Itinerary for Solo Trip – Late November 2022
Hi all,
I’ll be visiting Japan for the first time next month and wanted to hear people’s opinions on my itinerary so far. Since I am only visiting for 6 full days, I decided to keep the focus of the trip to Tokyo. Since it’ll be late November when I arrive, I’d love to soak in the fall foliage. So, after much back and forth I decided to squeeze in an overnight stay in Nikko (instead of Lake Kawaguchi). Definitely open to hearing people’s opinions on that.
Generally I’m into museums, Japanese fashion, and good eats. I haven’t fully fleshed out the food spots yet, so I am open to suggestions, especially for any good Kobe beef/Wagyu in Tokyo.
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**Sunday 20th November**
* Arrive at Narita 4:30pm, check into hotel in Shibuya/Harajuku area (still choosing one)
* Take things slow, walk around the area. Depending on how I’m feeling maybe I’ll check out Shibuya Scramble at night.
* Any suggestions on where to eat?
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**Monday 21st November – Harajuku, Aoyama, and Shibuya**
* Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu
* Takeshita Street
* Tower House
* Ura-Harajuku
* Ota Memorial Museum of Art/Nezu Museum (probably have to choose one)
* Shibuya Sky
* (depending on how I’m doing on time) Shimokitazawa
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**Tuesday 22nd November – Ginza, Shinjuku **
* teamLab Planets
* Tsukiji Market, Daiwa Sushi
* Walk around/shop at Ginza
* Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
* Omoide Yokocho
* Golden Gai
* Yayoi Kusama Museum
Do you think I can squeeze in Uoeno after? Check out Uoeno Park, hit up Ameyoko Street, and Yanaka?
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**Wednesday 23rd November – Nikko overnight trip**
* take the train early
* Shinkyo Bridge
* Toshogu Shrine
* Akechidaira Ropeway
* Kanmangafuchi Abyss
* check-in to a Ryokan (3-6pm) and unwind
Now my question here is should I take my stuff with me to the ryokan and leave it there until check-in time so I don’t have to carry my stuff with me all day or should I use the luggage delivery service the day before?
Also still looking for a ryokan for this date. Kai Kawaji and Tsuganoki aren’t available on the 23rd but the 24th, so contemplating on moving this day trip around. Turukame seems to be available for the 23rd so considering this as well. Open to suggestions — looking for a room with a view and private open-air onsen.
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**Thursday 24th November – back to Tokyo**
* commute back in the morning
* stay somewhere in Asakusa (use the same luggage service again the day before? seems odd)
* Senso-ji, Hozomon Gate, Kaminarimon Gate
* Nakamise Shopping Street
* Hoppy Street
* Sumida Park
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**Friday 25th November – Chiyoda, Minato**
* Imperial Palace, Hie Shrine, Akasaka Hikawa Shrine
* 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT
* Mori Art Museum
* Tokyo Tower
* Momiji Waterfall
* Autumn Maple Leaves Valley
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**Saturday 26th November – last day
* pack, go to anywhere I didn’t make it to earlier
* buy souvenirs
Let me know what you all think. Still figuring out lodging and eats, so itinerary’s far from complete. I do want to optimize my routes as much as possible. I’m generally thinking one hotel near the Shibuya area, one in Nikko, and one near the Asakusa, Ginza, eastern side of Tokyo.
Thanks!
2 comments
For hotel, I do not think there is much choice around Harajuku, you should consider Shibuya instead. For suggesting of places to eat, open Google map and type what you want to eat, you will have thousand of options.
22, after all that, I doubt you would have much time for Ueno… Especially when Golden gai would be a end of day thing, like after 5pm, while museum in ueno would close around that time.
Nikko, I would just bring my bag to Asakusa station and put it in a coin locker while going to Nikko. Take it back on your return. This mean you only have to bring a day pack with one change of cloth. You do not want to use a luggage delivery service because it is not same day delivery.
These days are extremely packed. You need to be realistic and cut down around half of what you have listed. Your Shinjuku / Ginza day is already near impossible, and you definitely couldn’t add Ueno to that day.