This will be my husband (33M) and I’s (29F) first trip to Japan! Since it’ll be our first time, we would like any recommendations or advice; mainly regarding food that is a must-have or landmarks/attractions that are/aren’t worth visiting. We love to explore and just walk around most of the time, but I also like to create a rough guideline of where to go for the day so we’re not completely wandering about.
We’ll be going during cherry blossom season (based on the online predictions on when they’ll be in full bloom) so I do want to take into account any scenic viewing spots.
​
|Itinerary|
|:-|
|**Day 1 Tokyo** *(staying at Hotel Mets Shibuya) – Arrive at HND from LAX @ 5:30PM*|
|\- Places: Shibuya Crossing|
|\- Food: Lawson’s, FamilyMart (something quick/easy so we can just go back to hotel to relax/sleep after long flight)|
|**Day 2 Tokyo**|
|\- Places: Explore Shibuya, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park|
|\- Food: Gyuukatsu Motomura Miyamasu-zakaa, Ichiran Ramen, Santa Monica Crepes|
|**Day 3 Tokyo**|
|\- Places: teamLabs Planets, Gundam statue, explore Odaiba, explore Shinjuku
|\- Food: Yakiniku a Five Toku Ginza8chome|
|**Day 4 Tokyo**|
|\- Places: Asakusa, Akihabara, SkyTree
|\- Food: ???|
|**Day 5 Tokyo/Kawaguchiko** *(staying at Kozantei Ubuya) this is my splurge stay lol*|
|\- Places: Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway|
|\- Food: Ramen Kaneyuki, Kawaguchiko Cheese Cake Garden, Fujiyama Cookie|
|**Day 6 Kawaguchiko/Kyoto** *(staying at Cross Hotel Kyoto) long travel day so checking in at evening time*|
|\- Places: Explore around Kyoto hotel|
|\- Food: Kichi Kichi (if we can get a dinner reservation)|
|**Day 7 Kyoto**|
|\- Places: Arashiyama Bamboo & Kimono Forest|
|\- Food: ???|
|**Day 8 Kyoto**|
|\- Places: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Hanamikoji Street, explore Gion|
|\- Food: Nishiki Market|
|**Day 9 Kyoto/Nara/Osaka** *(staying at Karaksa Hotel Osaka Namba)*|
|\- Places: Day trip to Nara (Deers, Todai-Ji), Dotonbori Ferris Wheel (Osaka)|
|\- Food: Nakataninidou mochi (Nara), Mahoroba Daibutsu pudding (Nara), Dotonbori street food|
|**Day 10 Osaka**|
|\- Places: USJ (all day)|
|**Day 11 Osaka**|
|\- Places: Osaka Aquarium, Omeda Sky Building or Abeno Harukas Observation Deck|
|\- Food: ???|
|**Day 12 Leaving Japan. Flying out of ITM airport @ 1:00PM**|
2 comments
Day 2, would make more sense to start by Meiji-jingu and Yoyogi park. They are open much earlier compared to shops in Harajuku/Shibuya that will only open at 10 or 11am.
Day 3, this is all over the place, just try to focus on doing things in the same area of Tokyo. Here Shinjuku does not especially make sense. Let’s say I would do Teamlab, Odaiba, Shinjuku in one day and Asakusa, Skytree, Akihabara on the next day.
For food, instead of restaurant, I will recommend some dish in some specific places as they are known regional dish. Hotou udon in Kawaguchiko, Kaki no ha zushi in Nara (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaf, no not eat the leaf), takoyaki, okonomiyaki and kushi katsu in Osaka.
Day 4
I recommend the following: (1) Maruka in Ochanomizu (15 min walk from Akihabara), Sanuki style udon noodle, (2) Komagata Dojou in Asakusa (Loach hotpot. It’s not for everyone but very unique to Japan and atomosphere is very traditional)
Day 6
There are many udon noodle shop that provides local special udon noodle “Yoshida no Udon”. Really tasty.