Hi all, my husband and I are finally going on our honeymoon this April! We were supposed to go summer 2020 (to Mexico) but canceled, and now upgraded to a more exciting and appealing option – Japan! This is our first time in Japan, but we have many friends who have been before.
I’ve already booked our flights and hotels. We will be in Japan for 11 days.
I’d appreciate an itinerary check for all the usual concerns (feasibility, suggestions for attractions, etc).
We both love ramen and curry, but my husband does not eat seafood or fish (not an allergy). Because of this I’m not going to book any of the fancy michelin places.
We both love video games but aren’t super into anime (some soft spots for gundam), and I’m really looking forward to shopping for instant noodles, chopsticks, souvenirs, snacks, etc!
Day 1
Arrive at Haneda around 3pm local time
* Already complete the Visit Japan paperwork/obtained QR code
* pickup pocket wifi
* pickup JR pass
* we’ll both have suica on our iphones
* Take local train to hotel in Shinjuku (Hotel Sunroute Plaza)
* Grab food at Lawsons or 7/11, pass out
Day 2
Shinjuku/Shibuya
* Shinjuku Goen
* Godzilla
* Shibuya scramble/starbucks
* Nintendo store
* Shibuya Don Quijote
Day 3
Teamlab Planets/Odaiba/Pokemon Cafe
* Already got the teamlab planets tickets
* Gundam statue/odaiba shopping
* later afternoon – Imperial Palace
* Pokemon cafe for dinner
Day 4
* Senso-ji
* Kirby Cafe
* Akhibara
* still workshopping this day TBH
Day 5
Kawaguchiko ryokan
* Breakfast locally, check out of Shinjuku, travel to Kawaguchiko
* I’m leaning towards us taking the bus around noon (check in at the ryokan is at 3pm) but I know we can take the JR Fuji Express, as well – any opinions?
* Check in at ryokan (Konansou)
* relax at the onsen, kaiseki dinner
* We plan to take full advantage of the ryokan! private booking, massage etc
* as mentioned earlier -my husband does not eat seafood or fish; has anyone experienced receiving accommodations at this ryokan or similar? I’ll eat the same as him if that’s easier
Day 6
Travel from Kawaguchiko to Kyoto
(I know this will be a lot, but felt better to get all the travel out of the way in one day than another hotel check in/out in Tokyo)
* Take the bus from Kawaguchiko back to Shinjuku (the Fuji express does not run back from Kawaguchiko to Tokyo in the morning)
* Take local train from Shinjuku to Shinagawa Station
* Take Shinkansen to Kyoto Station
* Check in at hotel, Daiwa Roynet Grande Kyoto
* Eat dinner nearby/explore locally
Day 7
Kyoto
* Arashiyama Bamboo
* Okochi Sanso
* Kinkaku-ji
* Gion
Day 8
Day trip to Osaka
* Osaka Aquarium
* Dotombori
* Osaka Castle
Day 9
Day trip to Nara
* Deer park
* Todai-ji
Day 10
Himeji Castle / Kyoto
* Fushimi Inari Taisha in the morning and then Himeji Castle (I’ve heard this is only a half day trip? if so, for remainder of day, points of interest in Kyoto we didn’t get to)
Day 11
Return home
* Shinkansen to Tokyo
* Local train to Haneda
* Flight back from Haneda at 4pm local time
Thank you in advance for any feedback! We’re very excited!
1 comment
Sorry if this is a bit of a useless question, but why is it necessary to keep the exact dates out of your flights? You mentioned privacy reasons, but I can’t imagine what people would do if they knew, like won’t hundreds of other people probably be on that exact same flight or what not, what would they do with that information? Just wondering.