So I’m planning a solo trip to Tokyo -> Kyoto -> Osaka -> Tokyo, and a few day trips in between. I’m a 24 year old guy & want to experience a lot of different things, from culture to nightlife, anime and food. I have a pretty extensive itinerary going, but I’m a little worried it might be a little too packed & should take more rest days. I have been practicing some Japanese for about a year now. at least enough to get around in convenience stores and stations, maybe hold a simple conversation.
**A few questions I have:**
* Is my itinerary too full of activities?
* I don’t have any breakfasts a part of my hotel stay’s, should I just go to convenience stores for breakfast? or have you found better alternatives?
* For other Solo travellers: How did you make experiencing nightlife fun, is it easy to make friends?
* I want to buy some manga in akihabara as well, is it difficult to find english manga?
**Here is my itinerary:**
**Day 1 (October 4th): Arrive in Tokyo Haneda Airport at 6PM**
* take the train & check into the hotel in Akihabara
* explore the local area.
**Day 2 (October 5th):**
* Visit Sensoji Temple and explore Asakusa area.
**Day 3 (October 6th):**
* Day trip to Nikko to visit the Toshogu Shrine.
**Day 4 (October 7th):**
* Visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum
* Explore the nightlife in Shibuya and Harajuku.
**Day 5 (October 8th):**
* Visit Tsukiji Fish Market in the morning.
* explore Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum in the afternoon.
**Day 6 (October 9th):**
* Take a day trip to Kamakura to visit the Great Buddha and Hasedera Temple.
**Day 7 (October 10th):**
* Explore Akihabara during the day
* visit Shibuya in the evening.
**Day 8 (October 11th):** **Take a train to Kyoto at 12pm**,
* check into the hotel near Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
* Spend the rest of the day exploring the local area and nearby temples.
**Day 9 (October 12th):**
* Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine early in the morning to avoid crowds.
* then explore the Bamboo Forest.
**Day 10 (October 13th):**
* Visit Nijo Castle in the morning
* Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) in the afternoon.
**Day 11 (October 14th):**
* Explore Gion during the day
* Pontocho and Kawaramachi in the evening.
**Day 12 (October 15th):**
* Visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace in the morning
* Visit Kyoto National Museum in the afternoon.
**Day 13 (October 16th): Travel to Osaka by train**
* check into the hotel near Osaka Station.
* Spend the rest of the day exploring the local area.
**Day 14 (October 17th):**
* Visit Osaka Castle in the morning.
* Visit Umeda Sky Building in the afternoon.
**Day 15 (October 18th):**
* Take a day trip to Nara to visit Todaiji Temple and Nara Park.
**Day 16 (October 19th):**
* Visit the Osaka Science Museum during the day
* explore Osaka’s nightlife in Dotonbori and Amerikamura in the evening.
**Day 17 (October 20th):**
* Visit the Osaka Aquarium in the morning.
* Spend the rest of the day exploring Dotonbori and Amerikamura.
**Day 18 (October 21st): Take a train back to Tokyo**
* Checkin hotel near Shibuya station.
* Spend the day shopping in Ginza.
**Day 19 (October 22nd):**
* Day trip to Hakone to see Mt. Fuji.
* relax in a hot spring.
**Day 20 (October 23rd):**
* Visit the teamLab Borderless digital art museum during the day.
**Day 21 (October 24th):**
* Explore Shibuya during the day (maybe also Harajuku?)
**Day 22 (October 25th):**
* Visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens during the day
* Explore Tokyo’s nightlife in Shinjuku in the evening.
**Day 23 (October 26th):**
* Take a day trip to Yokohama to visit the Cup Noodles Museum
* Explore the city.
**Day 24 (October 27th): Depart from Tokyo early in the morning (9AM)**.
Please let me know what you think or if you feel like I’m missing something!
6 comments
Looks good. If you’re going to Yokohama and into anime, visit the Gundam Factory. Konbini is great for all meals not just breakfast if you’re on a budget.
*Is my itinerary too full of activities?*
No, you do not have that much every day. You could easily add stuff or be more detailed on what to do in each neighborhoods.
*I don’t have any breakfasts a part of my hotel stay’s, should I just go to convenience stores for breakfast? or have you found better alternatives?*
Yes, convenience store is a good option, there is some restaurant that could be open early like Yoshinoya and other beef bowl restaurant, or McDonald, but I personally do not eat that much for morning and am ok with convenience store only.
*For other Solo travellers: How did you make experiencing nightlife fun, is it easy to make friends?*
No, it’s not easy to make friends especially if you do not speak Japanese. I an mor really into “nightlife” but I did enjoy going to a couple of craft beer breweries.
*I want to buy some manga in Akihabara as well, is it difficult to find english manga?*
You know that they do not publish manga in English in Japan ? If they do, they will be imported, so likely more expensive than it would be to buy where you are from. So yes, it will be difficult to find manga in English in Japan, you will be much better ordering them online back home or maybe check to buy second hand.
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Edo-Tokyo Museum is close, under renovation.
TeamLab borderless have not yet re-opened, so right now the only option in Tokyo is Planets.
I would suggest to move any heavier shopping days when you return in Tokyo and move the “sightseeing” days at the beginning, this way you do not move all the stuff you purchased all the way to Kansai and back.
Just my opinion, but right off the bat, I wouldn’t do nikko as a day trip. Hiking/waterfalls are beautiful in Okunikko. Take at least two days
many cafes that open early (whats comming to mind is Komeda Coffee) have cheep morning sets that with a purchase of a drink usally less that 600yen, you get a complemantary piece of toast with an egg/yogurt/salad, etc. But these morning specials are usually only until 11ish. nice alternative if you have a little morning time and want to sit somewhere and enjoy people watching
The Edo-Tokyo Museum is closed until 2025 and the Tsukiji Fish Market relocated years ago (the less interesting Tsukiji outer market remains).
Osaka Castle is a concrete postwar reconstruction: do a day trip to Himeji Castle instead.
I know it sucks but you may want to throw in a rest day if your legs or knees aren’t that used to walking a bunch. My 1st week was fine, 2nd week was knee inflammation (still didnt keep me from Akihabara tho). As for english mange, unless someone has mentioned a place, I never saw any in Akihabara but in Shinjuku there is a place which supposedly sells some. I was waiting for it to open but gave up due to the knee pain. Kinokuniya Shinjuku South in Takashimaya is where I went but check this page out and see if you find any of it useful. https://www.kkday.com/en/blog/25872/asia-japan-where-to-buy-english-manga-in-tokyo