Hey everyone!
I’m excited to share my upcoming 14-day trip to Japan, focusing on exploring the best of the anime scene. I’m traveling with my partner, and we’re both huge fans of anime, manga, and all things otaku. We’d love to get your feedback on our itinerary.
I was also hoping I could reach out to all of you for recommendations. What are the best anime places to visit in Japan? Are there any specific shops or locations that I absolutely have to check out? I’m open to all suggestions, whether they’re in Shibuya or any other part of Japan.
Day 1: Arrival in Shibuya
* Land at Haneda airport at 5 pm
* Purchase Passmo at the Tourist Info Center
* Pick up Ninjawifi (pre-ordered)
* Take bus transfer to Keikyu line to YCAT Station
* Take train to Minatomirai for hotel check-in
Day 2: Exploring Yokohama
* Visit Cup Noodles Museum at 10 am
* Walk to YCAT area: Surugaya (used plushies), Hapipiland, Anpanman museum
* Walk to Mirai Mall/Queen square (quick stroll/skip)
* Visit Red Brick Warehouse + Gundam Factory from outside
* Evening in Chinatown
* Possibly visit Cosmoworld + Air Cabin during the night if still open
Day 3: Traveling to Hakone
* Travel to Odawara in the morning via Negishi Line & Tokaido Line
* Take Tozan Line from Odawara to Hakone Yomoto
* Purchase Hakone Free Pass (2-day)
* Luggage drop-off in locker at Gora Station or ryokan check-in/drop-off (Gora Station area)
* Take Ropeway to Owakudani for Sulfur eggs
* Visit Hakone Open Air Museum before they close
* Return to Ryokan for dinner + private onsen time
Day 4: Hakone and Gotemba Outlets
* Check-out at 9 am and drop luggage in coin lockers at Gora Station
* Take Cablecar to Togendai Ko Pirate Ship at 10.30 am
* Get off at Motohakone-ko, Shrine pics & Lunch
* Take Bus Tozan to Kowakidani, then Tozan Rail to Gora, then Bus M/L to Gotemba Outlets
* Visit Gotemba Outlets for shopping
* Return to Hakone and take the Gora Station train to Hakone Yumoto then to Odawara (7.48 pm)
* Transfer to the Romancecar booked for 9.06 pm destination Shinjuku
* Check-in at Hotel in Shinjuku Area upon arrival in Tokyo
Day 5: Shinjuku/Ikebukuro and Tokyo Station area
* Have a chill day of strolling and shopping in Shinjuku and Ikebukuro
* Visit Sunshine City for the shops and games and the new Animate building
* Visit Yaesu Mall and Nihombashi Takashimaya in Tokyo Station area
* Have a reservation for Pokemon Café at 8 pm
Day 6: Sanrio Puroland and Shibuya/Harajuku
* Visit Sanrio Puroland at 8.30 am
* Return to Tokyo Shibuya/Harajuku for thrift shops (Ragtag, Junkie Special), animal cafes, street food, Purikura, desserts, etc.
Day 7: Odaiba area
* Visit Teamlabs Planets at 9.30 am (tickets booked already)
* Visit Odaiba malls
* Finish the day in Omotesando area if there is time
Day 8: Asakusa/Ueno area
* Start swan boat rides in Ueno Park at 10 am
* Visit Ueno street food at Ameyayokocho market and shopping at Americaya/Hinoya
* Have lunch at Kirby Café in Tokyo Sky Tree at 1.40 pm (reserved!)
* Take a quick stroll in the building/Solomachi then head back to Senso-ji temple and Nakamise St before 5 pm
Day 9: Ginza and Akihabara
* Move to Ginza area for the special Pokemon room
* Have a Ginza stroll with Itoya, Muji, Uniqlo, Ragtag, Kapital stores
* Finish the day in Akihabara for video games, arcades, gachapons, claw machines, and possibly Square Enix Café
Day 10: Explore Tokyo on foot
* Visit the Meiji Shrine
* Stroll around Yoyogi Park and Harajuku
* Visit Takeshita Dori for shopping and snacks
* Visit Shibuya Crossing for a photo opportunity
* Visit Shibuya 109 for trendy fashion
Day 11: Kamakura and Enoshima
* Travel to Kamakura and visit the famous Great Buddha statue
* Visit the Hasedera Temple for a scenic view of the coast
* Visit Enoshima for a beach experience and to view the Enoshima Shrine
Day 12: Kyoto
* Take a morning train to Kyoto
* Visit the Kiyomizu-dera temple for stunning views
* Stroll through the streets of Gion to spot geisha and maiko
* Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine for a beautiful torii gate tunnel
Day 13: Osaka
* Visit the Osaka Castle for a historical experience
* Visit the Dotonbori area for a foodie experience and shopping
* Visit the Kaiyukan Aquarium for a marine life experience
Day 14: Departure
* Depart from Kansai International Airport
Thanks for your feedback and recommendations in advance!
4 comments
I will say that you have a ton of time spent in and around Tokyo but only 1 day each in Kyoto and osaka.
In my opinion either dedicate more time to Kyoto and osaka or ditch it all together and save for a future trip. There is so much to do and see in those areas that one day each is pointless.
The itinerary seems a bit unbalanced. I wouldn’t go to Kyoto and Osaka for only a day each. Especially Kyoto. Way too much to see and do.
Days 12 and 13 seem incredibly packed and not worth the hassle imo. Sadly, you won’t be getting much of a historial experience at Osaka castle given it has undergone a modern renovation.
I would either cut some days in Tokyo to focus on the Kansai area, or leave Kansai for a future trip and do more things around Tokyo.
Being anime fans I’m going to assume you enjoy Your Name, so a stop at Suga Shrine in Tokyo to take a picture in the iconic stairs is in order.
For day trips from Tokyo, check out Nikko, Kawagoe, or the Fuji lakes (only if the weather allows it).
Hakone Evangelion store.
You might want to check to take the train out of Gotemba instead of returning to Hakone.
Big anime fan and going to Akihabara for games? There is a lot of anime/manga stores all over Akihabara, I would not understand if you do none of that.
Not sure if your tourist info center and wifi pickup is off airport premises, but you can take Keikyū line train direct from Haneda instead of having to take a bus. You might have to transfer trains at Keikyū Kamata station depending on which train you get on. Not sure what YCAT station is.
Alternatively, you can also take the monorail.