Solo traveler from US, Asian male in late 20s. This will be my first solo-trip and first time in Japan, so feeling a bit nervous.
Interested in nature, great views, shopping to an extent, Pokemon, being a foodie, decent number of temples. Would very much like pictures of scenery and landmarks, with and without myself in it. Generally, I am not too interested in nightlife, tend to be more a quiet and reserved person. I am totally fine with “touristy” places. Unless I am trying to get a good photo. Looking forward to autumn foliage and illuminations, and getting good pictures. Is it considered rude to ask strangers to take your phot?
Open to suggestions, especially great places that I missed or great places to eat. Open to moving things around if certain days to too full or empty. Will fill in with restaurants later. Thanks everyone!
**Sunday, Nov 12th**
\-Arrive **Narita 2pm** (or book a Peach/Japan Air flight to Osaka land at 8pm)
\-Shinkansen to Kyoto + check into hotel near Sanjo Station
\-Dinner
\-Night illumination at Kodai-ji if up to it
​
**Monday, Nov 13th (Kyoto)**
\-Fushimi Inari early in the morning to avoid crowds
\-Kiyomizu-dera
\-Lunch
\-Yasaka Pagoda
\-Higashiyama Jisho
\-Dinner
\-Temple night illumination (if not on 12th)
**Is this enough for this day? I don’t typically linger at a place unless there is a nice photo opportunity or it is a large park.**
​
**Tuesday, Nov 14th (Nara – Kyoto)**
\-Nara Park/Todai-ji/Nara National Museum (feed the deers)
\-Lunch
**-Able to fit Mount Hiei this day?**
\-Dinner
​
\-**Wednesday, Nov 15th (Kyoto)**
\-Ryoan-ji + Kinkaku-ji
\-Arashiyama bamboo grove, Togetsu-kyo
\-Lunch
\-Shinkansen to Tokyo
\-Hotel at Ueno
\-Dinner
​
**Thursday, Nov 16th (Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara)**
\-Asakusa: Senso-ji, Nakamise-dori, Kaminari-mon
\-Lunch
\-Ueno: Ameyoko, Ueno Park (with the museums (+/- zoo?) in the park)
\-Explore Akihabara evening/night + dinner
​
**Friday, Nov 17th (Odaiba area)**
\-TeamLabs Planets in the morning
\-Odaiba: DiverCity, Small World
\-Lunch
\-Kasai Rinkai Park
\-Rainbow Bridge (best time to go at night?)
\-Dinner
**Saturday, Nov 18th (Hakone day trip – need 1 night?)**
\-Complete the loop from North to South
\-Back to Tokyo for a late dinner
**Sunday, November 19th (Lake Kawaguchi, 1 night)**
\-Focused on views of autumn foliage/pictures
\-Churito Pagoda & Arakura Sengen Park
\-Music Forest
\-Lunch
\-Nagasaki Park
\-Oishi Park
\-Momiji Corridor/Tunnel
\-Dinner
(Can move some things to next day)
**Monday, November 20th (Lake Kawaguchi -> Tokyo)**
\-Tanjozan Park
\-Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
\-Lake Kawaguchi boat
\-Lunch
\-Transport back to Tokyo
\-Rest/explore/buy souvenirs
\-Dinner
**Tuesday, November 21st (Shibuya)**
\-Omotesando/Harajuku
\-Shibuya Crossing
\-Shopping: Parco, Nintendo, Loft, Mega Done Quijote
\-Lunch
\-Yoyogi Park
\-Meiji Jingu Shrine/Shinjuku Gyoen
\-Dinner
\-Shibuya Sky
**Wednesday, November 22nd (Central)**
\-Tsukiji Market
\-Hama-rikyu gardens
\-Pokemon center DX
\-Lunch
\-Tokyo Station
\-Imperial palace/gardens
\-Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
\-Tocho observation deck (during sunset?)
\-Dinner
**Thursday, November 23rd**
\-Last minute shopping
\-Flight departs at 4pm from Narita
1 comment
I would not say it’s rude to ask strangers to take your photo, but what you can do is keep an eye open and if you see people taking pictures of their group, offer them to take their picture, like the dad is taking a picture of the mom and kids, yeah, offer to take their picture, they will have a picture with the whole family. Then it’s easier to ask them to take your picture, that is if they do not offer it.
If you land in Osaka, do not take the shinkansento Kyoto. If at KIX take the Haruka limited express, if ITM, take the limousine bus.