Hey! There will be 2 of us, both 20+, first time in Japan!
We’re interested in a lot, not picky at all. History, traditions, technology, anime, games, food, anything will do \^\^
# Tokyo
• 27.12 – Arrival in the morning, meeting up and getting to AirBnB. Taking it easy and not planning anything specific as we’ll probably be experiencing massive jetlag.
• 28.12 – **Shinjuku**
• 29.12 – **Shibuya & Harajuku**
• 30.12 – **Akihabara** (huge weebs/nerds), we also want to seek out maid cafes (don’t question), cat cafes, owl cafes etc.
• 31.12 – **Comiket at Tokyo Big Sight!** ([https://www.comiket.co.jp/info-a/TAFO/C101TAFO/cmkfor.html](https://www.comiket.co.jp/info-a/TAFO/C101TAFO/cmkfor.html)), not sure if there’s anything else interesting in that area 🙁
! we’re not sure if we should swap activities at 30 with 31 or keep it as it is.
For **NYE** we’re thinking of **Hatsumode** however, we heard that most popular shrines are overcrowded, we could use some recommendations on which shrine to go to, we’re patient folks so can wait in long queues \^\^
• 01.12 – Since the majority of things are closed on this day, we were thinking of maybe doing a day trip to **Nikkō**, we can however swap it if anyone could recommend something better. I’d be especially interested in seeing more countryside terrains and such.
• 02.12 – Showing up for the **Emperor’s Speech** (I heard it happens at different hours), then **shinkansen to Toyama** (we wanted to do a night bus to save time and money but were advised against it by a mod)
# Takayama & surrounding places
• while still on 02.12, arriving at Takayama, reaching the Airbnb and **exploring Takayama**
• 03.01 – bus to **Shirakawa-go**, exploring that and Takayama again upon return
• 04.01 – changing location to **Kanazawa**, getting to Airbnb, exploring the place.
• 05.01 – **going to Osaka/Kyoto** (we were recommended **Limited Express Thunderbird** from Kanazawa), not sure whether we should go early or late. If we
# Osaka/Kyoto
• Getting to Airbnb in **Osaka**, if we arrive rather early on the 6th then we explore around our place.
• 06.01 – Kyoto | **Kyiomizu-Dera & Pontocho Alley**
• 07.01 – Kyoto | **Fushimi Inari, Nishiki Market & Philosopher’s Path** (very uncertain about this day, would be more than happy to hear opinions).
• 08.01 – Osaka | **Dotonburi & Minami** areas
• 09.01 – Osaka | **Osaka Castle area & Kaiyukan Aquarium**
• 10.01 – Osaka | Day trip to **Nara**?
• 11.01 – Osaka | Free day
• 12.01 – Osaka | **Bus to Tokyo** (unsure about the bus as we were advised against it, but another Shinkansen might be too expensive already)
# Tokyo yet again
• 12.01 – Getting to AirBnB, leaving stuff and exploring **Ueba** (is the Ueba zoo worth it during winter?)
• 13.01 – Exploring **Odaiba**
• 14.01 – Exploring **Akihabara & Asakusa** again
• 15.01 – Free day
• 16.01 – **Returning home\~!**
**A couple of questions & concerns**
• We want to party a little bit and enjoy some drinks at bars etc. however, we’re unsure of where would be the best districts/spots for nightlife etc. Would any of the places we go to be perfect for us to stay until late hours or should we go back to Airbnb and then go to some other specific place for that?
• Regarding the tickets: moving inside of cities is easy enough, we just get Suica cards or buy the 72h metro passes. We’re a little bit lost on transport between the cities, where and when should we book the tickets for the shinkansen, the bus and Limited Express Thunderbird?
• I heard about Sumo Championships taking place in January in Tokyo, how hard would it be to get a ticket and go there? Do you think we could fit it and in your opinion is it worth it?
Please do leave any opinions/criticism, we’re very flexible and willing to change anything! Thank You for taking your time to read through my mess, trying to hurry up so we can book cheap Airbnbs already \^\^