We would love an itinerary check on the following upcoming trip. Just two of us – both in our fifties but in good shape (we can walk 20-25K steps per day). We have a 14 day JR Pass that we won’t activate until Nov 1 and last use will be Miyajima day trip on Nov 14. Staying near Tamachi station (JR Line) in Minato City. We have a pre-paid breakfast plan at each of our hotels, and we plan to eat in the areas we are visiting for lunch and/or dinner. The day trips (other than Miyajima) will be moved around depending on weather/prediction of Mt Fuji visiibility, and to break up the time in Tokyo/Kyoto. I know Osaka should be more than one day, but we’re primarily history buffs, so seeing the shrines/temples in Kyoto are more appealing.
10/31 – Tokyo- arrive Haneda 5pm – Dinner and check-in hotel ( **maybe dine in the airport (Haneda Garden?)**
11/1 – Imperial Palace, Kanda Shrine, Akihabara (primarily Hardoff/Bic Camera)
11/2 – Harajuku shopping district, Shibuya shopping area (DonQ and Nintendo Store), Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo Metro Building (for view), Shinjuku (dinner) Golden Gai (check out in the evening)
11/3 – Museum of Nature/Science (am); National Museum (pm) in Taito City
11/4 – Tsujiki Outer Market; either TeamLabs or visit Kito City/Ginza. **Is TeamLabs a “must do”? Also, has anyone ever experienced the Omakase dinner at Manten Sushi Marunouchi in Chuoda City?**
11/5 – Day trip to Nagano (shinkansen) – Snow Monkey Park – I know that based on travel time we won’t be there long; but it’s worth it to me
11/6 – Day trip to Lake Kawagicho (to see Mt. Fuji closer); cable car, autumn festival (if being held)
11/7 – Travel to Yokohama (shinkansen) – Ramen Museum; Gundam Factory > travel to Kyoto (shinkansen) – depending on arrival time and speed of check-in, perhaps visit Fushimi Inari near sunset (if not, will go on either 11/8 or 11/9 and drop something on those days
11/8 – Kyoto Imperial Palace, Ninomaru Palace, other shrines /temples nearby depending on time (Higashiyama, Heian Jingu, Nanzen-Ji, Kiyomizu-deru) **any recommendations for priority in case we have to skip?**
11/9 – Arashiyama Monkey park (am)/Kinkaku-Ji temple (pm) **Would we have time to also see Fushimi-Momoyama ? I know they are not near each other…**
11/10 – Day trip to Osaka – Shinseikai Market; Tsūtenkaku Tower, Dotonbori **Would we have time to also see Shitennoji Temple & Treasure House?**
11/11 – Day trip to Nara deer park
11/12 – Day trip to Kobe (mainly to eat) – Kobe Nunobiki Gardens & Ropeway (am); Kobe Harbourland; and eat at a Kobe Waygu steak restaurant in pm – **considering Restaurant Mouriya Honten – any other suggestions?**
11/13 – Travel to Hiroshima (shinkansen) in am; check-in; Hiroshima Castle
11/14 – Day trip to Miyajima
11/15 – Atomic Dome/Peace Memorial
11/16 – Fly home from Hiroshima – late afternoon flight
Thanks for your review. Will appreciate any/all recommendations.
1 comment
Haneda has a rooftop onsen worth checking out if you don’t mind getting naked and being around other naked people (gender separated). Really relaxing after a long flight.
Teamlabs is a cool experience. I did the Kanazawa castle one, but for yours just look at the website and see if the theme is something you’re into.
Arashiyama monkey park is okay. I was just there the other day. It’s 20 minute uphill hike to see them. Kyoto has a lot of stuff spread out so be prepared for local non JR trains or taxis unless you’re okay with walking a LOT. Also it’s incredibly over packed with visitors right now so that can be a turn off as lines are every where.
Osaka has day stuff that will keep you busy but it really comes to life at night. Did a great izakaya and bar hopping tour there and it was an awesome experience.
Be careful with the deer in Nara they can be aggressive especially if you have food. The city itself I felt has similar vibes to Kyoto.
Hiroshima and the peace Memorial will probably be a quick 2 hours or less depending how long you stay at the museum but the park itself you can wrap up fast. Look for other things to do in the city.
Miyajima has a lot of businesses that close early like around 7PM so good for the day but not much to do at night besides some izakayas. There were fireworks show when I was there though.
Just my random thoughts. Lol