Itinerary check: Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto/Osaka

Hi! My partner and I are planning our first visit to Japan in early December 2023 for 9 days (11-20 Dec). I have been following this subreddit for a while to gather information for planning. I have tried to create a relaxed and localized itinerary, focusing on specific areas each day. I have a couple of questions that I have asked here and inline in the itinerary:

– I have Google Fi enabled phone, and based on other posts, it seems that it should provide sufficient internet coverage in major areas. However, I’m not sure about Hakone. Can anyone provide information on internet coverage in Hakone?
– If I buy a JR Pass, I plan to use it for travel from Hakone (Odawara) → Kyoto → Osaka → Kyoto → Tokyo → Narita Airport. It seems like the pass should be valid for most of these routes, but I’ve read that it gets inconvenient for travel between Kyoto and Osaka-Namba, as it doesn’t work on the main local train. However, for the other parts of the trip, it seems like a convenient option to not have to buy individual tickets. I can buy the pass at the current prices before October 2023. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether I should get the JR Pass?
– Considering the itinerary, is the JR Green Pass worth it? It seems like it will only be used for travel between Odawara-Kyoto and Kyoto-Tokyo.

### Day 1 – Arrive in Tokyo

– 7:00 AM – Arrive at Haneda Tokyo
– 10:00 AM – Complete immigration, pick up 7-day JR rail pass, and leave the airport using the limousine bus. Since we’ll have at least 3 suitcases, the limousine bus seems to be the most convenient option.
– 11:00 AM – Drop off bags at Andaz Toranomon Hills. If available, we might be able to do an early check-in. This is our first time using Hyatt points 🙂
– **The bus service might be suspended. I’ll check with the hotel. Do you have any other suggestions for transport to this hotel other than a private taxi?**
– 12:00 PM-3:00 PM – Grab lunch and maybe explore the Ginza area a little bit. However, we don’t have to push ourselves on the first day, especially if early check-in doesn’t happen.
– 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Check-in and relax at the hotel.
– 5:30 PM: Sushi dinner, trying to get Jiro at Roppongi.
– 7:00 PM: Explore Roppongi and enjoy the Christmas lights.
– 8:00 PM: Visit the Tokyo Tower sky deck.
– **Is it reasonable to do this late in the evening, considering that things close early in December?**

### Day 2 – Tokyo Ginza

– 9:00 AM – Visit teamLab planets.
– 12:00 PM – Explore Tsukiji Outer Market and consider taking a food tour.
– 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Go shopping in Ginza
– Mitsukoshi
– Matsuya
– Itoya
– Jump Shop
– **Are there any other must-see places in Ginza?**
– 7:30 PM – Have dinner in Ginza – Inchiran

### Day 3 – Tokyo Shibuya/Shinjuku

I have allocated the next 2 days for exploring Shibuya and Shinjuku, so the itinerary is flexible between these two areas.

– 9:00 AM – Visit Shibuya crossing.
– 10:00 AM – Explore Shibuya Sky.
– 11:00 AM – Go shopping at Isetan, Mugiwara store
– 4:00 PM – Visit Omoide Yokocho/Izakaya Alley.

### Day 4 – Tokyo Shibuya/Shinjuku

– 9:00 AM – Yoyogi Park
– 11:00 AM – Takeshita Street
– Shiba Cafe
– **Looking for suggestions on other must-see attractions**
– **Trying to decide what to do next, or if previous days were too packed and I should relax and do these things on this day.**

### Day 5 – Travel to Hakone

I will transfer our bags to the hotel in Kyoto. People have suggested that most major hotels have a luggage transportation service. We will pack a light carry-on bag for Hakone.

– 9:00 AM: Take the Romance car to Hakone Yumoto.
– 11:00 AM: Take the train to Gora station.
– 12:00 PM: Visit Hakone Ropeway and Lake Ashi.
– 3:00 PM: Check-in at Gora Kadan, enjoy a Kaiseki dinner, and relax at the Ryokan.
– **Do you have any must-do suggestions in Hakone/Gora?**

### Day 6 – Travel to Kyoto

– 7:00 AM – Have breakfast at Ryokan.
– 10:00 AM – Check out and take the train to Hakone Yumoto.
– 11:00 AM – Travel from Hakone Yumoto to Odawara.
– 12:00 PM – Take the Hikari Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto.
– 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Explore Gion:
– Walk along Hanamikoji street until Shirakawa.
– Continue walking along Hanamikoji street until Shirakawa street.
– Visit Hanami Lane.
– Explore Shinbashi Dori.
– Cross Tatsumi Bridge.
– Finish the Gion walking tour at Yasaka Shrine.
– 8:00 PM – Check in to the hotel after dinner. I’ll inform them that we will be arriving late.

### Day 7 – Explore Kyoto

– 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji Bamboo Grove
– Trying to decide between visiting Kinkaku-ji or Saioji.
– 8:00 PM – Explore Pontchuo Alley
– **Given that sunrise is at around 5PM wondering if its too late to explore this**

### Day 8 – Explore Kyoto

Transfer bags to Tokyo hotel to ensure they arrive before departure from Tokyo

– 6:00 AM – Visit Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto.
– 9:00 AM – Explore the Sannenzaka area, visit a Matcha house, walk through the bamboo grove at Kodaiji Temple, and grab a coffee at Machiya Starbucks.
– 1:00 PM – Take a train to Osaka.
– 3:00 PM – Explore the food scene in Osaka, visit Dotonbori, and go shopping in Shinsaibashi.
– 8/9:00 PM – Return to Kyoto.

### Day 9 – Explore Kyoto

– 6:00 AM – Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine.
– 10:00 AM – Visit Nishiki Market.
– 12:00 PM – Have lunch at Kichi Kichi, if a reservation is available.
– 1:00 PM – Continue exploring Gion and its surrounding area.
– 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Experience a Geisha tea ceremony in Gion.
– 6:00 PM – Start heading back to Tokyo.
– 9:00 PM – Check-in at the hotel in Tokyo.
– **I’m wondering if we should book a hotel near NRT airport and transfer our bags from Kyoto. We don’t plan on doing much the next day since we’ll need to leave for the airport around 12 PM**.

### Day 10 – Leave Tokyo 😟

– 6:00 AM – Final morning to explore Tokyo. If there are any remaining attractions that were missed, consider visiting them.
– 12:00-2:00 PM – Head to Narita International Airport (NRT).
– 5:30 PM – Flight back home.