Hello,
We are a couple in our mid 20s from California and will be traveling to Japan in mid October. This trip is technically our honeymoon. We made this itinerary but would love your inputs to make it more efficient or suggestion for other things to do/see nearby. Thank you for your help!
We are not picky eaters and like trying new food. We are also both Asians & had a lot of East Asian food. We like anime & characters but probably not going spend more than a day on this. I really like Japanese skincare so please recommend! Overall, trying to a bit of balance between super crowded places and more relaxing places. It is our first time so that’s why we are doing a lot of the usual touristy stuffs.
**Day 1 (Sun): Tokyo (Ikebukuro)**
* Arrive at HND (5 AM)
* Check into hotel near Kanda Station & relax until we are hungry
* Go explore Ikebukuro
* Visit some malls & arcades
* Dinner: read that this area has good ramen and Chinese food?
**Day 2 (Mon): Tokyo (Ueno & Shinjuku)**
* Get breakfast at a traditional/old-style cafe in Ueno
* Visit a museum
* Deciding between National Museum of Nature and Science / Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum / Tokyo National Museum
* Ameyoko Shopping District/Market
* Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
* Go shopping in Shinjuku
* Any shop recommendations? looking for everyday wear & Japanese brands that can only be found in Japan
* Shin-okubo & get dinner
* Maybe Kabukicho or Omoide Yokocho if we are not tired
**Day 3 (Tues): Tokyo (Harajuku & Shibuya)**
* Meiji Shrine
* Harajuku & Shibuya
* Visit some specific shops around Harajuku
* Cat Street / Shibuya Crossing / SHIBUYA109 / Shibuya Sky
* Walk around the backstreets of Shibuya
* Dinner: thinking of getting (ayce) yakiniku. Any recommendation?
* Go to Nonbei Yokocho or Yoyogi Milk Hall for some drinks
**Day 4 (Wed): Tokyo (Asakusa)**
* Sensoji
* Get some snacks & desserts on/near Nakamise Street
* Explore some of the side streets & Asakusa Hanayashiki (oldest amusement park in the country?)
* Relax at Sumida Park
* Go walk around Kuramae to visit some cafes/shops
* Go back to Asakusa after the sun set. Dinner/Hoppy Street
**Day 5 (Thu): Tokyo -> Kyoto**
* Go explore Tokyo Station for a couple of hours & get lunch
* Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto around noon
* Check into hotel on Kawaramachi St/Downtown District
* Walk around Kawaramachi & Gion in the evening/night time
**Day 6 (Fri): Uji & Fushimi-inari**
* Walk around to get lunch / snacks / tea
* Nakamura Tokichi Honten Uji Honten / Byodoin Omotesando Street / Tsuen Chaya
* Maybe go to Uji Natural Hot Spring Genji-no-Yu
* Go back to Kyoto & visit Fushimi-inari Taisha in the evening/night time
* Visit Fushimi Sake Village/Sakagura Koji for some dinner/drinks
**Day 7 (Sat): Osaka**
* Osaka Castle (not planning to go inside)
* Get lunch at Kuromon Ichiba Market
* Walk around to shop & get food
* AmerikaMura / Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping St / Dotonbori / Uranamba
**Day 8 (Sun): Nara**
* Visit the usual temples & gardens. Go feed the deer
* Higashimuki Shopping Street & explore Naramachi
* Maybe rooftop bar in Kyoto
**Day 9 (Mon): Kyoto (Arashiyama)**
* Wake up early… mentally prepare for the crowd
* Tenryu-ji (garden only) / Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
* Okochi Sanso Garden / Arashiyama Park Observation Deck (these places don’t seem crowded?)
* Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street (thank you redditor suggestion)
* Maybe Sagano Onsen Tenzan-no-yu
**Day 10 (Tues): Kyoto**
* Go to Nishiki Market for Brunch
* explore the shopping streets (Teramachi & Shinkyogoku)
* Kimono Rental in Gion
* Yasaka-jinja Shrine & Kodai-ji Temple
* Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka
* Not sure what to do on our last night in Kyoto
**Day 11 (Wed): Kyoto -> Tokyo**
* Go explore Kyoto Station for a couple of hours & get lunch
* Take the Shinkansen to Tokyo around noon
* Check into hotel in Akasaka
* Hie Shrine
* Go skincare shopping in Shinjuku
* Grab some dinner & drinks
**Day 12 (Thu): Tokyo (Odaiba & Ginza)**
* TeamLab Planets
* Odaiba or Tsukiji Outer Market
* Maybe we will be tired of food markets after Osaka & Kyoto
* Any other things to do nearby?
* Go shopping in Giza
**Day 13 (Fri): Tokyo (Nakameguro)**
* Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo
* Go cafe hopping & shopping
* Walk along the Meguro River/Sakura Bridge
* Revisit previous stops
**Day 14 (Sat): Go Home**
* Revisit previous stops & last minute shopping
* Go to HND in the afternoon for an evening flight