to events / places we were excited for.
As travellers we’re generally very exploratory and chill. We can walk a lot and get up early / stay up late and love love love food and drink. This sub and its contributors have been so helpful, and I’d so appreciate hearing people’s suggestions on areas we could check out, or thoughts on where we can improve
TOKYO
**Friday, May 10 – ARRIVAL**
Haneda Airport
* Purchase SIM Cards at Airport
* Take Shuttle from Airport – *the airport shuttle has a drop off location in front of our Shinjuku hotel. Are the lines for shuttles long and would it be difficult to stow 2 large suitcases?*
Explore Shinjuku
* Visit 7-11 for cash point
* Walk around and go to bed
*Is there anything else that we should consider other than getting cash / SIM that is a common Day 1 necessity?*
**Saturday, May 11 – SHIBUYA & GHIBLI MUSEUM**
Meiji Shrine Sanshuden
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Sky
* Tickets for 10:00 AM
Uobei
* Grab some conveyer belt Sushi
Tower Records
Gekirock Clothing
Leave Shibuya by 2:30
Shibuya ➡️ Mitaka (Time: 45 mins Fare: ¥450)
Studio Ghibli Museum
* Entry is for 4 PM
Mitaka ➡️ Shinjuku (Time: 40 mins Fare: ¥450)
Kani Douraku
* *I’m a crab enthusiast and wanted to start off the trip here. Open to other suggestions though!*
Golden Gai
**Sunday, May 12 – AKIHABARA & YAKATABUNE**
Shinjuku ➡️ Akihabara (Time: 20 mins Fare: ¥180)
Kanda Shrine
* Purchase a shrine stamp book (Goshuincho)
GiGO Arcade
* Arrive at 10:00 AM
[Tonkatsu Marugo](https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g1066443-d1660666-Reviews-Tonkatsu_Marugo-Chiyoda_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html)
* Opens at 11:30. Arrive \~11:00 as people will already be lining up to get in)
* *I would begin lining up at 11:00, if my husband joined me a bit later is that poor etiquette? If so we would line up together.*
[Luida’s Bar](https://www.paselaresorts.com/collaboration/luidas_bar/?mb-listing)
* 4 minute walk from Tonkatsu Marugo
* Opens at 11:30 AM
* Dragon Quest themed bar
Super Potato / Radio Kaiken / wander around as time allows
Akihabara ➡️ Sumida (Time: \~ 1 hour Fare: ¥420)
Yakatabune at 5:45
Sumida ➡️ Shibuya (Time: 50 mins Fare: ¥500)
* Check out Shibuya nightlife
**Monday, May 13 – TOYOSU & TeamLabs**
Shinjuku ➡️ Toyosu (Time: 30 mins Fare: ¥320)
Arrange for luggage to be forwarded to Kyoto – *is one day enough time?*
Toyosu Market Sui Shrine
TeamLabs Planets Tokyo
* 10:30 AM arrival
[Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu](https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/lalaport/toyosu/)
[Aqua City Odaiba](https://www.aquacity.jp/)
* Check out movie theatre, Odaiba Shrine, and the 7th floor view
* Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan Museum Mai
[Decks Tokyo Beach](https://www.odaiba-decks.com/en/)
* Loax – tax free store
* Tokyo Joypolis
* Daiba Itchome Sohotengai
Free evening — *thoughts welcome!*
**Tuesday, May 14 – Travel to KYOTO**
Shinjuku ➡️Shinagawa (Time: 20 mins Fare: ¥210)
Shinagawa ➡️Kyoto (Time: 2.5 hours Fare $230 CAD)
[Ramen Alley ](https://www.insidekyoto.com/kyoto-ramen-koji)
* On the 10th floor of Kyoto Station.
Travel to hotel in Gion
* Explore Gion
Fushimi-Inari
* Night time hike
Walk along Kamogawa River at night
**Wednesday, May 15**
Send on luggage to Osaka
Aoi Matsuri
* Goes from 10-3
* Find spot near Demachiyanagi/Kamogawa and around Shimogamo/Kamigamo jinjas. Check out food and attractions.
* Will arrive for the beginning but leave before parade is done
Nishiki Market – 9:00 – 5:30 pm
Kyoto Botanical Gardens
Pontocho Alley
**Thursday, May 16**
Arashiyama
* Arrive early, walk around and up the mountain
Sagano Romantic Train
* *Has anyone experienced this? My husband is very interested but it seemed like it might be a bit crowded / time consuming*
Dinner
* *We’d like to have at least one “fancy” dinner. I realize it may be too late for us to book at this point, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.*
**Friday May 17**
Check out of Gion Hotel
Day trip to Nara
TRAVEL TO OSAKA
Check-in to hotel in Dotonbori
6:00 Orix Buffalos vs. the Tohak Rakuten Golden Eagles @ Kyocera Dome
**Saturday, May 18**
Awaji Island Godzilla museum / Dragon Quest Island
Karaoke @ Big Echo
**Saturday, May 18**
Osaka Castle
Namba Yasaka Shrine
Dotonbori Don Q Ferris Wheel / Tempozan Ferris Wheel
* *Wanted to pick one, is either worthwhile?*
Umeda Sky Building
**Sunday, May 20**
Send luggage to Tokyo
Day trip to Kobe
Hang out in Dotonbori
**Monday, May 21**
Check out of Hotel
TRAVEL TO YAWATANO
Spend the next few days in Yawatano at Ryokan, chilling out and walking the coast
TRAVEL TO TOKYO – Leave from Haneda
by tokrol