Advice for first part of Tokyo/Kyoto itinerary… 11nights in Japan

18 comments

1. It makes sense to stay in Shinjuku as it sounds like most nights will be in Shinjuku or Shibuya. Up to you if you want to drop of bags etc each day but if you plan on staying out late then it probably makes sense.

   The days aren’t too rushed. As for what else to do, what are your interests? Food, shopping, nature, history?

2. Thanks! Our top 3 are food, history, and then shopping.

3. Following. Oh my gosh this is crazy! I’m planning a trip to Japan too for about the same time, March, EXCEPT I wanted to go this year coming up 2022, lol 😂 for the Cherry Blossom 🌸
   I had no idea how to get started because I used to travel with my family.
   This will be my first trip on my own! Thanks for sharing your itinerary.

4. [deleted]

5. Stop at ichiran ramen in Shibuya! Very close to the crossing.

6. I would personally plan something for day 5, even if it’s to drop the plan. I find it easier to drop things than try to find things to do.

   Generally speaking, realistic to do. For what to do in the evening, it depend if you like nightlife, then Shinjuku and Shibuya that you already listed are the good sports for nightlife.

   Going back to hotel can make sense is you buy a lot of stuff during the day and you are going out in Shibuya, Shinjuku or places close to the where you stay. If you only have a small bag with a camera for example, then I would not go back to the hotel unless you plan to party big time and think you might forget your bag somewhere. Also march is not hot enough that you would want to take a shower before going out again. I’ve also never napped during the day, but I’m coming from Eastern America an jet lag was not an issue for me.

   For you it would make sense to stay close to Shinjuku considering both your plan and the fact you want to use the romancecar.

7. OK, a couple of things…

   Try and fly into Tokyo Haneda Airport if you can, it’s much closer to Tokyo than Narita (25 mins vs. 90 mins), British Airways, ANA and Japan Airlines fly directly from into Tokyo-Haneda from London Heathrow. If you’re flying with Emirates or Cathay or another carrier which has a stop in between (say, London – Dubai – Tokyo), you might end up at Narita.

   When you buy breakfast at 7-Eleven/Lawson/Family Mart (conbinis are everywhere in Japan, and I mean everywhere), make sure you take cash out at their ATM each day, I generally withdrew ¥10,000 (AU$120, ~£65), cash is king here, plus 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards, I didn’t have any problems at Family Mart ATMs, I didn’t try Lawson, but Japanese banks don’t accept foreign ATM cards for some reason, and their ATMs don’t operate 24 hours for some reason. Look into a foreign currency card in the UK with low/no fees for ATM withdrawls in Japan.

   Buy a Suica Card, you can get one beforehand or you can buy one at the airport, it’s similar to the Oyster Card in London, except you can use it in vending machines and at convenience stores, it’s pretty much their paywave, EFTPOS is surprisingly uncommon.

   You can either use a Japanese SIM card or rent a WiFi router (I did the latter), there’s shops at airports and it’s surprisingly easy to organise, just pop the router in the post when you’re done.

   I stayed in Shinjuku and I loved it! If you’re travelling on a budget, I stayed at [Unplan Shinjuku](https://unplan.jp/shinjuku?lang=en), it’s the best hostel I’ve ever stayed at!

   Also, I found out the other day on this subreddit in another thread, Teamlab is relocating next year, [it’s closing in August 2022](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/teamlab-borderless-in-odaiba-will-be-closing-in-august-2022-072121) and relocating to central Tokyo in 2023, so it might be closed by the time you get there.

   Check out Super Potato in Akihabara

   And if you haven’t already, watch [Abroad in Japan](https://www.youtube.com/c/AbroadinJapan) on YouTube for plenty of good tips and advice, Chris is an English YouTuber from Kent who’s been living in Japan for about ten years

8. I am a Japanese living in Tokyo. If I were you, I would take a day trip to Enoshima, Hakone or Atami for day 3 to escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and change my mood. You can see many traditional temples in Kyoto so I personally think Asakusa is not a must visit unless you really love to visit.

9. Whoa this is really similar to my February 2019 itemerary— we went to Zojoji day 1 (and Takarazuka) and Meiji Jingu day 1, wild! We also spent roughly a week in Tokyo, a night in Hakone for ryokan, and then a few days Nara/Osaka/Kobe (for a concert).

   Ikebukuro is also fun (Sunshine City! Many anime and game resale shops, big animate) and I definitely prefer it over Akiba. And honestly as long as you stay near the JR line you’ll be fine anywhere.

