First time to Japan
Hello all. I am planning a trip for November 16-28 of this year. (Itinerary below). All big expenses have are paid for and everything can be moved if needed due to covid. There is two of us both male-19. Money is not an issue as we both worked hard to save for this trip.
Any suggestions to change or add things onto days would be helpful and if anyone has another day trip they would recommend I would like to hear it.
Nov 16- leave for Japan (18 hour including 5 hour layover)
Nov 18- arrive around 5pm (+14 in time) so we will just be getting to the hotel and relaxing rest of the day. Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu.
Nov 19- spend time in Shibuya and have an easier day with getting accustomed (from America).
Nov 20- Akihabara and Shinjuku
Nov 21-22 one day we are doing a day trip to mt. Fuji and the other day we currently have no plans yet.
Nov 23- we plan to do team labs early in morning to avoid crowds then stay in that general area
Nov24 – we are heading to Kyoto (Noku hotel).
Nov 25- visit some local temples and free roam around
Nov 26- renting bikes and doing biking all day in various areas.
Nov 27- open to suggestions
Nov 28 head back to Tokyo to get home.
Would love to hear any suggestions or tips any of you may have as I am still new to planning and traveling internationally.
13 comments
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I would shortened the time in Tokyo. Do more nights in Kyoto. And do a night in Tokyo before flying out.
You could day trip to Nara from Kyoto.
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Dont you need a guide go go to japan? Or am i wrong?
Team Labs is awesome, but there’s only fast food at the facility and not much else. Relatively nearby there is a mall which was a lot of fun to poke around in, but more importantly there was a huge gundam there to see!
A fun touristy thing to eat in Kyoto is Flaming Ramen. Public transportation there isn’t as easy as in Tokyo, so we ended up taking more taxis.
Since you’re new to planning a trip like this I’d suggest writing down a few things that are must-sees for either or both of you, and plan around that. Like are there specific stores (clothes, gaming, music?) you want to visit, food you’d like to eat or places you want to see? It would be nice to have a general idea of where your days start and end, but obviously try to keep it light and have some room for spontaneous moments! Maybe look into some of the other more recent itineraries for some inspiration.
That being said, look into Shibuya SKY for city views of Tokyo, and into night illuminations for some of the Kyoto temples. Definitely spend at least half a day in Arashiyama while you’re in Kyoto, and perhaps do a day trip to Nara to see the temples and deer.
I would recommend you to go to some great places in Kyoto.
1. TOEI KYOTO STUDIO PARK
This park is for filming Japanese Samurai movies. You can enjoy wearing costumes or having entertainment. It is close to Arashiyama.
2. Byōdō-in
Byōdō-in is a tenmple in Uji, which there are famous Macha tea cafes. If you have Japanese currency now, you’d had better look at 10 yen coin because there is Byōdō-in on 10 yen. It is far from main Kyoto area, but you can have a chance to have Macha.
3. Osaka ekimae building
It is not in Kyoto. Actually, in Osaka. If you have time to go there, it must be enjoyable. The building has so many affordable restaurants in basement floors. It could be hard for you guys because it is for local people. I am not sure that staffs in the facility can use English.
Nov 20. You have Akihabara and Shinjuku. Just that they are on opposite sides of the city. So you will be wasting a little time in travel.
Jetlag will hit you on day 2 and 3 too.
Internal flights in Japan are so easy so you could day trip to just about anywhere from Haneda and back. Internal flights between other airports are hit and miss though.
Akihabara can easily take a full day if you’re shopping.
I would go to an onsen somewhere in there. The outdoor ones are especially nice.
I think it looks like a pretty good itinerary. It’s easy to try to pack in too much when planning but personally I think it’s good you’ve left a bit of space as Japan is definitely one of those places where just wandering around can lead you to unexpected things. Also, there’s no point in trying to see it “all” in one trip. I’ve been back to Tokyo 4 times and still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.
Like others say though, I think your free day in Kyoto could be a day trip to somewhere in the area. Depending on your interests, Osaka and Nara are must-sees (Osaka being a big city with quite a different vibe to Tokyo) and Nara being the more historical option. Uji and a bus to Mt Hiei (you can get a cable car up) are also fabulous. Or you can get the train to Kameoka and take a boat trip down the river back to Kyoto which for me was a highlight.
Double check that Team Labs is going to be open. Also be ready for some real cold at that time of the year.
1- Whole day in Shibuya? For me it is “a few hours” thing. Even if you spend some time in Harajuku, Takeshita Street and walk to Shibuya from there, it is half a day max. You sure you don’t want to check out the Sensouji/Asakusa area in the morning?
2- As you can see from the comments some want to spend a month in Kyoto some think it is over rated, it is all up to you. In my opinion it deserves at least 3 days (Day 1: Arashiyama, Kinkakuji Ryoanji, Day 2: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu and Gion Area, Day 3: Silver Palace, Nishiki Market and local experience). Checking out Pontocho and Kiyamachi area at night. Just remember that there are 17 UNESCO heritage sites in Kyoto, so I kindly disagree that it may be boring after the first day. Though I understand people have different tastes, priorities and personalities.