Hello everyone, me and my brother have an upcoming trip to Japan this February and would like you guys to comment/critique on our itinerary if it looks realistic or too hectic. We’re not experienced travelers so it’s gonna be probably look so filled, but we can be flexible and drop some places if needed. I can read and speak a bit Japanese if that matters. I listed the places we wanted to go in order. I did look at all the places in Google Maps beforehand so we won’t have to be crisscrossing all over the place. Please do tell me if there’s more to improve or if you have some recommendations along the way. I also have some questions after the itinerary so I hope you could answer some of those too!
Priority: 🟩High 🟨Medium 🟥Low
# Day 1 – OSAKA
* 20:00 – Arrival (KIX)
* Check-in at Hotel 1
# Day 2 – OSAKA
* 🟩Universal Studios Japan
# Day 3 – OSAKA
* 🟥Namba Yasaka Jinja
* 🟨Shitennoji Temple
* 🟩Shinsekai
* 🟩Tsutenkaku Observatory
* 🟩Tsutenkaku Slide
* 🟥Nipponbashi Denden Town
* 🟩Osaka Castle
* 🟨America-mura
* 🟨Shinsaibashi-suji Shotengai
* 🟩Dotonbori River Cruise
* 🟨Hozenji Yokocho
* 🟥Harukas 300 (Observatory, night view)
# Day 4 – KYOTO
* Explore Gion Area
* 🟨Shirakawa Area
* 🟥Hanamikoji Street
* 🟨Yasaka Shrine
* 🟨Maruyama Park
* 🟥Entoku-in
* 🟥Kodaiji Temple
* 🟨Starbucks Machiya
* 🟩Ninnenzaka
* 🟩Sannenzaka
* 🟩Kiyomizu-dera
* 🟨Sanjuusangendo
* 🟨Nishiki Market
* 🟥Kyoto International Manga Museum
* 🟩Kyoto Imperial Palace
* 🟨Demachi Masugata Shotengai
* 🟨Demachi Futaba
* 🟩Fushimi Inari (watch sunset)
# Day 5 – KYOTO to SAPPORO
* Check-out from Hotel 1
* Catch first train
* 🟩Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
* 🟩Tenryu-ji Temple
* 🟨Arashiyama Monkey Park
* 15:00 Departure (KIX-CTS)
* 16:55 Arrival (CTS)
* Check-in at Hotel 2
# Day 6 – SAPPORO
* 🟩Sapporo Teine (4-hour pass)
* 🟩Shiroikoibito Park
* 🟥Maruyama Park
* 🟩Sapporo Clock Tower
* 🟩Sapporo Beer Museum
* 🟩Odori Park (Snow Festival)
* 🟨Sapporo TV Tower (Observatory, night view)
# Day 7 – OTARU, SAPPORO
* 🟩Otaru
* 🟥Sapporo Fushimi Inari
* 🟨Mt. Moiwa Observation Deck (watch sunset)
# Day 8 – SAPPORO, JOZANKEI
* Check-out from Hotel 2
* 🟨Moerenuma Park (Snow shoes, Snow sledding)
* 🟩Jozankei
* Check-in at Ryokan
# Day 9 – SAPPORO to TOKYO
* Check-out from Ryokan
* 17:15 Departure (CTS-NRT)
* 19:00 Arrival (NRT)
* Check-in at Hotel 3
# Day 10 – TOKYO
* 🟩Yasukuni Shrine
* 🟩Yushukan Museum (9:00+)
* 🟩Atago Jinja
* 🟩Zojo-ji (also Tokyo Tower view)
* 🟥Shiba Toshogu
* 🟨Unicorn Gundam Statue
* 🟩teamLab Planets TOKYO
* 🟨Tokyo Character Street
* 🟩Marunouchi (For Winter illumination)
# Day 11 – TOKYO
* 🟩Meiji Shrine
* 🟩Shimokitazawa
* Check thrift stores
* Check Bocchi the Rock! real locations
* 🟩Hachiko Memorial Statue
* 🟩Shibuya Crossing
* 🟨UNIQLO Shibuya
* 🟨MEGA Don Quijote
* 🟥Shibuya Parco (JUMP Shop)
* 🟥ONE PIECE Straw Hat Store
* 🟩Shibuya Sky (watch sunset)
* 🟨Kabukicho
* 🟨Omoide Yokocho
* 🟥Golden Gai
# Day 12 – TOKYO
* 🟩Asakusa
* 🟩Nakamise Shopping District
* 🟩Sensoji
* 🟩Tokyo Sky Tree
* 🟩Akihabara
# Day 13 – TOKYO
* Shop for souvenirs to bring home
* 🟩Niki’s Confectionery Big Hall
* 🟨Ameyoko Shopping Street
* 20:35 Departure (NRT)
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Some background:
We want to go to as much places as possible as long as our budget, time and energy permits us since we won’t be doing another Japan trip probably in the next few years. This will be also our first major trip outside our country from the SEA.
So here are some other related questions:
1. I am planning to get a SIM card for each of us. I saw that you can book a 4G Sakura SIM card but the problem is that the Sakura Mobile Counter is only until 21:00 and I’m afraid that we won’t make it there to claim the SIM card. What are our other options for this?
2. How do you guys deal with laundry? I’m thinking of doing some coin laundry at night or something. We have 7kg carry-on and 20kg check-in baggage.
3. What are your recommended clothing/advice when going to Hokkaido on February? This will be our first ever winter coming from a tropical country in the SEA region. I already got some varying ideas from reading so I always wanna read more in case I missed something.
4. How likely is there gonna be a blizzard in Hokkaido? I’m afraid of that since maybe the lines and transportation will stop and we will get stranded.
5. What do you think of Jetstar for domestic flights in Japan? Just curious since I read a lot of bad reviews when I search in the internet and also since we will be using it as our transportation to and from Sapporo.
So that is all. Thank you so much for your time reading this and appreciate for any kind of advice you can give!