Hey everyone, I’m visiting Japan for the first time this Fall with my former college roommate. I haven’t figured the exact day to day flows but I do have my landmarks, attractions and top food spots collected. Recently, some friends visited Japan and relayed their experience so hopefully I’m not missing out much. I am a big foodie/ramen head and I typically hit up 4x-6x food spots per day on vacation (food vacuum). I have been warned that this will likely be impossible. As a result, I have pulled back to going for 1 food spot per day either lining up or reservation and going for 1 major tourist attraction. The rest of the day will be free flowing.
DAY 1 – Arriving Saturday in Ginza
* Arrive ~4pm at NRT. Shinkasen to Ginza, Tokyo ~5-6pm and check in.
* Random dinner or maybe we’ll do a sandwich comparison between 7/11, Fami and Lawson.
DAY 2 / 3 – not quite sure on the order
* Landmarks: Tsukiji Fish Market, Imperial Palace
* Food: Ginza Hachigou (will line up in the morning), Manten Sushi at Tokyo Station (reservation for value omakase)
* I was thinking of lining up Ginza Hachigou in the morning and then doing Imperial Palace + Edo for the afternoon. The other day would be Tsukiji Outer Market in the morning and free flowing after that. Manten Sushi can happen on any of these days.
DAY 4: 1 Nighter in Hakone
* Forward Luggage to Kyoto hotel.
* I’m just going to follow one of these itineraries: [TokyoCheapo](https://tokyocheapo.com/travel/holidays/hakone-day-trip-guide/) or a combo of the [HakoneNavi](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/course/244) and [HakoneNavi2](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/course/1237)
* Still hotel searching but Hotel Green Plaza might fit the bill. I am looking for a Fuji view and Onsen if you have any recommendations.
DAY 5 – Depart for Kyoto
* Any remaining Hakone things but likely we will just depart for Kyoto asap via Shinkasen.
* I’m activating my 7 day J Rail pass.
DAY 6 / Day 7 – Kyoto Landmarks
* Landmarks: Fushimi Inari Morning Hike + Kiyomizu-dera/Sanneizaka Afternoon, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove + Togetsukyo Bridge (I can maybe do this on Day 5 if we get to Kyoto early enough).
* Food: Yamamoto Menzou, Ginjo Ramen Kubota
* I welcome any food recommendations for Kyoto. I operate on an open mind, open stomach principle.
Day 8 – Himeji Day Trip
* Tour the castle and come back to Kyoto basically
* Is it possible to do the castle in the morning and then Nara Park (and close landmarks) in the afternoon?
Day 9 / 10 – Osaka Day Trips
* Landmarks: Super Nintendo World + Universal Studio, Osaka Castle + Dotonbori + Kuromon Market.
* Is there any time for Umeda Sky Building/Observatory? What about Abeno Harukas?
* I did want to go bargain hunting at a Tamade supermarket.
* Food: Gyukatsu Motomura, lots of Dotonbori spots so far
DAY 11 – Return to Tokyo (Shibuya)
* Forward our luggage to Shibuya hotel. Last day of 7 Day Rail Pass.
* I was originally considering a day trip to Nara and then returning to Tokyo.
DAY 12 / 13 / 14 – Shibuya
* Landmarks: Harajuku, Shibuya sky, Nonbei Yokocho, mostly shopping
* Food: Random assortment of stuff, Higuma Doughnuts
* Shinjuka, Ueno/Akihabara at some point and a bunch of souvenir shopping
My key questions:
* Is Himeji + Nara doable or should I just do Nara park? This could mean returning to Tokyo on my second Osaka night.
* The last 5 days are still TBD. I would like to see the Shinjuku National Gardens, Ueno/Akihabara also the Ghibli museum.
* Sosakumenkobo NAKIRYU and Soba House Konjiki-Hototogisu are the other 2 ramen spots on the top of the list. Can I somehow fit these in? I have gathered a decent list of ramen spots from Tabelog, Youtube and IG Ramen reviews but please feel free to recommend any other specific cuisine/restaurants.
2 comments
You definitely do not need 4 full days for just Shibuya
You’re taking the Shinkansen from NRT? Wow, how do I sign up for that? 🙂
All joking aside, with the amount of insanely good places to eat, why would you settle for a convenience store sandwich on that first night?