Hi All. Travelling to Tokyo in October for 9 nights and plan to spend 6 nights in Tokyo then head to Osaka/Kyoto for 3 nights before heading back home.
We will be flying into Narita early afternoon of 10/21 and staying in the Ginza area. After the 6th night we plan to take the train to Osaka where we will be staying and travelling to Kyoto 2 of those days. My idea is to stay in Osaka for dinner/night life although most of our day activities will be in Kyoto. Good idea?
Additionally, when we travel we usually try to allocate a couple of hours in the evening to rest a bit before heading to dinner (8pmish) and out that night. Although I know some days that’s not possible. For the most part we adjust our itineraries as we go, but I like to have a good general idea of what we can do each day.
For the days in Kyoto – those days are probably jam packed just because of the small amount of time we have.
Itinerary as follows:
**10/21**
Arrive into Narita around 2:30 PM
Check into hotel in Ginza that late afternoon/evening
Explore a bit of Ginza
Dinner possibly at Birdland or somewhere within the general area
​
**10/22** \- This day might be a little light while we get adjusted to the time and city?
Shibuya Crossing
Hachiko Memorial Statue
Shibuya Center Gai
Mega don Quijote
Nintendo Tokyo Store
Lunch
Asakura House
*Any other Recommendations?*
​
**10/23**
Zozo-Ji Temple
Tokyo Tower
Lunch at Nodaiwa Azabu Likura Honten (If possible)
Mori Art Musuem
Suntory Art Museum
​
**10/24**
Tsukiji Outer Market (Breakfast/snacks)
Team Lab
Manten Sushi Lunch
Explore Shimokitazawa Neighborhood
​
**10/25**
Senso Ji Temple
Asakusa / Nakamise Dori Street
Tokyo Skytree
Lunch
Tokyo National Museum
Akihabara Neighborhood
​
**10/26**
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Takeshita Street
Tokyu Plaza Omotesando
Cat Street
Lunch at Florilege
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Kusama Museum
​
**10/27**
9:00 AM train to Osaka
Check into hotel if possible
Lunch
Explore Osaka
​
**10/28**
Train to Kyoto
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Kinkaku-Ji Temple
Higashiyama Jisho-ji / Ginkakuji
Lunch at Omen?
Philosopher’s Path
Eikan-do Zenrin-ji Temple
Zanzen-ji
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Dinner at Monk
Train back to Osaka around 10pm
​
**10/29**
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Nijo Castle
Nishiki Market Lunch
Pontocho Street
Hanamikoji Street
Gion Area
Yasaka Shrine
Kodai-ji Temple
Ishibe-koji Alley Lane
Ninenzaka Slope
Sanenzaka Slope
Train back to Osaka around 7pm
​
**10/30**
Train from Osaka back to Tokyo at 11:30?
Train from Tokyo to Narita
Fly out of Narita around 5:30 PM
1 comment
I recently did almost this exact trip, with 5 nights in Tokyo (we stayed in Chuo City) and 3 nights in Kyoto, having spent one of the Kyoto days in Osaka.
It sounds like you like to go out, which is great. But one thing you probably already know is that the trains shut down around midnight. The real party is in Shinjuku and it doesn’t start until midnight. It’s likely an expensive cab ride back to Ginaza. Just some food for thought.
Make sure to get to the Bamboo Forest early if you want good pics. Or, a good hack is to go to Tenryuji Temple to get pictures in their less crowded (empty) bamboo forest. These are walking distance from each other.