Hi all,
I am (30 M) solo visiting Japan from the States for my birthday in August. I have a general outline of itinerary, but wanted to have a check on places, activities, and Food. I wanted to get must try food places in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe , I am willing to pay a little extra for delicious food , incredible experiences .
This is my 2nd time solo traveling, but first time going to a country where I dont know the language. I am interested in experiencing Japanese culture, shopping, art/museums, and trying foods of all kinds.
Thank you all in advance for your feedback / input.
Day 1: Travel – 17 hr flight.
Day 2: Arrival @ NRT / Hotel Check in (Minato City)
* Get Pasma Card , WIFI , Sim Card
* Take Skyliner to Hotel
* Grab supplies @ nearby 7-eleven
* grab Dinner nearby ***(Any Recs on places to eat in Minato City?)***
Day 3: North Tokyo & Shibuya
* Nakamise – Dori Street
* Senso-Ji Temple
* Tokyo Sky Tree
* Grab Lunch (Momonjiya / Sometaro) – ***Any Recs on lunch Food ?***
* Tokyo NAtional Museum
* Ueno Park
* Freshen up at Hotel
* Explore Roppongi (Nighttime)
* Visit Shibuya Crossing
* Shibuya Sky
* Grab Dinner at Sushi Saito / Sushi Yu
Day 4: East Tokyo
* Tsukiji Market
* Art Aquarium
* Ginza 6
* Team labs
* Grab Lunch ( ***Any Recs)?***
* Head to hotel to freshen up
* Experience Ginza Nightlife
* ***any recs on things to see, solo friendly bars to go to, dinner options?***
Day 4: West Tokyo
* Meji Jinju Park
* Yoyogi Park
* New Harry Potter world @ 12 pm
* Freshen up at Hotel
* Visit Shinjuku at night time
* **- any recs on things to see, bars to go to, dinner options?**
**Any other things I can squeeze in that are worth seeing?**
**Day 5: Travel to Kyoto**
* Tokyo to Kyoto (3 Hr train Ride)
* Check in around 3pm (Hotel near Kyoto Station )
* Imperial Palace
* Lunch @ menbaka Fire Ramen
* Hokan – Ji
Day 6: Kyoto
* Kiyomizu – Dera Temple
* Sannen-Zaka & Ninnen
* Maruyama Koen Park –
* Chion – In – Temple –
* Shoren Temple
* Travel to downtown Kyoto
* Lunch by Noon
* Nishiki Market
* Daimaru Basement Food Floor
* Take Keihan Line to Fushimi Inari Station
* Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (Orange Posts Shrine)
* Dinner in Downtown Kyoto
* Gion Shimbashi
Day 7 – Kyoto
* Togetsukyo Bridge
* Arashiyama Bamboo Groove
* Tenryuji Temple
* Arashiyama Monkey Park
* Kinkaku-ji golden temple
* Zen Garden
Day 8 – Day Trip to Osaka
* Osaka Bay Area & Kita District
* Osaka Aquarium
* Lunch @ Tempozan Marketplace
* Kita District
* Travel to Osaka Castle
* Osaka Castle Area
* 6 pm – Dinner
​
Day 9 – Day trip to Osaka for Day 2 or Day trip to Kobe (LAST DAY)
* Travel to Minami District
* Explore Minami
* Dotombori Area
* Hozenji Yokocho
* Doguyasuji Arcade
* Den – Den Town
* Eat Dinner in Minami
* Abeno Harkukas 300
Kobe:
* Explore Kitano
* Take Kobe Ropeway
* Wander Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens
* Ikuta Shrine
* Kobe chinatown Nankinmachi
* Kobe Port
* Kobe Harborland
* Eat Kobe Beef
Day 10 – Kyoto to NRT Airport Flight @ 4pm
1 comment
Some of these days look like they have a lot of things; generally I would keep these things in mind, but would not plan to get all of it done.
You’re solo, which gives you a lot of flexibility, but I would plan no more than 3-4 things a day, with some minor exceptions.