Hi there,
I am planning a 42-day trip around Japan during Jan-Feb 2024. However, I would like to focus on the itinerary around the Tokyo area & Kamakura City.
Duration in Tokyo: 11 Jan 2024 → 16 Jan 2024
Accommodation will be based in **Minato-ku**.
Points of Interests *(POIs)*:
* ***Taito-ku (3)***
* Ueno
* \[Visit\] Ueno Park
* Asakusa
* \[Visit\] Senso-ji Temple
* \[Visit\] Nakamise Dori
* ***Bunkyo-ku (2)***
* \[Visit\] Nezu Shrine
* \[Visit\] Koishikawa Korakuen Garden → *Is this worth visiting during Winter?*
* ***Chuo-ku (5)***
* Ginza
* \[Visit\] Sukiyabashi Crossing
* \[Visit\] Ginza Shopping District
* Nihonbashi
* \[Visit\] Nihonbashi Bridge – *(Official center of Japan, zero marker point for all main roads since Edo Period, and end/start of Nakasendo Trail)*
* Tsujiki
* \[Visit\] Tsukiji Outer Market
* Shiodome
* \[Visit\] ~~Hama-Rikyu Gardens~~ → *Is this worth visiting during Winter?*
* ***Koto-ku (1)***
* Toyosu
* \[Visit\] Toyosu Wholesale Fish Market – *(Daily auction from 5:00AM – 6:30AM)*
* ***Chiyoda-ku (3)***
* Akihabara
* \[Visit\] Kanda Myojin Shrine
* \[Visit\] Imperial Palace
* \[Visit\] Hie Shrine
* ***Minato-ku (4)***
* Omotesandō
* \[Visit\] Street along Omotesandō Hills
* Akasaka
* \[Visit\] Noji-jinja Shrine
* \[Visit\] Akasaka-Hikawa Shrine
* Azabudai
* \[Visit\] Azabudai Hills
* ***Shinjuku-ku (4)***
* Kabukichō
* \[Visit\] Shinjuku Batting Center
* \[Wander\] Kabukichō – *(Starting from the Large Neon Red Torii Gate)*
* Nishi-Shinjuku
* \[Visit\] Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building – *(Free observation from top floor)*
* \[Wander\] Omoide Yokocho
* ***Shibuya-ku (3)***
* Ebisu
* \[Visit\] Yebisu Garden Place Tower
* Yoyogi
* \[Visit\] Meiji-Jinju Shrine
* Shibuya
* \[Visit\] Shibuya Scramble Crossing
* **Kanagawa Prefecture – (1 Entire Day)**
* Kamakura City
* \[Visit\] Daibutsu
* \[Visit\] Hasedera Temple
* \[Visit\] Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
* \[Visit\] Engakuji Temple
* \[Visit\] Hokojuki Temple + Bamboo Forest
* \[Visit\] Jomyoji Temple
* \[Visit\] Zeniarai Benten Shrine
* \[Walk\] Kuzuharaoka-Daibutsu Hiking Trail
* Fujisawa City
* \[Visit\] Enoshima Island
This is what I was thinking of doing each day.
* Day 1 (Rest)
* Arrive Japan either at 6:20AM or 3:30PM *(Undecided on flight plan yet)*
* Settle into accommodation
* *(Optional)* Explore area around accommodation
* Rest-up for the day
* Day 2 (Cultural)
* Visit POIs in Minato-Ku + Hie Shrine & Imperial Palace *(from Chiyoda-ku)*
* Day 3 (Cultural)
* Visit POIs in Taito-ku & Bunkyo-ku + Kanda-Kyojin Shrine *(from Chiyoda-ku)*
* Day 4 (Modern)
* Visit POIs in Shinjuku-ku & Shibuya-ku
* Day 5 (Cultural)
* Visit POIs in Kanagawa Prefecture
* Day 6 (Mix) – Last day in Tokyo
* Visit POIs in Koto-ku & Chuo-ku
* Waking up early for the Tuna Auction
Day 7 will be the start of the “Nakasendo Trail” section of the 42-day trip – *(to be discussed in a future post).*
As can be seen in the POIs, I am more of a cultural/historical/nature person. I am travelling with someone who is more into electronics and modern architecture. However, we are completely fine with either options.
1. Would it be too rushed?
2. If not too rushed, what would be the other POIs you recommend?
Places to eat:
* Fuunji (Shibuya-ku)
* Motenashi Kuroki (Chiyoda-ku)
* Izuei Umekawa-tei *OR* Unagi Obana (Taito-ku) – I love Unagi.
* Tsukiji Outer Market (Chuo-ku)
Additionally, what other places are must-eats in Tokyo?
* Breakfast will be somewhere near where we stay. Definitely trying out 7-11.
* Lunch & Dinner are based on when and where the areas we are currently exploring in.
Thank you!