My fiancé and I are flying to Singapore for three days, then Japan for 20ish days. My bday lands on May 3rd, and I would love to turn the chapter of a new decade in Japan.
A couple of notes: We both love the chic modern atmosphere (think of Edition Hotel with the warm colors) but also want to incorporate the culture of Japan with nature, harmony, and balance. We would love hot springs on our trip, including stunning landscapes and natural beauty. With this being said, we do not mind spending a good chunk of change on 4-5 star resorts/hotels. We both had a great financial year and want to bring in my 30s with no expense spared.
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**Day 4-8: Tokyo (May 2 – May 6, 2023)**
* Experience the bustling city life and explore its famous landmarks such as the Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Crossing, and Harajuku.
* Visit the Ghibli Museum to see the works of Studio Ghibli and the Robot Restaurant for a unique dinner show experience.
* Stay at the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills hotel. *(considering other options)*
* On the third day, visit some of Tokyo’s famous cultural sites, such as the Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, and the Imperial Palace.
* Estimated bullet train travel time to Kyoto: 2.5 hours.
**Day 9-11: Hakone (May 7 – May 9, 2023)**
* Enjoy the beautiful mountainous town famous for its hot springs and stunning views of Mount Fuji.
* Stay at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa, where you can relax in the hot springs and enjoy the beautiful scenery. *(considering other options)*
* Estimated bullet train travel time to Tokyo: 1.5 hours.
**Day 12-15: Kyoto (May 10 – May 13, 2023)**
* Explore the city’s many temples and shrines, including Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Shrine.
* Visit the Arashiyama Monkey Park and feed the monkeys.
* Take a day trip to Nara to see the Todai-ji Temple and the famous deer in the park.
* Stay at Aman Kyoto. *(considering other options, maybe near the river)*
* Estimated bullet train travel time to Hiroshima: 2 hours.
**Day 16-17: Hiroshima (May 14 – May 15, 2023)**
* Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
* Stay at the Hotel Granvia Hiroshima. *(considering other options)*
* Estimated bullet train travel time to Osaka: 1.5 hours.
**Day 18-19: Miyajima (May 16 – May 17, 2023)**
* Take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, a beautiful island famous for its torii gate, Itsukushima Shrine, and friendly deer.
* Stay at the luxurious Iwaso Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn with hot springs and stunning views of the surrounding forest. *(considering other options)*
* Estimated bullet train travel time to Hakone: 5 hours.
**Day 20-21: Osaka (May 18 – May 19, 2023)**
* Visit the famous Osaka Castle, take a stroll through Dotonbori, and explore the city’s many food stalls and restaurants.
* Stay at the Intercontinental Osaka. *(considering other options)*
* Estimated bullet train travel time to Miyajima: 2.5 hour
**Day 22-23: Tokyo (May 20 – May 21, 2023)**
* Return to Tokyo for your last day in Japan, where you can visit the Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo and indulge in some last-minute shopping and food exploration.
* Stay at the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills hotel. *(considering other options)*
* Estimated travel time to Tokyo Haneda Airport: 45 minutes.
**Day 24: Departure (May 21, 2023)**
* Depart from Tokyo Haneda Airport at 6:40 PM and land in LAX at 12:50 PM straight flight 11 hours.
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We each would have check-in luggage (2 total), and I will carry a backpack with a carry-on roller. So would love to hear tips on travel routes and best way to travel.
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Thoughts? THANK YOU!!
9 comments
Robot Restaurant closed, and it was more a place to go for the show than for the food (it was not really a restaurant).
Is this copied from a Travel Agent’s invoice :p?
There’s not really much to add. It’s a long trip so chances are it’s best to just by rail tickets individually instead of a JR pass since you’d need a 21 day pass to cover from Tokyo back to Tokyo.
The hotels listed are all pretty high end and should be comfortable enough. I’d check to ensure that they aren’t booking you into ‘5 star hotel, but in the standard room’. I think the sweet spot is to book premium rooms, instead of the ‘cheapest room in the fanciest hotel’.
If Money is no object, I would look to hotels that are directly connected to the Airport in Tokyo. Places like Shibuya or Shinjuku which have plenty of luxury options. Unless you’re driving, or paying for a Taxi (Taxi’s being really expensive even if you do have the cash to spare). Just i personally appreicate as little travel as possible after arriving and Changi to Narita is 7 hours as as.
But overall I think the pace is fine, the stops are good picks for a trip and I don;t think you’d want to overplan much more then the key things you’ve listed.
>A couple of notes: We both love the chic modern atmosphere (think of Edition Hotel with the warm colors) but also want to incorporate the culture of Japan with nature, harmony, and balance.
Jesus christ
I’m also planning a trip in May and have been looking at similar hotels – going to stay at the Ritz in Nikko which looks amazing and the Edition in Tokyo. I would check those out if you haven’t already as other options!
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills hotel – did a quick google, and no expenses were spared indeed.
Considering you’re spending close to 700 USD per night I think there are plenty more luxury options.
Has anyone else chimed in to say be mindful about golden week in Japan? It’s a national holiday so definitely book well in advance for those dates.
I’d be really surprised if you could get Ghibli museum tickets during golden week but i would highly recommend going at some point in your trip because i went in January and it was MAGICAL.
You’ll likely need to purchase tickets through a travel agent in advance. They sell them in Landon’s in Japan (i think) but i believe you have to be a local and they will likely be sold out if you try to buy when you’re there.
FYI-according to Google, golden week in 2023 is May 3rd-5th
Tokyo: Take a look at Mesm Tokyo if it’s your cup of tea although it’s not conveniently located near a train station (~10 min walk). Hanakohro is ryokan style.
Kyoto: Ritz Carlton is a modern ryokan type of vibe, alternatively you could do one night at Hoshinoya Kyoto (can only be reached by a boat ride via Arashiyama)
Hakone: Would be a waste to stay at Hyatt instead of a ryokan. Do Gora Kadan instead or something. If staying at a traditional ryokan in Miyajima, you could give an auberge ryokan like Kanaya resort a try.
Hiroshima/Miyajima: You don’t need two hotels here IMO. Pick whichever location you think you’ll spend more time in. Iwaso is very dated but beautiful.
So sorry you seem to being downvoted just because you can afford to spend a little extra! People are jealous and weird and your itinerary looks good and well researched.
I really loved going to the New York bar at the Park Hyatt and it sounds like you might too! Amazing views, delicious drinks, and great jazz music. I thought it was totally great and fun. Some people here think it’s a bit overrated.
Even though you’re here during golden week, I really think you’ll be fine besides the ghibli museum. Just get those tickets literally within seconds that they’re available (the 10th in April I think, idk what time).
Yama No Chaya in Hakone was our splurge ryokan. It was amazing with a private hot spring bath in our room and a gorgeous kaiseki dinner and breakfast each day of our stay.
Are you intentionally doing a slow paced itinerary? Miyajima is usually a single day activity, so you don’t really need to stay 2 nights. Same with Hakone, 3 nights is a bit excessive. I prefer to travel at a relaxed pace because a toddler, but this is even too slow for us.