First time to Japan. This is for 2 adults + 1 teenager. Biggest interests are food, outdoor activities like hiking, beautiful views and a little shopping and historical sites. Probably will be constantly stopping for small treats and snacks, we all enjoy new/strange foods. Looking for a good balance of cultural exposure, activity, food. We don’t feel we need to see everything in one trip – better to have some room in schedule for wandering and discovery. We generally get up early and don’t stay out late. Any suggestions for restaurants, activities, scheduling, etc are appreciated.
**Mon 3/25**: Arrive NRT @ 17:30
* Limo bus to Conrad Tokyo (Ginza), check in
**Tues 3/26**: Western Tokyo
* Meiji Jingu Shrine/Yoyogi Park
* Shibuya Crossing
* Shimokitazawa – thrift shopping etc
* Shinjuku
* Izakaya Food Tour for dinner, meet at Shinjuku Station
**Wed 3/27:** Eastern Tokyo
* Asakusa – Sumida Park
* Sensoji Temple
* Nakamse Dori Street
* Sumida Boat Ride – Himiko line Asakusa to Toyosu (either 13:20 or 15:10)
* Toyosu Market
* Teamlab Planets
* Back to Ginza area for dinner?
**Thu 3/28:** Tokyo day – Not sure yet on plans, open to suggestions. Maybe shift Toyosu Market/Teamlab Planets/Odaiba to this day? Or a day trip to Kamakura?
**Fri 3/29:** Train to Takayama – not sure on best route, is via Nagoya the quickest?
* Check into ryokan
* Walk around town if time, soak in onsen
* Kaiseki dinner at ryokan – excited for the experience
**Sat 3/30:** Takayama
* Either day trip to Shirakawago, or stay in Takayama and explore, maybe a hike
* Onsen
* Another Kaiseki dinner at ryokan – will this be too much? Have heard mixed reports. Family does have big appetites.
**Sun 3/31:** Train to Kyoto
* Check into HP Kyoto
* Possible afternoon Maikoya Tea Ceremony & Samurai Ninja Museum – anyone have review of this experience?
* Pontocho dinner?
**Mon 4/1:** Higashiyama
* Kiyomizudera
* Path of Nene / Gion
* Shrines – Yasaka, Chionin, Shrenin – not sure which are best to visit or all
* Philosopher’s Path
* Gingakuji
* not sure about dinner location – back to Gion?
**Tue 4/2:** Nara day trip
* Fushimi Inari
* Nara
**Wed 4/3:** Train to Hiroshima
* Morning in Kyoto? Osaka? or just get down to Hiroshima?
* Check into Hilton Hiroshima
* Peace Park
**Thu 4/4:** Miyajima day trip
* Seems like a pretty standard day trip, would do the hike up
**Fri 4/5:** Train to Tokyo – looks like the shinkansen takes about 5 hrs
* Check into Hilton Tokyo
* Last night out, shopping, gift buying etc
**Sat 4/6:** Morning in Tokyo
* Any last minute things we missed
* Narita Express to NRT midday
* Fly out of NRT at 17:00
1 comment
Hi!
Toyosu Market closes by 5, I would personally go more in the morning, I think less is going on as the day progresses.
If you got up early enough you could go to Toyosu and then head to Kamakura.
The best and fastest route to Takayama is via Nagoya. Since rail passes will be mostly worthless at that point, you can just take a Nozomi shinkansen to Nagoya and then take the Hida on up. You don’t want to go via Toyama because there are only 8 trains a day from Toyama to Takayama. 4 locals and 4 limited expresses. You need to arrive at your ryokan by a certain time for your meal and you don’t want to miss it.
I would not spend the morning of 4/3 in Osaka, I find Osaka is better in the afternoon or evening because more places are open.
Good luck!