This is a copy paste of my scattered note taking so huge apologies if its hard to read.
Does this sound like a good usage of time when visiting Japan. We’re super excited though there seems like so much to do!
It’s also hard to gauge how long might be needed in some places over others.
As of the moment (if its hard to read) we’ve given 5 days to Tokyo, 4 nights to Kyoto and 5 to Osaka.
In Tokyo we want to focus on the more nerdy side of things and take in some culture, in Kyoto mostly nature, culture and the beauty if the land.
In osaka we mainly wanted to visit universal and nintendo land but also wanted to experience some time in a ryokan!
Any and all advise would be massively appreciated 🙂
Oh and I’m aware we will likely miss the cherry blossoms, the original plan was for sooner but. Life. Lol
FLIGHTS 2.1K – DUBLIN IS QUICKER AND SOMEWHAT CHEAPER –SAVE 100/200  Â
             24th may to 8th june
             Tokyo
THREE. Akihabara – Nerdy, Manga, arcades (Super potato), WE GO HERE (Day trip)
FOUR. Asakusa – Cultural, Old town, Temple WE GO HERE (Day trip)
FIVE. Ikebukuro – Akihabara 2, Pokémon centre, WE GO HERE (Day trip)
TWO. Ginza – Shopping, Imperial palace, gardens, temple WE GO HERE (can do with nakameguro)
ONE. Nakameguro – Blossoms, River, culture, art WE GO HERE (Do with Ginza)
SIX. (CAN BE CUT) Kichijoji – Zoo, Park, Ghibli WE GO HERE – CAN ADD THIS TO HINO DAY possibly
SEVEN. Hino – Big zoo (NEED A DAY, GOT TO GO BACK TO TOKYO FOR BULLET)
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FIVE DAYS IN TOKYO
THREE NIGHTS AROUND TRAIN STATION IN HOTEL – 150 a night
TWO NIGHTS change hotel – 150 a night
             Hotel cost 750 Max
HOTEL BUDGET 214 A NIGHT
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                                                                       Kyoto
Arashiyama, cherry blossom, autumn leaves, bamboo grove, tofu vegetarian, romantic GO HERE
Higashiyama – Many temples, Heritage, Geisha – GO HERE
Sakyo Ward – Gardens, Autumn, Flowers, sightseeing, Mt. Hiei – GO HERE
Fushimi – Sake, history, photogenic – MAYBE VISIT IF NEAR
Pontocho – Geisha, nightlife, lights, restaurants – MAYBE VISIT IF NEAR
Shimogyo Ward – Kyoto station, Bullet train, Aquarium, Temples GO HERE
Kamigyo Ward – Imperial Palace, Gardens, Autumn leaves GO HERE
Minami Ward – Toji Temple, ancient, history MAYBE GO HERE IF NEAR
TWO NIGHTS IN CAPSULE HOTEL – 60 A NIGHT
TWO NIGHTS IN HOTEL – 130 A NIGHT MAX
             Hotel cost – 380 Max
FOUR NIGHTS IN KYOTO
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ALL PLACES ARE PRETTY NEAR, STAY IN SHIMOGYO, MIDDLE OF ALL, BESIDE BULLET TRAIN TO COME FROM TOKYO AND LEAVE FOR OSAKA
Two nights in ryokan in Osaka – £250 a night – if need travel to and from in taxi, about £30 fare
3 nights around Universal – £100 a night
             Hotel cost 550
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HOTELS AND FLIGHTS AROUND 4K MAX
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Bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto – £80 each
Kyoto to Osaka train – £8
UNIVERSAL ticket 2 days – £100 each
Fast pass – 60 max each
Power up band £30
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£120 a day altogether for food, travel and activities = 14 x 120 = £1480 (Plus travel days about £1740)
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TOTAL £6100
1 comment
5 nights is a bit long to spend in Osaka. What I’d suggest is taking 1 or 2 of those nights and doing a relaxing overnight trip to Kinosaki Onsen. That’d be nice for a honeymoon. You could checkout of your hotel in Kyoto, do your nights in Kinosaki, and then continue onwards for your nights in Osaka.
– [Kansai Side Trip: Tattoo Friendly Kinosaki Onsen and Himeiji Castle](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/sna5au/kansai_side_trip_tattoo_friendly_kinosaki_onsen/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
I’d also look into an open jaw (multi-stop) flight where you arrive into Tokyo (NRT or HND) and depart on your international flight back home from Osaka (KIX). This way you don’t waste time/money backtracking to Tokyo. Multi-city flights can often be the same price as regular roundtrip so worth checking into and comparing prices.