So I'm being sent to Japan for a few days for work early next month. My cousin who LOVES Japan has always wanted to go and I thought I'd take him with me. This a surprise for him (thankfully he's not on reddit lol). He just knows we're going somewhere but doesn't know where.
I have reviewed a bunch of itineraries on here & done a good bit of research but I'd be truly grateful for any insight.
Few notes:
My cousin LOVES Anime, Manga, maid cafes (?) and anything related to photography (both great locations and photography stores).
Personally, I'm all about the cultural stuff, food & desserts. I would love to get the temple stamps I've read about but I'm not sure how to go about that? Can I get more than one notebook and gift it to someone too?
I don't think I'm giving us enough time or places for shopping. And I have a few random nights free during our last few days in Tokyo. Should we be doing more in Akihibara/Shibuya/Shinjuku?
He is fluent in Japanese. I can understand a few phrases if spoken slowly due to a class I took for work a few years ago.
I have two nights free after he leaves so I figure I can just go check out the places I liked the most after he leaves (in Tokyo). But open to suggestions.
I have the Suica card on my apple wallet & my company is paying for my data so phone plan really isn't an issue but he may need one. I do know it will be hotter than the devils sauna while we're there so mostly operating on shorts, t-shirts, comfy shoes & an emergency rain jacket for the weather. We will take long pants for the shrines because I read somewhere that shorts are a no-go.
Open to any tips/tricks and/or suggestions.
If I misspelt any names of places/locations, please forgive me.
Day 1 (hotel in Shibuya)
- Meiji-jingu Shrine,
- Omotesando (shops/walking)
- Shibuya Crossing,
- Roppongi Shopping
- Come back to hotel – break/shower,
- Shibuya Sushi Lab Omakase
Day 2 (hotel in Shibuya)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building,
- Imperial Palace,
- Tokyo Station (Lunch),
- Candle Night Zojiji
- Animate Ikebukuro & Dinner (Onigiri Bongo)
Day 3 (Kyoto) – Mostly travel & chill kind of day
Noon train to Kyoto (going to buy tickets this week since this is in 10 days and I wasn’t sure if I could wait to buy it)
- Geisha experience (tickets purchased)
- Walk around Kyoto? We’re basically free after 5pm
Day 4 (Kyoto)
- Fushimi Inari – early morning since I was told earlier the better to avoid too many people (5:30am/6am)
- Tōfuku-ji Temple
- Ninja Experience (tickets purchased)
- Walk around Kyoto? We’re basically free after 6pm
Day 5 (Kyoto)
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (early morning for the same reasons as Fushimi inari)
- Kinkaju Temple
- Daitoku-ji Temple
- Kyoto Imperial Palace,
- Kurama-Dera
- Dinner at Teppanyaki Manryu
Day 6 (Kyoto —> Osaka)
- Kiyomizu-Dera Temple (Kyoto)
- Sanjusangendo (1000 statues?)
- Train to Osaka
- Explore Shinsekai for all the food?
Day 7 (Osaka)
- Osaka Castle & Museum
- Namba/Dotonbori (eat everything we can find lol)
Day 8 (Day trip to Nara)
- Nara Deer Park
- Dinner in Osaka 8pm
Day 8 (Osaka —> Hiroshima) – We would be only arriving in Hiroshima around 4pm. Is this enough time?
- Hiroshima Castle
- Hiroshima Memorial Park
- Atomic Dome
- Dinner at Okonomiyaki restaurant
Day 9 (Hiroshima/Miyajima/Tokyo) – too much?
- Drop luggage at train station
- Ferry to Itskushima Shrine
- Henjo Cave
- Ferry back to Hiroshima —> train to Tokyo
- Sleep/rest since I'm assuming we'll need it. If we're ok check out the arcade places
Day 10 (Tokyo – hotel in Chiyoda City)
- Teamlab Borderless
- Tokyo Fish Market
- Akihibara exploration & free time
- Shibuya Sky at night
Day 11 (Tokyo – hotel in Chiyoda City)
- Senso-ji Temple + Asakusa Shrine
- Edo-Tokyo Museum,
- Tokyo Sky Tree (shopping mall base of TST)
- Asakusa/walking around (traditional souvenirs)
- Free night
Day 12 (Day trip to Hakone & Tokyo in the night)
- Train to Hakone
- Onsen & lunch at Hakone Yuryo
- Dinner in Tokyo
Day 13 (Tokyo – hotel in Taito Ward) – Mostly shopping
- Don Quijote, Tokyo Hands, Loft
- Lunch
- Mandrake (anime/manga stuff)
- Drinks at SG club
Day 14 (Tokyo – hotel in Taito Ward)
Free day
Day 15 travel back from Haneda.
Thank you!
by Throwusaway_please
