Hey everyone! My partner and I are headed to Japan in March for an 8 day vacation! My partner studied abroad in Japan for 3 months a few years ago and her Japanese is solid enough that I’m not worried about a lot, but I am still learning some phrases and such. She also has experience navigating the rail system which I think will be a big advantage, though of all the different places we are going, she’s only been to Tokyo, Himeji, and Kyoto. Any recommendations or alterations are welcome! The (?)’s indicate it’s something we are thinking of doing but aren’t dead set on.
Day 1: Chiba – Half Day (coming in from Airport late morning)
Itinerary: Explore Chiba folk museum, port tower, park, and shrine (any we have the energy to do, all are near our hotel)
Accommodations: Chiba
Day 2: Tokyo
Itinerary: Morning travel. Shopping and exploring near hotel. Visit Ueno Park, Kanda Myojin shrine, and Tokyo Sky Tree (?)
Accommodations: Tokyo (Akihabara)
Day 3: Himeji
Itinerary: Big chunk of morning travel. Castle tour, then Kobe for light exploring and eating!
Accommodations: Kobe
Day 4: Osaka/Kobe
Itinerary: Universal Studios (start early morning, be done around dinner), explore Osaka and Kobe.
Accommodations: Kobe
*NOTE: We picked Kobe for accommodations for days 3-4 solely because it was a good place between Himeji and Osaka, so we’re not really planning to be/do much in the city of Kobe itself (except for some beef tasting!)
Day 5: Kyoto
Itinerary: Morning travel. Fushimi Inari Shrine, Yasaka Shrine via Hanamiko-ji (right by hotel)
Accommodations: Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto
Itinerary: Kinkaku-ji, Heian shrine, The Philosopher’s Path (?), Kyoto tower (?)
Accommodations: Kyoto
Day 7: Nagoya/Tokyo
Itinerary: Morning travel to Ghibli Park (stop in Nagoya), then more travel to Tokyo. Shopping and exploring in Harajuku, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, Shinjuku.
Accommodations: Tokyo (Shinjuku)
Day 8: Tokyo – Final Day (evening flight)
Itinerary: Continuation of day 7 (anything we missed or want to revisit!)
Thank you for your help in advance! We are so excited to finally be able to do this together!