Hi everyone,
Long time lurker, first time poster. Looking to get any additional advice from this sub about my trip to Japan coming up real soon! I’ll be flying into Japan after spending a week in Seoul. This trip is broken up in a weird way, because my wife will be with me for the first half of the trip in Japan, then, unfortunately, she will have to return home to Canada, while I spend an extra week in Japan from September 10-17.
The solo section is a little bit more loose, (I used to be a big gamer/anime fan, so I am allowing myself to be a kid again while my wife is away! lol.) so I’m always looking for more ideas.
What I feel like I’m lacking is making sure my wife and I are able to try all types of elite Japanese food, so I’m always looking for restaurant suggestions, from small places to popular ones. Since our itinerary does feel packed, I don’t want to stand in lines to often, but if the place is truly worth it, we will probably do that two or three times for special places to eat.
Thanks for any help!
**September 2 – Seoul to Tokyo to Osaka**
Seoul — Tokyo
7:05 AM – 9:35 AM
Narita International Airport (NRT) — Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station — Osaka Station (JR Line)
Check into Hotel (in Osaka)
Namba Yasaka Jinja
Dotonbori
Shinsaibashisuji
**September 3 – Osaka**
Osaka Castle
Shinsekai
**Optional:**
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Tempozan Market Place
**Restaurants we will try to eat at if timing allows:**
Okonomiyaki Mizuno
大阪焼肉 焼肉Lab 難波店
**September 4 – Osaka**
Universal Studios Japan (full day)
Dotonbori (late night snacking)
**September 5 – Kyoto**
Leave Hotel for JR early morning to Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Kiyomizu-dera
Nishiki Market
Kichi Kichi Omurice (Still waiting for the 4 week period for reservations to open up)
Pontocho
**September 6 – Kyoto-Osaka-Tokyo**
Return to Kyoto via JR in morning
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Tenryu-ji
Return to Osaka
Osaka-Jo Hall (LE SSERAFIM Concert), super unfortunate, as I think I have a hard stop at leaving the venue at 8pm, as we have to catch the last bullet train to return to Tokyo, which I believe is 9:21pm.
**Restaurants we will try to eat at if timing allows:**
Kijurou
**September 7 – Tokyo**
Check-in Hotel in evening
**Morning**
Omoide Yokochō
Mostly free day to decompress from heavy schedule, recommendations welcome
**Optional:**
Koto Kimono Rental
**Places to eat: Possible lines**
Ramen Nagi – Shinjuku Golden-gai Honkan
Fūunji
**September 8 – Tokyo**
Meiji Jingu
Miyashita Park
＠cosme TOKYO
Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
Harajuku Mame Shiba Cafe
Shibuya 109
Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo
Gyukatsu Motomura Harajuku – mandatory eat spot
Shibuya Sky
Shinjuku Golden Gai
**Snacking:**
Higuma Doughnuts
**September 8 – Tokyo**
teamLab Planets TOKYO
Tsukiji Outer Market
Uniqlo Ginza
Don Quijote Ginza Honkan
Togoshi Ginza Shopping Street
Yoyogi Park
Omotesando Hills
渋谷WOMBLOUNGE (Any club, nightlife activity, to be honest)
**Snacking and free activity:**
Kakigori Ryan
KUDOCHI sauna 六本木店
**September 9 – Tokyo**
Sensō-ji
Pokémon Café (waiting for reservations to open up for date, tips welcome!)
Hanazono Shrine
Nakamise-dori Street
**September 10 – Tokyo-Kyoto – SOLO TRIP BEGINS**
Wife Leaves
Return to Kyoto – check in, eat anywhere and rest
**Monday, September 11th – Nagoya**
Ghibli Park
Nagoya Castle
Furaibo Nishiki Gofuku-dori
Osu Shopping District
Pokémon Center Nagoya
**Tuesday, September 12th – Nara**
Higashimuki Shopping Street
Nara Park
Nakatanidou
Tōdai-ji
**Wednesday, September 13th – Osaka-Kyoto**
Nipponbashi Denden Town
Shibuya Center-Gai
Kita Ward
Gion
Mostly empty, not sure what to do solo that I didn’t do with my wife
**September 14 – Tokyo**
Tokyo Leisureland
Mandarake Shibuya
DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
Animate Akihabara
ODAIBA Gamers
Tokyo Joypolis
Nintendo Tokyo
**Friday, September 15th**
Kabukicho Tower
Shinjuku Batting Center
VR ZONE SHINJUKU
Omoide Yokochō
TAITO Station Shibuya
**September 16 – Tokyo**
Free day to roam (suggestions welcome!)
**September 17 – Tokyo to Canada**