Hello all! (sorry for long post)
My dad, uncle, cousin, and I are going to Japan for our spring break and had a few questions about our itinerary.
First off, we are looking to specifically visit these places: Pokemon cafe in either Osaka or Tokyo, Nara (a small city near Osaka), Korea Town in Osaka, Hiroshima Memorial, and Mt. Fuji. I know this is a lot of places and cities to visit in a short amount of time, so I was wondering how we could best optimize our experience in Japanese culture!
# Pokemon Cafe:
I would like some help figuring out when to best set myself up to get a reservation for the Pokemon Cafe, as I know that process is difficult. As far as I’ve heard, their reservation window opens 31 days in advance at 6 pm Japan time, which is 3 am local for me (CST). **Is this correct?** I originally wanted to get a reservation for a late dinner on March 15th in Tokyo, but when I opened the reservation calendar at 2:55 am on Feb. 13th, it showed that the day was fully booked. **Did I do my math wrong?** I am trying to get another reservation for Kyoto on March 18th, 19th or 20th, or a reservation in Tokyo for March 21st.
# General Advice:
**Are** Suica Cards/JR Rail Passes worth it for the amount of traveling we will be doing? **Is** the TeamLabs Planet exhibit worth it? **Will** a mobile translator like Papago be helpful? **About** how much cash should each person have on hand at any given time? **Is** e-sim or pocket wifi would be the best option for money and ease of internet speed?
Lastly, are there any places you recommend we go to when we have leisure time? Please refer to the itinerary for what cities we plan to be in. (Try to provide links when possible)
Please don’t hesitate to @ me for clarification!
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Itinerary:
# Day 1 Wed. March 15th Tokyo:
Arrive at Hadena Int. Airport @ 3:10 pm
Check into Hotel
Rest from jetlag/visit shopping districts
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (Need something to do for Dinner/Late Afternoon)
(Ideas we had were **Tokyo Tower**, **Rainbow Bridge**, and **TeamLabs Immersive Art**)
# Day 2 Thurs. March 16th Tokyo (Full Day):
[Full Day Private Tour of Tokyo](https://www.getyourguide.com/tokyo-l193/tokyo-full-day-private-tour-with-nationally-licensed-guide-t393715/) (10am start, 4-6 hrs)
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (Need something to do for Dinner/Late Afternoon)
# Day 3 Fri. March 17th Mt. Fuji:
Breakfast in Tokyo
Self Guided Tour of Mt. Fuji
Bullet Train to Kyoto & check into hotel
[Local Ikebana Class](https://www.getyourguide.com/kyoto-l96826/kyoto-japanese-style-ikebana-flower-arrangement-class-t391517/) (1 hr)
# Day 4 Sat. March 18th Kyoto (Full Day):
[Tour of Kyoto](https://www.getyourguide.com/kyoto-l96826/kyoto-top-highlights-full-day-trip-t293665/) 9:15 start (8hrs w/ Lunch)
Dinner and late night activities @ Nishiki Market
# Day 5 Sun. March 19th Osaka/Nara (Day Trip):
Bullet Train to Osaka
[Osaka Castle Outdoor Tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/osaka-l1204/osaka-daytime-cherry-blossom-and-food-tour-t215541/) (3hrs w/ Lunch)
Self Guided Tour in Nara
[Dinner @ Korea Town Osaka](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Osaka+Ikuno+Korea+Town/@34.6664351,135.2481722,9.92z/data=!3m1!5s0x6000de1b871a67e7:0x6d5f3d9c5ba9cbf1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6000e0a9068737a7:0xff10a065a2d19a3b!8m2!3d34.66061!4d135.5374543)
# Day 6 Mon. March 20th Hiroshima (Day Trip):
Check out of Kyoto Hotel
Bullet Train to Hiroshima (\~2hrs)
[Local Customized Tour of Hiroshima](https://www.getyourguide.com/hiroshima-japan-l32662/hiroshima-like-a-local-customized-guided-tour-t107569/) (2-6hrs)
[Shrine Sea Kayaking Experience](https://www.getyourguide.com/hiroshima-japan-l32662/miyajima-1-hour-sea-kayak-experience-under-torii-gate-t394713/) (1hr) (This is take it or leave it TBH)
Bullet Train to Tokyo
Check into Capsule Hotel @ Tokyo
# Day 7 Tues. March 21st Tokyo (Half Day)
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Get to airport @ 3:25
Airplane departs for USA @ 5:25
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Any advice is welcome!
1 comment
For the Pokemon Cafe: the process is not complicated at all. Just open up the Pokemon Cafe website, select which branch you wanna go to (The Daimaru Shinsaibashi brance in Osaka or the Nihonbashi branch in Tokyo), and then follow the rest of the instructions (selectig dates, number of people, etc.).
<Are Suica Cards/JR Rail Passes worth it for the amount of traveling we will be doing?>
IMO yes considering where you’re going to. General rule of thumb is that if you’re doing a round trip from Tokyo –> Osaka, it more or less evens out when adding use on JR trains, so adding a Hiroshima trip for sure makes it worth.
<Is the TeamLabs Planet exhibit worth it?>
100%. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my trip, highly recommend it. Would advise you to book through their website well in advance, as it is a very popular site.
<Will a mobile translator like Papago be helpful?>
Google Translate worked well enough for me. A majority of signages have english on them, restaurants are starting to have more english menus, and the locals in big cities will know basic english, enough to get by for sure.
<About how much cash should each person have on hand at any given time?>
From personal experience, don’t think about this too much, as ATMs in convenience stores can give you quick access to cash in a pinch. I would recommend having a good wallet and/or coin purse, as you’ll be carrying around a lot of coins.
<Is e-sim or pocket wifi would be the best option for money and ease of internet speed?>
Since you’re travelling in a group, if you want everyone to have access to some form of wifi, I’d recommend pocket wifi. If only one person really needs it, just get a SIM. Most of them will have reliable speeds.
General TIP: Only do something light for your first day. Flight fatigue can be real, so if you really want to go out still, I’d recommend doing something very closeby to where you’re staying (where are you staying, if I may ask?)