Hi all, I’ll be going to Japan with my girlfriend in December/ January and wanted to double check the itinerary to many any adjustments if needed. Appreciate it any and all help! This will be my second time in Japan but my girlfriend’s first time. We’re both not super into historical musuems but would love any shouts at good ones. Girlfriend’s mainly looking for skin care products/ clothes. I’m mainly looking for some Vintage clothes. I’ve put any questions I have in brackets! Thanks all.
I’ve got most of the itinerary planned except for some days in Tokyo during the NY period. Would appreciate any suggestions. We’ve planned out places to eat that we wanted to fit in on thing we are doing on the days.
**December 12 – Osaka**
* Arrive 7PM. Check in. Dinner.
**December 13 – Osaka**
* Morning: Osaka Castle
* Evening: Osaka Aquariam. Osaka Ferris Wheel
**December 14 – Osaka**
* Universal Studios Japan (Fast Pass)
* (Would USJ last the whole night as well? If not, we would explore Dotonburi for Dinner)
**December 15 – Osaka**
* Morning: Cup Noodles Musuem
* Evening: Dotonburi
* (Is there anything else I can add in here? Potential time for Shopping)
**December 16 – Hiroshima Day Trip (JR Pass Day 1/7)**
* Peace Memorial Musuem
* Atomic Bomb Dome Park
* Itsukushima Shrine
* (Anything else interesting to add in this day)
**December 17 – Nara Day Trip (JR Pass Day 2/7)**
* Todaiji Temple
* Deer Park
* (Anything else interesting to add in this day. Mainly a relaxing day to explore Nara, pet the deers and eat good food)
**December 18 – Kyoto (JR Pass Day 3/7)**
* Travel from Osaka to Kyoto (Arrive 12PM)
* Nishiki Market for Lunch
* Kiyomizudera @ Night. Explore the area.
**December 19 – Kyoto (JR Pass Day 4/7)**
* Morning: Bamboo Grove Forest. Monkey Park
* Evening: Kyoto Railway Musuem (Roughly an hour right before closing). Pokemon Centre (Since it closes after Kyoto Railway Musuem).
**December 20 – Kyoto/ Uji day Trip (JR Pass Day 5/7)**
* Fushimi Inari Taisha (Morning, not the whole treck. Mostly for photos/ to see it)
* Travel to Uji for a small day trip.
* Uji Tsuen Tea House
* Uji Matcha Republic
* Byodo-In Omotesand (Street)
* Ito Kyuemon (Dinner)
**December 21 – Kawaguchiko (JR Pass Day 6/7)**
* Kyoto to Kawaguchiki (Early Morning)
* Evening: Mt Fuji Panaraomic Ropeway. Pagoda
**December 22 – Kawaguchiko (JR Pass Day 7/7)**
* Fuji Q – Whole Day
* (Would it be possible to spend the whole day in Fuji Q? Are there any reccomended night activities?)
**December 23 – Tokyo**
* Bus to Tokyo. Arrive Lunch Time
* Evening: TeamLab. Takoyaki Musuem
* Night: Ginza Six, Ginza Uniqlo, Ginza Muji (Mostly just for shopping)
**December 24 – Tokyo**
* Morning: Snoopy Musuem. Starbucks Roastery Reserve (How bad are the lines?). Shibuya Crossing
* Evening: Mega Doxiquote. Mandarake Shibuya. Shibuya Sky.
**December 25 – Tokyo**
* Morning: Tsukiji Fish Market. Line up for Lunch (ET of 2 Hours @ Chuka Soba Ginza)
* Evening: Tokyo Tower Red. Tokyo Tower.
* Night: Explore Christmas Lights.
* (Any other reccomendations for Christmas night as a couple?)
**December 26 – Tokyo**
* Morning: Imperial Palace
* Evening: Explore Harajuku. Harajuku Shiba Cafe. Harry Harajuku Terrace. Shopping.
* (Will be keen on checking out Vintage Clothes shops in the area. Would love any reccs if possible)
**December 27 – Tokyo**
* Whole Day: Tokyo Disneyland
**December 28 – Tokyo**
* Morning: Sensoji Temple. Nakamise Street.
* Evening: Ueno Park. Akihabara Pt 1
**December 29 – Hakone Day Trip**
* Hakone Shrine
* Lake Ashi Boat
* Cable Car
* Black Eggs
* (Basically the Klook Hakone Day Trip)
**December 30 – Tokyo**
* Morning: Sunshine City. Gashapon Department. Pokemon Centre. One Piece Store.
* Evening: Akihabara Pt 2
* (Basically a weeb out day. Might use afternoon to fit in anything else we missed before this or just use this day to shop)
**December 31 – Tokyo**
* **FREE.** Would appreciate any NYE suggestions. To use as a spare day for any other activities before things close up for NY.
**January 1 – Tokyo**
* **FREE.** Since most tourist attractions would be closed, does anyone have any suggestions for this day?
**January 2 – Tokyo**
* Morning: Your Name Stairs. Harry Potter Tour.
* Evening: **FREE**. Most attractions would be closed as well on the 2nd, are there any suggestions?
**January 3 – Tokyo**
* Morning: Studio Ghilbi Musuem.
* Evening: Koenji Shopping for Vintage Clothes. Nakano Broadway (Not sure if needed since we went to Akihabara twice)
**January 4 – Tokyo**
* **FREE.** Last full day to spend in Tokyo so happy to take any suggestions. Might use the day to revisit any places we really enjoyed or might’ve missed.
**January 5 – Tokyo**
* Fly home
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2 comments
Hi!
Japan Guide keeps a listing of holiday Illuminations: [https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2304.html](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2304.html)
Generally, the best things to do on New Years Eve and New Years day involve visiting shrines and temples which are open. They can be quite crowded though, especially big ones like Meiji Jingu and Sensoji.
Some shopping centers are open on 12/31 and 1/1. Examples would be Tokyo Skytree and I believe Ikspiari near Tokyo Disney. I’m planning to do one or the other to buy fukubukuro on 1/1.
For me, I find making sure there are meals available on 12/31 and 1/1 are more important than finding activities.
Good luck!
Hey so I’m also planning a trip to Japan around this time. For Jan 1st I’m planning on travelling from Tokyo to Hakone. Double check this but from what I can find online the trains and ropeway in Hakone will still be running even though it’s a public holiday and many of the bath houses around Hakone indicate on their website they are still open on Jan 1st. Similarly, there are a number of restaurants (mainly those located within hotels) that indicate that they are open on Jan 1.