Hi Everyone,
I'm planning a 6-day trip to Japan and would love some advice on my itinerary. I live in a country nearby, so the flight is only 3-4 hours. Two of the days will involve the flights, leaving me with two half days and four full days to explore. I'm wondering whether I should spend the entire time in Tokyo or if it's worth adding a couple of days in the Kyoto region. Here are some details and my initial thoughts:
Travel Dates:
– Arriving in Japan: Day 1 (Tuesday August)
– Leaving Japan: Day 6 (Sunday August)
Interests:
– Culture and history
– Modern attractions and shopping
– Food (love trying local cuisines)
– Scenic views and photography
Option 1: Staying in Tokyo
– Pros: Less travel time, more time to explore different areas of Tokyo, ease of getting around
– Potential itinerary:
– Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, settle in, explore Shinjuku (3D Cat billboard, Godzilla head, Kabukicho)
– Day 2: Shibuya (Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Scramble, Shibuya Sky), Harajuku (Takeshita Street)
– Day 3: Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple), Akihabara (electronics and anime shopping)
– Day 4: Day trip to Yokohama or Kamakura (both are relatively close and offer unique experiences)
– Day 5: Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea
– Day 6: Last-minute shopping in areas like Shibuya or Ginza before heading to the airport
Option 2: Adding Kyoto
– Pros: Experience both modern and traditional Japan, see famous Kyoto sights
– Cons: More travel time, less time to fully explore each city
– Potential itinerary:
– Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, settle in, explore Shinjuku
– Day 2: Explore Shibuya and Harajuku, evening train to Kyoto
– Day 3: Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion)
– Day 4: Kyoto (Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Nishiki Market), evening train back to Tokyo
– Day 5: Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea
– Day 6: Last-minute shopping and head to the airport
I'm open to any suggestions or changes to these plans! What would you recommend for such a short trip? Should I stick to Tokyo, or is splitting the time between Tokyo and Kyoto a better idea?
Thanks in advance for your help!
by nathanfieldersdad