Hey everyone, so I’m going to Japan on the 14th-23rd January and need some urgent advice on whether it is actually possible to do everything in my itinerary in the time I have given myself or if I should space things out some more. I’m travelling solo (first time in Asia, 2/3rd time travelling solo, 21 y/o). The reason I want the advice so urgently is the hotel I have my eye on will book out asap so I wanted to get a booking made.
Here’s the rough plan:
**DAY 1 (Arrival) – Tokyo**
* Land in Narita at 12:40pm, collect SIM and JR pass (to be activated from Day 4-10), and take the train to Asakusa
* Check into hotel in Asakusa that afternoon
* Explore Asakusa (Sumida Park, Senso-ji Temple etc)
* Visit Tokyo Skytree
* Rest of the evening just going to go with the flow, maybe take a train to Shibuya or something for an initial culture shock and come back before midnight.
**DAY 2 – Tokyo**
* Meiji-jingu shrine
* Takeshita street
* Shibuya crossing
* Shibuya sky (maybe)
* Nintendo Tokyo
* Tokyo Tower
**DAY 3 – Tokyo**
* Akihabara
* Ueno zoo
**DAY 4 – Tokyo**
* Tsukiji outer market in the morning
* Ginza – wander and some shopping
* teamlabs planets
* Rainbow bridge from the Odaiba Seaside Park (+ statue of liberty as it’s there too)
**DAY 5 – Fujikawaguchiko/Osaka**
* 2hr train from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko
* Explore local shrines, photography of Fuji etc, explore the town generally.
* When I get bored, take another 2hr train onto Osaka
* Check into hotel in Osaka and explore the evening, no plan in mind.
**DAY 6 – Osaka**
* Kuromon Ichiba Market
* Further explore Dotombori (Don Quijote etc)
* Osaka Castle Park
* Cup Noodle Museum? (maybe)
* Shinsekai
**DAY 7 – Osaka**
* Universal??? Can I have recommendations based on past experiences for this? I’m only considering going for Super Nintendo World. Is it worth the £50 entry?
**DAY 8 – Kyoto**
* Early train to Kyoto
* Explore Arashiyama
* 1 more shrine/castle/temple (Undecided yet)
* Train down to Nara park and explore
* I’m unsure whether to get a hotel in Kyoto and stay this night or take a train back to Tokyo this night, recommendations?
**DAY 9 – Tokyo**
* Either take a train the night before, or this morning back to Tokyo.
* This day is an empty day with nothing planned and I would use to do anything I did not have chance to do previously, or things that came to my mind over the last week.
**DAY 10 – Departure**
* Train back to Narita for a 4pm flight to Heathrow via Abu Dhabi
How does this sound? Is there anything I am desperately missing that I should do? Should I skip Universal and do something else? Am I safe to book the hotel for Days 1-5(check out on 5) in Tokyo? Would appreciate any insights. Thanks!