October 2024 – Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
Hi friends,
I get to go to Japan for the first time mid October this year – I've spent some sifting through this sub and some random internet itineraries in an attempt to put a personalized plan together. I have a couple Europe trips behind me so I'm not totally new to travel, but I am to Japan.
I generally pack pretty light – satchel that is mostly empty on the way there and a 35L backpack.
I am big on seeing cultural and historic monuments/architecture in places I visit. With Japan I'd also like to see some of the high tech vibes though too. Also big on good food – Japanese Curry, Katsu, Street food especially. Also wanting to stop into some tea houses for mid day snacks. Sorta curious about Japanese whiskey – I like dark spirits in general but haven't had much Japanese whiskey.
Not a big shopper so I've not set out a bunch of time out for that. Ill probably pick up some gifts and a couple small things as I go, but I don't need to dedicate multiple hours different days to shops on top of any wondering time.
Any comments / recommendations / changes ect to this plan would be amazing!
Oct 11 – Arrive Tokyo (4PM)
- Jetlag/sleep adjust
12 – Tokyo
- Imperial Palace Tour (10AM for security 10:30 start) (have online ticket secured) Palace closed 13/14th
- National Garden before/after tour – Open 9:30
- Pokemon Center/Café (pending reso)
- Teamlab Borderless
- Akihabara
13 – Tokyo
- Fuji bus tour
- Omoide Yokocho
- Shinjuku
14 – To Kyoto (2.5hr) – This is a reserve day atm. If you folks tell me I have Tokyo and Kyoto mostly covered ill commit a day to Nikko or DisneySEA and use it interchangeable with the fuji day based on weather. Though its a holiday this day. (sports day)
15 Kyoto
- Temple viewing (more time at the 4 bold, and stops between for food. Estimating 5-6 hours for this list)
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Yakasa Pagoda/ Hokanji Temple
- Nine-Zaka & Sannen-Zaka Street
- Ishibe-Koji Alley
- Kodaiji Temple
- Yasaka Shrine
- Maruyama Park
- Chion-in Temple
- Shoren-in Temple
- Nanzenji
- Eikan-do Zenrin-ji
- Honen-in Temple
- Silver Pavilion
- Tea Ceremony?
- Samurai Experience ?
16 – Kyoto
- Nijo Castle (8:45 open, Honmaru Palace 9:30AM ticket)
- Nishiki Market? – over crowded/not worth? Also pending time – might go after palace.
- Kyoto Imperial Palace (1:30 or 2:30PM ticket)
- Fushimi Inari Shrine (some backtracking here, idea being to keep Pontocho in the eve and get Nijo before crowds. Climbing to the top/first viewpoint will depend on time)
- Gion & Pontocho area starting at Yasaka-jinja
17 – Kyoto To Osaka
- Arashiyama Area
- Kinkaku-Ji / Golden Temple
- Gion again or another area I feel like I want to see a bit more / missed something
- Go to Osaka (evening) – rebasing mostly for a couple evenings/nights in Osaka
18 – Osaka
- Hemji Castle
- Kobe – eat + wonder
- Food/go out in Osaka – teamlab botanical garden?
19 – Osaka
- Nara day trip
- Nara Park
- Todai-Ji Temple
- Naramchi
- Kofuku-Ji Temple
- Isuien Garden
- Food/go out in Osaka -Dotonbori
20 – Osaka/Ryokan
- Osaka Castle
- To Ryokan leave around noon(4hr Arai Ryokan, Shuzenji)
- Onsun/tea/relax – maybe check out nearby attractions – garden / bamboo forest – Kaiseki dinner
21 – Shuzenji to Tokyo (4hr)
- Government building (viewpoint)
- Meiji Jingu (if time permitting and not templed out)
- Shibuya
22 – Tokyo Home (NRT by 4PM, 6PM flight)
- Sensoji Temple
- Nakamise Shopping Street + wonder Asakusa
- Anything missed/shopping
- Tokyo to Home (6PM)
by Rector_Ras