Hey all, last minute trip for the second week of September, and this would be our second time in Japan focusing on Tokyo. Planning to do things we did not get to do last time. Our first time, I’d say we did most of the big touristy things (Harajuku, Meiji Jingu, Sensoji, Omoide Yokocho, TeamLabs, Akihabara, Ueno Park, etc.) We also did not really focus on cuisine/eating while prioritizing exploring, but this time, we’d like to try the food out more if you have any strong recommendations, thanks!
Day 1
– Land around 6 AM; take train to Ginza to drop off luggage at hotel since too early to check in
– Tsukiji Market to eat some of our favorites from last trip
– Uniqlo to get some “Airism” clothes for the summer heat/humidity?
– Muji Ginza
– Lunch (any recommendations in Ginza?)
– Sunshine City
– Animate Ikebukuro
– Dinner spot?
Day 2
– Early Mt. Takao hike
– Yokohama trip (lunch at Chinatown, explore Minato-Mirai, Moving Gundam Full Version)
– Please let me know if you have any food recommendations around here!
Day 3
– Lunch in Shinjuku (thinking Misono Kobe for the kobe beef/teppanyaki experience or open to any other strong recommendations)
– Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower
– Shibuya Hachiko and Parco – Sushi around here for dinner (KatsuMidori) or maybe go for an omakase experience
– Sensoji at night or Hoppy St?
Days 4-6 (depends on cloudy conditions or not to do a Kawaguchiko/Hakone day trip); if too cloudy, would you say just forget about doing them/not worth it?
– Kawaguchiko day trip consisting of Chureito Pagoda, Oshino Hakkai?, Mt. Fuji panoramic ropeway, cycling around the lake)
– Mt. Nokogiri day trip consisting of Hyakushaku Kannon, Ruriko Observatory, 1500 Rakan, Great Daibutsu, Jigoku Nozoki)
– Kamakura day trip consisting of Komachi-Dori, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Daibutsu Hiking Trail, and Kotoku-In (Great Buddha Statue). Maybe stop by Zaimokuza Beach.
Then go to Enoshima for Benten Nakamise-Dori, Sea Candle (take escalator), Love Bell, and Iwaya Caves
Day 7
– Flight is around 6 PM; probably depart around 3 PM and check out the shops at the terminals for souvenirs and such
– Hoping for one last amazing lunch place around here.
3 comments
Just as a general point location-wise, I’d personally group Ginza/Asakusa onto one day, and Shibuya/Shinjuku/Ikebukuro onto anotherday to shorten transfer times, although this may require some re-ordering of your plans.
I wouldn’t say you have to choose between Sensō-ji and Hoppy Street either – the temple is beautifully eliminated in the evening and obviously far less crowded, but it’s a fairly quick stroll through as all the surrounding shops will be closed, and you can just pop to adjacent Hoppy Street after for some food (if you do end up rearranging your days) or drinks after.
I personally think visiting Mt Takao and Yokohama in one day, although technically possible with the train times and if taking the shorter hiking route, is a bit of a stretch, especially if you’re like me and would want to freshen up at your hotel after a hike in the heat.
A couple of food recommendations from my last trip – Mimatsu for sushi in Asakusa, Sushi no Midori Ginza (absolutely would need booking in advance though as there’s always crazy queues!), Manten Sushi Marunouchi, Nabezō Shibuya Koen Dori (all you can eat hotpot), Tempura Mikaku, Kaedena Kamakura Stone Pot in Hase, and Chinatown Hong Kong Restaurant in Yokohama. Most of these are available to reserve online as well.
The question around weather and visiting Fuji – even on the clearest days, weather conditions can change quickly around Fuji. We did the Hakone Loop on an unbelievable sunny day, caught a full view of Fuji from Owakudani, but by the time we descended to Lake Ashi, the summit was hidden in the clouds. I haven’t visited Kawaguchiko myself, but if you opt for Hakone, I’d still say it’s worth it as there’s plenty to see in the vicinity (and you could obviously wait closer to the time and visit Kamakura on the cloudier day, to increase your chances of seeing Fuji).
Side note: Daibutsu Hiking Trail is one of my favourite short walks in Japan, would really recommend keeping in your itinerary. Enjoy!
Mount Takao and Yokohama on the same day seems really ambitious to me. I think it would be best to group these two to geographically closer areas, on separate days. So much time lost in transfer, I think it’s not worth it to do on the same day!
If you have time in Yokohama, check out the Cup Noodles Museum. It offers history on Cup Noodles and a food court selling different flavor of noodles.
Nearby is the Yokohama Red Brick House which you will find tons of shops and restaurants along the waterfront.
There is also another notable museum dedicated to ramen in Yokohama called Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.