Traveling to Japan in January as part of our Honeymoon. We are maximizing the amount of time we can in Japan and really excited. Our hope is to come back down the road and explore the rest of the country but wanted to make it to Tokyo & Kyoto before heading to Thailand. Would love to know if any of the below seems too ambitions? We are leaving our last half day open before having to head to the airport to allow us to do anything that we missed.
We for sure want to focus on food and shopping while in Japan. The idea is to see the major cultural sites but we dont need to see every temple and want to try and avoid unnecessary tourist attractions. Our hope is to more so “get lost” in Tokyo vs. having every minute planned out (not the case for Kyoto). If we need to go with the flow or audible, I am hoping that I am allocating some pockets that will allow us to do that.
Any thoughts? What else am I missing that would be huge?
**Accommodations** \- Staying in Ginza
**Sunday**: Land @ HND @ 5AM -> Hotel to shower -> Meiji Jingu -> Takeshita Street -> Omotesando Hills -> Harajuku -> Shibuya -> Relax @ Hotel -> Drinks / Dinner in Ginza
**Monday:** Senso-Ji -> Kappabashi Dougu -> Ameyoko -> Akihabara -> Sumo @ Ryoguku Kokugikan -> Dinner after Sumo TBD
**Tuesday:** TeamLab Planets -> Tsukiji Outer Market -> Shopping in Ginza -> Dinner TBD
**Wednesday:** Bullet train to Kyoto -> Check into hotel in Gion -> Nishiki Market -> Kiyomizu-Dera -> Dinner in Gion / Pontocho
**Thursday:** Fushimi Imari Taisha early -> Breakfast & Onsen at Hotel -> Drop bags at locker at Kyoto Station -> Bamboo Grove -> Arashiyama Money Park -> Kinkaku-Ji -> Bullet train back to Tokyo
**Friday:** Open until we have to head to NRT for a 6PM flight to BKK
2 comments
Pretty good rundown here, although you’re going to be rushed! I’d do the whole trip in either Tokyo or Kyoto rather than splitting it between the two but that’s me. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time nonetheless, particularly if you add the following:
​
1. **Monday Dinner After Sumo** – One of the following three spots, all in-or-near Ginza, will certainly put a lovely end to your Sumo evening:
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/t1mPEibTiLpdRCfd7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/t1mPEibTiLpdRCfd7)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/RNS1LijKz68W4vKV7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/RNS1LijKz68W4vKV7)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/rbHSvdf1Qu65Q6aM7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/rbHSvdf1Qu65Q6aM7)
​
2. **Tuesday Shopping And Dinner -** After a spot of shopping in Ginza, which may include one or more of the places I’ll suggest below, get a bite to eat at one of these suggestions:
Shopping
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/G9Q8ByaXvQJwYmLj8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/G9Q8ByaXvQJwYmLj8)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/bJeY63LqmQFU3vTw8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/bJeY63LqmQFU3vTw8)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/psAqWMbFFc8sB2gK8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/psAqWMbFFc8sB2gK8)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/tuMmeuVHseQTotYJ6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/tuMmeuVHseQTotYJ6)
Dinner
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/3K7DMk45rgcZnFo59](https://maps.app.goo.gl/3K7DMk45rgcZnFo59)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/BW8EytQBbGEAo17r7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/BW8EytQBbGEAo17r7)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/eQFWviksgxAWpHQE9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eQFWviksgxAWpHQE9)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/CrtEU17ydBT1x5iSA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CrtEU17ydBT1x5iSA)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/s1fUQED5c5i4eYfQ9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/s1fUQED5c5i4eYfQ9)
​
3. **Wednesday Dinner In Gion -** Although I know Kyoto less well than Tokyo, I can wholeheartedly suggest a few places to eat dinner (and dessert) in and around Gion:
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/SivwZtCoXuTGZi9W9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/SivwZtCoXuTGZi9W9)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/wNjZMBq1b19GfC9z9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/wNjZMBq1b19GfC9z9)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/MxfURNvQsVo19BtBA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/MxfURNvQsVo19BtBA)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/dSgmPRv4uWxuGcHZ7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/dSgmPRv4uWxuGcHZ7)
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/8vT3BoQ5eRxi5Enc7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8vT3BoQ5eRxi5Enc7)
​
If you want any more specific recommendations, let me know!
This looks very full, but doable if y’all are fit and prepared to walk a ton non-stop.
I’d swap Nishiki Market for the Teramachi shopping streets nearby if you’re more into buying clothes or everyday fashion instead of souvenirs. I was underwhelmed by Nishiki Market in terms of price and quality of food and variety, but dropped so much money at Teramachi 😅 there’s also good restaurants tucked into the alleys of it which are wayyy better.
I’d also recommend making a little time to walk or rest along the Kawamura River which is near your day 1 Kyoto itinerary, and grab a matcha latte at a place called kyohamatchagakimeru. It’s pricier but the best I’ve ever had.