Hi all! This group has been so helpful in my planning of our first trip to Japan! My husband and I (mid-30s) will be visiting in early August for two weeks. I realize the itinerary is a bit packed and there are likely a few things we’ll drop as we start to explore the areas. I’ve added a few notes on the itinerary for questions I have but please let me know if anything seems totally not doable or doesn’t make sense! I’m also very open to other recommendations! We’re not opposed to using taxis when/if needed to make connections easier. We’re from NYC so we’re also used to walking long distances.
**Day 1 -** Arrive in Haneda (2 PM)
Check into hotel in Roppongi, Walk around and then go to dinner in the area
**Day 2 -** Tokyo to Kyoto
Early morning to Tsukiji Market
Check out of the hotel and catch the bullet train from Tokyo Station to Kyoto
Check into Kyoto hotel in the Nakagyo Ward
Dinner and drinks in Higashiyama Ward
**Day 3 -** KyotoArashiyama
\- Taxi up the hill to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
\- Walk downhill to see Adashino Nenbutsu-ji and Jojakko-ji.
\- Bamboo Forest
\- Togetsukyo Bridge
\- Lunch at Arashiyama Yoshimura
Back to Kyoto hotel for a bit to refresh
Walk around Higashiyama
Dinner in Pontocho Alley
Drinks in the area after dinner
**Day 4 -** Kyoto
Fushimi Inari
\- Fushimi Inari Taishi
\- Fushimi Sake District
Lunch in the area and then back to the hotel for a bit
Dinner in Pontocho Alley
Kōdai-ji’ illuminations
Drinks in the area
**Day 5 -** Nara & Osaka
Kyoto to Nara
\- Deer Park
\- Todai-ji
\- Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding
\- Nakatanidou Mochi
\- Lunch before the train(?)
Train to Osaka
\- Cupnoodles Museum
\- Dotonburi
\- Okonomiyaki Kiji
\- Shinsekai
Train back to Kyoto
**Day 6 -** Kyoto
Taxi from hotel to Kinkaku-ji
Lunch at Nishiki Market
Walk around Gion
Dinner near the hotel
Tanabata – Nijo Castle **(is this similar to Kōdai-ji’ illuminations and is it worth doing both?)**
**Day 7 -** Kyoto to Tokyo
Check out of hotel
Train from Kyoto to Tokyo Station
Drop off bags at Tokyo hotel near Tokyo Station
SHIBUYA
\- Lunch
\- Shibuya Crossing
\- Hachiko Statue
\- MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya
\- Make your own kitkats: Miyashita Park Shopping Mall
Back to the hotel to change for dinner
Asakusa Toro Nagashi **(Will this be extremely crowded and/or worth it?)**
Dinner in Asakusa
**Day 8 -** Tokyo
Fukagawa Festival in the morning (walking distance from our hotel, I found a map of the route on a Japanese website)
Tokyo Giants Game (1 PM)
Back to the hotel – dinner at the hotel
**Day 9 -** Tokyo
YOYOGI/HARAJUKU
\- Meiji Shrine
\- Harajuku Ometosando dori
\- Lunch in Harajuku
One act of Kabuki at Kabukiza Theater (2 pm)
Back to the hotel
Shibuya Sky (7pm entry)
Dinner in Shibuya
Explore Shibuya at night
**Day 10 -** Tokyo
Day trip to Kamakura & Enoshima
Explore Shinjuku at night if we’re up for it
**Day 11 -** Tokyo
ASAKUSA
\- Senso-ji Temple
\- Nakamise-dori Street
\- Benitsuru
\- Asakusa Amezaiku Ameshin
Lunch at Ramen Street
Back to hotel
Izakaya Food Tour in Shinjuku
Golden Gai bar crawl
**Day 12 -** Tokyo
Gotokuji Temple
Taxi to Seirinkan for lunch
Free time between lunch and dinner
Dinner at 5 pm in Roppongi
Drinks at Park Hyatt bar
**Day 13 -** Depart Tokyo
2 comments
The Kit-kat factory in Miyashita park has been replaced with a Curious George café. The Kit-kat factory is located in Seibu (department store) in Ikebukuro now. Honestly speaking, it’s not worth the trek to Ikebukuro unless you want to check out Sunshine City mall or the Ikebukuro area.
On day 3, if you’re not able to get a table for lunch at Yoshimura in Arashiyama then I highly recommend Mama Restaurant. It’s across the bridge and a few minutes walk, but it’s worth it. Mama’s restaurant is a Japanese take on Italian food using local seasonal ingredients. Menu is in English and the interior is well designed and spacious. A nice break from the crowd.