Itinerary Check – Food Focused Solo Trip to Tokyo and Kyoto

Hi everyone!

Some background – my partner and I traveled to Japan about 5 years ago and had a trip of a lifetime. Now I’m returning solo for a little over a week and plan on just exploring Tokyo and Kyoto. I’m a bit of a “foodie” so when we last visited, we ate a lot of traditional meals that were amazing. This time, I’m focusing on more innovative takes on Japanese cuisine and listed the reservations in my itinerary. The highlight will be the Noma Kyoto pop-up (which I have an extra seat available if anyone is interested in joining). I’ll be visiting in mid-March.

Here are some specific questions I have:

* **Toyosu Market** \- I’ve been to Tsujiki but didn’t get a chance to see the tuna auctions. Now that it’s at Toyosu and open to the public via the viewing deck, is it worth it?
* If I’m spending a few days in Kyoto, is a day trip to **Kamakura** worth it? I’m deciding either checking out a few modern art/design museums or doing the day trip.
* For Kyoto, is the **Sagano Romantic Train** worth it? I would take the train round trip.
* I’ll be a bit **early for cherry blossoms** \- is there anywhere in Tokyo or Kyoto that have early blossoms?
* I have a seat available for the **Noma Kyoto pop-up on March 15th for lunch.** Anyone interested in joining me? If so, DM me and we can discuss details.

Thanks in advance for any help!

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March 11

* Toyosu Market (tuna auction at 5:30 AM?); sushi breakfast
* TeamLabs Planets, Odaiba
* Boat from Odaiba to Asakusa
* Senso-Ji, Akihabara
* Dinner at Maz

March 12

* Museum Day (Mori Art, National Art Center, 21\_21 Design) or Day Trip to Kamakura
* Dinner at Udon Shin or Fuunji
* Golden Gai, Omoide-Yokocho, Ni-chome

March 13

* Meiji Jingu
* Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
* Shibuya, Shibuya Sky
* Dinner at Udatsu Sushi

March 14

* Tokyo to Kyoto
* Fushimi Inari Taisha

March 15

* Lunch at Noma Kyoto – if anyone is interested in joining, DM me!
* Kiyomizu-dera

March 16

* Kinkaku-Ji, Ryoan-Ji, Ninna-Ji
* Arashiyama
* Sagano Romantic Train?
* Dinner at Shinmonzen Yonemura

March 17

* Philosopher’s Path
* Dinner at Censi

March 18

* Kyoto to Tokyo
* Dinner at Ode

March 19

* Early cherry blossom viewing?
* Head to Narita

3 comments
  1. If you go to Kamakura, check out Femme de bateau Aoki for seafood ☺️ with great price too!

  2. Think the kawazu and miurakaigan spots are blooming now. A couple of the kawazu sakura trees in shinjuku gyoen and ueno were almost blooming last week when i went there. it could be possible to go to miurakaigan and kamakura on the same day, was planning to go but decided not to

  3. You’re too early for the Sagano Romantic Train to be meaningfully worth all that trouble/detour. It’s famous for foliage, which means it’ll just be tree branches before the cherry blossoms come in.

    If you’ll be in Arashiyama after dark, pop by the kimono forest – it’s very small but has a good atmosphere at night and should be interesting if you like art/design.

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