Not sure who’s actually going to take the time to read this and give advice but whoever does, it is much appreciated.
Some things to note:- (2) 40+ yo in decent shape- My time estimations are from google maps and are door to door.- Most days I’m hoping we’ll start by 8-9am.- Although it might look like a strict schedule it’s not. It just helps me get a feel for things that I would like to prioritize but if something takes us off our path, that would be ok too
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* ***Day 1: Thursday 9 Nov (travel day)***
* 15:00 arrive at Narita Airport (NRT)
* \~18:00 check into Shinjuku hotel
* After checking in, hopefully by 18:30, wander around Shinjuku to eat & stay awake for a couple more hours.
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* ***Day 2: Friday 10 Nov (Tokyo)***
* Assuming we’ll be jet lagged
* *OPTION1:*
* (40 min train / 40 min walk) ➡️ Meji Jingu Shrine (40 min train / 40 min walk)
* (40 min train) ➡️ Gotukuji Temple (40 min train)
* *OPTION2:*
* (40 min train / 40 min walk) ➡️ Meji Jingu Shrine (40 min train / 40 min walk)
* (40 min train) ➡️ Gotukuji Temple (40 min train)
* (25 min ride / 40 min walk) ➡️ Shimokitazawa station thrift shopping area
* Once dark head to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to see night view or maybe a yakatabune dinner cruise
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* ***Day 3: Saturday 11 Nov (travel day to Hiroshima)***
* Shinjuku Tokyo Hotel ➡️ Hiroshima Hotel \~ 5 hours via trains/bus
* *OPTION 1:* (4.5 hour train) ➡️ Kurashiki Bikan Historic district
* Potentially 4 hrs to explore the area (1.5 hour train) ➡️ Hiroshima (If time allows)
* atomic bomb dome at night
* okonomiyaki for dinner
* *OPTION 2:*
* Check out some Tokyo sights between hotel and train to Hiroshima
* Latest leave Tokyo at 14:00 to get to Hiroshima at 18:00 (If time allows)
* atomic bomb dome at night
* okonomiyaki for dinner
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* ***Day 4 : Sunday 12 Nov (Hiroshima)***
* Breakfast buffet at hotel ¥1650
* Peace museum, Shukkein Gardan, Korean memorial, Miyajima (if time allows)
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* ***Day 5: Monday 13 Nov (travel day to Kyoto)***
* Breakfast buffet at hotel ¥1650
* Hiroshima Hotel ➡️ Kyoto Hotel \~ 2.5 hours
* *OPTION:*
* (1.75 hrs train) ➡️ Himeji Castle- About 3 hours to explore Himeji Castle
* (1.75 hrs train) ➡️ Kyoto hotel
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* ***Day 6: Tuesday 14 Nov (Kyoto)***
* EBike around to temples & shrine. Biking one way is about 5km. Distance is fine but not sure about navigating the streets and traffic.
* Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavillion)
* Okazaki-Jinja Shrine
* Shoren-inTemple
* Chion-in Temple
* Kiyomizu-dera Temple
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* ***Day 7: Wednesday 15 Nov (Kyoto) Arashiyama***
* If we get there early enough before 07:00 then go through bamboo forest first. If arrive at 08:30 or later then do this after Tenryuji Temple
* Tenryuiji Temple
* walk through gardens and see the cloud dragon painting on the ceiling for Hatto (Dharma Hall)
* Okochi Sanso Gardens & Tea Room
* Jojakkoji Temple
* Gioji Temple
* Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
* Nagatsujidoori street for shopping & dining
* Togetsukyo Bridge
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* ***Day 8: Thursday 16 Nov (Kyoto)***
* (30 min train) Fushimi Inari \~ ride from hotel
* Osaka National Bunrako Theatre / National Theatre to see a bunraku puppet show
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* ***Day 9 Friday 17 Nov (travel day to Kaga Onsen town)***
* (2.75 – 3 train) Kyoto Hotel ➡️ Kanazawa Station
* Pick up rental car
* (1 – 1.5 car) ➡️ Tachibana Shikitei
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* ***Day 10: Saturday 18 Nov (travel day to Kanazawa)***
* (1.5 car) Kaga Onsen ➡️ Kanazawa
* Natadera Temple
* 15:30 – 16:30 Yamanaka-bushi Folk Song “Shiki-no-may” Yamanaka-za Performance
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* ***Day 11: Sunday 19 Nov (day trip to Shirakawago)***
* (1 – 1.5 car) ➡️ Shirakawgo
* Explore Shirakawago straw farm house village and lunch -minimum 2 hours max 4 hours -shops and restaurants close about 16:00
* (30 min car) ➡️ Ainokura Village
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* ***Day 12: Monday 20 Nov (Kanazawa)***
* Kanazawa stuff: gardens etc
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* ***Day 13: Tuesday 21 Nov (travel day to Tokyo)***
* Kanazawa ➡️ Tokyo \~ 3 hours
* Senso-ji
* 5 min walk from hotel
* can fit in anytime
* evening would be nice to see it lit up -However most likely will be extremely packed -it’s a very popular event.
