Itinerary Check: 12 days in August – Tokyo, Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka

**Background:**

My family will be travelling to Japan for the first time in August and we are painfully aware that August is less than ideal for travelling in Japan but we’ve decided to push through as is! Any feedback is appreciated!!

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**Day 1: Tokyo**

* Land in NRT in afternoon
* Head to hotel in Tokyo
* Explore neighborhood (evening)

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**Day 2: Tokyo to Kobe**

* Shinkansen to Kobe\*
* arrive in afternoon
* Spend time with family
* Walk around neighborhood
* Possibly Suma Beach (evening)

\*Note: Kobe will be our home base for days 2-5 as we will be staying with extended family in Kobe\*

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**Day 3: Kobe**

* Herb Gardens (morning)
* Chinatown
* Kobe Harbor (evening)

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**Day 4: Kobe**

* Flexible Day:
* Rest day
* Any we missed from Day 2/3
* possible day trip to Osaka Aquarium
* Spend time with family

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**Day 5: Day trip to Kyoto**

* Fushimi Inari (early morning)
* Nishiki Market
* Walk around Gion district
* Kiyomizu dera
* Return to Kobe

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**Day 6: Kobe to Osaka**

* Shinkansen to Osaka
* Kuromon Ichiba Market
* Explore Shinsaibashisuji
* Extra time: Explore Umeda
* Explore Shinsekai + Dotonbori at evening/ night

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**Day 7: Osaka**

* USJ (tickets booked)

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**Day 8: Osaka to Tokyo**

* Shinkansen to Tokyo
* Check into hotel (afternoon)
* Explore around neighborhood (Ikebukuro)
* OR whatever we have energy for
* Sunshine City
* Meiji Shrine/ Yoyogi Park (before evening?)
* Tokyo Government Building (?)

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**Day 9: Tokyo**

* Explore Shibuya
* Hachiko, Shibuya crossing, Shibuya 109
* Explore Harajuku
* Meiji Shrine/ Yoyogi Park if skipped the day before
* Roppongi Hills Mori Tower City view (sunset)

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**Day 10: Tokyo**

* Sensoji
* Nakamise-dori Street
* Explore/ shopping Asakusa
* Harajuku Super Yosakoi (?)
* Anything we missed in previous days

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**Day 11: Tokyo**

* Tsujiki Market
* TeamLabs (booked; morning)
* Explore/ shopping at Ginza (afternoon)
* Explore Odaiba
* AquaCity/ Beach park/ see rainbow bridge

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**Day 12: Tokyo**

* Last minute souvenir shopping
* Sunshine City, Tokyo Station
* Head to airport in afternoon for evening flight

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**Questions:**

* Are my plans too flexible/ sparse?
* I currently do not have any restaurants in mind other than Ichiran Ramen and Gyukatsu motomura. Are there any must try restaurants/ suggestions?
* How competitive are Roppongi Hills Mori Tower City view tickets on site (specifically for evening slots)? I’m not sure if I should purchase them online in advance or the day of (on-site) for more bad weather flexibility.

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**Notes:**

* Will be skipping: Arashiyama Bamboo groove/monkey park, Nara day trip, Osaka castle