I’m planning a 14 day trip with my girlfriend and we’re both going to Japan for the first time in September. I’ve planned out the following base itinerary as follows (some I’ve remarked to be removed depending on schedule):
Day 0 (Reaching Tokyo)
\-Reaching Narita Airport in the late evening, overnight stay near the airport
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Day 1 (Daytime: Asakusa, Skytree)
\-Drop off our luggage at hotel near Makuhari Messe
\-Asakusa Sensoji Temple and places around
\-Skytee town
\-Go back to Makuhari Messe hotel
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Day 2 (Daytime: Magical Mirai)
\-Checkout from hotel, attend Magical Mirai Exhibition and Magicial Mirai Concert
\-Travel to Ikebukuro, check in hotel
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Day 3 (Daytime: Shinjuku, Nightime: Ikebukuro)
\-Tokyo Metropolitan Tower
\-TOHO Cinemas Godzilla
\-Kinokuniya and Tsutaya Book Apartments
\-Late Afternoon: Ikebukuro Animate, Mandarake books
\-Nightime: Sunshine City (might be removed depending on schedule on above)
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Day 4 (Daytime: Tsukiji and Ginza, Nightime: Teamlab Planets)
\-Exploring Tsukiji Fish Market in early morning
\-Tokyo Art Aquarium
\-Teamlab Planets
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Day 5 (Daytime: Harajuku, Nightime: Shibuya)
\-Meiji Jingu
\-Marion Crepe at Harajuku
\-Shibuya Parco Pokemon Centre and Nintendo World
\-Nightime at Shibuya Sky
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Day 6 (Yokohama Day Trip)
\-Cup Ramen Museum
\-Gundam Factory
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Day 7 (Hakone)
\-Check out from Ikebukuro hotel
\-Hakone shrine
\-Pirate ship
\-Owakudani
\-Onsen at yuryo (might change to Ryokan with private onsen)
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Day 8 (Kyoto)
\-Check out from Hakone hotel, shinkansen to Kyoto
\-Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka
\-Kiyomizudera Shrine
\-Gion
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Day 9 (Kyoto)
\-Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
\-Togetsukyo Bridge
\-Tenryuji Temple
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Day 10 (Kyoto and Osaka)
\-Travel and explore Fushimi Inari Shrine in the morning
\-Brunch at Nishiki Market
\-Shinkansen to Osaka, reaching Osaka in the afternoon
\-Umeda Sky Building
\-Evening exploring Dotonbori
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Day 11 (Osaka)
\-Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium
\-Tempozan Ferris Wheel
\-Kuromon Market
\-Explore the park near Osaka Castle (might be removed depending on schedule above)
\-Teamlab Botanical Gardens
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Day 12 (Akihabara)
\-Return to Tokyo, to stop at Shiba Park to admire the Tokyo Tower (might be removed depending on schedule)
\-Explore Akihabara for the rest of the day
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Day 13 (Kamakura and Enoshima Day Trip)
\-Komachi Dori
\-Zeniarai Benten Shrine
\-Exploring the beaches of Enoshima
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Day 14 (Tokyo Station and flight back)
\-Spending all day around Tokyo Station to buy souvenirs or tidbits, flying back at 10pm
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Happy to hear some inputs and suggestions, I’m quite concerned if i overplanned some days and also leave some days too empty. Thanks!
4 comments
Great to have options but to be honest 14 days of straight going around places is strenuous. Maybe make an optional free time day, people watch?
Also mid sept there is a holiday called silver week. Most days off are on weekends so maybe not so crowded this year.
I don’t know which Hakone ryokan w/private onsen you are considering, but avoid Hakone Airu at all costs.
There is no direct shinkansen connection between Kyoto station and Osaka station, you would need to change trains at Shin-Osaka. Instead just get onto a rapid/express train which will bring you directly to Osaka station in less than 30m.
If you want to enjoy sunset at Shibuya Sky book your tickets well in advance.
For Nintendo, you likely will need to wait in line to get a ticket to come back to the store later. Plan accordingly as I almost wasn’t able to go due to plans later in the evening.