Updated Itinerary Check – One Week to Japan!

Hello! We’re a family of **four** first-time traveling to Japan, splitting our time **between Tokyo** and **Kyoto**. We received helpful feedback when we first posted our itinerary and wanted to get one final look on our general, updated plan as we head out. We’ve left out details like reservation times or specific restaurants to keep things simple, but feel free to pass on recs in any area!

We are planning a backup day trip on Day 3 to see sakura in full bloom, based on how we feel about the late blooming sakura once we arrive (if there are any still left). Very much leaning to committing to it!

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# Day 1 (4/8 Saturday – Arrival)

Morning

* 10+ hr flight lands into Haneda
* Arrive at hotel in Ginza/Ask to store luggage

Afternoon

* Eat food from 7/11, Lawsons, or Muji Cafe
* Kill Time options: Muji Flagship store, Itoya, Imperial Palace

Evening

* Check back in with hotel and freshen up. Dinner

# Day 2 (4/9 Sunday – Shibuya/ Shinjuku)

Morning

* Breakfast at Lawsons/7/11 (switch from the other)
* Starbucks/Shibuya Crossing
* Take train to Harajuku Station and walk up to Meiji Jingu

Afternoon

* Lunch
* Explore Harajuku/Takeshita street and buy snacks
* Shinjuku Gyoen reserved time slot (starting at Sendagaya Gate)
* Either Omoide Yokocho or Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory depending on sunset time.

Evening

* Dinner
* Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory here if not before dinner
* Kabukicho

# Day 3 (4/10 Monday – Northeast Tokyo)

Morning

* Breakfast
* Sensoji temple
* Nakamise
* Yanaka Ginza/Cemetery

Afternoon

* Lunch
* Ueno Park/Shinobazu Pond
* Ameyoko Market.
* Akihabara

Evening

* Dinner

# Day 3 (BACKUP Day trip to view Sakura 4/10)

Morning

* Bus to Kawaguchiko Station
* Stop at Forest Museum for nearby cafe
* Northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko/Nishi river

Afternoon

* Lunch and take bus back to Tokyo
* Akihabara

Evening

* Dinner

# Day 4 (4/11 Tuesday – Odaiba)

Morning

* Tsukiji Outer Market

Afternoon

* Hamarikyu Gardens/Nakajima
* TeamLab Planets reserved time
* DiverCity Plaza

Evening

* Light dinner or Yurikamome across Rainbow Bridge – which comes first depends on sun
* Pokemon Center/Reservation at Pokemon Cafe
* Return home and pack

# Day 5 (4/12 Wednesday – Kyoto Arrival)

Morning

* Shinkansen to Kyoto, eat lunch on train

Afternoon

* Arrive in Kyoto midday
* Choices of Kiyamachi Dori, Nishiki Market, and/or Pontocho

Evening

* Dinner in downtown Kyoto at one of the areas above
* Explore what was left from afternoon (except Nishiki, which will be closed)

# Day 6 (4/13 Thursday – Gion)

Morning

* Breakfast
* Kiyomizu Dera
* Sannenzaka Road

Afternoon

* Lunch
* Tea Ceremony
* Ishibei Koji Lane
* Walk through Maruyama Park north back to hotel
* Rest before dinner

Evening

* Dinner in Gion Shirakawa
* Walk through Gion or go to lights at Kodaiji Temple

# Day 7 (4/14 Friday – Osaka)

Morning

* Breakfast
* Fushimi Inari; hike up to Senbon Torii only, or a little further. Not full hike.
* Take train to Osaka Station
* Arrive in Osaka Station, explore rooftops and upper floors

Afternoon

* Lunch
* Osaka Castle grounds and surrounding park (probably the most skippable as I know people have strong feelings about visiting here, but i think we’re okay with it!)
* Midday Onsen break
* Backup viewing options:
* Shinsaibashisuji
* Amerikamura
* Unfortunately, not a huge fan of aquariums 🙁

Evening

* Dinner and sightseeing in Dotonbori
* Return to Kyoto

# Day 8 (4/15 Saturday – Final Day)

Morning

* Breakfast
* Choice of Chionin/Heian shrine or Kyoto Imperial Palace/Torayo

Afternoon

* Lunch
* Back to hotel; leave to airport

Evening

* Flight out the country

Thanks for your time! Y’all have been a great help!