Feels like I’ve done a fair bit of research, though sure I’m still missing loads. Wish it could be a longer stay but unfortunately limited with the 12 days. Would appreciate knowing whether itinerary is achievable and worth doing in the time. Also whether you have any additional/alternative recommendations?
Tokyo
Day 1:
Arrive, pick up Pocket WiFi from Narita Airport Terminal 2 JAL ABC Counter
– pick up JR Pass (activate for day 5), train and subway tickets
Travel to hotel in Shinjuku.. arrive around 4/5pmish
Evening:
Have a walk around the Shinjuku, close to hotel, get food.
Night: Japan Kabukicho
Visit Kabukicho, experience the nightlife and entertainment options in the area.
– Drink/snacks in Omoide
Day 2:
Morning: Explore Shinjuku
Start the day by exploring the Shinjuku area. Visit the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for a peaceful start to the day.
Head to the Takashimaya Times Square and Isetan department stores for shopping and to experience the hustle and bustle of the city.
(Potential lunch option)
Have lunch at Ichiran Ramen or Menya Musashi, two of the most popular ramen shops in Shinjuku.
Go to Shibuya.
See the Shibuya Crossing (recommendation for where welcome!) and walk along Sakura Street.
Visit the Shibuya Sky observation deck for a panoramic view of the city.
(Potential lunch option) at Sushi Zanmai?
Late Afternoon: Harajuku – Takeshita Street and Cat Street
Start at Takeshita Street, a vibrant pedestrian shopping street with many quirky shops and boutiques.
Next, head to Cat Street for a more relaxed atmosphere and a chance to see some street art.
– Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
Night: Shinjuku Golden Gai
Day 3:
Morning: Teamlabs
Next head to Tsukiji Fish Market and Nakameguro
Afternoon: Asakusa
Take the train to Asakusa and visit the Senso-ji temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo.
Explore the Nakamise shopping street and try some traditional Japanese snacks.
Early Evening: Tokyo Tower
Visit Tokyo Tower,
Night: open to options?
Day 4:
Morning: Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Take a day trip to the Fuji Shibazakura Festival to see the beautiful pink moss phlox flowers in bloom.
Evening/Night: Akihabara
Take the train to Akihabara, a district known for its electronics shops, anime and manga stores, and video game arcades.
Day 5:
Morning: Nakameguro
see the Meguro River and enjoy the trendy cafes and boutiques in the area.
Afternoon train to Kanazawa
Kanazawa: Day 1:
– Arrive and check into hotel
or
– Omicho Market – fresh food market for lunch
– Higashi Chaya district – old traditional streets/tea houses/geishas – good for pictures.
– dinner
Day 2:
– Kenrokuen – Japanese garden
– Lunch reservation at Tile Restaurant
– Kanazawa castle?
-Nagamachi Samurai District. Explore the narrow streets, traditional houses, and gardens
-Dinner
Day 3:
– JR train from Kanazawa to Kyoto
Day 1 Kyoto:
– arrive 11ish? Grab lunch in downtown Kyoto
– Nishiki Market – traditional food market
– Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine – Head to Senbon Torii. Going up as far as Shin-ike Pond?
– head to hotel
Evening:
– Dinner in downtown
– if still have energy, a walk through Gion? Start from Shijo-Ohashi Bridge.
Day 2: Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Daitoku-ji
7am or earlier
– head on train to Arashiyama bamboo forest. Look out for Kyoto bamboo grove in the Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
– Check out monkey park. Kameyama-koen Park
– Tenryu-ji Temple
– Cross the Togetsu-kyo Bridge
– Rent a boat
Evening:
Dinner and Stroll Downtown – After dinner, consider taking an evening stroll along Pontocho Alley or down the Kiyamachi-dori south of Shijo-dori.
Day 3:
Morning: (early start)
7/11 breakfast or grab something enroute?
– arrive by 830am at Kiyomizu-dera Temple
– 9:30am: Sannen-zaka and Ninnen-zaka, then Maruyama-koen Park
– Shoren-in Temple
Midday:
Train to Nara from Kyoto station.
– Start from Kintetsu Nara Station and walk up Nobori-oji Street.
– Walk or rent a bike from there to Isui-en Garden.
– Todai-ji Temple. Before entering the
– Daibutsu-den Hall to see the Great Buddha
– view (from afar?) Kofuku-ji Temple
– Mochi Pounding at Nakatanidou?
– back to station
Evening
– dinner/chill/look around?
Day 4 (Morning)
– Hokanji Temple area
Or
– Kinkaku-Ji
Or
Straight to Osaka (from Kyoto station)
Osaka: Day 1
Afternoon
– check in to hotel
– Kurmon market
– explore Dotonbori
-Ebisu-bashi Bridge over the Dotonbori Canal
– eat at Gyukatsu Motomura
– find a bar in a Yokocho
Day 2: Morning
– Train to Suma beach from Osaka station
– Train from Suma beach to Motamachi station
– Lunch at Kobe steak restaurant
– Explore Kobe or return to Osaka
Evening:
– Harukas 300 – roof terrace view sunset
– Hozen-ji Yokocho Alley
Day 3:
Morning:
Shinsekai and/or naniwa-ku rooftop gardens and/or Den Den town
Afternoon: around 1-130pm
To airport – Ebisucho Station to KIX (1hr-1hr15 journey time)
Flight is at 550pm
1 comment
Just got back from Tokyo on the 10th of April, staying predominantly in Shibuya. A couple of small thoughts on the Tokyo side!
* Ichiran ramen in Shibuya everyday had a long queue – saw a guy standing outside sometimes with a 45 min wait sign. Shinjuku’s probably a teeny bit quieter than Shibuya but would suggest planning to be there a bit before opening if you don’t want a long wait (or go on the backside of lunch).
* Potential to swap Shibuya/Harajuku around? If you do Shibuya towards the end of the day, you’ll get the crossing at it’s busiest (it’s a spectacle no matter where you are by the crossing, novel to get into the midst of it), and I’d also suggest buying tickets for Shibuya sky to time with sunset/dusk. We went up at about 6pm and it’s just stunning to see the city shift from day to night – Tokyo is spectacular lit up. Definitely book though!
* Sakura street is all green now, Cherry blossoms have moved on, it’s pretty but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it.
* Day 3 night – maybe could look into Roppiongi or Ebisu? Or if you don’t do it on your Harajuku day, Omotesando/Aoyama?