Hi guys! This is going to be my 1st trip to Japan, and my partner’s 3rd. He’s already done a lot of the major items like hiking up Fuji, Inari shrine, and most of the big temples. Im trying to mix in some of the major items for me as well as things catered to both our interests.
I really love geisha, matcha & miso, gunpla, and vintage games. He’s really into japanese cars (cars in general really), animals, coffee, and shoyu. We both like anime and arcade games. Sadly the Toyota showroom in Odaiba closed down but Im really open to suggestions! Id also love to find a great coffee experience to take him to and food suggestions. Thanks!
**Day 1: Tokyo**
Afternoon: Check into the hotel (Nearby tokyo tower.), Explore area near the hotel. Possibly pop into campus for the uni Im looking at for grad school.
**Day 2: Shinjuku & Shibuya**
Morning-Lunch: Breakfast picnic in Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Meiji Jinju, Tsuta Ramen
Afternoon: Shibuya Parco & shopping in Shibuya
Evening: Finish the night in Kabuchiko, Golden Gai, and possibly robot restaurant if theyve reopened
**Day 3: Yokohama & Odaiba**
AM- Lunch: Yokohama Gundam Factory, Gundam cafe
Afternoon: 1.5h train to odaiba, TeamLab Planets, Diver city plaza Unicorn Gundam, possibly dusk boat ride or drinks at a rooftop bar / bar with good views.
Evening: Omakase sushi. (Im still looking at places and open to suggestions. I dont want to spend more than around $100 USD pp and im assuming by then the JPY will be around .0075. . So under JPY13,500/pp.
**Day 4: Ueno, Asakusa, Akihabara**
Morning- Lunch: Imperial palace tour from 9a – 11:15p. Ueno zoo
Afternoon: around 3p Senso-ji, Nakamise Street
Evening: around 5p Akihabara. Planning on going to Cafe Mailish, Animate, Kaiyodo Hobby Lobby, BOOKOFF, and HEY arcade. Would love suggestions on spots that sell gunpla, model kits, and used video games, books, manga etc. Its difficult to get japanese printed content in the US that isnt expensive.
**Day 5: Hakone**
AM: Drop bags off for holding at ryokan
Afternoon: Hakone jinja, motohakone-ko, owakudani
Evening: Check into ryokan for dinner & onsen
**Day 6: Kyoto**
Afternoon: Drop bags off at hotel (near Kyoto tower), Maiko tea ceremony & kimono rental, photoshoot.
Evening: Explore Gion & Yasaka shrine, return kimonos by 5p, Kichi Kichi Omurice.
**Day 7: Arashiyama**
Morning: Tenryuji, Bamboo Groves, Observation Deck, rowing boat rental 1h (if time)
Afternoon: Monkey park, Kinkaku-ju
Evening: Dinner on the way back to hotel, I want to try okonomiyaki.
**Day 8: Nara**
Morning- Afternoon: Explore nara deer park & shrines.
Evening: Back to Kyoto Station, go to Kyoto tower for shopping, dinner, view etc.
**Day 9: Kyoto**
Morning-Lunch: Kyoto Imperial Castle, Nishiki Market.
Afternoon: Toji, Inari Shrine hike up to watch sunset
Evening: Dinner, not sure yet? probably something protein heavy post hike like korean bbq or yakiniku.
**Day 10: Tokyo or Osaka**
Ive already booked one of the hotels since the exchange rate is so low, but Im waiting for a good deal to pop up for flights. Last day might be a whole travel day taking shinkansen back to HND or NRT. Best case scenario, fly out of Osaka in the evening. Then the day would be lock up bags, visit osaka castle, aquarium then to the airport. Might cancel one item to visit the campus of the uni I studied abroad at but never got to physically go to since the borders closed right before I was supposed to go.