Hi everyone, I (25F) want to say how great this subreddit is – so informative. I’m going on my first solo trip and want to get feedback on my itinerary. Open to any recommendations you may have!
***\*Can someone please help confirm…?***
* Regarding JR pass, should I get 7 or 14 days? If I get 7 days, am I good to activate it on Day 5 when I go to Nara?
* Do you think using only a Sucia pass will get me through the first 5 days in Tokyo? For instance, to get from **HND Airport -> Shibuya**, is using a Suica pass sufficient enough?
* Out of curiosity, has there been any issues with getting passes from [https://www.japan-rail-pass.com](https://www.japan-rail-pass.com)?
\—
**Day 1:**
* Landing at **Haneda Airport**
* Check in to hostel
* Go out to get something to eat and wander around
* Eat at Gyukatsu Motomura
**Day 2:**
* Train to **Chuo City** to go to Tsukiji Outer Market in the early AM
* Train ride to **Minato City** to explore the Mori Art Museum
* Train ride **Shibuya** to go to Shibuya Sky for the sunset at 6pm
* Walk around the mall before dinner
* Eat at Ichiran Shibuya for ramen
**Day 3:**
* Train to **Shinjuku** in the early AM
* Quick bites at Ganso Donaiya (takoyaki) + Oiwake Dango (sweets)
* Head to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Meiji Jingu Gaien
* Quick stop at **Uogashi Nihon Ichi Shinjuku Nishiguchi** (standing sushi)
* Q: Need to do something in between before eating again. Any ideas?
* Want to try Udon Shin if still hungry
* Train to **Shibuya**
* Walk to Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park
* Explore Harajuku in the afternoon/evening
* Takeshita Street
* Omotesando
* Omotesando Hills Mall
* Cat Street
* Purikura (Photo Booth)
* mipig cafe harajuku
* Hedgehog Cafe & Pet Store HARRY Harajuku
* Check out Hachikō Memorial Statue
* Stop by Pokemon Center SHIBUYA
* Dinner at Nabezo Shibuya Center Gai for shabu shabu
**Day 4:**
* Train to **Taito City**
* Senso-ji (temple)
* Nakamise-dori Street (shopping/souvenirs)
* Train to **Chiyoda City**
* Eat at Manten Sushi Marunouchi for lunch
* Check out Akihabara and Owl Cafe “Fukurou”
* Rest at Chidorigafuchi (park)
* Walk to Hibiya Park
* Then Tokyo International Forum
* Go to Udon Maruka for dinner
*\*Meeting local relatives/leaving meals up to them to decide\**
**Day 5:** Day trip to Nara
* Check out of hostel + ship luggage to **Osaka**
* Take train to Kyoto to get to **Nara**
* Nara Park
* Nakatanidou mochi pounding show
* Yoshikien Garden
* Head to Osaka after dinner + check into hotel
**Day 6:** Day in Osaka
* Eat at Kuromon Market
* Visit Osaka Castle
* Shopping in Shinsaibashi
* Eat at Dotonbori Street
* Go to teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka
* Get dinner somewhere in Osaka
**Day 7:** Day trip to Kyoto
* Fushimi Inari Taisha
* Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
* Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
* Kiyomizu-dera
* Nishiki Market
* Head back to Osaka + pack
*\*Solo travel again\**
**Day 8:**
* Train to **Chiba**
* Thinking of going to **Edogawa City** for lunch at Spice Ramen Manriki
* Check in to hotel + rest
* Dinner at Tepppanyaki Himorogi
**Day 9:**
* Tokyo DisneySea
**DAY 10:**
* Pack, get one last meal, head to airport
​
Thanks for reading! Appreciate it.
2 comments
You cant do Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama in 1 day, they’re on completely different sides of the city.. and since you’ll be visiting from Osaka it will be even more difficult. I’d say to maybe skip Chiba ?? Also Disney Sea is a half day thing so there’s that too
Hi! Regarding your transport questions.
The Suica / Pasmo cards will get you everywhere you need to go WITHIN the cities. So from Haneda to Shibuya, IC will cover you. You can pick it up from the machines right outside the station at Haneda airport. But be warned… there’ll be a long line of arrivals doing the same thing. So prepare to wait.
And order your JR pass EARLY so it arrives on time… don’t leave it late like me and pay more to get it once you’re in Japan. Or have it delivered to your hotel.
There are some rails within Tokyo you can use the JR on, but IC will get you there too. IC will also come in handy on buses in Osaka and Nara (just watch locals getting on, and see whether they tap on, or tap off instead. It’s usually one or the other, not both).
JR Rail is primarily for the Shinkansen. It activates on the first day you use it. So I think a 7 day should cover this itinerary (happy to be corrected).
Best advice though… ask for help! The officials at all the stations are super friendly, not to mention the locals who saved our clueless asses countless times.
Have fun!!