After my last post here 6 months ago, this is my final draft itinerary. Are there any additional info I need to know, place to visit or activities I should try?
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Some question
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1. since I will be visiting Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck. should I also visit Tokyo skyline since it’s the 2nd tallest tower in the world?
2. which ramen joint is worth visiting? I like Tonkotsu brofh. I had tried Tsuta, Nakiryu and Konjiki Hototogisu in my country.
3. There are multiple rickshaw tour companies. Any recommendation which tour company to choose and which route to take?
**Day 1 (Osaka)**
Arrive in Osaka @ 08:50 am JST
withdraw cash @ 7/11 ATM [(1st floor north)](https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/map/t1/1f.html#010)
Collect wifi router from [JAL abc counter](https://www.jalabc.com/en/airport_counter/kansai-airport.html)
Eat breakfast @ Kansai airport
Buy ICOCA IC Card from ticket machine
Redeem Nankai Line Airport Express Train Tickets
Travel by Rapi:t Airport Express to Namba Station exit 5 from Namba station
Stay [Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka Namba](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sotetsu+Fresa+Inn+Osaka+Namba-ekimae/@34.6668455,135.4977146,17.86z/data=!4m8!3m7!1s0x0:0xee1265718f2627f0!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d34.6648249!4d135.499242)
Explore Dotonbori (south of river)
Try [Konjiki Hototogisu (Meat Bun) Futami no Butaman](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Futami+no+Butaman/@34.665299,135.502291,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xdee82fa84dd85d8b?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjmyY3l6df5AhUrRWwGHdrPCeQQ_BJ6BAg1EAU)
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**Day 2 (Kobe)**
Check out hotel but leave luggage for 1 day in hotel (to pack 1 day of clothes for trip to Kobe)
Day trip to Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi)
Lunch @ Must try Kobe Beef @ [Steak Aoyama](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tor+Road+Steak+Aoyama/@34.6937417,135.1886139,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x6d2c827111e2297c!8m2!3d34.6937417!4d135.1886139) or [Steakland](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Steakland+Kobekan/@34.6930016,135.1917353,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x3b3babcdc69bf4e3?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi74YLNpen5AhX42TgGHVcuCVAQ_BJ6BAhoEAg)
Afternoon Visit Kobe earthquake memorial museum
Travel to [Arima Hot Spring Ryokan Kotori](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Arima+Hot+Spring+Ryokan+Kotori/@34.7966737,135.2381801,14.4z/data=!4m8!3m7!1s0x60008a4225c63075:0x5000d407a6046a2a!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d34.7967339!4d135.2515685?hl=en) [Link](https://arima-kotori.jp/en/)
Dinner at Ryokan
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**Day 3 (Kobe / Osaka)**
Breakfast at Ryokan and explore the area
Travel back to Osaka and check in [Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka Namba](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sotetsu+Fresa+Inn+Osaka+Namba-ekimae/@34.6668455,135.4977146,17.86z/data=!4m8!3m7!1s0x0:0xee1265718f2627f0!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d34.6648249!4d135.499242)
Lunch/Dinner Pokemon café [(reservation required)](https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/en/reservation.php)
Evening / Night Explore Shinsaibashi (Namba Area) and America Mura (both area located north of river)
Try [Baby Castella at IKKI](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ikki+Kasuteira+Shinsaibashi/@34.672104,135.4982216,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x3dd3f9ea48d41f79?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiq6OrGl5n6AhX7EbcAHbXqCHsQ_BJ6BAg_EAg)
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**Day 4 (Osaka)**
Universal Studios Japan
Lunch @ [USJ menu](https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/search-results/filtered?attraction_experience=dining&attraction_location=all_K2ALLAttractionLocationLocationFilter,usj,allparks&attraction_interest=)
Dinner @ [Ryanarou](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Singapore+cuisine+Ryan-a-rou/@34.6641111,135.5029861,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x68230c3701a2fd4e?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjR9Zi8j-n5AhVQ3zgGHbBIBxEQ_BJ6BAhiEAg)
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**Day 5 (Osaka)**
Osaka castle
Lunch @ [Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3-11+Nanbasennichimae,+Chuo+Ward,+Osaka,+542-0075,+Japan/@34.664794,135.5042829,21z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x6000e76a4c3832a1:0x837230dba792209c!8m2!3d34.6648156!4d135.5041938)
