Me and my wife first time in Japan. Sadly due to work and other arrangements, the only time we could go is during Golden Week 2025. I've done some extensive research past months to build this itinerary.
So I would like to ask you guys for opinions and recommendations on if it makes sense and doable.
Also booked the accomodations in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo, but desprately needing some help decide which ryokan should I choose, the options are mentioned in the itinerary below. (all the bookings are confirmed but not paid yet and free to cancel so the itinerary is still very much modifable)
I'm a bit curious about Sumo so what could I do in Ryogoku to gain more understanding and explore?
Also would really appreciate any reccomendation for public bath house we can go if we have just some small tatoos (my wife has a Calcifer tatoo and was very surprised when she knows tatoo is not welcomed in public bath)?
Day 1: Arrival in Osaka (April 26, 2025)
7:00 PM: Arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX).
44 mins train ride to hotel
Check in Hotel (6 mins walk from Tengachaya Station)
Dinner in Namba – Dotonbori area
Day 2: Osaka (April 27, 2025)
Kuromon Ichiba Market- food explore – breakfast
Osaka Castle and surrounding garden
Osaka/Umeda station area – food explore – lunch
Sumiyoshi Taisha – Shrine visit
Dotonbori area – food explore
Daimaru Shinsaibashi area – food explore
Day 3: Nara and then Kyoto (April 28, 2025)
Check out hotel early
Travel to Nara. (aim to arrive at 7am to avoid crowd)
Explore Nara Park, must feed the deer, optionally visit Todaiji Temple.
Lunch in Nara or Kyoto depends on the crowd/ booking
Travel to Kyoto.
Check in hotel (8 mins walk from Shijō Station)
Philosopher's Path – walk
Gion area – dinner + explore
Day 4: Kyoto and then travel to Ryokan (April 29, 2025)
Check out then breakfast
Fushimi Inari Taisha (7am to avoid crowd)
Nishiki Market – lunch + explore
Travel to Ryokan, aim to arrive at around 4-5pm for some onsen bath then dinner
Options for the Ryokan:
- Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan – Hakone
- Migiwaya – Shizuoka, Yaizu
- Hakuunsou – Yugawara
- Biwako Hanakaido – Otsu
Relax in the onsen and enjoy the ryokan experience.
Dinner at the ryokan.
Day 5: Western Tokyo (April 30, 2025)
Breakfast at the ryokan then check out
Travel to Tokyo.
Shinjuku area – Lunch food explore
Meiji Shrine – quick shrine visit
Shibuya – food explore – Dinner
- Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo (wife must try)
- Mega Don Quijote Shibuya
Check in hotel – 7 mins walk from Tamachi Station
Night activity: Baseball batting cages
Day 6: Central Tokyo (May 1, 2025)
Tsukiji Outer Market – food explore
Imperial Palace
Yarakucho area – food explore for lunch
Shopping time
- HANDS Ginza
- Donki, Uniqlo, Yodabashi, Bic, MUJI, etc Dropoff shopping stuff back at hotel Ginza area – Dinner + explore the area
Night Activity: pick a bar and go for some drinks in Ginza
Day 7: Nothern Tokyo (May 2, 2025)
Sensoji Temple
Kaminarimon gate
Asakusa disctrict – Food explore and shopping
Ameyoko area – Food explore and shopping
Ryogoku for sumo related stuff?
Teamlabs planet – booking
Night Activity: Sento/public bath houses(check for tatoo restrictions)
Day 8: Departure from Tokyo (May 3, 2025)
Check out hotel
Teamlabs borderless – booking 9am
Last-minute shopping – cafe – lunch near Tokyo Station.
Travel to Narita Airport.
Check in airport
8:05 PM: Departure.
by kidpro1989