Hi everyone,
I’m planning a honeymoon to Japan, but it is also our first time traveling internationally so we wanted to ask for opinions/help in ironing everything out or finding better places that just stood out to veteran travelers as we might have a few locations that are similar. We don’t have many plans for dinner as we originally just planned to walk around and see what caught our eyes, but any recommendations for favorite restaurants are welcome. Also, if anyone is aware of special festivals that we can attend that are nearby, it’d greatly help us as we wanted to attend special events but had difficulty finding something other than the Okazaki Canal boat ride.
Day 1 – TOKYO – Akihabara:
1. FF Eorzea Cafe
2. Explore Stores
Day 2 – TOKYO – Asakusa:
1. Mameshiba Cafe
2. Nakamise-dori street
3. Skytree
Day 3 – TOKYO – Tsukiji:
1. Tsukiji Fish Market
2. Hamarikyu Gardens
3. Namiyoke Shrine
4. (Dinner) Tsukiji Sushisei Honten
Day 4 – TOKYO – Shibuya:
1. Aoyama Flower Teahouse
2. Shibuya Crossing
3. Usagi Cafe
4. Sky Observation Deck
Day 5 – KYOTO:
1. Nishiki Market Shopping District
2. Kyoto Imperial Palace
3. Pontocho
Day 6 – KYOTO:
1. Okazaki Park
2. Okazaki Canal boat ride
3. Gion
Day 7 – KYOTO:
1. Saryo Tsujiri Gion Honten
2. Higashiyama District
3. Kiyomizu-dera Temple
4. Sannenzaka Ninenzaka
Day 8 – OSAKA:
1. Japan Rail to Osaka
2. Osaka Castle
3. Dotonbori District/Minami
Day 9 – Nara:
1. Nara Park
2. Todai-ji
Day 10 – TOKYO – Odaiba:
1. Check out of hotel in Kyoto
2. Japan Rail from Kyoto to Tokyo
3. Gundam Statue
4. teamLab
Day 11 – TOKYO – Akihabara:
1. Square Enix Cafe
2. Explore Stores
Day 12 – TOKYO – Shinjuku:
1. Cat Cafe Mocha Lounge
2. Meiji Jingu
3. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
4. (Dinner) Rokkasen
Day 13 – TOKYO – Ueno:
1. Ueno Park
2. Ueno Zoo
Day 14 – TOKYO – Free Day:
1. Revisiting favorite areas in Tokyo
1 comment
A couple of immediate notes:
1. You can probably fit Ikebukuro in the morning/afternoon. It’s close to Shibuya anyway, so you won’t be spending that much travel time.
2. IIRC, a lot of the shops in Tsukiji close late in the afternoon. In any case, I’d recommend fitting another city/attraction within that day, since it’s unlikely it’d take a whole day to get through those sites
3. Day 6 can fit in maybe Fushimi Inari very early in the morning, highly recommend as it is a one of a kind experience trekking up the shrines just before dawn.
4. Day 11 I’d recommend going to Roppongi and hitting either Tokyo Tower or Mori Tower for some stunning nighttime views.
As for favorite restaurants I’d recommend:
1. Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku- some of the best-tasting onigiri you will ever have. I recommend coming early before it opens, as lines can quickly form. About 5 minutes away from Sensoji temple.
2. Katsudon-ya Zuicho- a discreet but very popular katsudon place in Shibuya. Only sits 8 people on a counter but the food is heavenly. Again, be prepared for lines.
3. Mutekiya- If you end up going to Ikebukuro, I recommend stopping by this place. Excellent ramen.
4. Kanda Matsuya- long-serving soba place in Akihabara.
5. Soba-no-Mi Yoshimura- the best soba I’ve ever had, right at the heart of Kyoto.
6. Jumondo- very close to Ninnenzaka/Sannenzaka, serves some delecatable dango.
7. Hokkyokusei (Shinsaibashi)- traditional restaurant near Dotonbori where you have to remove your shoes and sit on tatami mats on a low table. Excellent omurice.
8. Okonomiyaki Okaru (Pancake One)- my pick for best okonomiyaki place in Osaka. Again, right at the heart of Dotonbori.
Have fun on your trip and hope this helps!