I’m taking my son (M18) to Japan for his graduation present. We’re both super excited. I’ve traveled quite a bit to Europe, but it’s my first time to Asia.
My usual approach to travel is to have a list of must-sees based on research, determine where to stay based on that, arrange hotels and transportation, buy any necessary tickets ahead of time–then let the trip unfold. Definitely not a minute-by-minute planner; prefer to leave room for serendipity.
We both like anime. He’s a gamer; I like history. We both like the outdoors.
I am a little nervous for this trip, so feedback on our itinerary is appreciated!
DAY ONE
Arrive Haneda airport – late afternoon
Pick up wifi, get yen (I already downloaded Suica to my Apple wallet)
Travel to hotel (Staying at The B Ochanomizu in Akihabara)
DAY TWO
AM
We are walking distance to Akihabara shopping, so go there to get our bearings. Some stores/cafes to check out:
Super Potato Retro-kan
Square Enix Cafe or Vie de France bakery
PM
Asakusa for visit to Senso-ji temple and Nakamise shopping. Nearby options:
Denboin Garden
Possibly go to Tokyo Skytree
DAY THREE
Shibuya time! Options:
Hachiko Memorial statue
Shibuya109 mall or Shibuya Hikarie shops or Shibuya Parco
Miyashita Park
Village Vanguard
Tower Records
Shibuya Sky
DAY FOUR
Tsukiji Fish Market (looking at a guided, behind the scenes tour here for foodies). Other options (if we have time before have to head to Odaiba)
Ad Museum Tokyo
Hamarikyu Gardens
Toyosu Market
Head to Odaiba
We have tickets for Team Lab Planets at 2:30. Other options:
Decks Tokyo Beach
Rainbow Bridge
Telecom Center observatory
National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
DAY FIVE
Head to Harajuku. Possibilities:
Takeshita St
Tokyo Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
Cat Street
Ota Memorial Museum of Art
Meiji Jingu
Yoyogi Park
DAY SIX
Travel to Hakone. As this is our only time outside Tokyo, I did not opt for a J-Pass. I still need to book travel though, so please provide suggestions!
I plan on getting the Hakone Freepass. Good idea?
We are staying at Tensui Saryo for the ryokan/onsen experience. Otherwise, we will think about checking out:
Hakone Open Air Museum
Hakone Ropeway
Lake Ashi
DAY SEVEN
Head back to Tokyo
Not sure of the area name, but we are planning to see:
Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo Metropolitan ARt Museum
Ueno Park & Ueno Tosho-gu
DAY EIGHT
Tokyo Tower area. Thinking about:
Nezu Museum
Mori Art Museum
Zojo-ji Temple
DAY NINE
Shinjuku area. Possibilities:
Shinkjuku Gyeon National Garden
Government building for free views
ARTNIA Square Enix
Kabukicho
Golden Gai (not sure how that will work with someone who can’t drink)
Omoide-Yokocho
DAY NINE
Flight is late afternoon out of Haneda. Plan on spending some time at Tokyo station, as I’ve read there is a lot of shopping, etc.
You’ll note we don’t have a lot of food/dining picked out. We are both super adventurous eaters, so we plan on just going with the flow, other than in Hakone.
Tell me the good, bad and ugly with this itinerary, please! Let me know if it’s too loose, too tight or if we are missing something essential. Thanks!
4 comments
I only skimmed your itinerary but get on booking for the cafe’s like the Eorzea one. Some of them are near impossible to get if you wait too long or because they have a certain reservation period. (Hope you weren’t planning on going to the Pokemon Cafe)
If your son loves video games you might want to check out Joypolis when you’re in Odaiba.
Definitely do skytree, make sure to go during sunset and probably buy tickets in advance
We’ll be there at the same time! I’ll be landing on the 24th for my second trip to Japan. If you have any questions while you’re there let me know! It can always help to have someone there who you can talk to.