Hi! Traveling to Japan for my boyfriend's 30th birthday in late November. Trying to gauge if the travel makes sense here – also, wanted to plan some of the days without having every second mapped out.
Also – are there any must dos like a Japanese tea ceremony or sake tasting? Any events to definitely buy tickets to see or experience?
Thursday 11/14
– Land at HND at 4:50pm
– Get ramen for dinner near hotel
Friday 11/15: Tokyo (Shibuya)
– Shibuya Crossing (Shibuya Sky Observation Deck: sunset tickets?)
– Shimokitazawa shopping
– Sushi Fukumoto reservation?
Saturday 11/16: Tokyo (Shinjuku)
– 3D Cat Billboard
– Meji Shrine & Garden
– Gyoen National Garden
– Raku-tei Tea House
– Godzilla Head
– Drinks in Goldengai
– Wander Omoide Yokocho for food/drink
– Book Bar Benfiddich for cocktails
Sunday 11/17: Tokyo (Ginza to Taito)
– Tsukiji Fish Market (Ginza)
– Senso-ji temple (Taito)
– Make reservation at Cafe Capyba (opens 2 weeks in advance)
– Tokyo Tower at sunset
Monday 11/18: Travel to Kyoto
– Early morning train (get ticket on right hand side to see Mount Fuji)
– Fushimi Inari Shrine (lots of walking uphill)
– Tofuku-ji Temple
– Nishiki Market (closes by 4/5pm)
Tuesday 11/19: Kyoto
– Bamboo Forest Tour of Arashiyama & Neighborhood Bike Tour (8-11am, booked)
– Evening in Pontocho Alley
Wednesday 11/20: Kyoto
– Philosopher’s Path
– Nansen-Ji temple
– Kodai-ji temple
– Kiyomizu-dera temple
– Sanneizaka Slope for food / shops
– Walk back through Gion district (Gion Shirakawa)
Thursday 11/21: Osaka
– Travel to Osaka
– Osaka Castle?
– Walk around Dontobori
– Hozenji Yokocho Alley
– Red Light District Food & Walking Tour (6-9pm, booked)
Friday 11/22:
– Day trip to Nara
– Nara Park
– Giant Buddha
– Teramachi shopping st
Saturday 11/23
– Bullet train to Tokyo (sit on left side for views of Mt Fuji)
– Fly out of HND at 4:50pm
by Necessary_Glove4933
5 comments
Fushimi Inari Shrine – can you do this on a day you are staying overnight in Kyoto? Getting there early is advised, it gets crowded quick.
I assume that you’ll be staying in Kyoto throighout and making day trips to Osaka and Nara? 19 Nov seems a bit empty, especially for the afternoon.
Also, you probably won’t need the whole day to visit Nara, so you might want to consider dropping by Uji en route.
Will you be using any train passes?
>sake tasting
At [this shop](https://www.tokyostation-sakebrewery.com/english) within Tokyo Station, you can enjoy tasting sake at reasonable prices. And at [this bar](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eSN8WcekggTG69hF9) near Ginza, they offer cocktails made with Japanese sake and other locally-produced spirits.
>Friday 11/15
Since Meiji Shrine & Garden is located in Shibuya, it would be best to visit it on this day.
>Saturday 11/16
If you’re drinking in Shinjuku, I recommend [this bar](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xNckNjsbGpThyd7X8). You can enjoy cocktails made with seasonal fruits.
>Sunday 11/17
This day is the Tori-no-Ichi festival. If you have time, it’s worth checking out. If you are staying near Shinjuku, it is good to visit [Hanazono Shrine](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CEs1cJbs1NPu8sFo8), if you are staying near Asakusa, [Ootori Shrine](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9sH5nzTyQV2mzaX68) is recommended. However, please be aware that it has been extremely crowded in recent years. It may be held at a shrine near where you are staying. In that case, going there to avoid the crowds is an option.
https://www.japan-experience.com/all-about-japan/tokyo/events-festivals/tori-no-ichi
>Wednesday 11/20
You might want to visit [Okazaki-jinja shrine](https://find-your-jpn.com/okazaki-shrine%E2%91%A0/), which is right next to the Philosopher’s Path. It’s a shrine famous for its rabbit statues.
I appreciate that you’re doing Kiyomizu-dera late in the afternoon to try and beat the crowds, but be advised that both Kiyomizu-dera and the surrounding area will be very crowded in the afternoon, even an hour or so before closing. I personally would recommend doing your itinerary here in reverse order: ie. starting at Kiyomizu-dera in the morning and finishing up at Ginkaku-ji, since the other destinations on your list here are relatively manageable at most hours of the day.
For 11/23, consider flying from ITA or KIX to HND. Not only will it save time (& probably cost the same), but you’ll also reach HND directly and may just have to change terminals. If, however, you decide to take the shinkansen back to Tokyo from Kyoto, then you don’t need to go all the way to Tokyo Stn; instead, book only up to and get off at Yokohama Stn and take the Keikyu Main Line (every 20 mins) to HND