Hello everyone,
First, thank you, this subreddit has been really helpful and gave me inspiration to create my own Itinerary for my trip in May!
A little bit of context, we are a couple in our mid 20s who loves food, nature and like trying new things. I have been to Tokyo once a long time ago for 3 days but other than that we are totally new to Japan. A co-worker has told me to get outside of Tokyo to “actually experience Japan” so that have given me a nudge towards going to Kyoto. It is a little regrettable that we do only get a few days in Tokyo but we are prioritizing Kyoto and Kinosaki. From the numerous itineraries I read, 6 days is….. not a lot of time so I wanted to hear from you guys and see if I am going towards a good direction in my itinerary customizing.
Please let me know if this is too much or too little and if it is realistic. Any recommendations on where to go or to eat in Kyoto would be great. A good ramen/sushi/izakaya place would be awesome. Thank you all\~
**Japan Trip Itinerary**
Goal of the Trip: Eat as many deliciousness as possible and experience Japanese culture in as semi-leisurely and efficiently as 6 days could give us.
**May 8th**
9am Arrive at Kusai Airport. Pick up pocket wifi and JR pass. Download Suica.
~~Explore Osaka. Do some eating and shopping here. Dotonburi. Might not do this and just go to Kyoto~~
Go to Kyoto and stay the night there
**May 9th**
Explore Kyoto. Go to Nishiki market and pontocho park.
Fushimi Inari. Go during sunset or sunrise.
**May 10th**
Arashiyama. Go to bamboo forest early in the morning
Enen. Make reservation for either May 9th or May 10th
Kyoto Fushimi sake district
**May 11th**
Kyoto Station. Pick up ekiben from kyoto station and head to kinosaki onsen.
Enjoy the Kinosaki onsen Stay at Morizuya inn. Check in starts 3pm -6pm. Check Out: 10 am next day.
**May 12th**
Come into tokyo station.
Team labs
Shinjuku + Golden Gai
**May 13th**
Tsujihan Zeitaku.
Shopping day. Shibuya. Enjoy the evening at Shibuya.
Things to consider: Uobei (conveyor sushi is there). Shibuya 109 and Loft, don quijote. See the Shibuya crossing. Eat at the underground restaurants. Arcades.
End the day with drinks at the Park Hyatt
**May 14th**
Tsujiki market
Hamarikyuu gardens. Go to teahouse and relax in the park.
Go to Narita airport at 1pm.
3 comments
Dont get the JR Pass for this trip. It’s only worth it once you do at least a return trip between Osaka and Tokyo.
By ‘Kusai’ Airport, do you mean Kansai Airport?
Why Kinosaki Onsen, as opposed to somewhere along the way like Hakone?
Do you want yo leave central Tokyo at 1pm, or be at Narita by 1pm?
I’ll have to disagree with your co-worker, as if Tokyo is not “Japan enough”. Yes, there is different things to experience around Japan, but there is plenty of unique Japanese experience to get in and around Tokyo. Actually for such a short trip I would personally focus on Kansai or Tokyo region only, doing both you barely have time to see the highlights of each.
Hi there! With so short days, I will just prioritise the entirety in Kansai.
The activities you listed for Tokyo is possible to do in Osaka or Kyoto like shopping or depachika.
You can do Osaka->Kinosaki Onsen overnight ryokan-> Kyoto> Tokyo (if possible to change to leave via Kansai, that would be best.
You can use japan travel navitime to plot your general route.
[https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/result?start=00001756&goal=00004332&start_name=Kyoto&goal_name=Narita%20Int%27l%20Airport&date_time=2023-05-14T11%3A00&search_time_mode=goal-time](https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/result?start=00001756&goal=00004332&start_name=Kyoto&goal_name=Narita%20Int%27l%20Airport&date_time=2023-05-14T11%3A00&search_time_mode=goal-time)