26M taking a trip to Japan with my mother (Don’t ask why – I don’t know why) from May 8 – May 22, 2023. Departing from Pearson International Airport at 1:05PM (local time) on May 8 and arriving at Narita Airport on Tuesday, May 9 at 3:10PM (local time). Departing from Narita Airport at 4:55PM (local time) on May 22.
For reference, I’m a fan of anime culture, doing fun, physical activities on/near bodies of water (Ex. SUP, kayaking), and the idea of engaging in activities that I wouldn’t normally be able to do in other countries (Ex. go-karting through Tokyo in costume… might add it to my itinerary later). Not at all interested in art/museums/shrines (I’m only doing the ones that are absolute must-do’s). I have no set budget. My mom’s going to be doing everything I’m doing.
Any suggestions for unique dining/food experiences, activities, hotels, and better ways to schedule everything are appreciated (Ex. maybe some activities are better off being scheduled on the weekend while others are better off being scheduled on a week day). I haven’t booked anything yet, so everything’s still up in the air. Also, there are some specific questions that I’d love could be addressed:
1. I’m still undecided on a good ryokan in Hakone with a private onsen. Everything good (Yama no Chaya) seems pricey or their website doesn’t function as well when everything is translated into English. Neither my mother nor I have tattoos, so we don’t need a private onsen, but I’m not super comfortable being naked in front of others. If you’re familiar with the area and can recommend a good ryokan w/ private onsen that’s less than $500 CAD for May 13, it’d be appreciated. It doesn’t have to be limited to Hakone – it can be anywhere (accessible by transit) within a reasonable distance of Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka.
2. Since I’m going to be going with my mother, is it a better idea to get pocket wifi over a SIM?
3. Let me know if there’s anything on my itinerary that isn’t worth the hype (i.e. Imperial palace/Osaka Castle/Fushimi Inari/Tenryu-ji)
4. Does it make sense financially for me to get a JR pass?
**May 9:**
\- Arrival in JapanÂ
\- Convert currency at airport, get SUICA/SIM card (possibly pick up JR Rail Pass), luggage forwarding (Kuroneko Yamato) to hotel
\- Head to hotel (likely via Narita Express or airport bus) to relax/recover from jetlag
\- Visit a nearby 7/11 or Lawson’s, withdraw cash, stock up
\- Maybe stop by Ueno Park, if I’m up for it
Places to stay: Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel
Remm Tokyo Kyobashi
**May 10:**
\- Teamlabs Planets (1.5 hours)Â
\- Shibuya Sky
\- Hachiko Statue
\- Hands Shibuya
\- Harujuku Mipig Café
Places to eat:
\- Ichiran Shibuya
**May 11**
\- Tokyo DisneySea (book tickets around early – mid-march)
**May 12** – RELAX/FREE DAY IN TOKYO
\- Nakano Broadway
\- Ueno Park/Ameyoko shopping street
**May 13** **– TRIP TO HAKONE RYOKAN (Not sure which one yet)**
\- Hakone Free Pass Loop
\- Hakone Open Air Museum
\- Cable Car/Ropeway to Lake Ashi and back
**May 14** **– TRIP TO KYOTO**
\- Early train to Kyoto (via. Odawara station)
\- Fushimi Inari
**May 15**
\- Sagano Romantic Train
\- Hozugawa River Boat Ride Â
\- Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
\- Tenryu-ji
\- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Places to stay: the pocket hotel
Places to eat: Okonomiyaki Katsu
Kichi Kichi Omurice \[reservation needed\]
**May 16 – TRIP TO OSAKA**
\- Osaka Castle
\- Dotonburi/Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel
\- Don Quijote Dotonbori
\- Tonbori River Cruise
\- Harukas 300
Places to eat:
\- Okaru (Osaka okonomiyaki restaurant)
\- Kobe Beef Steakhouse Kozai
\- Ichiran Ramen Dotonbori
**May 17**
\- Universal Studios (will buy whatever fast pass they have)
May 18 – Trip to Ishigaki Island
\- Paragliding ([https://www.woomacoo.com/](https://www.woomacoo.com/))
\- Rent a car
Places to stay: Haimurubushi
**May 19 – TRIP TO ISHIGAKI ISLAND**
\- Kayaking tour
**May 20**
\- Stay on Ishigaki Island doing something… not sure what yet
**May 21 – FREE DAY FOR EVERYTHING I MISSED IN TOKYO (Everything here can either be done on May 12 or today)**
\- Return to Tokyo
\- Akihabara Gamers
\- Super Potato
\- Don Quijote Akihabara
\- Akihabara Gachapon Hall
\- Adores Shibuya
\- Imperial Palace (maybe… if I’m up for it)
**May 22 – TOKYO (have to leave at 4:55PM local time but still have most of the day)**
\- Rainbow Bridge?
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2 comments
Rooms with private onsen are really expensive, it’s going to be hard to find a nice one within your budget. If you get a regular room, you can go to the onsen at odd hours (e.g late at night) and there’s unlikely anyone around. And tbh, I’d rather be naked with strangers than with my mom.
And do yourself a favour and don’t bother with Ichiran. It really isn’t what it’s made out to be and I don’t know why people queue up to have mediocre ramen.
Edit: actually you can also book family onsen, which are private onsen but available to all guests and not connected to any particular room. I can’t think of any particular ryokan, but I think quite a few do offer it.
Some friends I travelled with recently got a private onsen in Kyoto which they let us try and the place was about $230 USD a night. Definitely was a great experience, the place as a whole was a cut above anywhere else I’d stayed during the trip. As someone who had never been in an onsen prior to that, I didn’t find it too intimidating. The hotel we booked in Kyoto had an onsen and the place had so much steam you would struggle to see anything if you wanted to, people mind their business and just enjoy the bath for the most part.
The only time someone spoke to me while in an onsen was when we visited Jigokudani and subsequently Shibu Onsen, it wasn’t particularly awkward either. Most people are just interested as to where they is a foreigner there and if you speak a little Japanese are happy to ask questions and chitchat.
All this is to say is you might be surprised and find you don’t need a private onsen as you’re more comfortable in the situation than you’d think.