10. Hey OP, when you’re in Kyoto you have to go to Arashiyama monkey park. There are a bunch of awesome steakhouses at the bottom and the bamboo forest is right by there too. Also, the Fushimi-inari temple is really cool.

11. I’d hit up Kamakura. It’s only an hour outside of Tokyo and it has some amazing temples and walking paths, as well as a cute restaurant and shopping street. If you want to go off the beaten path check out Matsumoto or Kanazawa.

12. Hit up 5am ramen for a ramen tour around Tokyo, definitely worth it. Plus as a first timer it can be overwhelming with all the places to eat.

13. Honestly if you have time to, just explore with no preconceptions

14. Universal studios in Osaka. Totally worth it. Also Osaka is like. 50 minute train ride away from Kyoto. I would spend an evening going out there while you’re in Kyoto

15. For going out in the evenings:

    I’d look for small bars around where you are staying. There are many tiny bars, each with their own unique flair and style. Often they are also quite cheap.

    Visit Shinjuku Nichome at least once! An incredible experience, can be overwhelming, but I’d definitely check it out.

16. Oh man the combinis in Japan are awesome! Not just 7/11. There’s Lawson, Family Mart, Circle K, Ministop and lots more. 7/11, Lawson and Family Marts are the kings. Try the supermarkets in the evening too. Prices are slashed before they close.

    I presume you are staying near Minato based on your Day 1? Try Hamarikyu Gardens and at night, stroll around Shimbashi area for a glimpse of the salaryman culture. Same with Shinjuku’s Golden Gai area.

    I always recommend to expand the walk around Harajuku to get a glimpse of the culture. You can start at Aoyama, walk along the alleys of Omotesando, to Harajuku, to Meiji-Jinggu Shrine, to Cat street, and finally to Shibuya.

    Asakusa and Sumida area can be combined for an old-world feel to it.

17. This is pretty well planned out.

    I would recommend buying pastries / bread the night before from Japan’s many many nice bakeries instead of just doing conbini food.

    Nara AND Osaka in one day seems like an exhausting day to me. You’d have to do both pretty fast.

    In the evenings most people go out to eat / drink, do karaoke. I’d pick a few nice bars / izakaya if you drink (or non-alcoholic bars). You might be able to catch a baseball game at night. They are fun. The season starts in late March / April.

    I’d recommend picking some specific restaurants in advance too. Michelin restaurants all over the place, some with affordable lunch (make reservations). I’d research a few ramen / sushi / cafes / etc. you want to try too. Pick a variety in different parts of the town you’ll visit and just drop in.

18. I visited Tokyo and Kyōto for 3 days respectively in 2019 as a part of an elopement around the world. We didn’t plan as much as you as we prefer flexibility and no rush to visit one place or another at all costs.

    The places we visited in Tokyo:

    – Robot Restaurant – my wife was enthusiastic about it and I was quite skeptical (I am not into anime/manga and etc,). It turned out to be one of the most interesting places in Tokyo. Some parts of the play were like Power Rangers episode but taking action right in front of you.
    – Shinjuku Gyo-en park – we had the luck to visit Tokyo around the middle of April and the sakura trees still had their blooms.
    – Shibuya crosswalk
    – Senso-ji and the market leading to it (the market is a bit overpriced; you will find much cheaper stuff in Kyoto)
    – Tokyo Skytree – my wife is afraid of heights and we didn’t go to the top. The poop monument close to it (it’s not a poop monument actually; it’s a sculpture in Asahi’s building AFAIK) was an unexpected landmark though.
    – other things I don’t remember right now

    We stayed in Shinjuku which I think is probably one of the best places to stay as a tourist – close to Kabukichō, subway and other easily accessible interesting places. Plus, the Tokyo metropolitan government buildings are straight out of a cyberpunk movie on a foggy night.

    Kyoto – we stayed in a hotel near Nijo castle and close to Lawson (big plus when you need a breakfast).
    – Nijo castle – the castle itself is probably not that spectacular but we had the luck to be there at the time when wisteria blossomed (which happens shortly after sakura) – even though I don’t have particular interest in plants or gardening it was spectacular on a rainy night as it was lit by lighting of different colors combined with an ambient music
    – Kinkaku-ji – no explanation needed, the most popular tourist attraction in Kyoto – amazing gardens
    – Arashiyama Bamboo forest – again, something that’s hard to miss while in Kyoto
    – Fushimi Inari Taisha