Hello!
I’m returning to Japan this December. I’ve been to Tokyo multiple times, but I’m bringing a friend along who has been to Tokyo only once. We’re both in our early 20s. Will eat anything edible. Either way, this was what I had planned:
**December**
* 7
* Land in Narita at 8PM
* Pray for the Keisei Skyliner to haul ass so I can check in to my hotel and make it in time for dinner at Ichiran in Asakusa
* Hit up an izakaya as the time difference is only +1h
* 8
* Go around Asakusa to add to the goshuincho in the morning.
* Akihabara until the evening.
* Go to coffee shops if there are some nearby.
* Straight to a yokocho right after.
* 9
* Breakfast in Ameyoko. Takoyaki by the shrine there.
* Free day; go around wherever we want, really. Probably go to **non-touristy spots/restaurants since we’ve been in Tokyo before. Any recommendations within Tokyo?** No preference with regards for food. If it’s cheap and amazing, we’ll sure as hell be there.
* Go around coffee shops, if there are any within the area we’re in.
* Go around film camera shops, if there are any nearby.
* Izakayas in the evening.
* 10
* Go around Asakusa early morning if able (optional, can go straight to Ozawa).
* Ozawa Sake Brewery before noon-ish ’till after lunch.
* Go around Ueno in the afternoon
* Visit friends in Akabane in the evening.
* 11
* **Kamakura** early in the morning. First time visiting.
* Visit Enoshima and the Aquarium (the latter is optional)
* Check out surf shops, if any
* Visit shrines and temples in the area. I know I’m not doing the city any justice after going to Enoshima, visiting the aquarium, and not staying for at least a whole day, but **any recommendations on where to go on a day trip**?
* Izakaya in the evening
* 12
* Nismo Factory in Omori, early morning.
* Arrive back in Tokyo maybe after lunch.
* Separate ways, do whatever we want.
* I’m thinking of going to Odaiba, never been there before. (optional, can do this on the 18th)
* Bar in the evening
* 13
* Nikko, first time visiting.
* Toshogu Shrine
* Rinnoji Temple
* Shinkyo Bridge
* Whatever else we could see if there’s still time
* Hoppy Street in the evening since we’re staying near Asakusa
* 14
* Friend flies back home. I fly to **Sapporo** before lunch. First time visiting.
* Check in to hotel
* Explore Sapporo. Odori Park after **lunch (any recommendations for lunch?)**
* Mt. Moiwa in the evening
* Enjoy sento after at the hotel. Or maybe find an izakaya
* 15
* Otaru daytrip
* Nikka Distillery
* Barhopping in the evening.
* 16
* Free day in **Sapporo**.
* **Don’t really know what to do or where to go on this day. Any recommendations?**
* **Sapporo Beer Museum + Jingisukan in the evening. Do they allow solo travellers?**
* 17
* **Free day in Sapporo**.
* Same as the day before, I don’t really know what to do or where to go on this day. **Thinking of waking up early and visiting Noboribetsu for a daytrip, but I feel like it’ll take too much of my time.**
* Go around Sapporo in the evening
* 18
* Fly back to Tokyo in time for lunch.
* Stay in Ueno.
* Free day, mostly.
* Buy souvenirs/chocolates and whatnot for relatives and friends back home.
* Go out with friends in the evening
* 19
* Free day
* Pig out at a kaitenzushi for lunch
* Flight back home at 8PM
Let me know what looks packed! The itinerary in Tokyo are all interchangeable, really.
Also, I want to buy a foldable bike. If you guys have any recommendations on where to get one in Tokyo (aside from Yodobashi and Bic), I’d love that.
3 comments
Re: Kamakura – Recommend getting off at Kita Kamakura station, checking out the immediate area, then walking down to Kamakura through the woods, stopping at Zeniarai Benten. Depending on which trail you take, you can come out near the Daibutsu (Big Buddha).
Re: Folding bike – Tokyu Hands should have a selection. Quite a few neighbourhood bike stores should have them, too.
Non-touristy restaurants… there’s an old kujira restaurant in Shibuya that doesn’t break the bank, I’m sorry I can’t remember the name but I’m sure it’s on Google! Less ethically suspect, one of my faves is Pound-ya that serves different grades of wagyu.
Have you checked out the Sapporo page on Japan-guide?
For Sapporo:
* Soup curry is popular there so have a look into that. There are plenty of places.
* For the beer museum they should accept solo travellers. It kinda out of the way so maybe consider going for lunch.
* For things to do check out Shiroi Koibito Park (it’s a pretty good tour of the factory). There is potentially Xmas markets and illuminations around Odori Park at night.
* If you want an onsen experience then Jozankei Onsen is about an hour away.
* If you like animals then Asahiyama Zoo is a nice zoo but it’s a 2-3 hour trek to get there. If you are going late December then they should have the penguin walk on.
* For Noboribetsu, maybe stay overnight on Day 17 as it’s not too far from the airport.