Hey everyone,

I'm gearing up for a Japan trip in May 2024 and wanted to share my detailed itinerary for any feedback or tips. I’ll be visiting Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Yokohama, and back to Tokyo. Here’s what I have planned so far:

General Notes:

• Internet: Ninja WiFi or Sakura Mobile Pocket WiFi (10GB unlimited per day) or E-sim Airalo.
• Food To Try: Kakigori, Gyukatsu, Daifuku, Menchi Katsu, Okonomiyaki, Souffle Pancake (Gram Pancake in Osaka?), Kaiseki Cuisine (Kyoto), Kushikatsu (Osaka).

Tokyo | 5 Days

Day 1 (Sat, May 3): Depart

Day 2 (Sun, May 4): Arrive Tokyo (3 pm JST), check into Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku. Explore Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, McDonald's, Krispy Kreme, and Kura Sushi. Optional: Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho.

Day 3 (Mon, May 5): Relaxing day, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Hanazono Shrine, McDonald's. Evening: Krispy Kreme, Kura Sushi. Optional: Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho.

Day 4 (Tue, May 6): Visit Government Building, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing (Pokemon Centre, Nintendo Store), Don Quijote, Shibuya Sky, Shibuya Yokocho.

Day 5 (Wed, May 7): Ghibli Museum, Tokyo Tower, Nakano Broadway, Zojoji Temple, Shiba Park. Optional: TeamLabs Borderless. Evening: Shin Okubo (Korea Town).

Day 6 (Thu, May 8): Shiro-Hige cream puff factory, Hanegi Park, GotoKuji Temple, TeamLabs Planets, Unicorn Gundam statue. Optional: Omoide Yokocho.

Kanazawa | 3 Days

Day 7 (Fri, May 9): Check out of Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku, check into Tokyu Stay Kanazawa. Reserved for a day trip before Kanazawa arrival (Nagano, Karobe Gorge, or Takayama).

Day 8 (Sat, May 10): Explore Omicho Market, Kazue-machi Chaya District, Higashi-Chaya District. Noon: Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Noh Museum, optional 21st Century Museum of Art and Prefectural History Museum. Evening: Explore local restaurants and nightlife.

Day 9 (Sun, May 11): Visit Nagamachi District (ninja district), Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple). Evening: Katamachi-Korinbo Area (dining and entertainment).

Kyoto | 4 Days

Day 10 (Mon, May 12): Check out of Tokyu Stay Kanazawa, check into KABIN Kyoto. Explore Nishiki Market, Bamboo Path, Komyo-ji Temple. Evening: Kyoto International Manga Museum.

Day 11 (Tue, May 13): Yasaka Shrine, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nijō Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nishiki Market. Evening: Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Day 12 (Wed, May 14): Kurama to Kibune Hike. Evening: Explore Gion.

Day 13 (Thu, May 15): Aoi Matsuri (Aoi Festival), Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Adashino Mayumura, Snow Monkey Park, Hozugawa River Cruise.

Osaka | 3 Days

Day 14 (Fri, May 16): Check out of KABIN Kyoto, check into Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka Namba. Explore Dotonbori, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Tempozan Ferris Wheel. Evening: Shinsekai.

Day 15 (Sat, May 17): Visit Hokusetsu area (Ryuan-ji Temple, Minoh Falls). Afternoon: Umeda Sky Building. Evening: Don Q Ferris Wheel, Dotonbori.

Day 16 (Sun, May 18): Namba Yasaka Jinja, Osaka Castle, Gram Pancake, Food Tour (Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour).

Yokohama | 2 Days

Day 17 (Mon, May 19): Check out of Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka Namba, check into Citadines HarbourFront Yokohama. Explore Yamashita Park, Cup Noodles Museum. Evening: Minato Mirai 21 area, Yokohama Landmark Tower, Cosmo Clock 21.

Day 18 (Tue, May 20): Day trip to Kamakura. Evening: Optional visit to Red Brick Warehouse.

Tokyo Again | 3 Days

Day 19 (Wed, May 21): Check out of Citadines HarbourFront Yokohama, check into hotel MONday Akihabara Asakusabashi. Explore Akihabara Electric Town, Kappabashi Street. Evening: Relax in Hibiya Park or Imperial Theatre.

Day 20 (Thu, May 22): Tsukiji Market, Ueno, Yanaka. Evening: Asakusa, Tokyo Dome City amusement park and shopping complex.

Day 21 (Fri, May 23): Early visit to Sensō-ji Temple, Asakusa. Departure in the evening.

Transportation Costs:

• Tokyo to Kanazawa: ~¥15,000
• Kanazawa to Kyoto: ~¥8,000
• Kyoto to Osaka: ~¥600
• Day trip to Kobe from Osaka: ~¥1,200
• Osaka to Yokohama: ~¥15,000
• Day trip to Kamakura from Yokohama: ~¥600
• Yokohama to Tokyo: ~¥500
• Total Estimated Cost: ¥40,900

Hotels:

• Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku Location: Tokyo Dates: 4 May 2025 – 9 May 2025 Price: CAD 853 (815.00)
• Tokyu Stay Kanazawa Location: Kanazawa Dates: 9 May 2025 – 12 May 2025 Price: CAD 425 (413.00)
• KABIN Kyoto Location: Kyoto Dates: 12 May 2025 – 16 May 2025 Price: CAD 672 (653.00)
• Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka Namba Location: Osaka Dates: 16 May 2025 – 19 May 2025 Price: CAD 536 (521.00)
• Citadines Harbour Front Yokohama Location: Yokohama Dates: 19 May 2025 – 21 May 2025 Price: CAD 270 (262.00)
• hotel MONday Akihabara Asakusabashi Location: Tokyo Dates: 21 May 2025 – 23 May 2025 Price: CAD 470 (470.00)

Temples and Shrines:

• Various days including Hanazono Shrine, Meiji Shrine, Yasaka Shrine, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, and Sensō-ji Temple.

Gardens and Parks:

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Yoyogi Park, Kenrokuen Garden, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and more.

Museums:

• Ghibli Museum, Kanazawa Noh Museum, Cup Noodles Museum, and Tokyo Dome City amusement park.

Markets:

• Nishiki Market, Omicho Market, Tsukiji Market.

Shopping and Entertainment Districts:

• Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho, Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing, Akihabara, and more.

Food and Dining:

• Ichiran Ramen, Krispy Kreme, local specialties, and food tours.

Observation Decks and Scenic Views:

• Shibuya Sky, Tokyo Tower, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Don Q Ferris Wheel, Yokohama Landmark Tower.

Optional Activities:

• Various day options including Shimokitazawa, TeamLabs Borderless, Red Brick Warehouse, and Tokyo Dome City.

Specific questions:

Is there anything we have listed which is not worth it or may regret doing?

Is there anything we may be missing around the areas we are visiting? Or; anywhere that we might miss out on that could be switched for something else?

Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!