Been lurking here for a while… And this coming trip is my 2nd time, but my wife’s 1st time. Came down to a super short summary itinerary check and wanted to hear some opinions.
I’ve only been around Tokyo, but haven’t been in the Osaka/Kyoto/Nara area.
– Day 1 – Wed 6.14 (Arrival 5:30 AM)
Get IC card in airport
Get JR Pass
Drop off luggage at hotel and take it easy today.
Train to Musashi-Koyama Shopping Street and see what’s around there.
– Day 2 – Thurs 6.15
Tsukiji Outer Market
Ginza area
Train to Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C.
Pokémon Café @ 2pm
Pokémon Center DX
Back to Ginza area
– Day 3 – Fri 6.16
Hakusan Shrine Hydrangea Festival
Ikebukuro
Sunshine City
Shinjuku (?)
– Day 4 – Sat 6.17
Tokyo Disney Sea
– Day 5 – Sun 6.18
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Harajuku
Shibuya
– Day 6 – Mon 6.19
Sleep in – eat around hotel area
Train to Ghibli Muesum
Ghibli Museum @ 2pm
Eat around the area of Mitaka
– Day 7 – Tues 6.20
Sanrio Puroland
Odaiba
– Day 8 – Wed 6.21
Akihabara
Tokyo Skytree
– Day 9 – Thurs 6.22
Check-out hotel @ 12pm
JR train to Osaka
Check-in Hotel @ 3pm
Chill around the area and taking it easy
– Day 10 – Fri 6.23
JR Train to Kyoto by ~6am
Fushimi-Inari Taisha
Nishiki Market
Shinkyogoku Shopping District
– Day 11 – Sat 6.24
JR Train to Kyoto by ~7am
Bamboo Forest
Kimono Rental
Kimono Forest
*Still looking what to do in this area
– Day 12 – Sun 6.25
Osaka Aquarium
Dotonbori
Shinsaibashisuji
Namba
– Day 13 – Mon 6.26
JR train to Nara
Nara Deer Park
Nakatanidou
Isuien Garden
Yoshikien Garden
– Day 14 – Tues 6.27
Check-out hotel @ 12pm
JR train to Tokyo
Check-in hotel @ 3pm
Chill around the area and taking it easy
– Day 15 – Wed 6.28
Free day, do some last minute shopping/pick-ups
– Day 16 – Thurs 6.29
Free day, do some last minute shopping/pick-ups
– Day 17 – Fri 6.30
Fly back home
4 comments
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I would consider visiting Asakusa at some point – except you’ve been there already and didn’t like it or think your wife wouldn’t like it? I absolutely adored the area and would definitely recommend to every first-timer!
Also if you’d switch your plans for the 24th and the 25th you could check out the market at Kitano Tenmagu Shrine before you head to Arashiyama. It takes place on every 25th of each month. I thought it was pretty cool, we walked from there to Kinkaku-ji and then took the train/bus to Arashiyama.
There is also an evening yukata festival in Himeji on the 24th and 25th, I’ve not been before, but we are going to try to go.
We’re going to the flea market at Kitano Tenmangu. I’m not sure I would say it is near Arashiyama, but it is a fun flea market. We went in 2016 or 2017.
I would switch Tokyo Disney to 6/21 if you can. Why go to a theme park on the week end? All you get are more crowds and it is not as if you are staying on property.
You can download the app now and check out line times in advance, they are considerably longer on week ends than week days. You will also will need the pass if you want to purchase any premier passes.
Don’t miss visiting the temples in Kyoto – the Kinkakuji, Ryo-anji, Nijyo-jo, Sanjyu-sangendo and proceed to Nishiki Market.