Hi,
My wife and I are going on our honeymoon to Japan in November. I’ve been a couple times but it is her first trip so we will go through the typical route. Just wanted some suggestions for things to do to make it a memorable trip for her. She has a severe dairy allergy so any restaurant suggestions (vegan, dairy-free or at least places with a good allergen menu!) would be welcomed! Also wanted to make sure that this wasn’t too hectic and a good pace for a trip. We like sightseeing, shopping and food is important too.
Day 1 (Tokyo to Kyoto) – Arrive in Tokyo Haneda around 4-5 pm. We are looking to take the shinkansen from Shinagawa station to Kyoto right away and start our trip there. Has anyone done this or is this an awful idea. What is the best way to get from Haneda to Shinagawa? Are there any vegan/dairy-free options by Haneda or near Shinagawa station? If there is an airplane delay, we will probably just take the earliest train to Kyoto the next morning and crash one night in Tokyo.
Day 2 (Kyoto) – With a big jet lag (from North America), we will look to do Fushimi Inari in the morning, then the Philosopher’s path in the afternoon and have dinner near our hotel at **Tousiro.**
Day 3 (Kyoto) – Kiyomizudera/Southern Higashiyama in the morning, looking to do the Suntory Whiskey Distillery in the afternoon, and dinner at **Hana-Kitcho** in the evening. Maybe stroll around Gion in the late afternoon/after dinner (energy permitted).
Day 4 (Kyoto) – Arashiyama in the morning, Sagano sightseeing train, then Tenryuji cause we booked a lunch at Shigetsu in the temple. Looking to do Kinkakuji in the afternoon then relax in the evening. Maybe see Kodaiji fall illumination at night (close to hotel)
Day 5 (Kyoto to Osaka) – Nothing planned in the morning (maybe go to downtown Kyoto near the station and shop around), travel to Osaka and just explore Dotonbori.
Day 6 (Osaka) – USJ – We like theme parks and chose USJ over Disney as we want to go to Mario World. How do we get tickets + fast pass?
Day 7 (Osaka) – Maybe do the aquarium in the morning, go to Umeda for the afternoon (Hep Five Ferris Wheel) + shopping. Dinner at **Yakiniku M**
Day 8 (Nara Day Trip) – Todai-ji temple, deer park. Nothing else planned (any recommendations?)
Day 9 (Osaka – Hakone) – Staying at Madokano Mori. Going to forward our luggage from Osaka to Tokyo (any recommendations for reliable companies?) Explore Gora, do the cable car and maybe sightseeing ship on the lake. Dinner at the ryokan.
Day 10 (Hakone – Tokyo) – Staying in Shinjuku. Will look to go to Shibuya Sky for the sunset. Shop around there
Day 11 (Tokyo) – Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree area, dinner at **Hitsumbabushi Bincho Tokyo**
Day 12 (Tokyo) – Meijijingu, Harujuku/Roppongi shopping, looking to do an omakase
Day 13 (Tokyo) – Booked a cooking class in the morning. Teamlabs in the afternoon, **T’s Tan tan** for dinner
Day 14 (Tokyo) – Nothing planned (looking for activity recommendations in general)
Day 15 (Tokyo – Home) – Last minute shopping and going back to Haneda to come back
We would love some suggestions for food (dairy allergy friendly/good English allergen menu etc.), activities to do for first timers, some off the beaten track things to do as well and cool activities/tours to do.
Thanks to this sub for helping plan out so much already.