Hi everyone! I’m making a trip in December with my family (my sister and I are in our 20s, our parents are in their 60s but still pretty fit). It’s our absolute first time and I’m finding planning an itinerary pretty overwhelming. Definitely looking for suggestions and feedback on what I’ve come up with so far. Tried to cover the basics while keeping it open for free and easy time.
Feedback and recommendations welcome, especially for the later days in the trip. Is it worth going to Kawagoe, or would it be better to have that extra day in Tokyo?
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**Day 1 (Monday)**
* Fly into Narita (7am)
* Sort out Rail Pass/Welcome SUICA, etc
* Tokyo Ramen Street / Character Street
* Imperial Palace
* Hibiya Park
* Shopping and dinner in Ginza
**Day 2 (Tuesday)**
* Kimono rental in Asakusa
* Senso-ji
* Kappabashi Dougu Street
* Hang around Akihabara
**Day 3 (Wednesday)**
* Fuji/Kawaguchiko (DIY)
**Day 4 (Thursday)**
* Meiji Shrine early in the morning
* Shiro-Hige’s cream puffs
* Explore Shimokitazawa
* Shibuya crossing + more shopping
* Dinner – TBA?
* Dessert at Isetan Harajuku
**Day 5 (Friday)**
* Daytrip to Kawagoe – is it worth it?
**Day 6 (Saturday)**
* Tsukiji
* Hang around Akasaka (no firm plans, probably chill a bit)
**Day 7 (Sunday)**
* Oedo Antiques Market
* Travel to Kyoto
* Explore Gion
**Day 8 (Monday)**
* Arashiyama (Not sure if this should be a half day or a full day?)
**Day 9 (Tuesday)**
* Fushimi Inari
* Explore surrounding shops, etc.
* Dinner at Monk (Sakyo)
**Day 10 (Wednesday)**
* Travel to Osaka
* Osaka Castle
* Dotonbori
**Day 11 (Thursday)**
* Rinku outlet mall
* Fly home from Kansai Intl Airport
1 comment
I live in Tokyo, but I always find Kawagoe enjoyable.
Shimokitazawa’s a fine place to stroll around, as is Shibuya, but keep in mind that there are not really any places to sit besides in coffee shops and restaurants in either place. I might suggest going to Meji Jingu first, then just walking down to the Shibuya area—it might take 20 to 25 minutes. After take the train from Shibuya to Shimokitazawa (which takes about 10 minutes) because Shimokitazawa doesn’t really get going until noon or so.
From Shimokitazawa you can take a single train either back to Shibuya (using the train you came in on) or to Shinjuku (using a different train).