Hey all – making my first solo trip to Tokyo (45M). I’ve been twice before, once to Tokyo in 2008 for work and 2016 with my wife to Hokkaido. So I’m used to traveling around, but I’ve always had someone with me. Normally I’m not planning everything, so I’m doing a lot of reading and may be on information overload. I want to make sure I’m not trying to pack in too much or traveling too far, but also want to maximize my time.
What I am thinking:
3rd: Arrive 2:40 to Haneda from East USA
Travel to Osaka (base for next few days)
Eat & sleep
4th/5th: early day trips to shrines/temples, bamboo groves in Kyoto. Meals in Kyoto. Later evening walking around, seeing the lights, and bar hopping in Osaka if I’m still awake.
6th: Osaka castle and other sights in Osaka
7th: Day trip to Hiroshima Peace memorial?
8th: morning Return to Tokyo, Akihabara afternoon/evening
9th/10th/11th morning: traveling around Shibuya, Shinjuku going to various sights, Golden Gai, etc
11th afternoon: leave on 4:50 flight
My thought was staying in Osaka would be better for nightlife and a home base for trips to Kyoto and Hiroshima without constant changing of hotels. But I’m not sure if it’s too far for either (dealing with rush hour on the morning trains, or if a day trip to Hiroshima is too far and not long enough to appreciate).
For Tokyo, I thought Shibuya or Shinjuku would be good hotel spots for the days I’m there.
The only thing the trip leaves out is anything close to Mt Fuji which I have read is very clear this time of year. I could swap a day in Hakone for Hiroshima, but I won’t be packing winter gear so I’m not sure if it’d be too cold (for reference, as long as it’s above 45 F it’s not too cold). Hakone seems a lot like Hokkaido so that’s why I left it out, as I’ve done the onsens already.
Any thoughts? Am I being too ambitious with the locations, or would changing hotels more (esp in Kyoto/Osaka) make more sense? Is getting to Osaka the day I arrive too much?
And does a JR pass make sense? Im being lazy, as I haven’t figured that part out yet.
This was kind of a spur of a moment trip so any info would be appreciated.