Early June Itinerary Check

First time travelers to Japan. There will be 5 of us, 3 adults, one college student, 1 preteen.

I've kept our schedule fairly loose. We only have a couple of reservations (Team Borderless and hiking Fushimi Inari).

I haven't purchased any shinkansen tickets. Figured based on everyones comments we will be safe getting them once we arrive.

No restaurant reservations. Sounds like they really aren't needed. We don't plan to do anything very fancy and I expect to wait in lines. Konbini for most breakfasts.

I've created several maps based on areas with areas of interests, landmarks, shopping, restaurants and coffee.

I'd love feedback. It's really hard to gauge how much we will cover in a day. I'd guess the weekends will be more slammed than weekdays so those days may cover less.

Fri, May 31st

• Fingers crossed that travel to Japan goes smoothly, we arrive at Haneda at 3:40pm
• After withdrawing money (have Suica on iPhones and using AT&T International plan), we take transport to Airbnb in Shibuya.
• Use the night to explore surrounding area of Airbnb and grab something to eat.

Sat, Jun 1st – Shibuya + Harajuku

• Plan to keep breakfasts simple throughout the trip. Mainly konbini and local coffee shops.
• Take train to Harajuku station early morning and visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, Yoyogi park. Explore Harajuku, Takeshita Street, Cat Street, etc… slowly making our way towards Shibuya. Once in Shibuya, explore and shop. Hoping this will be the entire day, ending close to the airbnb.

Not sure whether this area needs an entire day dedicated to it. I just didn’t want to kill us the first day and be close to our airbnb in case we are not fully recovered from all the flying.

Sun, Jun 2nd – Shinjuku + Kabukicho

• Spend the morning and afternoon exploring Shinjuku district. 
• Visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
• Hanazono Shrine
• Find Godzilla Head and 3D billboard
• Visit Kabukicho in the evening

Mon, Jun 3nd – Roppongi

• Reservation at Team Borderless at 11am.
• After TB, explore surrounding area. Explore Azabudai Hills, Zoo-ji Temple. 

Tue, Jun 4th – Kawagoe

• Take early train to Kawagoe
• Explore Kawagoe Kita-in Temple, Renkeiji Temple, Kurazukuri no Machinami / Warehouse District, CANDY LANE- Kashiya Yokocho, Kawagoe Castle Hommaru Palace. Head back to station, visiting Cree Mall in route

Wed, Jun 5th – Open Day

• Leaving this day open for areas we want to hit again…. and/or Akihabara

Thur, Jun 6th – Travel to Kyoto

• Shinkansen early. Once we arrive, gauge how much time we have before airbnb checkin. We will either store bags at the station and explore surrounding area of Kyoto station or go directly to the Airbnb.
• Explore Kyoto Station
• Visit Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Shoseien Garden

Fri,  Jun 7th – Higashiyama/Eastern Kyoto

• Walk to Kiyomizu-Gojō Station. Take Keihan Main Line to Gion-Shijo Station
• Walk down Shirakawa Lane to Shinbashi-dori
• Visit Chion-in Temple
• Walk to Maruyama Park & Yasaka Shrine
• Visit Isibekouji (walkable neighborhood)
• Walk east to visit Kenninji Temple
• Follow Yasaka-dori to Hōkan-ji Temple
• Proceed down Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka Path toward final destination, Kiyomizu-dera

Sat,  Jun 8th – Central Kyoto

• Plan to get up early (Leave by 8:45) 
• Walk to to Nishiki Market for breakfast (opens 9am)
• Walk to Gion-Shijo StationS. Take Keihan Main Line to Demachiyanagi Station.
• Visit Shimogamo Shrine
• Walk south towards Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace
• Visit Nijō Castle
• Head to Pontocho Alley for lunch
• Walk along the Kamogawa River and enjoy the scenic views.
• Visit Kyoto International Manga Museum.

Sun,  Jun 9th – Fushimi Inari

• We have a hiking tour scheduled for 8-12 (the one you supposedly get taken to hidden paths) I figure this will drain our party so the rest of the day will be open. If we aren’t too tired, maybe head over and explore Tofuku-ji Temple

Mon,  Jun 10th – Nara

• Early train to Nara
• Explore Kofuku-ji, Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum, Tōdai-ji, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha, Higashimuki Shopping Street

Tue,  Jun 11th – Open Day, Last Day in Kyoto

Not sure whether we will be exhausted at this point or night. We have several areas on our list. Either..

• Go further Northeast and visit Higashiyama Jisho-ji (Silver Pavilion), Philosopher's Path, Heian-jingū Shrine and Awata Shrine

OR 

• Head west and visit Arashiyama

OR 

• Head North/Northwest and visit Golden Pavilion, Ryōan-ji,  Imamiya Shrine, Wara Tenjingu Shrine, Hirano Jinja, etc….

Wed,  Jun 12th – Travel Back to Tokyo

We have a hotel in Ginza. Figured we’d explore that area once we arrive and check into the hotel. This is our last full day in Japan. It’ll probably be just shopping and eating.

Wed,  Jun 13th – Fly Home

Our flight doesnt leave until close to 6pm so we may have some light exploration before heading to the airport. No real goals.

The last couple of days will be based on how everyone is feeling. We may hit other areas if we still have energy.