Hi all. Looking for a spot check on my plans as I work to put this trip together for my wife and me. We will have 7 nights for sure and am debating an 8th but still TBD. 8 would definitely be the max we could do this time and I know we will return to Japan again one day.
I have been to Japan \~15 times on business. The majority of my time has been spent in the Yokohama area and we definitely want to spend more than your usual tourist time in this area simply because my wife loves visiting places where I have spent time for work. I also believe Yokohama is a little underappreciated and can actually be a good base for some of the day trip spots out of Tokyo.
Here is what I have in mind and just wondering if anyone has a different way of thinking about this…
Day 1 – Yokohama. I figure we might as well start at the place I know best while our bodies are at their worst. I connect Narita Express with my first ever Japan trip and would like for my wife to experience it….. but if I can find some good fares into HND I’m definitely going that route instead.
Day 2 & Day 3 & Day 4 – We will head to Tokyo on Day 4. My plan is to do some combination of Hakone/Kamakura/Yokohama with weather helping us make a decision on what to do on each day.
Day 5 until heading home: Tokyo. I have sufficient points to do the Park Hyatt splurge so we’re going the full blown Lost in Translation route on this one for 4 nights. Will do the usual Tokyo sites and hopefully the leaves will be vibrant before we head back home on Nov 26th (or 27th).
So that’s it. I’m really just looking for someone to tell me if they see anything obviously wrong here. I realize there is no Osaka or Kyoto in here, and I know Yokohama is maybe not a usual 3-night tourist stay, but I’m hoping the rationale is logical. Thanks!
8 comments
It looks like you have a good idea of what to do. Only thing I’ll say is that Hakone and Kamakura are full day trips. Also try and add that 8th day if you can as there is a lot of to see in Tokyo if you haven’t spent much time there before.
Yokohama is indeed underappreciated. Lived there for 4 years. Take a nice walk with her around Minatomirai and over to Yamashita Park and Motomachi, with lunch or dinner in Chinatown. So much to do in that part of Yokohama!
Your rough plan sounds fine, but I doubt Japan will be open to tourists yet at that time.
my recommendation for Kamakura:
Get off the train at Kita-Kamakura, station is right next to Engaku-ji temple. Hike to Zeniaraibenten shrine and back to town center where you can pay Tsurugaoka-Hachimangu a visit. From Kamakura station you can take Enoden train to Enoshima island, don’t forget to stop by at Hase-dera (Hase station), Daibutsu is also close. Enoshima has some restaurants, shrines and a cave. If the weather is good, you can see Mt.Fuji from there. On the way back to Yokohama (from Enoshima to Ofuna) i recommend riding Shonan-monorail. It takes a full day (around 8 hours).
I would consider doing Hakone last. Send your luggage to Tokyo, just bring one change of cloth with you and spend the night in a ryokan in Hakone and enjoy a nice onsen. Can go to Tokyo next morning.
There is nothing wrong in that plan. Staying in Yokohama for the first nights is totally fine, yes, all this could be done as day trips from Tokyo, but I can understand you wanting to share your Yokohama experience with your wife.
Actually going to Osaka/Kyoto inside of a week long trip would likely be the mistake if you ask me.
Right before Covid happened, our company did a global sales kick off in Yokohama. Definitely and under appreciated city. Having lived there in my youth, I sent out the following list of suggestions for people as they were planning their trip. Since I had it handy I thought i’d share. I don’t know if the details are still true (or will be true when you go) so you may want to look in to it. Shoot, I’m not even sure 100% of these places are still in business at this point!
Things to do in/near Tokyo:
Imperial Palace Tour (free)
– https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/about/koukyo.html
– Closed Mondays
Skytree ($35)
– http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/
– Open daily
Tokyo Metropolitan Building (free)
– https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011_tocho.html#section_admission
– Closed Monday
Yoyogi Park
Harajuku/Takeshita St
Shibuya Crossing/Hachiko statue
Akihabara (Electronics district)
Ginza (High end shopping district)
Sensōji Temple in Asakusa
– [https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3001.html](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3001.html)
Yebisu Beer Museum (free)
– http://www.sapporobeer.jp/brewery/english/y_museum/index.html
– Closed Mondays
Ishikawa Sake Brewery (free)
– http://tamajiman.co.jp/en/tour/
– Mon-Fri (10-4, reserve at least one day before)
Things to do in Yokohama:
Kirin Brewery Tour (free)
– https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3211.html#section_admission
– Closed Monday
Cup Noodle Museum ($5)
– https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/yokohama/
– Closed Tuesday
Ramen Museum
Enjoyed the Sankeien Garden and Minatomirai in Yokohama 🙂
If you’ve got the Hyatt points for the Park Hyatt splurge, it could be considering splitting your stay between PH and Andaz — two very cool experiences but different flair to each of them!
I also might stay overnight in Hakone just because there is a lot to do there.