Hi Everybody!
Been lurking for a long while sponging up information and now, with my wife and I leave for our trip to Japan in a few weeks, I’m hoping you can help me hone our itinerary! Here’s the rough of what we’ve got so far:
* Departure Day – 10AM Flight out of SEA w/ Air Canada, 2 hour layover at YVR, arrive at NRT at 4:15PM Friday
* Arrival in Tokyo – Pick up JR Pass and Suica card, deal with immigration, head to Shinjuku hotel to check in, eat, crash
* Tokyo – Meiji Jingu, Harajuku Walk, Omotesando, Cat Street, Shibuya Walk, Dinner @ Nonbei Yokocho, Shibuya Sky
* Tokyo – Senso-ji, Asakusa Walk, Ueno Park Walk, Ameyoko District, Kanda Myojin, Akihabara Electric Town Walk
* Tokyo – Tokyo Tower, Zojo-ji, Hamarikyu Gardens, Tsukiji Outer Market, Matinee @ Kabuki-za Theatre, Ginza Shopping
* Tokyo (Takaosan Day Trip) – Takao Tozan Cable Car/Echo Lift, Monkey Park, Takaosan Yakuōin Yukiji Temple, Visitor Center and Observation Deck, Onsen
* Tokyo (Kamakura Day Trip) – Daibutsu Hiking Trail, Daibutsu, Kamakura Walk, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Dinner @ Shichirigahama, Enoshima Walk
* Tokyo – Flex Day
* Tokyo > Hakone – Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani, pure relaxation at luxury ryokan with private onsen
* Hakone > Osaka – Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
* Osaka – Osaka Castle and Grounds, Shitenno-ji, Tennoji Park, Shinsekai Walk, Namba Walk, Dotonbori
* Osaka (Nara) – Kofuku-ji, Ukimido, Yoshikien Gardens, Todai-ji, February Hall, March Hall, Kasuga Taisha, Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest Hike
* Osaka > Koyasan – Daimon Gate, Garan Temples, Kongobu-ji, Tokugawa Mausoleum, Night Tour of Okunoin Cemetery, Overnight Temple Stay
* Koyasan > Kyoto – Fire Ceremony and Morning Prayers, Gion Walk, Kodai-ji, Hokan-ji, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka Walk, Kiyomizu-dera Illumination
* Kyoto – Fushimi Inari Hike, Yasaka Shrine, Keage Incline, Nanzen-ji, Eikan-do, Philosopher’s Path, Honen-in Temple, Ginkaku-ji
* Kyoto – Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Arashiyama Area Temples, Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street, Saga Area Temples, Northwest Temple Roundup
* Kyoto – Flex Day
* Return Day – Train to KIX, 5:45PM Flight out of EVA Air, 3.5 hour layover at TPE, arrive at SEA at 6:10PM same day.
While I appreciate input on any part of this, flights and hotels are booked so we’re set in stone with respect to those. We’re healthy, active mid-30s folks who are prepared to do a lot of walking and want to see a lot of variety.
We’re not big shoppers but are hoping to bring back some very memorable souvenirs that we can display in our home, ie. goshuincho, yukata from Hakone, sake barrels or lanterns, stuff like that!
I’m very cognizant of the fact that there’s a lot on some of these days and I’m hoping to figure out how to use the flex days effectively.
**Thank you for any help you can offer!**
1 comment
Water Bus along the Sumida River from / to
Asakusa. Went to Hama Rikyu garden myself that way and found it enjoyable and offering a different perspective travelling under all the bridges.
At Asukasa the Culture Information Center has a free viewing deck on top floor that looks down on Sensoji.
Your trip looks Jam packed but your fit and appears to be well researched.