Hello, upcoming trip early November for two. We like strolls, history, food, and general cultural immersion over checking tourist boxes. Admittedly short trip but trying to make the most of one week. We are young and like to walk a lot. Appreciate any and all feedback!
Saturday – Tokyo
- Night: Arrival at 9:05pm Haneda Airport.
- Take Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu to hotel in Akasaka.
- Dinner: Late night izakaya vs convenience store for quick meal. Sleep.
Sunday – Tokyo
- Morning: Ueno Park first thing in am, walk around area, Tokyo National Museum ~10am-12pm.
- Day: Ameya Yokocho → Yanaka Ginza for lunch → Explore Yanaka neighborhood, stroll through Yanaka cemetery.
- Evening: Head to Shinjuku and spend evening roaming around and exploring, grab dinner in the neighborhood.
Monday – Tokyo
- Morning: Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple 7am) → walk through Nakamise shopping street and around Kappabashi. Grab lunch.
- Day: Head to Akihabara neighborhood, explore the backstreets. Head to Shibuya in mid-afternoon.
- Evening: Shibuya for shopping and nightlife.
Tuesday – Tokyo
- Morning: Head to Meiji Shrine around 7am. Follow by exploring Omotesando Dori and Cat Street.
- Day: Wander through Harajuku and Takeshita Street.
- Evening: Head to Ginza and explore before reserved omakase dinner in Ginza (8pm).
Wednesday – Tokyo to Hakone
- Morning: Check out early, forward bags to Kyoto, explore Daikanyama T-site for morning before heading to Shinjuku.
- Day: Head to Shinjuku Station for the 1:30pm Romancecar to Hakone. Arrive in Hakone, explore the Open-Air Museum and/or other sights if time (but perhaps may not be able to).
- Evening: Stay at ryokan with private onsen, 6pm dinner. Chill out, enjoy.
Thursday – Hakone to Kyoto
- Morning: 8:30am breakfast in Hakone → Travel to Kyoto (Bus to Odawara station → Shinkansen to Kyoto).
- Day: Arrive in Kyoto between 2-3pm, check in at hotel.
- Evening: Visit Nijo Castle near hotel (if time allows) → Nishiki Market for local snacks and dinner → Evening stroll through Pontocho Alley.
Friday – Kyoto
- Morning: Bike tour with Good Day Velo (7:30am start). Goes through Kamogawa River, Miyagawa-cho, Chion-in Temple, Shirakawa Canal, Heian-Jingu Shrine, Nanzenji Temple, Philosopher's Path, Honen-in Temple, Demachi Delta, and ends at Kyoto Imperial Palace and Park. Ends around 12:30pm.
- Day: Lunch near Imperial Palace, then ???. Options include heading to Daitoku-ji or a different activity in afternoon, many options. Do we have time to head to Enryaku-ji (inspired by the recent post)?? Appreciate help here!!
- Evening: Stroll and dinner in Gion.
Saturday – Kyoto
- Morning: 6:30am visit to Fushimi Inari then Tokufuji Temple nearby.
- Day: Around 11am, head to Sanjusangendo → Kiyomizu-dera with lunch somewhere in between or along the way. Stroll through Higashiyama District.
- Night: Stroll and dinner in Demachi or elsewhere along the Kamogawa River.
Sunday – Kyoto to Tokyo
- Morning: Check out, early 8am departure to Tokyo (Shinkansen).
- Day: Maybe super short activity depending on what we missed in Tokyo our first time around, but not really much time for anything.
- Evening: International flight back at 6:30pm.
by Royale-With-Cheese