Hello! I’m travelling to Japan for the first time in summer, and will be walking the Nakasendo trail with a travel company. I will have a few days each in Kyoto and Tokyo before, though, and wanted to see if my itinerary works. I’m a huge history buff, and I’m primarily looking to explore shrines, sites of historical and archeological importance, and museums. I am also really looking forward to decompress in nature, so please send any suggestions for gardens/parks my way! I’ve had to save up loads for this trip, but I’m still on a pretty tight budget, so I’ve tried to stay away from expensive places and experiences – hopefully, another time! **😮💨**
My itinerary goes like this:
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo (NRT) at 10 a.m. Take the train/shuttle to Tokyo Central, and then the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Arrive in Kyoto, check into hotel (booked), and decompress.
Day 2: Early start to Arashiyama. See Togetsu-kyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji Temple, Nison-in Temple, Bamboo Grove, Daikakuji, Gioji, and Saga Torimoto. Try Shojin ryori at Ryumontei.
Day 3: South Kyoto – Fushimi Inari, Tofukuji Temple, Fushimi Chushojima (possibly go on a boat cruise in Fushimi Jikkokubune)
Day 4: Central Kyoto (A.M)- Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kinshi Masamune Horino Memorial Museum, Nijo Castle, Sento Imperial Palace, Imperial Gardens
North Kyoto (post-lunch) Heian Jingu Shrine, Sanzen-in Temple, Kyoto Botanical Garden (optional), End the day at Philosopher’s Path
<Break for Nakasendo Trail hike>
Day 5: Take Shinkansen back to Tokyo (I will be returning from Matsumoto). Check into hotel (booked).
Day 6: Imperial Palace, Imperial Gardens, Ueno (Keeping this light as a recovery day)
Day 7: Asakusa, Tokyo National Museum, Sensoji Temple, Edo-Tokyo Museum, Yanaka, Tennoji Shrine
Day 8: Return via morning flight (NRT)
Things I intend to purchase prior to the trip:
* JR pass
* SUICA card
* Pocket WiFi
My questions:
1. Have I have packed the itinerary too much, especially for Tokyo?
2. I am not big on food and plan to live off konbini food for the most part. I’m ovo-lacto-vegetarian, and have already made my peace with broths, etc. being flavoured with bonito flakes. Still, would this complicate matters VERY much if my main source of food is konbini bentos?
3. Would it be enough to have the JR Rail Pass, a SUICA card, and pocket WiFi to navigate and find myself food? Would you recommend I buy anything else?
TIA in advance for reading; I very much appreciate any advice you can share!
6 comments
I don’t think a JR pass is going to be worth it for your trip unless the trips to from tokyo to kyoto and from matsumoto to tokyo fall withing a 7 day period and maybe not even then. You should do the math but its probably a lot cheaper to buy the long distance tickets individually and use suica for everything else.
When are you going in the summer? It’ll typically be pretty hot and humid, so you probably will need to factor in breaks, assuming you’re used to that kind of weather.
JR pass probably won’t be worth it for you, but definitely calculate the major routes to see if it makes sense for you.
Perhaps I’m not reading the itinerary correctly, or I’m misunderstanding. However, my interpretation is that you’re planning on fitting in the Nakasendo hike between day 4 evening and day 5 afternoon?
That seems like a really tight window, but if the travel company’s schedule makes sense for you, then that’s okay.
Overall, I think the itinerary in Kyoto is a little too busy, especially for the season. I’d probably save the Nakasendo for another trip, and it’ll give yourself more time to comfortably do everything you want to in Kyoto. Since it’s your first trip, it’s better to give yourself some time to enjoy the experience and culture.
My gf is lacto ovo and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO EAT AT RESTAURANTS WHEN YOU ARE IN JAPAN.
The combini food is okay, but eat at Ts TanTan in Tokyo station (you can buy ramen there to eat later with hot wager), eat the vegetarian curry at CoCo Ichiban etc – there are sooo many good veggie things over there
Unless you legitimately don’t care about food and just see it as a utilitarian means to keep your body nourished then you are going to be missing out on things.
Especially if you’re lacto-ovo and willing to accept the occasional meat in broths and other things.
Also you can’t buy a physical IC card and have it in your hands prior to your trip unless you’re buying one from some third-party that is probably charging you way more than they should. It takes five minutes, tops to buy one from a ticket machine.
Personally I would not do that hike if you are pressed for time, but rather do Mt takao in Tokyo.
Recommend also taking the Shinkansen (bullet) train to Nara for the day! There are stunning temples, gardens and other sites there packed with history. If you do Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara then you would be visiting three cities that were major capitals on the country!