March Itinerary, cocktail bars, sweets and desserts in Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanazawa

Hello all,

I’m spending 20 days in Japan, arriving at the beginning of March, and staying in Tokyo (3 nights), Kyoto (6 nights), Kanazawa (5 nights), and then Tokyo again for another 6 nights.

I much prefer spending my time in a few cities. Trip is very much about food and cocktail bars, with a good sprinkling of tourist stuff – preferably, focussing each day on wandering around exploring a particular area, and minimising the rushing around. For example, in Tokyo, I’ve tried to divide my days up into different areas, ending each day at a fancy cocktail bar in that area.

Any comments would be very gratefully received.

In particular, I’m hoping for some recommendations for more good cocktail bars in Kyoto and Kanazawa, and sweet/dessert shops which are not to be missed.

Arigatō gozaimasu

**TOKYO**

**Day 1:**

· Flying into Haneda

· Hotel in Ueno

· Exploring Ueno Park (Temples, Metropolitan Art Museum, National Museum of Western Art, National Museum of Nature and Science)

· Dinner wandering Ameyoko Street

**Day 2:**

· Ginza food and shopping day (Mitsukoshi, Ginza Six, Marcolini, Number Sugar Maronuchi,)

· Lunch at Ginza Katsukami

· Walking to Memento Mori at Toranomon Hills for cocktails

**Day 3:**

· Shibuya (Takeshita street, Shibuya109, Seibu, Jinnan)

· Drinks at the SG Club (Sip)

· Dinner at SG Low

**KYOTO**

**Day 4:**

· Shinkansen to Kyoto

· Hotel in Nakagyō-ku

· Walking around Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and surrounding area

· Dinner at Yakitori Torito

· Drinks at Bee’s Knees

**Day 5:**

· Higashiyama (Yasaka-dori, Hōkanji Temple, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Nene-no-michi)

· Dinner at Otagi

· Drinks at Bar Rocking Chair

**Day 6:**

· Gion (Hanamikoji, Shinbashi-dori, Yasaka Shrine, Kodai-ji)

· Dinner at Shinmonzen Yonemura

· Drinks probably back at Bee’s Knees unless there are other suggestions

**Day 7:**

· Day trip to Nara (Nara Park, Todaiji Temple, Yoshikien garden, Isui-en Garden)

· Omizutori (Nigatsudo Hall)

**Day 8:**

· Fushimi Inari + monkey park

· Dinner at Tenjaku

**Day 9:**

· Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji Philosopher’s Walk

· Dinner at Anzukko (Gyoza)

· Drinks at L’Escamoteur Bar

**KANAZAWA**

**Day 10:**

· JR Thunderbird to Kanazawa

· Hotel near Kanazawa Castle

· Omicho Market + general exploring

· Drinks at Furansu

**Day 11:**

· Kanazawa Castle

· Kenrokuen Garden

· 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

· Dinner at Ryotei Suginoi Honami

· Drinks at Kohaku Bar

**Day 12:**

· Myoryuji Temple

· Nishi Chaya district

· Dinner at Installation Table ENSO L’asymetrie du calme

· Drinks at Bar Spoon

**Day 13:**

· Higashi Chaya

· Kazue-machi

· Dinner at Tsubajin

· Return drinks at one of the above bars unless there are other suggestions

**Day 14**

· Rest day (probably more drinks)

**TOKYO**

**Day 15**

· Shinkanasen to Ueno

· Hotel in Ueno

· Akihabara (Mandarake store, Kanda Manseibashi)

· Dinner in Akihabara somewhere

**Day 16**

· Kappabashi Dori

· Evening drinks at The Bellwood and Bar Trench

**Day 17**

· Shinjuku (Isetan, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Croquant Chou Zaku Zaku)

· Drinks at Bar Benfiddich

· Omoide Yokocho

**Day 18**

· Roppongi and Azabujuban (Tokyo Tower, Zojo-ji temple, Mori Art Museum)

· Drinks at Gen Yamamoto (subject to booking), otherwise. Trader Vic’s

**Day 19**

· Ginza (shopping for stuff to take home)

· Drinks at Bar Orchard Ginza

**Day 20**

· Lazy morning in Ueno

· Afternoon to Haneda