Hi all,
First time visiting with gf in a couple weeks time. Both early 30s and enjoy food, art, drinking and hiking. We’re pretty much up for anything and just want to see and immerse ourselves in as much as possible.
My itinerary below, I recognise there are some gaps and plan to intensify the planning now with not long to go! But I would be really grateful if you could let me know what you think, key questions:
Is it doable in the timescales?
Do I need JR pass and can I get away with a 7-day? (Activate leaving Hakone with last use on day 7 travelling to Osaka)
Which attractions listed do I need to book in advance? (We have the sumo tickets and tea ceremony booked but nothing else)
Any must-see cool stuff you recommend? We don’t know what we don’t know!!
Many thanks!
Saturday 4th
Arrive Tokyo Narita @ 15:35
Pick up relevant passes? JR pass, pocket wifi, anything else?
Train to Shinjuku (Kesei Skyliner, change @ Nippori station)
Check-in hotel in Shinjuku
Dinner: Walk to Omoide Yokocho
Drinks: Golden Gai?
Sunday 5th
MoMA ?
Train Shin-Okubu-Harajuku
Explore, vintage shops?, Mipig?
Lunch: anywhere
Explore Meiji Shrine & gardens,
Walk to Shibuya Crossing,
Pokemon centre, Shibuya Sky
Dinner: ?
Drinks: Anywhere / depends on night before
Monday 6th
What to do? A lot seems closed.
Tuesday 7th
Train Okubo station-Toyosu fish market (how early?) 3 changes, takes approx 1h
TeamLab planets
Lunch: ?
Imperial Palance and gardens
Weds 8th
Purchase Hakone Freepass at Odakyu Line Shinjuku Station from Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center. Can you purchase anywhere? Best train route from Shinjuku to Hakone?
Leave Tokyo approx 10:30 to arrive in Hakone approx 12:30.
Drop bags/Check-in (15:00) @ Ichinoyu Honkan. Book Onsen slot.
Bus to Open Air museum (25min) arrive 13:30.
Bus back to Ichinoyu Honkan for dinner 18:00-19:00.
Thurs 9th
Breakfast in Ichinoyu Honkan 08:00-09:00.
Hakone loop: Bus from Ichinoyu Honkan to Sounzan ropeway (30min).
Ropeway Sounzan to Togendai Station for Pirate ship. (30min)
Togendai Pirate ship to Hakonemachi-ko (30min).”
Walk along the shoreline to Cedar avenue.
Lunch: Motohakone – Hakone Karaage Karatto (Fried Chicken Restaurant near port).
OPTIONAL: Bus to Mishima Skywalk then Bus back to Motohakone.
Bus back to Ichinoyu Honkan to collect bags.
Bus/train to Odawara then Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Kyoto (2.5-3hrs) Activate 7-day JR pass?
Check-in to AirBNB
Dinner: Explore southern Higashi
Friday 10th
Tram from Sanjo Keihan Station to Arashima (44-50mins)
Arashiyama Bamboo forrest / Okochi Senso Garden & Obs deck / Monkey Park / Nakanoshima park area / Goji Moss Temple / Saga Toriimoto Preserved street
Train from Arishyama to Kitano hakubaicho for Kinkaku-ji closes at 5pm.
Saturday 11th
Camellia Flower Tea house 11:00 – 11:45
Heian Shrine / Philosophers path / Nishiki Market
Sunday 12th
Nara day trip
Monday 13th
Travel to Hiroshima
Peace park
Tuesday 14th
Day trip to Miyajima Island , Mt Misen Summit Hike
Weds 15th
Travel to Naoshima
Rent bikes & explore
Lee Ufan Museum
Valley Gallery
Benesse House Museum
Hike to secret beach
Thurs 16th
Spill over of whatever we don’t manage the day before.
Travel to Osaka
Fri 17th
Osaka Castle
Dontonbori Night out
Sat 18th
Sumo Wrestling @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
TeamLab Botanical Garden
Sun 19th
Depart Osaka Kansai airport @ 16:55