Please let me know if there is too much going on in this itinerary or any suggestions, thanks. Its my first time traveling solo, internationally. I also plan on one-bagging this trip,
A lot of the details pertaining to picking up pocket-wifi and what stations to take to where were left out. I do have them on my detailed itinerary to give me a rough estimate of travel times.
I also want to thank the sub for giving me some great ideas!
Trip is from May 7th – May 17th, 2023.
**The whole point of this trip is to dine at the Noma Kyoto pop-up. (I still can’t believe I was able to snag a reservation!)** The only other time sensitive event is the Gundam in Yokohama, everything else can be pushed back to another trip if I don’t make it. This was a spur of the moment trip since I snagged the Noma Kyoto reservation, I plan on going back to Japan in August, 2023 for a longer amount of time without any time restrictions.
Kind of looking and very open to suggestions for places to dine in any of the areas! I am not a picky eater and live to eat.
At the bottom of each day I tried to plan out an alternate plan if the weather is rainy.
**May 7th-May 8th**
USA ->Narita (\~1540)Narita -> Ueno ( Check into Hotel )
Odaiba Night (If tired just forget about any of this)
Gundam Unicorn (Store and most shops close at 2000)
Rainbow Bridge Observation Deck
Random Dinner in Odaiba/Ueno
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**May 9th**City: Tokyo (Ueno)
Ueno Park
Kaminarimon Gate -> Nakamise-dori Street (Find Food) -> Senso-ji
Kappabashi Street (If time)
Ameyoko Shopping District
*Tokyo National Museum (If Raining)*
*teamLab Planets TOKYO (If Raining) -*
Odaiba*Miraikan Science museum (If Raining) -* Odaiba
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**May 10th**City: Tokyo -> Yokohama (Day Trip)
Harbor View Park Observatory
Cup Noodles Museum
Yokohama Chinatown
Gundam-Gundam Factory
Check out Odaiba if not able to on May 8th and if time on return trip
*Kirin Brewery Company (If raining add in)*
*Ramen Museum (A bit out of the way only if raining)*
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**May 11th** Check out of HotelTokyo -> Kyoto (Shinkansen)
Check into Hotel or drop off bag if too early to check-in
Nishiki Market (Near Hotel)
Heian Shrine Nanzenji Temple -> Philosopher’s Path -> Higashiyama Jisho-ji
Kyoto Imperial Palace (10-15 minute walk from Hotel; go if time)
Pontocho Alley (Night)
*Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art (If its raining)*
*The Museum of Kyoto (If its raining)*
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**May 12th**City: Kyoto
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – Early Morning (Okochi Sanso Garden) -> Tenryu-ji
Togetsukyo Bridge (Probably not going to go here but its close and would like to)
Nijō Castle (If time)
**Dinner: \*\*Noma KyotoThis is the main reason for this trip! Making sure I have enough time to be there by the time for seating!\*\***
Night: Hanamikoji Street-> Yasaka Shrine (Gion)
*Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art (If its raining)*
*The Museum of Kyoto (If its raining)*
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**May 13th** Check out of hotel
Kyoto -> OsakaDrop off Bag (Couch Surfing at friend’s place)
Osaka Food Market/ Kuromon Ichiba Market
Osaka Castle/park (Afternoon)
Tsutenkaku/ Shi tennoji Temple
Shinsekai Market / (Namba) {Night}
*Osaka Museum of History (If Rainy)*
*Mint Museum (If Rainy)*
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**May 14th** City- Osaka
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (10 a.m. open)
Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street/Osaka Tenmangu (Food)
Dotonbori
Sumiyoshi Taisha (if time
)teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka/ Nagai Botanical Garden (Night)
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**May 15th**Osaka -> Tokyo (Shinkansen)
Tokyo Station: Store luggage in locker\*? (Go to hotel first if able to drop off)
Imperial Palace (From Tokyo Station)
Takeshita Street (Food)
Akihabara: Kanda-myōjin temple
Pick up luggage at Tokyo Station. Head to Shinjuku -> Check into hotel
Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai
*Walk around aimlessly at night with a strong zero in hand* (Thanks r/Japanliving)
*teamLab Planets TOKYO (If its Rainy)*
Odaiba*Miraikan Science museum (If its Rainy) -* Odaiba
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**May 16th**City: Tokyo (Shinjuku/Shibuya
)Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Meiji Shrine (Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station) / Yoyogi park
Roam around Shibuya/ Shibuya Crossing? (If time)
Dinner Shin-Okubo: Tokyo’s Korea Town
**Ryogoku Kokugikan (Summer Basho look for tickets- if you can get tickets for this.)**
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**May 17th** Hotel Check out City: Tokyo -> Narita
Make it to the airport early, eat, explore the airport, relax and contemplate about whether I should go back home or not.Flight leaves 1800ish
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I wanted to have some sort of shell of a plan and not go completely blind. At the same time, I feel like I might have planned too many things. Depending on the day and how I feel, I might just cancel the who initial plan and just wing it, explore and get lost.
Will give a trip report when I get back.