Hi All,
I am preparing for my first trip to Japan scheduled for the middle/end of May. While I have traveled internationally and for multiple weeks before, this is my first time on my own for this long and in an Asian country. I have already booked my flights and hotels, but I can cancel/change the hotel reservations if necessary.
Some of my interests include architecture, culture, theme parks, and food. I am not a big “foodie” but am willing to walk into places and try just about anything. Another thing I enjoy is leaving the beaten track and exploring the less-traveled (but still interesting) areas of the big cities. Also, nightlife is not a focus of this trip, but a few spots have made the list and I am open to suggestions.
I am flexible if a day looks overscheduled, but the activities I don’t want to miss are in **bold**. Also, I have listed some questions at the end of the itinerary; please refer to the number when answering those. Otherwise, I look forward to your suggestions.
Saturday, May 13, 2023
* Depart LAX 10:30 AM on Delta to Haneda airport (Could not find an economical direct flight to KIX).
Sunday, May 14, 2023
* Fly in, arrive at 2:10 PM, JR Pass (breaking even before factoring in local JR services), eSim, then onto Osaka via Shinkansen.
* Check into hotel (Vessel Inn Namba booked) then sleep
Monday, May 15, 2023
* Explore Aquarium/Osaka Castle; Namba Yasaka Shrine
* *OR* 1/2 day in Nara/deer park/Harushika Brewery
* **Umeda/Sky Building**
* Evening – **Dotonbori**/PC Retro Bar Space Station if time allows
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
* **Universal Studios Japan** – Flying Dinosaur Express Ticket
* Evening – Shinsekai or get some sleep
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
* Check out of Osaka hotel; to Kyoto in 1 hour
* Kyoto – Kiyomizudera Temple, **Ninen-Zaka/Sannen-Zaka**
* Check into Kyoto hotel (Gion Koh booked. This is a traditional style guesthouse with a koi pond)
Thursday, May 18, 2023
* Kyoto – **Arashiyama Bamboo Grove**, monkey park & temples (early morning)
* Nijo Castle or Imperial Palace or Pontocho Alley/Otter Cafe Loutre
Friday, May 19, 2023
* Kyoto – **Fushimi Inari Shrine**, Kyoto Rail Museum, Ninnaji Temple, **Golden Pavilion**
Saturday, May 20, 2023
* Check out of Kyoto hotel; to Lake Kawaguchiko via Shinkansen/Tokaido Line (4 hrs; JR Pass + ticket)
* Fuji-Q Highland or…?
* Check into Hotel Mystays Fuji-Q/**Onsen**
Sunday, May 21, 2023
* Early: **Churieto Peace Pagoda**
* Check out of hotel/hold luggage then 10:00 AM Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum
* Train to Tokyo in 2.5 hrs, check into hotel (Guest1 Uenoekimae Booked) after 3:00 then explore Ueno/Kanda Flux Bar
Monday, May 22, 2023
* Morning: **Senso-Ji**/Asakusa
* **Emeraldas/Hotaluna Boat** (check schedule) to Odaiba Seaside Park 11:00-12:00
* Afternoon: Odaiba/**TeamLab Planets** 1:30-3:30?
* *OPTION*: Ryogoku Sumo Tournament 4:15-6:00? *See Question 3 at bottom of post.*
* Evening:Hoppy Street/??? or laundry/get some sleep
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
* **Tokyo DisneySea** (all day)
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
* **Tokyo Disneyland** (½ day?, then Ikspiari)
Thursday, May 25, 2023
* Morning: **Toden Arakawa Tram** to Ikebukuro, rose viewing, Sunshine City, Daiso
* Evening: **Shinjuku**/Golden Gai/Kabukicho
Friday, May 26, 2023
* Morning: See Tokyo Tower/Roppongi on foot/Tempuraya Miyagawa
* Afternoon: Omotesando/Harajuku/Cat Street
* Evening: **Shibuya**/Pokemon Center/Don Quijote/PREBOOK **Shibuya Sky**
Saturday, May 27, 2023
* **Akihabara** (Namco arcade)/Chiyoda/Ginza area. *OPTION*: Kabuki single act today OR Sunday
* *OPTION*: 4:15-6:00 Sumo @ Ryogoku Stadium (book in advance) if not done Monday
Sunday, May 28, 2023
* *OPTION*: Kabuki single act today OR Saturday
* **Nakano Broadway**/Shopping/Free Day
Monday, May 29, 2023
Check out of hotel, depart Haneda airport 6:40 PM
Questions:
1. At what time PDT do the express passes go on sale on Klook for Universal? The one I want seems to sell out quickly. Is it difficult to get timed entry into Super Mario World without one?
2. Is there any reason to visit the JR train museum in Kyoto over the others? Considering visiting the one in Saitama instead to free up time in Kyoto.
3. My Monday in Tokyo is a little full. With all of the closures, is there enough to do in Odaiba these days to warrant devoting an hour or two there? If not, I will head stright to Teamlabs.
4. I am willing to walk there, but should I take the train one stop to reach Churieto Peace Pagoda? Unless I am wrong, the retro bus that serviced it no longer operates, and I won’t have a car.
5. Should I squeeze in a visit to Shimokitazawa, maybe Sat/Sun? I am open to skipping it altogether.
6. I’m going to bring a smaller suitcase (packed) inside a larger one (unpacked) onto the trains. As long as I am under the oversized luggage limit, is there any reason for me to book a train seat ahead of time? It’s never certain how long it will take to get through customs. I am not planning on filling the other suitcase until I reach Tokyo, where I will do most of my souvenir shopping.