Hey all. Would appreciate it if you guys had a look at my itinerary so far for an 8-day stay in Tokyo for three people. We’re not expecting jetlag since we’re flying from the Philippines and figured a good way to start the trip would be with a Shinjuku Night Free Walking Tour from Tokyo Localized. Thought this would be a good intro to the night life and izakaya culture, and an opportunity to meet locals and fellow travelers. Can anyone share their experience with the tour?
For Day 2 (Saturday), I wanted to combine Ueno, Asakusa, and Akihabara, and squeeze in a few drinks at Nichome as well (we’re a gay couple with a female friend). Is our tentative sched at all possible?
On Sunday (Day 3), we wanted to see Harajuku and see everyone dressed up though I understand it isn’t as popular as it used to be. We’re ending the day at Shimokitazawa Basement Bar & Three because we love live music and see it recommended quite often.
Monday (Day 4), we’ll be spending the day at Kamakura. Tuesday (Day 5), we’re doing Tsukiji, Hamarikyu, Imperial Palace, and Tokyo Station and Ramen Street.
It’s with our final three days that I’m not so sure about. I figured Wednesday (Day 6) would be a good rest/free/souvenir shopping day, but would it be worth it to go to Mt Fuji instead for just a day trip, considering how much it would cost?
Thursday (Day 7) I wanted to dedicate to Hakone, but I’m overwhelmed at this point with figuring out the logistics of a visit, I wonder if booking a tour would be better? Our flight home on Friday (Day 8) leaves at 9pm, so that leaves us the morning free. Would it be possible to squeeze in a stop at an onsen before we head to Narita? Any good ones accessible from Takadanobaba? Really keen on experiencing the public baths.
Here’s the itinerary I’ve worked out for us in full. Many thanks in advance for your advice. Street food recommendations will be highly appreciated as well!
​
DAY 1 (20 Oct, Friday)
12:00 Arrival at Narita (pick up pocket wifi, exchange money)
14:30 Check-in at Airbnb (Takadanobaba)
15:00 Late Lunch at Takadanobaba
16:00 Toyama Park
17:00 Freshen up Airbnb
18:00 Leave for Shinjuku
19:00 Start Shinjuku Night Free Walking Tour
21:00 End of Shinjuku Night Free Walking Tour/Dinner at Izakaya
22:30 Return to Airbnb (Takadanobaba)
​
DAY 2 (21 Oct, Saturday)
7:30 Depart for Ueno
8:30 Breakfast at Ueno
9:30 Ueno Park (Shinobazu Pond, Kan’ei-ji Temple, Tokyo National Museum?)
11:00 Train to Asakusa
12:00 Lunch at Asakusa (Shōchan along Hoppy Street)
13:30 Asakusa Tour (Senso-ji Temple, Kaminarimon Gate, Sumida Park, Don Quijote, Snack – Asakusa Sakura)
15:30 Akihabara
17:30 Early Dinner at Akihabara
18:30 Freshen up at hotel
20:00 Train to Nichome
20:30 Drinks (Konbini, Aisotope, Annex/Arty Farty)
22:30 Return to Airbnb (Takadanobaba)
​
DAY 3 (22 Oct, Sunday)
8:00 Train to Shibuya
9:00 Shibuya Crossing/Breakfast/Coffee
10:00 Shibuya Sky
11:00 Lunch (Kugatsudo – ramen, Genki Sushi – chain resto)
12:00 Harajuku (Takeshita Dori – try crepes, Omotesando – high end shopping, Cat St.)
14:00 Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu Shrine
16:30 Freshen up at hotel
18:30 Leave for Shimokitazawa
19:30 Dinner at Teruya
20:30 Shimokitazawa Basement Bar & Three
22:30 Return to Airbnb (Takadanobaba)
​
DAY 4 (23 Oct, Monday)
7:00 Depart for Kamakura
9:00 Breakfast/Coffee around Kamakura Sta (Garden House Kamakura, 5 Crossties Coffee)
9:30 Walk to Hokokuji Temple and Bamboo Forest
11:00 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
12:00 Lunch at Komachi Dori
13:00 Hase Temple (Enoden Train to Hase Station)
14:30 Kamakura Daibutsu (Great Buddha)
15:30 Walk to Cape Inamuragasaki Park (30 mins) for sunset
17:30 Walk to Kamakura Yuigahama Beach (30 mins)
18:00 Dinner/Coffee
20:00 Return to Airbnb (Takadanobaba)
​
DAY 5 (24 Oct, Tuesday)
6:00 Depart for Tsukiji
7:00 Breakfast/Walk around Tsukiji (Tsukiji Hongwanji)
9:00 Hamarikyu Gardens
10:30 Ginza
11:30 Lunch at Manten Sushi?
13:00 Imperial Palace
16:30 Explore Tokyo Station (Character Street – omiyage, Hitachino Brewing Lab – craft beers)
18:00 Dinner at Tokyo Ramen Street
19:30 Free time
21:00 Return to Airbnb (Takadanobaba)
​
Day 6 – Free day (Mt Fuji?)
​
Day 7 – Hakone
​
Day 8 – Onsen, Return Flight