Hi everyone!
My husband and I are headed to Japan for our honeymoon in late October. We’ll be there roughly 3 weeks. We are foodies, and love unique experiences! I want to see it all, but also want to be conscious of my partner – I tend to have a lot more steam and don’t want to burn him out.
Could you take a look at my itinerary and tell me if it looks too packed or if it’s missing anything? I’m also debating doing one more day in Kyoto, and one less day in Osaka.
Im still plugging in some restaurants and cafes I want to visit, but I’m open to suggestions!
Oct 28 -Tokyo – Land at Narita in the afternoon. Settle into hotel and find dinner. (sushi!!!!)
Oct 29 – Tokyo – First full day! Starbucks reserve, Mario Kart Tokyo Bay (?) & shop for halloween costumes (any ideas where??). Shibuya Sky & Coco Curry House
Oct 30 -Tokyo – Disney Sea
Oct 31 – Tokyo – Harajuku, Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Senso-Ji Shrine & Nakamise-dori market. Halloween Celebrations in Shibuya or Rappongi?!
Nov 1 -Tokyo – Meiji Jingu, Akihabara, Tokyo Sky Tree
Nov 2 -Tokyo – Travel to Kyoto, Ramen Making Class
Nov 3 – Kyoto – Arashiyama – Sagano Romantic Train to Kameoka Station. Cruise on Hzugawa River. Hogon-in Temple & Garden. Walk to Iwatayama Monkey Park. Bamboo Grove.
Nov 4 – Kyoto – Kinkaku-ji, Tea Ceremony
Nov 5 – Kyoto – Climb Fushimi Inari, Toji Temple, Nishiki Market
Nov 6 -Kyoto – Samurai Experience, Explore
Nov 7 – Kyoto – Kiyomiza Dera Temple, Head to Osaka
Nov 8 – Osaka – Dotonburi & Rose Garden Park
Nov 9 – Osaka – Nara Deer Park
Nov 10 – Osaka – Osaka Castle & Osaka Castle Park
Nov 11 – Osaka – Yasaka Shrine, Kuromon Ichiba Market (TBD if we need this extra day!)
Nov 12 – Hakone – Take it easy. We’ll be tired by this point – so a stay at a Ryokan with a private Onsen sounds good.
Nov 13 – Hakone – Slow Morning.Travel back to Tokyo.
Nov 14 – Tokyo – Asakusa – Kaninarimon, Nakamise Dori, Pagoda, Sensoji Kappabashi Street
Nov 15 – Tokyo – Leaving it open! Don Quijote probably for some souvenir shopping.
Nov 16 – Tokyo – Fly Home!
Thank you so much!
10 comments
Might make more sense to do Meiji on Oct 31 since it’s right next to Harajuku. You could swap it with Senso-Ji/Nakamise Dori because they’re not too far away from Tokyo sky tree. Just a thought!
Only 2 comments – Halloween is NUTS in Japan, so just be aware of that. I now avoid spending Halloween there.
Nov 3 might be a little packed? The hike up around the monkey park is not a cake walk. So not sure if you might want to slow down a bit that day.
Hope you enjoy the honeymoon!!!
Senso-ji is on the other side of the city compared to Harajuku and Meiji-jingu is on the other side of the city compared to Akihabara, would make much more sense to switch theses two. Also why do you have senso-ji on Nov. 14 too… and SkyTree is next to Asakusa so you could do that on the same day.
Nara you have to check Todai-ji.
nov 8 and 10 can probably be consolidated.
I always suggest people rethink doing the mario kart, they get in peoples way so much, they’re disruptive, and dangerous as well. A lot of locals hateeee them.
>Ramen Making Class
Generally not a big fan of cooking classes while traveling (you usually can’t get the same ingredients and tools in your country of origin), and I can’t imagine a ramen class being useful, as ramen usually includes noodles you wont be able to make at home and a broth that simmers for a *long, long* time among other things that make it hard to cook it (well) at home — hence why the industry of instant ramen and ramen shops exist.
Oct 31 and Nov 14 are a bit redundant. You have Nakamise Dori on there twice (Its always very crowded with tourist personally not somewhere you would need to see twice). If you’re going to Asakusa/Sensoji I would lump Skytree with that day instead since they’re in close proximity to each other. So would personally swap Meiji Jingu into your Harajuku day as they’re are right next to each other. As others have stated, Halloween is crazy so bare that in mind and dont overload the itinerary that day
If you get up to Kita ward/Tenjinbashi in Osaka, near the Japan mint, there is a killer ramen shop that specializes in garlic tonkotsu ramen. You will smell so bad/good but it is worth it. [https://goo.gl/maps/asqh83xVj7cSXj897](https://goo.gl/maps/asqh83xVj7cSXj897)
If you find yourself with time in Tokyo, consider taking the water bus from Asakusa to Odaiba. Odaiba is where TeamLab Planets is, the thing you always see on Instagram. But also the Unko (poop) Museum, which just looks like the most wacky thing on the planet, and the Unicorn Gundam Statue. Good views of Tokyo and the Rainbow bridge.
There is this great [Report](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/141hvlq/trip_report_may_930_tokyo_osaka_kyoto_tokyo_food/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1) which includes many different food / drink options in Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka
I would recommend reading it, you may find some inspiration