[Long post] We’ve benefited from this thread so much, even after traveling to Japan in the past, and often see the question “does this plan make sense/how much time do we need, etc?”that I hope our recent exact itinerary traveling with 13 yo twins and a 75 yo mother can answer some common questions about our return experience in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nikko (which we adore).
Also, YES there was screen time. YES people were unpleasant due to jet lag. YES YES YES we adjusted plans and “missed out” on things. Flexibility is key! We never got to Senso-ji or did conveyor sushi because we ended up at a random temple flea market for over two hours finding our most prized souvenirs. Welcome serendipity – the unplanned boba store near Tokyo station remains one of my daughter’s favorite memories.
Onto our itinerary. We stayed in AirBnb’s, an onsen, and a hotel our last two nights in Tokyo.
Hope it’s helpful!
ARRIVE THURSDAY April 11th (2,747 steps)
Arrive Haneda – train to Ueno Apartment (and wonderful cab driver who didn’t leave until we found out place)
+Happy Mart snacks and house supplies
+Dinner @ Kitchisen Handmade Soba
FRIDAY – SHINJUKU (25,885 steps)
+365 Days Pastries
+Yoyogi Park
+Meiji Shrine
+saratuhiko coffee
+Souishi Menya – great ramen
+Onigiri Manma – homemade onigiri
+Uniqlo
+TeamBorderless art exhibit in Ginza
SATURDAY (21,869 steps)
+Tsukiji Market, sushi breakfast
+Ueno Park for cherry blossoms
+Daiso shopping
+Yakitori Lunch – lunch under the train station. Two guys sitting next to us who translated on their phone “We hope you love Japan”
BREAK
+Artisan pop-up shop Akihabara
+Gatchapan
+Hakata Furyu Ramen
SUNDAY (18,280 steps)
+Leave 8am
+A Happy Pancake – 9am
+Hanazono Flea Market – Temple market with all the vendors
+Seikando Stationary store
+Boba Tea
+Yoyogi Park Frisbee & volleyball & greasers
+Sultan Akihabara – Indian food takeaway
MONDAY (15,663 steps)
+7/11 & Starbucks & French pastry breakfast
+Train to Nikko
+Toshugo Shrine Complex – Futarashan shrine, all temples
+Shinkyo Bridge
+Yuba Ryori Aburagan – lunch in Nikko
+Traditional onsen + Keiseki (traditional, local, in-season) dinner
TUESDAY (19,546 steps)
+ Onsen volcano hot baths + Keiseki breakfast
+Return to Tokyo via train, lunch and shopping in Tokyo Station, then
+Nozomi Shinkansen Bullet Train to Kyoto
+Check into AirBNB in the Gion district
+Mosburger dinner
WEDNESDAY (23,107 steps)
+Breakfast – Cicon bakery (In the Cicon hotel)
Morning walk in the Gion
+Kiyumizudera “pure water temple 780ad” (otowa no taki waterfall) wooden temple
+Ninnenzaku Road – shopping
+Hokon-ji pagoda tower
+Ishebekoji road – old private road (no photography!)
+Kenninji Temple – Oldest ZEN temple. 1639 screen. Zen “garden of the sound of the tide.” Creaking floors to hear the ninjas approaching
Home to Recharge
+Lunch – Omen Udon
+Nishiki food market (Sarah/Nonna get tofu)
+Teramachi-dori – famous street with clothing shops, sneakers at ATMOS
+Pontocho – narrow authentic food alley along the river
+Yasaka Shrine – temple with the lit up lanterns at night
+Dinner – Ebisugawa Gyoza Nakajima – gyoza at the japanese style table
+Gion for Geisha watching (4)
THURSDAY (13,266 steps)
+Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
+crepes
+Goji Sanso Temple – moss temple
+Seiryo-ji (incense tribute)
+Ryoan-ji (incredible zen garden)
Nozomi SHINKANSEN TO TOKYO
Check-in &here hotel
FRIDAY (25,658 steps)
+Disneyland
+Ginza Shopping (Nike store/boba)
Break at Hotel
+Duck ramen at 麺屋上々 (Menya Joujou)
+Chinese restaurant for tea
SATURDAY (7,751 steps)
+Tsukiji Market sushi breakfast
+Walk to Ueno park + Duck Boats
Haneda Airport…. See you next time!
by OGGenX
1 comment
Some questions if you please ….
1. What is 365 Days Pastries?
2. DId you enjoy Tsukiji Market,?? What did you eat?? Did you get to Nishiki in Kyoto?? If so compare please??
3. Happy Pancake- worth the hype?? Did you get reservations before hand? Were reservations hard to get (if you did)
4. We are going to Disney also Did you enjoy it???
Thanks for sharing !!!!!!