Hey everyone, i’ve been lurking on /JapanTravel for months since booking this trip back in October. I’ve read through so many of your itineraries and trip reports, copy pasting what I assume are some gems into my own plans and making pins on Google Maps. The most consistent takeaways seem to be avoiding planning too rigorously without leaving time and flexibility to explore and get lost.
My wife and I are a early 30’s couple from the US and this is both of our first visits to Japan. We are celebrating this trip as our delayed honeymoon due to COVID and visiting Japan ranks very highly on both of our bucket lists. We are looking to eat well, consider visiting the right tourist traps but avoid them during peak times, and make the most out of visiting Japan during a once-in-a-lifetime window of peak cherry blossom season.
I’d welcome any feedback and tips! Ultimately my goal is to prioritize the most interesting cherry blossom viewing opportunities since I can always revisit more “typical” tourist destinations in a future visit.
Will continue to refer to 2023 cherry blossom forecast: [https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/japan-cherry-blossom-forecast](https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/japan-cherry-blossom-forecast)
March 19 – April 6. 16 full days excluding travel.
**Arrival:** ANA premium economy to HND, landing around 9PM local.
* Notes: Pickup Suica card and pocket wifi at the airport
**Days 1-3: Tokyo – Staying in Shibuya**
* 3 day loose agenda: Browse Shibuya, Walk from Chazawa-dori to Nakameguri to Ebisu, visit Meguro River at night for cherry blossoms; browse Shinjuku, thrift in Shimokitazawa
* Points of interest: Shibuya Sky, Yoyogi Park for Cherry Blossoms, Visit an interesting museum
* Meals of interest: Yoroniku Ebisu, Kotaro, SG Low, Shabu Zen, Strawberry Fetish, Kailas, Ramen Takeichi, Oreryu Shio-Ramen, Tori Chataro, Ebisu Ramen Kamuro, Fuunji, Kurand Sake, Ben Fiddich, Soba House Konjiki Hototogisu, Ramen Takahashi Kubukicho, PST Pizza Studio, Little Darling Coffee Roasters,
**Days 4-7: Kyoto – Staying near Nishiki Market**
* 4 day loose agenda: Arashiyama + Kinkaku-ji Temple area, Higashiyama to Gion area, Philosopher’s Path to Tenju-an
* POI: Keage Incline, Murayama Park, Nishiki Market, Choho-ji Temple, Aritsugu NishikiMOI: Hafuu, Kimura Fresh Fish, Yakiniku Hiro, Negiya Heikichi Potocho, Wajoryomen Sugari, Daikichi Horikawa Takatsuji, Bar The Northern Lights,
**Days 8-11: Osaka – Staying near Shinsaibashi**
* 4 day loose agenda: Suntory Yamazaki Tour, Day-trip to Mt. Yoshino for cherry blossoms, full day at USJ, consider visiting Team Lab Osaka and Osaka Aquarium
* Meals of interest: LiLo Coffee Rosters, Tajimaya Shinsaibashi, Shabutei Shinsaibashi, Cheese Tart Pablo, Isomarusuisan Dotombori, Nakata, Hanamaruken Namba Hozenji, Kuromon Ichiba market, Ajinoya Honten, Kuromon Ichiba market
* Notes: Will use transport to ship our big luggage directly to our final Tokyo hotel. Carry weekend bag onto Hakone.
**Days 12 & 13: Hakone – Yama No Chaya**
* 2 day agenda: Lots of people here had positive remarks about Yama No Chaya so I decided to splurge and go for the Asebi luxury suite with open-air bath. This will probably be the highlight of our honeymoon trip and opportunity to relax before the final leg in Tokyo.
* POI: Unagi at Tomoei, Hakone Ropeway and down the Pirate Ship
**Days: 14-16: Tokyo – Ginza area**
* 3 day loose agenda: Shopping around Ginza and Akihabara, visit Team Labs + Tsukiji
* POI: visit Tsukiji early on a Tuesday morning, buy tickets for Team Labs: Planets, Itoya,
* MOI: Teppanyaki 10, Pizza Bar on 38th, Yakiniku Jambo Hanare, Tsukiji Yaki Uo Ishikawa, Ippodo tea Tokyo, Mori Bar Gran, Sushi no Midori Ginza, Ginza Kagari, Birdland, Godaime Hanayama Udon, Hakkoku, Marugin, Orchard Ginza,
Departure: Day 17 leaving via HND back to the US
**HELP with choosing a fancy omakase:** Does anyone have recommendations for a high-quality omakase (lunch or dinner) where the head chef speaks some English and feels comfortable engaging in English? I’ve considered booking at Sushi Arai, Sushi Sugita, or similar — but I think my wife and I would enjoy our meal more if we had the ability to converse a bit more “effectively” with the chef and restaurant staff in english.
Thanks!
1 comment
Sawada does (or at least used to do) a seating for English-speaking guests. His English is better than that of the other high-end sushi chefs I have met. I would caution you to not expect much English conversation though, it’s not how most of those places work. In particular, if there are Japanese guests present, try to stay in the background/don’t force any major conversation.