* Take train from Kanazwa to the Ueno station. Find locker for luggage.
* Nippori Fabric Town:
* (10 min train / 26 min walk) Ueno Station ➡️ Nippori Fabric Town
* (25 min train) Asakusa Hotel ➡️ Nippori Fabric Town
* Koto City Fukagawa Edo Museum: HRS (09:30-16:30)
* (35 min train) Nippori Fabric Town ➡️ Fukagawa Edo Museum
* (25 min train) Fukagawa Edo Museum ➡️ Ueno Station to pick up luggage left at locker
* (30 min train / 60 min walk) Fukagawa Edo Museum ➡️ Asakusa Hotel
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* ***Day 14: Wednesday 22 Nov (Tokyo)***
* *OPTION 1:*
* (27 min train / 80 min walk) Asakusa Hotel ➡️ Tsukuji Market
* (40 min train) ➡️ Kappabachi
* (12 min walk) ➡️ Hotel
* *EXTENDED OPTION 1: if we have energy but these are not must do:*
* (20 min train / 34 min walk) Kappabachi ➡️ Akihabara
* (8 min walk) ➡️ Kanda Myojin Shrine
* (17 min train / 45 walk) ➡️ Hotel
* *OPTION 2:*
* (27 min train / 80 min walk) Asakusa Hotel ➡️ Tsukuji Market
* (25 min train / 50 min walk) ➡️ Fukagawa Edo Museum
* (30 min train / 60 min walk) ➡️ Kappabachi
* (12 min walk) ➡️ Hotel
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* ***Day 15: Thursday 23 Nov (Tokyo)***
* Not sure what to do this day. Suggestions? Maybe something different from the previous days.
* *Possible options…*
* Mt Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi
* Hakone or the lake w/ views 1.5 – 2 hrs away
* Mt Takoe
* Enoshima island 2 hrs away
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* ***Day 16: Friday 24 Nov:***
* Nippori Fabric Town and Kappabachi (if we didn’t get to it on previous days)
* Omotesando Street in Narita
* 12:30 – 14:00 head to Narita airport
* 17:00 flight
1 comment
Keep in mind that Tokyo is a late and early city: most shops do not open until 10 AM, and many close at 7 or 8 PM (eating places excepted). Last night I walked through a major (domestic) tourist/travel spot (Kichijoji) a bit before 7 PM, and maybe a fifth of the shops were already closed for the day.
Shimokitazawa is not so much an actual thrift area as a vintage clothing area. My family, not wealthy, lives within easy bicycling/walking distance of Shimokitazawa but never go there for clothing because everything is so expensive. For example, I recently saw a worn T-shirt that was a giveaway in my hometown selling for about US$50.
We also live about 10 minutes away from Gotokuji, which is nice enough. I’d recommend walking west about 400 meters from Gotokuji and, on the other side of the railroad tracks, visiting the place called Setagaya Hachiman, much prettier, less crowded, and more interesting than Gotokuji. (We always take visitors there, not to Gotokuji.)