Fiancé and I are visiting Japan for the first time as our honeymoon. Please critique or suggest improvements!
Interests: exploring neighborhoods, unique cultural experiences, shrines, nature, architecture, food and alcohol (izakayas, iconic cocktail bars, distilleries, tastings, etc.), shopping (cool souvenirs, high quality goods unique to Japan, home goods), a bit of anime and otaku culture
Budget: $-$$
**DAY 0 – Thursday – Arrive Tokyo**
* Fly into HND March 28 6:45PM
* Check into hotel, settle in, pass out
**DAY 1 – Friday – Tokyo** `Is this too hectic of a day 1? I’m hoping we timed our flights well so that we won’t be experiencing too much jet lag`
* Harajuku
* KOFFEE MAMEYA
* Takeshita Street
* Walk to Shibuya via Cat Street
* Shibuya
* Parco Department Store
* Don Quijote
* Shibuya Crossing
* Hachiko Statue
* Shimokitazawa – go see a live show or get drinks
**DAY 2 – Saturday – Tokyo** `Should I prioritize Oimoide Yokocho or Golden Gai? Any specific bar recommendations? How packed will Shinjuku Gyoen be on a Saturday in sakura season?`
* Meiji Shrine
* Shinjuku Gyoen
* Shinjuku during evening and night – Oimoide Yokocho and/or Golden Gai
**DAY 3 – Sunday – Tokyo**
* Ginza
* Ginza Kagari for lunch
* Cafe l’Ambre
* MUJI
* Itoya
* Akihabara
* Back to Ginza for dinner (Kyubey?) and maybe cocktails (Bar High Five?)
**DAY 4 – Monday – Tokyo** `Open to suggestions`
* Flex day – do whatever we want, maybe try to take it easy and rest our feet
**DAY 5 – Tuesday – Tokyo**
* Asakusa
* Nakamise Shopping Street
* Senso-ji Temple
* Denpoin Street
* Ueno Park
* Explore Yanaka Ginza area
**DAY 6 – Wednesday – Tokyo** `Open to suggestions. I want to explore chill and trendy neighborhoods that are slightly off the beaten path during this day`
* Nakemeguro
* Onibus Cafe
* Meguro River
* Get brunch and chill in Daikanyama
* Ebisu
**DAY 7 – Thursday – Transfer to Hakone**
* Coffee somewhere nice in Tokyo, check out of hotel
* Travel to Hakone, stay in ryokan. Soak in onsen and have a traditional meal
**DAY 8 – Friday – Transfer to Kyoto** `Is this day too hectic? Is it a bad idea to visit Kiyomizu-dera mid-day?`
* Travel to Hakone, drop off luggage at hotel or somewhere else, check in whenever we’re able
* Kiyomizu-dera
* Walk down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka
* Kodaiji
* Gion
* Pontocho Alley
**DAY 9 – Saturday – Kyoto & Nara**
* Fushimi Inari Taisha super early
* Nara
* Nara Park
* Todaiji
**DAY 10 – Sunday – Osaka**
* Explore, shop at some record stores, eat a lot
* Dotonbori
**DAY 11 – Monday – Kyoto**
* If I’m not shrined out…
* Arashiyama
* Shrine hop (Otagi Nenbutsuju, Gioji Temple, Tenryuji, etc.)
* Bamboo Forest
* Kinkaku-ji
* If I am shrined out…
* Easy day in Kyoto (Nishiki Market, Matsui Sake Brewery) or go back to Osaka
**DAY 12 – Tuesday – Transfer to Tokyo**
* Hit anything we missed in Kyoto in the early morning-afternoon (Philosopher’s Path, etc.)
* Travel to Tokyo, check in hotel, flexible evening (whatever we’re in the mood for. Maybe a nice dinner?)
**DAY 13 – Wednesday – Leave Tokyo**
* Final day in Tokyo to hit anything we missed. Probably do some souvenir shopping
* Fly out of HND 10:55PM
2 comments
Where in Hakone are you staying? Keep in mind that if you’re coming from Gora, you might be looking at 4hrs of travel time.
Depending on when you arrive, it’s entirely doable to see Kiyomizu Dera in the afternoon, just remember that it closes at 6 and it’s probably going to be crowded when you get there. If you get there an hour or two before closing and stay til the end, you’ll likely see things calm down a bit.
You could always move things around and go early morning on day 12, trading that afternoon of day 8 for your more laid back activities.
How important are the cherry blossoms to your itinerary? In the past few years the peak has been in late March and they only last about a week, so you may have to change things up if these are key. For example the reference to Philosophers Path on April 9 – more likely than not it will have few petals and too many leaves by then, in which case what is the point.
> Is it a bad idea to visit Kiyomizu-dera mid-day
Only a good idea if you enjoy crowds. During peak sakura Kiyomizudera would be the very first thing I do on an early wakeup day, aiming be at the temple doors no later than 7am (they open at 6:30) having walked up Sannenzaka / Ninenzaka previously.
> How packed will Shinjuku Gyoen be on a Saturday in sakura season
Extremely. This is one of the most popular spots among locals and foreign tourists alike.
> Is this too hectic of a day 1
It’s fine, but if you are planning to do a lot of shopping (I assume, given the malls) maybe move it to the end of your trip? Reasons:
* Go see cherry blossoms instead (see previous comment about not leaving it too late)
* if you do the big shopping now you will have to carry them all over Japan for the rest of your trip