Hi all, we are travelling with a group of 11 to Japan in mid June. Half the group are first timers. Let me know what your thoughts are on this itinerary. (I'm sure our group will separate at points in this trip but this is a rough outline for people who want to see as much as I plan to)
Hotel Stays:
Gion, Gion, Gion. Kanazawa, Kanazawa, Tokyo Disney Resort, Shibuya, Shibuya, Shibuya
Day 1 – Fly in from Seoul to Osaka at 1:45pm
Osaka Kickstart Tour at 2:30pm (4 hrs)
- Will see major sights, fish market, districts, Osaka Castle (exterior)
- Finish day off strolling Downtown Osaka, Dontonburi or Namba
- Train to Kyoto, check in to hotel in Gion
Day 2 – Nara day trip (6 hour guided tour at 9am – 3pm)
- Deer Park
- Todai-Ji
- Stroll Old Town
- Sake Brewery
Head back to Kyoto
- See Nishiki Market
- Dinner in Gion (Wagyu)
- Whisky Bar
(I plan to do a night hike at Fushimi Inari and anyone in my group who wants to will join me)
Day 3 – Full day in Kyoto
- Walk to Kyomizu-Dera (early at 7am)
- Explore streets around it
- Lunch (thinking Sushi, Katsu, or Okonomiyaki if you have any suggestions)
- 1pm- private 4 hour guided e-bike tour of Kyoto (stops at some temples such as Kinkaku-ji)
Dinner/bars
Day 4 – half day in Kyoto/check in to hotel in Kanazawa
- Giou-Ji temple (moss gardens, close to Arashiyama)
- Arashiyama/River Boat
- Lunch
- Nijo Castle
Take train to Kanazawa
- Stroll Samurai District at night and get dinner
Day 5 – full day in Kanazawa (with half-day trip)
Private driver/tour of Shirakawago
Spend rest of day in Kanazawa (looking to do some sort of cultural activity such as tea ceremony, or some from of crafts)
- See fish market
- Castle and gardens
Day 6 – leave to Tokyo Disney Resort/check-in to hotel
- Tokyo Disney
Day 7 – Tokyo Disney Sea, check in to hotel at Shibuya after park closes
Day 8 – Tokyo (Shibuya/Harajuku)
- Hit up some cafes in Shibuya
- Meiji shrine at opening hours
- Yoyogi Park
- Harajuku, Takeshita street for shopping and food
Head over to Shimokitazawa for underground music scene
- Shibuya Sky Tower
- Finish night bar crawling in Shibuya
- potentially will do a guided tour to get a good introduction
Day 9 – Tokyo
- TeamLabs Borderless at opening hour
- Azabudai Hills
Lunch/Free time
- Shinjuku around dusk
- stroll Golden Gai, Kabukicho
- bar crawl (potentially will do guided bar crawl tour)
Day 10 – Tokyo, flight back home at 9pm
Haven't made any plans for our last day in Tokyo, probably will leave it wide open and feel it out. Probably save this day for any shopping people wanted to do but couldn't squeeze in.
Let me know if you have any tips, suggestions for activities, food/cafe/bar options in the areas I'm visiting, timing of itinerary, etc.
My brothers and I are musicians and appreciate all forms of music from Jazz to punk rock to electric so any good music scenes/spots would be appreciated.
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