Dinner @ [Shinsaibashi Madras 5](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Shinsaibashi+Madras+5+-+curry+%2F+cafe/@34.6686379,135.4974284,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x7aeabd8e9f6bf289!8m2!3d34.6696527!4d135.4981633)
Explore unexplored area of Namba area – Shinsaibashi (Namba Area) and America Mura (both area located north of river)
Buy chocolate @ [Minamoare Dotonbori](https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/1-ch%C5%8Dme-9-1+D%C5%8Dtonbori,+Chuo+Ward,+Osaka,+542-0077,+Japan/@34.6683641,135.501086,17.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x6000e71382859aff:0xace00975f28662c9!8m2!3d34.6686183!4d135.501152)
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**Day 6 (Tokyo)**
**Travel by flight**
Checkout hotel 6.30 am 2hrs before plane depart
From Namba via Rapi:t to kansai airport for 7am train
Eat at [Japan Travelling Restaurant By BOTEJYU](https://www.prioritypass.com/en/lounges/japan/osaka-kansai-international/kix7d-japan-travelling-restaurant-by-botejyu) using priority pass
Depart ANA 096 8.30am to Tokyo Haneda airport
Buy airport limousine bus ticket from ticket counter
Travel by bus to Shinjuku [exit using south gate or south east gate](https://www.shinjukustation.com/shinjuku-station-map-finding-your-way/)
Stay [Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sotetsu+Fresa+Inn+Higashi+Shinjuku/@35.6985755,139.7079019,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xc706d82144543f37?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwje24bgopn6AhUH3XMBHbuPBQoQ_BJ6BAhrEAg)
Shibuya
Lunch @ [Ikinari Steak Shibuya](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ikinari+Steak+Shibuya/@35.6610264,139.6969728,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xe309ca26c7988c?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjyyJbB9N_8AhXlSGwGHU3wBjgQ_BJ6BAhlEAg)
Must see Shibuya Crossing
Visit Magnet by Shibuya 109
Visit Don Quijote Shibuya
Evening/Night Dessert @ [Tokiya](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tokiya/@35.6925204,139.6982744,21z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xa1947e2782406d2c!8m2!3d35.6925204!4d139.6982744)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck
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**Day 7 (Tokyo)**
Tokyo Imperial Palace tour [(reservation required)](https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/about/koukyo.html) @ 10 am depart from [Kikyomon Gate](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kiky%C5%8D-mon+Gate/@35.6845272,139.7605062,17.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xdb489491b8e6a884!8m2!3d35.6840122!4d139.758499)
Akihabara
Lunch @ [at home cafe japan](https://www.google.com/maps/place/’@Home+Cafe’/@35.6995909,139.7707871,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xdceb7156ccbdc12b?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj47tWhzu75AhXmTmwGHZv-BNwQ_BJ6BAh7EAg)
Dinner @ Roast Beef Ohno
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**Day 8 (Tokyo)**
Asakusa
Ride [Tokyo Rickshaw](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tokyo+Rickshaw/@35.7109643,139.7969252,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x71c6a58b5cf8c24e?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj5yeuc7un8AhVMzqACHSELBv0Q_BJ6BAhkEAg) for 30mins with English guide
Try street food @ Nakamise Shopping Street
Harajuku
Yoyogi Park
Shinjuku
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**Day 9 (Tokyo)**
Check out hotel and store luggage in hotel
Shinjuku
Lunch Try Nakiryu Michelin star ramen or other famous ramen like Ichiran
Shin-Okubo (koreatown)
4.30pm Return to hotel to collect luggage
Buy airport limousine bus ticket from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal ticket counter to Haneda airport Terminal 3
Visit ANA lounge near gate 110
Depart Japan
3 comments
>1. since I will be visiting Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck. should I also visit Tokyo skyline since it’s the 2nd tallest tower in the world?
You mean Tokyo Skytree, and it’s actually *the* tallest Tower in the world, not the second. Not the tallest building or construction though.
I’d say it’s worth a visit, but not sure where it would fit in your plan, maybe the last day, if you switch Shin-Okubo to morning, then get go there after picking up your bags. It’s not exactly a must though.
Is there a reason why you want to fly?
It takes only 2.5h by train and it’s much less hassle and more comfortable than a plane
You could get the Kansai One Pass, it’s the tourist version of Icoca and it gives rebates in different attractions in Kansai. Can still us it as a normal Icoca.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is ok, mostly because it is free, but it is a bit dating. I would do Shibuya Sky or Roppongi Hills Mori Tower as they both have roof access. Obviously Skytree is a solid option too.