Our first trip to Japan, We’re spending about 5 days in Kyoto/Osaka and another 5 days in Tokyo in August. And since our travel dates are during July / August, the theme of the trip is Matsuri! I’ve tried to group most places as close to each other as possible, but the extra time in places would be because we plan on taking lots of photos/videos in Yukatas!
Please check our itinerary for any suggestions (dining or attractions, we really don’t know where to go, and we expect to get lost) , fixable mistakes, and helpful tips. Thank you in advance!
**July 13- July 20 -Ryokan / Kyoto leg**
**July 13**
Land at HND by 3PM, expect to arrive to Asakusa Hotel by 5PM (get passes, mail luggage to Kyoto)
Explore & shop Sensoji/Asakusa/Riverside for the rest of the night
**July 14**
Sleep in or Early Sensoji temple walk/breakfast
10:45AM Shinkansen to Jomogoken Station for Takaragawa Onsen
Relax, enjoy rotenburo and kaiseki dinner
**July 15**
Leave onsen by 9:30AM , Head to Kyoto,estimate arrival to Hotel by 3PM/4PM
Hotel is near Karasuma-Oike station
Yukata Shopping (Harajuku Chicago Kyoto Store)
YoiYama Festival night party
**July 16**
5AM early morning, Dress in Yukata
Arrive to Arashiyama Bamboo forest by 6/7am and explore Tenryu-ji
Kurama Sta. by 12.30/1PM Hike to Kurama-Dera Temple (2 Hrs)
Kawadoko Lunch after 2pm-4pm
Explore or go back to Hotel, refresh for YoiYama festival night
**July 17**
Gion Matsuri Morning (***How early do we need to be to get good views for the 9AM start?)***
Hotel refresh at 12PM (nap)
Fushimi Inari shrine Afternoon (preferably at the lookout by sunset)
Nishiki Market or Pontocho Alley dinner
**July 18 (which one of these shrines is a must for early morning photo ops?)**
6AM gion Street shopping/photo op / Starbucks
Yasaka Shrine complex
Kiyomizudera after lunch
**Night out in kyoto (?) nowhere to go after lunch???**
**July 19**
Nara Morning to Noon
Osaka Afternoon to night
**Suggestions for Osaka would be greatly appreciated**
**July 20**
Lazy morning / Check out
KIX by noon
Off to the Philippines!
**We’ll be back to Tokyo on Aug 4 in time for a Hanabi Matsuri !**
**Aug 4**
Land at HND by noon, Hotel near Ueno Sta. by 1/2pm
Explore Sensoji (if not able to the first time) / Ueno Park area / Free time between 3pm-6pm
Akihabara at night
**Aug 5**
Tsukiji Market or Toyosu Market?
teamLab Planets TOKYOt at 9am
Joypolis / Gundam / Enjoy Odaiba day
Edogawa Hanabi Matsuri – arrive before 5pm – fireworks at 7pm
Dinner?
**Aug 6**
Travel to Nikko
Canyoning and white water raft
Check in at Kinugawa Onsen Hana no Yado Matsuya Ryokan
Onsen
**Aug 7**
Check out
Nikko Tour Waterfall / shrines / Cable car
Travel back to tokyo by noon
Explore Shibuya (Starbucks) / Shinjuku ? Arcades, souvenir shopping?
**Aug 8**
6AM to FujiQ
Back to Shinjuku by 7/8pm
Tokyo night life (kabukicho?) or Hotel?
**Aug 9**
Lazy Early or rushed shopping morning / check out hotel
Airport by noon
Fly back home
\*Affordable but delicious dining suggestions would be appreciated.
Wagyu – yakiniku ayce? Maybe Kobe?
Ramen
Gyukatsu or Tonkatsu
Wagashi souvenir shop?
Mont Blanc / French Patisserie
Fluffy pancake