Hi all!
So we’ve been planning our journal and so far have Tokyo and Kyoto locked in; where we’re not sure about is Osaka and how long we’re wanting to stay there. We both are interested in just getting the best experience that we can; this is our first vacation in years and we want to make the most of it, so we’re open to ideas and new places and/or altering our trip if necessary. We do have our flights booked, as well as our hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Here’s our current itinerary:
**Tokyo**
Day 1: Arrive at NRT in afternoon
* Check into hotel
* Explore Property
* Get a hot meal and just take it easy
Day 2:
* Breakfast at the hotel
* Head to Akihabara
* Go to arcades
* Cat cafe
* Pokemon Center
* Harajuku
Day 3:
* Breakfast at hotel
* Team Borderless Planets
* Shibuya
* Hachiko
* Meiji Jingu
**Kyoto**
Day 4:
* Train to Kyoto
* Check in to hotel, explore the area
* Golden Temple
* Unsure, maybe just explore and take it easy
Day 5:
* Fushimi Inari (we’ll wake up early)
* Gion
* Monkey Park maybe
Day 6:
* Daytrip to Nara
* Feed the deer
* Get Mochi at the famous mochi shop
* Visit temple
Day 7:
* Dress in Kimono day
* Tea Ceremony
* Sake Tasting
Day 8:
* Free day!
**Osaka**
Day 9:
* Head to Osaka
* Dotonbori; just take an all day food tour
Day 10:
* USJ
Day 11:
* Parco Shinsaibashi
*Aquarium
**This is where we’re uncertain — We still have 4 full days left; do we stay in Osaka? Or should we go somewhere else? I know Hokkaido is popular in the winter for the snow, but neither my partner nor I are big into winter sports like skiing or snowboarding; still, a white Christmas would be nice. We’re very aware that Christmas is a commercial holiday, we were thinking of getting KFC (ordering a month ahead) or going for a romantic dinner. Either way, are there any suggestions y’all have for the last few days for us? We’re open to almost anything (Skiing and snowboarding aside lol). We do also have tattoos, my husbands are easily covered, mine not as much; we were considering an onsen stay but are aware that we might not be allowed in given that.**
Day 12:
Uncertain
Day 13:
Uncertain
Day 14:
Uncertain
Day 15:
Uncertain
Day 16:
* Leave Japan from NRT
Thank you for any help and advice!!
3 comments
Regarding the tattoos, some ryokans have the option to rent private baths or rooms with baths.
I wouldn’t suggest staying in Osaka. One thing that I did while staying in Osaka was doing a day trip by shinkansen to Hiroshima. Just going to the peace museum and walking around the park, there’s some pretty good okonomiyaki there.
I’d go back a couple of days more to Tokyo and visit Asakusa and Roppongi, near the tower of Tokyo.
Regarding tattoos, the new onsen in Haneda Airport allows tattoos without cover, was a pleasant surprise as a last plan before going back home.
Also there are hotels in Kyoto that have onsen included, giving free tattoo covers if necessary. Stayed at one last week and they were very accommodating to my partner who needed 11 covers hahaha
Hi!
If it’s in your budget, have you thought about Kinosaki onsen? Kinosaki onsen is known for being more accepting tattoos than a lot of other onsen spots.
In terms of your current itinerary, some of your days are sort of weird. I am also going to say some of your days are weirdly empty. I know that you can always find things to do in Japan,but some other days seem more full so…
Jet lag can be very real and not what you’re expecting. I’m from the US. I am usually more alert at night and am not a morning person without an alarm. In Japan, this switches and I am up every morning by 6 or 7 my first week. It works great for Hotel breakfasts since most open at 7:00 am and depending on your plans can give you something to do in the morning.
If animal welfare is important to you, I would look for a cat cafe that is involved in cat fostering for adoption. I love Japan, but the country has very different ideas on animal welfare than my own.
There are a LOT of Pokemon Centers. I’ve been to many of them because my daughter is obsessed with Pokemon. There are none in Akihabara. (There is Pokemon merchandise but not an official center.) There is one in Shibuya in the Parco and in Nihombashi at the Takashimaya of places near where you have mentioned.
Day 2 I would go to Meiji Jingu and Shibuya and Harajuku. As it was, it seemed weird to do Harajuku on your Akihabara day and Meiji Jingu the next day, since Meiji Jingu is in Harajuku, I would go to Meiji Jingu first because a lot of things open late in Japan.
Day 3 I would do Planets and then Akihabara. A lot of shops in Akihabara won’t open until 11 or noon. Akihabara is pretty dead at 9:00 am.
I think Day 7 is sort of empty, but there is a lot to do in Kyoto depending on your interests. From more temples and shrines, the manga museum, and of course a Pokemon Center.
When does Christmas fall in your itinerary?
Lots of places will book up on the 24th (and possibly 23rd.) Christmas cakes have already started to be announced. (I’m planning to get one again this year!) I’m very fond of the afternoon teas at 5 star hotels. A few other places offer them as well.
If you’re very into Pokemon, outside of the Pokemon Cafe there are other Pokemon related activities.
Kinosaki, Hakone (private bath), going back to Tokyo and going to Kusatsu onsen (I believe they are tattoo friendly) You could try someplace with a private onsen and visiting the snow monkeys in Nagano.
We went to Nabana no Sato’s light up last year and it was gorgeous. This year we are trying Sagamiko’s with a friend and I might try to do Yomimuriland too.
I would say what you want to do is partially dependent on your budget and your interests.
Good luck!