Hi all, really appreciate all the great feedback received on my last post. As the general consensus was that there were too many things on each day, I've tried to further narrow it down based on logistics / proximity. In any case, this will serve as mostly a guide, and we can of course switch things up as we see fit when on the ground (to account for energy levels, weather, etc.).
We are staying right near Tokyo Central in our first few days, and staying at the JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku when we come back to Tokyo at the end of our trip.
A few additional questions:
- We of course want to experience good food, but the amount of choice is overwhelming and we don't have strong feelings about going to prestigious places. Should we just wing everything? Or is it better to book in advance on tabelog?
- Should we book shinkansen tickets in advance (e.g. SmartEX), or only once on the ground?
- It's hard to book tickets in advance for things like TeamLabs without knowing how we will feel that day, whether or not we can figure out the transit in time, etc. Is it better to book in advance and hope for the best, or wing it on the ground?
Thank you!
Day 1 (October 12)
- Depart North America, arriving in Tokyo (Narita) the following day at 4:05 PM. Purchase shuttle bus tickets to Tokyo central station. Walk to hotel. Grab dinner in the vicinity before bed.
Day 2
- Imperial Palace (East Gardens)
- Ueno Park / Ameyoko Shopping District
- Sensō-ji temple + Asakusa
- Tokyo Skytree observation deck (evening)
Day 3
- Tsujiki Market (early morning / breakfast)
- TeamLab Borderless (book tickets in advance for late morning)
- Akihabara Electric Town / Taito Station (arcade)
- Kanda Shrine
- Local izakaya / bar (evening)
Day 4
- Depart Shinkansen from Tokyo Station at XX:XX A.M. Arrive Hiroshima mid-day.
- Hiroshima Castle
- Atomic Bomb dome
- Peace memorial museum
Day 5
- Early morning ferry to Miyajima island
- Itsukushima Jinja
- Mount Misen Observatory
Day 6
- [Stop in Himeji] Morning transit to Kyoto, for arrival mid-afternoon.
- Check-in to hotel and explore local area
- Kyoto Imperial palace / Nijo Castle
Day 7
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Sannenzaka Path
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Ninenzaka
Day 8
- Kinkaku-ji
- Ryoan Ji
- Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
- Pontocho Alley / Shinkyogoku Shopping Street Union
Day 9
- Day trip Osaka. Discover Osaka Castle
- Kuromon Market
- Dotonburi
Day 10
- Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
- Kimono Forest
- Afternoon – tea ceremony (e.g.) Kimono Ceremony Maiyoka OR cultural class (cooking, kintsugi, etc.) OR span/onsen
Day 11
- Depart Kyoto in the morning to Lake Kawaguchiko (transfer in Mishima – 4 to 5 hours total journey. Arrive by mid-afternoon)
- Check-in to hotel and explore surroundings of the town and lake.
- Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway (weather permitting)
Day 12
- Mt. Mitsutoge day hike [weather permitting]. Otherwise, relaxation / free day.
Day 13
- Travel to Tokyo / Shinjuku (approximately two hours). Leave luggage at hotel / check-in when possible
- Explore Shinjuku
- Omoide Yokocho
- Evening – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory
Day 14
- Shibuya crossing
- Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho
- MEGA Don Quijota
- Meiji Shrine
- Pack / prepare for travel the following day
Day 15
- Sleep-in and check-out mid-morning.
- Grab light lunch depart for Narita at approximately 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
- Travel back to North America (arrive no later than 3:00 PM to Narita)
by Strict_Search584