Hi all,
I am a big fan of this sub and always found it a great place to find tips and advice .
Me and gf (in early 30s) are planning a trip in mid-may this year , and would appreciate any advice on our itinerary.
This is our first time in Japan .
Using ubigi esims.
Suica cards on Apple wallets.
Using klook for reservations team lab, shibuya scramble etc.
Not using Japan rail pass – didn’t work out to be saving money for us using the JR calculator.
I’ve done my best to group sightseeing by areas . And under each area there a few things we may or may not be able to see depending on circumstances / how we feel.
I accept that probably things won’t always go to plan and we won’t see everything we want 🙂
Day 1 – arrive in Tokyo , staying near Tokyo train station
– taking it easy
Morning / afternoon :
– around Tokyo station area /imperial palace gardens
– Ginza / art aquarium museum
Evening (if we aren’t too tired )
– dinner at odaiba and look at rainbow bridge
– team lab planets
Day 2 (north Tokyo)
– Senso Ji Temple / Nakamise street
– Ueno Park / walk around Ueno
– Riguki En garden
Day 3 (West Tokyo)
-Shinjuku : shinjuku national garden
-Harajuku :Meiji jingu, yoyogi park , takeshita Dorita street .
-Shibuya : Shibuya scramble square to catch sunset
Day 4 (transfer to south Kyoto)
-Morning Shinkansen to Kyoto – staying near Kyoto train station .
-Fushimi inari shrine
-Tofuku Ji temple (if we aren’t too tired )
Day 5 (north / central Kyoto):
-Kinkakuji golden pavilion
– Kyoto imperial palace
– Nijo castle
– Nishiki market / pontocho street
Day 6 (west Kyoto/ arashiyama)
– Togetsu Kyo Bridge
– Tenryu Ji temple
– Arashiyama bamboo forest
– adashino nebutsuji temple
– Sagano scenic train
Day 7 (Gion / Hirashiyama ):
Nanzenji Temple
Keage incline
Kodak-Ji temple
Kiyomizu dera temple
Day 8 (transfer to Osaka ):
Morning transfer to Osaka (staying near Osaka castle area )
Osaka castle
Dotonbori
Day 9 ( USJ)
Whole day at universal studios Japan
Day 10 (Nara)
Whole day trip to Nara – Nara park , Todai Ji Temple )
Day 11 (downtown/central Osaka)
Shinsekai neighbourhood
Testenkaku tower
Kuromon market
Hi zen Ji temple
Dotonbori
Day 12 ( transfer to hakone )
Transfer from Osaka to odawara .
Luggage has been transferred to Tokyo via courier service.
Shuttle bus from odawara to ryokan by lake aishi
Stay in ryokan and relax .
Day 13 (hakone )
Pirate ship to south of lake aishi/motohakone port.
Walk around shore to Hakone shrine .
Bus back to odawara .
Train back to Tokyo.
Day 14 (Tokyo)
Staying at Tokyo shiodome.
Free day / souvenir shopping.
Flying back in evening.
Questions :
1. Anyone recommendations for good cafes /dessert places in tokyo/kyoto/Osaka?
2. For people who have not bough a JR pass – did you buy tickets for shinkansen the day before each train ride? Or can you buy and reserve tickets in advance online?
3. Is this itienary doable? Or are there some days too rushed? Anything you would change – ideally we aren’t planning going at a breakneck /rapid pace.
Many thanks
6 comments
Looks good, your Tokyo Day 3 is quite packed as they’re big areas and Shinjuku is fun to see at night – we had fun at Golden Gai particularly.
We really liked Kyoto, very cycle friendly which helped us see everything. Favourite areas were around Gion / Pontocho / Tatsumi Bashi, down to Dera for sunset.
Arashiyama – I wouldn’t skip the money park personally. Also for the scenic train it’s probably similar to the one you’ll be doing in Hakone to Gora. (actaully just saw you’re not doing that so nevermind)
Nara took us a whole day at a leisurely pace.
Hakone could add a walk down the old road to Amazake Tea House after the temple (get to the shrine early) then bus back to the boat and the checkpoint. If the visibility is Ok consider the ropeway up to Mt Hakone after the shrine. The volcanic black egg area on the ropeway to Gora was cool.
We have similar itinerary and planning on getting the JR pass. How come you think you don’t need it?
To answer question 2: we prebooked all of our Shinkansen trips on Smart Ex (official website). I was nervous with is being Sakura season and us having oversized luggage. I did this about a month or so in advance.
Not saying it needs to be done this way at all. I just did it for my peace of mind
Keep in mind that with the virtual suica card, you cannot get the balance in cash. At least, that’s what was told to me.
If you have some Â¥ left over, you won’t be able to cash them out
Highly recommended staying near Kyoto-Kawaramachi/ Gion-Shijo station. This way you’ll have easy access to the trains subways and buses and Nishiki market and even Gion is walking distance and there’s heaps of department stores and food options nearby.
We bought Shinkansen tickets from Tokyo station the day before so we are guaranteed a seat (paid extra for the reserved seat) as we traveled during the recent sakura season.
Just got back from Japan. Had Suica in apple wallet. Can only be reloaded with a Mastercard or Amex. No visa. Just a heads up!
Also, no need to pull up the card in your wallet. You can simply tap you phone (while it’s locked) and it works. Very easy! Didn’t realize this until I saw someone else who did it.