Hi,
My girlfriend and I (early 30s) are going to Japan for the first time in just a few days. We will be there from Feb28 to March10 and would love feedback on our itinerary. We enjoy trying good food (I love sushi but she doesn’t eat uncooked stuff), anime, shopping, and seeing cute animals. Not so much historical or museums or intense hikes.
We came across this awesome subreddit and are hoping for feedback on what we have planned so far. We are looking forward to posting a full TripReport once we return to give back as well!
### Entering / Exiting Japan:
We are entering from into Kansai from the Philippines and also leaving via Kansai back to the Philippines.
### Overall Plan:
We will be making Osaka our home base for the first 6 days, with various day-trips planned to other parts of Kansai during that time. We will then head to Tokyo for 3 days, and finally return back to Osaka for one final day before heading home.
### Hotels:
Osaka: Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba Station, Feb28 – Mar6
Tokyo: Mitsui Garden Hotel Roppongi Tokyo Premier, Mar6 – Mar9
Osaka: ??? Mar9 – Mar10 [TBD, maybe AirBnb]
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### Day 0, Feb28: Travel Day
Land int KansaiInt around 8pm.
Get some cash, pocket Wifi, SIM, and IC card at airport.
Check-in to Hotel
### Day 1, Mar1: USJ
Universal Studios Japan. We already purchased the tickets and timed-entry express passes online.
### Day 2, Mar2: Himeji Castle & Kobe
Head to Himeji Castle early
Head to Kobe around noon for lunch. Would love recommendations for trying Kobe beef.
Kobe animal farm. Goal is to pet and feed the capybaras !
### Day 3, Mar3: Nara Day Trip
Pet and feed some deer
Check out Nakatanidou for mochi
Check out Kamaiki for some udon (recommended in a trip report)
Check out Maguro Koya for food (recommended in a trip report)
Head to Todaiji @ 7pm for Omizutori
### Day 4, Mar4: Kyoto Day Trip
Fushimi Inari Shrine (Torii Shrine)
Kiyomizu-dera (Buddhist Temple)
Nishiki Market
### Day 5, Mar5: Kyoto Day Trip
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavillion)
??? TBD
### Day 6, Mar6: Travel Day & Tokyo
Checkout of Osaka Hotel
Catch train to Tokyo
Leave luggage with Tokyo hotel around noon (room won’t be ready until later in the day)
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo to view Shibuya Crossing
Hachiko Statue
Check-in to hotel
Walk to Tokyo Tower to see Cherry Blossoms
### Day 7, Mar7: Odaiba Day Trip
TeamLab Planets
DECKS Tokyo Beach area to check out the Gundam Statue, Round One Stadium, and Takoyaki
Museum
### Day 8, Mar8: Tokyo
Sky Tree
Akihabara
### Day 9, Mar9: Travel Day & Osaka
Check out of hotel
Catch train back to Osaka
Check-in to Hotel/Airbnb
Owl Cafe Chouette
??? TBD
### Day 10, Mar10: Osaka
Checkout Hotel/Airbnb
Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
Glico Man
Dotonbori
Flight out at 9:15pm
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We would love restaurant suggestions. While I love sushi and sashimi, my girlfriend only eats cooked things.
Our itinerary is pretty vague in parts and I appreciate any time and thoughts spent on suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
6 comments
Hi, would recommend giving any animal cafes a miss, especially exotic animal cafes.
Japan is not the greatest with animal welfare, check out other recent posts on here as people share a bit more detail there
For day 5, you can considered heading to Arashimaya very early, then Kinkaku-ji in the late afternoon.
For day 6, Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo is at Nakameguro area, you cannot view Shibuya Crossing from it. The Starbucks that can view the crossing is just an ordinary Starbucks at Tsutaya. And not too sure whether is it too early to view cherry blossoms.
For day 8, if you’re starting off your day earlier, can drop by Senso-ji temple and Nakamise Shopping Street before heading to Tokyo Skytree.
Why are you asking for itinerary advice when you’re going tomorrow?
Look for yakiniku (japanese bbq) for great beef options.
Also be careful around anything animal based in japan, as their threshold for what is animal cruelty doesn’t line up with a lot of western countries
If your gf likes fashion, you may want to check out the 109 building while you’re in shibuya! Or even harajuku 🙂
For day 8 if you are going to Skytree why not also check out Asakusa? Plenty to do there.