Hi everyone,
I hope someone can look at my itinerary. I am open to suggestions, advice, and more! I already read a lot of posts here in reddit and optimize the itinerary beforhand.
About me: Have been to Japan many times. Studied and worked in Tokyo/Nagoya for a year. This time I will be traveling to Japan because I am invited to a wedding of a friend and wanted to combine it with a vacation. Winter 2022 was the last time I was in Tokyo and I felt I'm stuck in a rut. So I hope that some people here can give me new insights.
About my mom: First time in Japan. 53 years old. Has back pain, can’t walk for long periods. However, she’s fine, if we take breaks. Grew up in Vietnam, loves traveling, shopping and is a foodie like me, but she's not so much in culture (e.g., shrines, museums).
Time period: 03.07 to 15.07
Main goals: I want to show my mom Japan, and give her an interesting but relaxed and slow vacation with a lot of yummy food. Perhaps not as optimized as usual and without my usual 20-30k steps per day.
——————— Itinerary ———————
Day 0 – Wed 03.07. Tokyo
– 23:30 Check-In near Tokyo Station
Day 1 – Thu 04.07. Tokyo
– Buy Shinkansen Tickets for Hakone (Day 8-9)
– Tokyo Station
– Ginza
– Odaiba / Toyosu Market
Day 2 – Fri 05.07. Tokyo
– Shibuya / Harajuku / Omotesando
Day 3 – Sat 06.07. Tokyo
– Ueno -> Asakusa -> Tokyo Solamachi/Tokyo Skytree –> Back to Hotel, break –> Akihabara
Day 4 – Sun 07.07. Tokyo
– Kamakura or Kawagoe?
Day 5 – Mon 08.07. Tokyo -> Naha
– Tsukiji Market Breakfast
– Flight to Naha, ❓ Is 1 hour before departure enough?
– 21:30 Check in
– Late night dinner at Ocean Good Table or Local Cuisine KOKO?
Day 6 – Tue 09.07. Naha
❓We won't book a car, I'm not sure what to do besides exploring Naha. Are there any recommendations for bus trips we could book? If we don't go swimming, is it still worth taking a ferry to Zamami Island?
– Dinner at Yunangi or Local Cuisine KOKO
Day 7 – Wed 10.07. Naha -> Tokyo
– Kokusai Street/Heiwadori Market
– 17:30 to Airport, back to Tokyo
Day 8 – Thu 11.07. Tokyo -> Hakone
❓Counter-clockwise or clockwise Hakone trip?
– Early trip to Hakone-Yumoto with Shinkansen, Bus to Hakone Machiko, Boat to Togendai
– Lunch at Togendai
– Ropeway to Owakudani and Souzan Station
– Take Hakome Tozan Cable Car to Gora, Check-in in Ryokan
Day 9 – Fri 12.07. Hakone > Tokyo
– Explore Gora, not sure if my mom would enjoy the outdoor museum
– Shinkansen back to Tokyo
Day 10 – Sat 13.07. Tokyo
– AM: Wedding for me / Free (shopping) time for my mom – Buying gifts etc
Day 11 – Sun 14.07. Tokyo
– Sending luggage to airport
– Shinjuku / Ikebukuro / Sunshine City
Day 12 – Mon 15.07. Tokyo
– Check Out
– No plans, but maybe Tokyo Imperial Palace
– Around 21:00 -> HND, flight at 0:00
——————— Itinerary End ———————
As for eating out, I actually wanted to do it spontaneously and without a reservation. However, the groom said that this is no longer as good an idea in Tokyo as it used to be. I don't really want to chase after internet trends, I just want to look at Google Maps and see, what is near and has good reviews. But I will probably make a reservation for restaurants that I know I want to go to.
I look forward to your comments and recomendations! Thank you for reading!
by Ryuli-Chan