Last Minute Itinerary Check – 10 days in Tokyo

8 comments

1. This is mentioned in this sub a lot but Tokyo definitely starts a little later in the morning than other cities I am used to. I have always found some coffee shops/ breakfast sports open before 9am but that doesn’t seem to be the norm

   I also like shopping in harujuku more than ginza but that is a personal preference. I like their second hand shops in harujuku and always buy a few dope sweaters or purses.

2. Pretty tight schedule. Disneyland???

3. [1] Ueno and Akihabara are close to each other so if you want you can plan an itinerary with the two of them in mind. (Maybe Ueno in the day, then Akiba in the late afternoon to evening). Also Ueno has the National Museums. Sure about not checking them out? [2] I’m just curious, what’s your reason for wanting to check out so many shrines? Is it for religious purposes? I think if you want to go shrine-hopping, there’s always Kyoto to visit next time 😀 [3]Since you’re visiting Ginza, you sure you won’t stop by Tsukiji Market in the morning? [4] Depending on weather conditions, Mt. Fuji might be visible (as long as no rain, and usually in the morning). Fuji is a nice place to go shrine-hopping too. [5] Personally I’d cut Ikebukuro for something else…Why not Disney Sea? Or (this is personal bias), the prettiest city in Greater Tokyo, Yokohama? [6] Just a suggestion, why not reserve a dedicated shopping day? I feel like you might take too much time out of sightseeing and enjoying the vibes in an area if you have “must shop now” in your head. Maybe that’s just me though.

4. The schedule is both packed and exciting!

5. I’m leaving to Tokyo tomorrow for 10 days as well !! Thank you this will help me fill the gaps I have in my itinerary !!

6. Search for a 温泉銭湯 (Sento) for a relaxing bath in the evening followed by a couple of drinks & snacks at a local 居酒屋 (izakya) or restaurant.

   My best tip is to google translate your (google/apple/whatever) maps searches and paste that in the search box before hitting enter, more local/better results.

7. So refreshing to see a single-city deep-dive itinerary! I think it looks pretty great. Obviously, you’ve got a lot of things on there, but from other replies you’ve made in the comments, it’s good to hear you’ll be flexible to adapt it once your feet are on the ground..

   Some thoughts/comments:

   * have you read up on the process? buy your shuinjo book in advance; and I still flubbed this a few times, but I believe you should try to present it when you go to the desk, as you pay. If they only sell the paste-in sheets, they will let you know; it’s better to have them put the shuin directly in your book
   * big thumbs up to Yanaka/Nezu Shrine! That whole area was a big highlight for me. It was a very different kind of Tokyo.
   * Shimokitazawa – trendy “bohemian” neighborhood (famous for music venues and vintage shops); only a few train stops away from Shibuya
   * sounds like you are doing Enoshima and Kamakura in a single day? FWIW, I took a day trip to Kamakura, and really enjoyed the town..heck even the approach to the town from the train station. I ended up so absorbed with the temples and cemeteries on my way to the Daibutsu, that I didn’t make it to the Daibutsu in time (it closed at like 5pm!) It was a very big self-facepalm.. I’d encourage an early start so you can have enough time to satisfy any desire to explore a bit.

   Onsen – any interest? any plans? I didn’t make it to any in Tokyo, but identified a few prospects: I read the new senkyaku banrai at Toyosu market “brings in” Hakone water (how, I don’t know); but also found a natural spring hotel near Asakusa (Onyado Nono), and a nice traditional bath house near Kamata named Hasunuma.. My criteria was natural spring water (not just tap). I’m sure there are other options, but those are what I was able to find.

   I ultimately didn’t make it to any in Tokyo due to limited time, other priorities, and the fact that I’d already been to a decent number in other locations. One of which was Atami, which might be another day-trip idea to hold in reserve.. It’s a noteworthy onsen town (with many options), it’s directly on the Shinkansen, so you can get there very easily in about a half hour (and since you’re sticking to Tokyo, that would give you a chance to squeeze in a Shinkansen ride!). Like Kamakura, it’s also a beach town, so if you want to walk on the sand, you can do that (this was a wish-list item for one of my traveling companions “I’m on an island, there should be a beach”). It has an old Showa vibe. When I was there, I visited the plum garden (still beautiful even pre-season) and the Jikkokutoge observatory for a Fuji view. It’s still not as close as you’d get from Hakone, definitely has a major cloud risk..but it also has an amazing view of the Izu peninsula to the south. That said, the bus ride to get there was like 30-40 minutes. I did it as a last-minute addition to the plum garden after checking out from our Ryokan (with a goal to be done before dinner time), so it’s definitely possible for a day trip, but maybe a little ambitious.

8. I just came back from a Tokyo-only trip(3rd Japan visit total), congrats on your first visit to Japan and very excited for you!

   Might I recommend on your first day you pop in to Sunshine City for a brief moment just to get a “lay of the land” there before your Day 10 visit? I found Sunshine City to be a bit overwhelming and the stores to become EXTREMELY packed later on in the afternoon, and I honestly wished I had went again before my flight home just to “knock out” whatever I had missed.

   Most importantly, if you can get to the mall around 10am when most stores open, that’s your best bet for a comfortable shopping experience.

   My recommendation? Sesame Street Market <3