Hello! We’re a family of **four** traveling to Japan **early to mid April**, splitting our time **between Tokyo** and **Kyoto**. Any thoughts on a first draft itinerary below?
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Day 1 (Arrival in **Tokyo**)
* Arrive at Haneda early morning (10+ hour flight)
* Arrive at hotel in Ginza area and ask to store luggage prior to check-in
* Brunch/snacks at convenience store
* Kill time before check-in: Muji Flagship store, Itoya, Imperial Palace (admission-free zones)
* Possible lunch at Tokyo station
* Check-in at hotel, quick rest before heading out for dinner and catching sleep for jet lag
Day 2 (**Shibuya** and **Shinjuku**)
* Daikanyama T-Site (Most south point on this day’s list; not sure if it will be inconvenient)
* Shibuya Crossing/Parco (or Mega Don)
* Meiji Shrine
* Lunch
* Harajuku
* Shinjuku Gyoen
* Omoide Yokocho
* Dinner
* Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
* *Toss-up*: Kabukicho or Shinjuku Pit Inn jazz club
Day 3 (**Northeast Tokyo**)
* Sensoji
* Nakamise Dori
* Yanaka Cemetery/Ginza
* Lunch
* Ueno Park
* Ameyoko Market
* Explore Akihabara
* Dinner
* *\*Question:* Would it be better to reverse this day’s schedule (start in Akihabara and end with Sensoji) to see the temple at night/catch less of a crowd? If so, thoughts on ending the day at the nearby Skytree?
Day 4 (**Odaiba** and **South Tokyo**)
* Pokemon Cafe (can cut this out for something else; it just happens to be near our hotel)
* Tsukiji Fish Market
* teamLab Planets
* Lunch before or after
* Small Worlds
* Divercity Mall
* Take Yurikamome across Rainbow Bridge
* Dinner
* Either Tokyo Tower/Roppongi Hills/Or come home early to pack
Day 5 (Leave **Tokyo**; Arrive in **Kyoto**)
* Take Shinsaken to Kyoto and arrive at hotel in Gion area
* Lunch/unpack/rest
* Fushimi Inari in late afternoon/evening
* Dinner
Day 6 (**Gion**)
* Kimono rental
* Sannezaka road
* Kiyomizu Dera
* Ishibei Koji Lane
* Maruyama Park + Lunch
* Shogunzuka
* Chionin
* Gion Shirawaka
* Kiyamachi Street
* Shinkyogoku
* Dinner
* Nishiki Market
* Pontocho
Day 7 (**Arashiyama**)
* Sagano Scenic Railway
* River Cruise back to Arashiyama
* Lunch
* Taxi to Otagi (or possibly skip cruise and go direct to Otagi)
* Bamboo Forest
* Tenryuji
* Dinner
* Pack for departure
Day 8 (**Osaka** and **Departure Day**)
* Leave Kyoto and arrive in Osaka (to eventually go to Kansai International Airport; flight at 6 pm)
* Store luggage at Osaka Station
* \**Question*: Not sure what the best use of our time here is. A couple points of interest in Osaka we saw were Tenjinbaishisuji, Osaka Castle, and Dotonbori, all three of which are spread apart and not necessarily close to Osaka Station. Thoughts on how to fill our time here before our flight? Perhaps we dock and leave from a different station in Osaka.
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Big, big thanks to any who help us review! Here are the two questions we had again:
Questions:
* Would it be better to start in Akihabara and end with Sensoji to see the temple at night/catch less of a crowd rather than the reverse (start with Sensoji/end in Aki)? If so, thoughts on ending the day at the nearby Skytree?
* Best use of our time in Osaka before our flight? A couple points of interest in Osaka we saw were Tenjinbaishisuji, Osaka Castle, and Dotonbori, all three of which are spread apart and not necessarily close to Osaka Station.
Other Points of Interests not listed but were considering:
* Tokyo ramen tour
* Day/Half Day trips to Nara, Himeji Castle, and/or Kobe
3 comments
*Question: Would it be better to reverse this day’s schedule (start in Akihabara and end with Sensoji) to see the temple at night/catch less of a crowd? If so, thoughts on ending the day at the nearby Skytree?
No. Stores in Akihabara will open at 10-11am, while Senso-ji is always open, the stores around Nakamise will start to open at 9-10am. Yes Senso-ji at night can be cool, but Akihabara is not a morning spot.
*Question: Not sure what the best use of our time here is. A couple points of interest in Osaka we saw were Tenjinbaishisuji, Osaka Castle, and Dotonbori, all three of which are spread apart and not necessarily close to Osaka Station. Thoughts on how to fill our time here before our flight? Perhaps we dock and leave from a different station in Osaka.
Why is Osaka station important ? There is different trains to go to the airport from different places in Osaka. Can be from Shin-Osaka, Namba, Tennōji. Actually it might require a change of train to go from Osaka station. What you can easily do is take the train from Kyoto to Osaka castle on the Keihan line, instead of Tenjinbashi, can do Shinsaibashi pass by Dotonbori on the way to Namba station to take the Nankai train to the airport. What I think can actually be more annoying is carrying your luggage all day.
Day 6 looks too packed, also Nishiki market is not open at night.
Day 6 is way too packed especially if you are renting kimono, and doubly so if there are any women in your travel party. Budget an hour to choose kimono, wear (it’s not like just tying a bathrobe) and do makeup/hair, and then the stride length and achievable walking speed is severely restricted compared to jeans and sneakers. So your day is effectively 10am-5pmish assuming the shop runs 9-6 and you show up right at opening.
Nishiki Market closes around 5-6 and on a short trip like this one covered market is enough (you also have shinkyogoku and tenjinbashi). I would cut Osaka altogether, spread out some of day 6 to day 8, and take the direct train from Kyoto station to Kansai airport.