I am visiting Japan with my partner for \~2 weeks: departing March 16th, arriving in Narita March 17th, until April 1st. We plan to see the usual cities for first time visitors: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka with a day in Nara. We will be visiting a friend residing in Yokosuka and plan to stay with her for a days out of our trip before traveling to Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara.
I am debating if a JR pass would be of use during our visit or if an IC prepaid card will suffice.
I realize this trip may be crowded with tourists (us included) since we’re visiting during cherry blossom season– are there cherry blossom locations with less crowds? We are mainly interested in interacting and observing how Japanese people in our age group (early thirties) live daily life as well as immersing ourselves in Japanese culture. We would like to be shown around by the locals in these any cities if possible. Is it usual for locals to meet up with travelers to share their favorite parts of the city? We will most likely eat at cafes and street food, unless we are recommended must go to restaurants.
Any advice, comments/critiques, or recommendations for our tentative itinerary in Japan is sincerely appreciated!
Date: 3/16/2023
Day of the Week: Thursday
Travel: Depart SFO at 12 PM
Activity: podcasts/ movies/ react
Accommodations: plane
Date: 3/17/2023
Day of the Week: Friday
Travel: Arrive in Narita @ 3:25pm — *stay in Chiba*
Activity: Relax, eat dinner, explore Chiba (Chiba Port Tower, Chiba Science Museum, various parks, grab snacks @ 7-Eleven!)
Accommodations: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Chiba-chuo (ダイワロイネットホテル千葉中央)
Travel Time: Narita Express Line \~$15
Notes:
\*\*Am I missing out on any must see attractions in this area?
Date: 3/18/2023
Day of the Week: Saturday
Travel: Shibuya & Harajuku
Activity: **Konno Hachimangu Shrine, Shibuya Crossing (**best vantage view of the crossing is the 11th floor of the Hikarie building) **ZENKOJI TEMPLE, Takeshita Street, MEIJI JINGU, YOYOGI PARK,**
Accommodations: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo-Akasaka (相鉄フレッサイン 東京赤坂)
Travel Time: Chiba to hotel \~1 hr 30 mins (max)
Notes:
Date: 3/19/2023
Day of the Week: Sunday
Travel: Shinjuku
Activities: **SHINJUKU GYOEN NATIONAL GARDEN, Hanazono Shrine (less crowded), Bicqlo (electronics/tech shopping), Kabukicho, \*\*is there an arcade café in this areas?\*\***
Accommodations: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo-Akasaka (相鉄フレッサイン 東京赤坂)
Travel Time: hotel to Shinjuku \~30 mins
Notes:
Date: 3/20/2023
Day of the Week: Monday
Travel: Fujiyoshida
Activity: **Arakurayama Sengen Park, Chureito Pagoda**
Accommodations: West Inn Fuji
Travel Time: Shinjuku to hotel \~2 hour train ride
Notes: Entry is free. Can pay separate ticket to ride specific rides
Date: 3/21/2023
Day of the Week: Tuesday
Travel: Fujiyoshida to Yokosuka
Activity: Spend part of the day in **Fuji-Q \*\*How are long are wait times for most popular rides\*\***
Accommodations: J&B
Travel Time: Hotel to Yokosuka \~ 3.5 hours (take bus, then metro from Yokohama to Yokosuka)
Date: 3/22/2023
Day of the Week: Wednesday
Travel: Yokosuka
Accommodations: J&B
Date: 3/23/2023
Day of the Week: Thursday
Travel: Yokosuka to Osaka
Activity: **Dotonbori**, **Osaka castle, UMIYOSHI-TAISHA, Umeda Sky Building, Namba Yasaka Shrine**
Accommodations: TBD
Travel Time: Yokosuka to Osaka = 3 hours
Notes:
Date: 3/24/2023
Day of the Week: Friday
Travel: Osaka
Activity: **Nintendo World** \- lottery system; \*\*can I reserve tickets early?\*\*??
Accommodations: TBD
Travel Time:
Notes:
Date: 3/25/2023
Day of the Week: Saturday
Travel: Osaka
Activity: **MINO FALLS?**
Accommodations: TBD
Travel Time:
Notes:
Date: 3/26/2023
Day of the Week: Sunday
Travel: Nara Activity: **Nara Deer Park**, **Todai-ji** (was the world’s largest wooden building, try to climb through Buddha’s nostril – it’s good luck!), **Isui-en** (prettiest gardens, you can take a free guided tour)
Accommodations: MIROKU NARA by THE SHARE HOTELS (MIROKU 奈良 by THE SHARE HOTELS)
Travel Time: Osaka to Nara = 1 hour
Notes:
Date: 3/27/2023
Day of the Week: Monday
Travel: Kyoto
Activity: Immerse in the cherry blossoms, go to **Gion** @ night to search for Geishas, **Nishiki Market, Fushimi Inari Taisha**
Accommodations: Carta Hotel Kyoto Gion
Travel Time: Nara to Kyoto = 36 mins (express); ¥1,160 = $8.50 from Kintetsu-Nara Station; ¥900 for local
Notes: Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to be around; Use the bus to get around; Wear comfortable shoes for a ton of walking; Bring enough cash for entrances to temples and shrines.
Date: 3/28/2023
Day of the Week: Tuesday
Travel: Kyoto & Otsu
Activity: **Arashiyama Bamboo Forest**, **Onsen** and **exploring the lake**
**\*\*Please share any must do things in this area\*\***
Accommodations: Biwako Hotel (琵琶湖ホテル)
Travel Time: Kyoto to Otsu = 30-40 minutes
Notes:
Date: 3/29/2023
Day of the Week: Wednesday
Travel: Otsu to Yokosuka
Activity: Enjoy train ride back
Accommodations: J&B
Travel Time: Otsu to Yokosuka = 3 hours
Notes:
Date: 3/30/2023
Day of the Week: Thursday
Travel: Yokosuka
Activity: hang/work/ last supper
Accommodations: J&B
Date: 3/31/2023
Day of the Week: Friday
Travel: Yokosuka to Minato City
Activity: **Hamarikyu Gardens**, buy Gio’s souviners @ Kapital (Ebisu location), **Meguro River** (cherry blossoms; 30 min ride)
Accommodations: Hotel Gracery Tamachi
Travel Time: Yokosuka to hotel = 1 hour
Notes:
Date: 4/1/2023
Day of the Week: Saturday
Travel: \*\***Which city around this area is worth visiting on the last day?**\*\* We will ask the hotel to keep our luggage there till our departure to the airport
Activity: Tokyo Tower, souvenir shopping, eat the best first last meal in Japan
Accommodations: plane
Travel Time: \~ 40 mins to airport; flight depart at 10:55 pm
Notes: Haneda (HND) to SFO
1 comment
Planning a similar trip (will also be my first time). I’ve heard that the locals have Rockabilly dance contests at Yoyogi Koen on Sunday. If that sounds entertaining to you I would swap your Shibuya and Shinjuku days. The rest of the trip looks doable and you picked a lot of must see attractions.