Hello,
This will be my third trip to Japan and the idea is to stay primarily in Tokyo with 2 or 3 day trips mixed in. I'll be arriving and departing through NRT (I'm aware HND is closer but I can't fly direct to HND and I'm relatively familiar with NRT by now). I'll by staying at the Royal Park above Shiodome and Shimbashi stations.
Japan is one of my favorite places to visit so I started learning the language with a tutor this past year. I'm under no illusion that I'll be able to communicate much more than basic courtesies with staff at the hotel and when visiting a konbini or restaurants. Still, should be good practice!
The main topics of this trip are Tokyo, street photography, ramen, and immersion. A side goal will be to visit Tsukiji and Kappabashi at least twice as I intend to buy a Gyuto and Petty knife to bring home.
I'm not set on the locations of the daytrips, possible alternatives to the two listed are Kawagoe, Odawara Castle, or Lake Kawaguchi. Yokohama? Open to ideas. The itinerary is meant to be fairly open so I can change course some days if I wander into a different area entirely. Meals will be mostly konbini for breakfast, and whichever ramenya, kaitenzushi, or izakaya I stumble across when I get hungry.
Day 1: Saturday, August 31
- Arrival at NRT: Arrive around 2-3pm, travel to the Royal Park Tokyo Shiodome hotel and check-in.
- Evening Exploration: Take a walk around the Shiodome area. Maybe visit Ginza. Likely to be tired, trying to stay up and shift sleeping schedule so may just hang out at hotel.
Day 2: Sunday, September 1
- Morning: Visit Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast and explore the shops. Start looking at knives. Get a few hours of work done today, maybe after breakfast.
- Afternoon: Visit the Akihabara district, explore the area while the roads are closed to traffic. (Swapped from Day 5)
- Evening: Head to Ueno Park for an evening stroll.
Day 3: Monday, September 2
- Morning: Visit Asakusa and explore Senso-ji Temple. Walk around the nearby Nakamise Shopping Street
and Sumida Park. Visit Kappabashi after 11. - Afternoon: Free time to hang out longer in Asakusa, decompress back at the hotel, or head straight to Shinjuku.
- Evening: Spend time in Shinjuku, explore the alleys and find somewhere chill for dinner.
Day 4: Tuesday, September 3
Day Trip to Nikko: Take a train to Nikko for the day.- Day Trip to Kawagoe (closer, more time to spend visiting)
Day 5: Wednesday, September 4
- Morning: Return to Tsukiji Market or Kappabashi to decide and purchase kitchen knives
- Afternoon: Walk to Hamarikyu Gardens and enjoy a peaceful stroll.
- Evening: Head to Shibuya for Shibuya Crossing and photography in the area.
Maybe check out Shibuya Sky
Day 6: Thursday, September 5
- Morning: Not sure, free time. Catch up on work?
- Afternoon: Visit the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka if able to secure tickets. Otherwise free time to visit any area I want more photography of.
- Evening: Take a stroll along the Odaiba Seaside Park and enjoy the views of Rainbow Bridge.
Day 7: Friday, September 6
- Day Trip to Kamakura: Visit Kamakura’s temples, shrines, and the Great Buddha statue.
Day 8: Saturday, September 7
- Morning: Visit Meiji Shrine and explore the surrounding Yoyogi Park.
- Afternoon: Head to Omotesando for architecture photography and window shopping.
- Evening: Relax at an izakaya in the area.
Day 9: Sunday, September 8
- Morning: Enjoy a quiet morning, check out of hotel and head to NRT for the flight home
Edited with updates based on suggestions
by the-bright-one
