Hi! Looking for a critique and any suggestions to improve my itinerary. I will be traveling with my fiancé for our honeymoon during peak-late cherry blossom season. We really like unique cultural experiences and hope to strike a nice balance of shrines/nature and exploring urban areas. We also want to try the best coffee that Japan has to offer.
Questions:
* I love going on walks and exploring walkable neighborhoods. One of my favorite things is a nice, peaceful, and visually interesting walk. This is why I’ve included, for example, Shimokitazawa and Philosopher’s Path in Tokyo. Any suggestions of better walks or neighborhoods I could explore?
* Thinking about swapping out Hakone, to avoid the cost of the ryokan and also to reduce travel time. Our goal for Hakone was to rest our feet before Kyoto and relax at the ryokan and enjoy the onsen. But I’m open to really any other ideas (another day in one of Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka, a day trip from one of those places, etc.), any suggestions?
* We want to travel at a medium pace, with some busier days and some lighter days. Do any of these days seem too packed?
* I’m OK with some crowds, but I’d really like to avoid shoulder-to-shoulder crowds that are frustrating and claustrophobic. I’ve tried to plan the more popular activities (e.g. Fushimi Inari) in the early morning, but I’m nervous that parts of my itinerary may be a bad idea, such as visiting Ueno Park during the middle of a Saturday during cherry blossom season. I’m nervous about the weekends in general. Any suggestions to avoid terrible crowds? I’m very open to moving days around.
**Day 1 – Thursday – Tokyo**
* Arrive in the evening, check into accommodations, eat and sleep
**Day 2 – Friday – Tokyo**
* Shinjuku Gyoen
* Shinjuku (cocktails at [Ben Fiddich](https://maps.app.goo.gl/qoV3KYQdCm6Gkyyk6) or sake at [Kurand Sake Market](https://maps.app.goo.gl/6tLjCQ7i4wYbgwcK9), wander Golden Gai)
**Day 3 – Saturday – Tokyo**
* Coffee @ [Fuglen Asakusa](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q3dwEhgaKeh5cbkK7)
* Kaminarimon / Senso-ji / Nakamise St
* Ueno Park
* Ameyoko
* Explore Yanaka area (cemetery, stairs at sunset)
**Day 4 – Sunday – Tokyo**
* *Open day (any suggestions? Should I move this open day to a different day, maybe swap this open day with my planned Day 6? Is there anything on my itinerary that’s good to do on a Sunday?)*
**Day 5 – Monday – Tokyo**
* Meiji Shrine
* Harajuku (Coffee @ [KOFFEE MAMEYA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yV9o8Pkwt9hiy9uG8), B-Side Label, Kiddy Land)
* Shibuya (Shibuya Crossing, Onitsuka Tiger, Parco Department Store, Tokyo Hands, Loft, Tower Records, etc.)
**Day 6 – Tuesday – Tokyo**
* Coffee @ [Glitch Coffee](https://maps.app.goo.gl/mtoaPwMS2yExR73M6)
* Gotokuji Temple
* Shimokitazawa ([Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yqChxhvtdecQVjqe6), record stores, wander around, bars)
* Late evening: Shimokitazawa live show if I can buy a ticket in advance, otherwise Shinjuku
**Day 7 – Wednesday – Hakone**
* Romance car to Hakone
* Check in ryokan (Fukuzumiro), dinner, onsen, relax
**Day 8 – Thursday – Kyoto**
* Breakfast @ ryokan
* Train to Kyoto, check in hotel
* Sanjūsangen-dō
* Explore Kamogawa and/or Gion. Visit Yanaka Shrine after dark
**Day 9 – Friday – Kyoto**
* Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka super early
* Kiyomizudera
* Kodaiji
* Yasaka Shrine
* Nishiki Market
* Pontocho
**Day 10 – Saturday – Kyoto**
* Ginkakuji
* Philosopher’s path
* Nanzenji
* Keage Incline
* [Fushimi Sake Village](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ym42nSdFW96atsSS7)
**Day 11 – Sunday – Osaka**
* Train to Osaka
* Coffee @ [LiLo Coffee Roasters](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eZyZMa8cMYZ3dFvd7)
* Wander, eat Okonomiyaki and other foods
* Dotonbori
* Train back to Kyoto
**Day 12 – Monday – Kyoto**
* Fushimi Inari super early
* Nara (Coffee @ [Rokumei Coffee](https://maps.app.goo.gl/5RyDQcWPMbSSUaT98), Nara Park, Todaiji, Kofujuki Temple, cocktails @ [Lamp Bar](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZEvXiXj283p3Bs3D7))
**Day 13 – Tuesday – Tokyo**
* Check out of hotel, train to Tokyo
* Check in hotel in Shinagawa area
* Ginza (Uniqlo, MUJI, Itoya)
* Akihabara
**Day 14 – Wednesday – Tokyo**
* Last minute shopping and eating
* Fly out 10:55pm
5 comments
The walk along the Meguro river during cherry blossom season is supposed to be beautiful (although I think it can get a bit crowded).
If you’re into coffee and walking then going to Kiyosumi/Fukagawa in Tokyo might be up your alley. There are a bunch of coffee shops/cafes in that area that you could coffee shop/cafe hop while mixing in walking around the rivers and parks in the area.
Shimokita is awesome and I love your coffee spots.
Hakone to and from Tokyo isn’t too bad transport wise, but Hakone to Kyoto is a pain. If you’re staying up the top of Hakone I’d allow four hours to get to Kyoto. Personally I’d do a Ryokan in Kyoto instead that night and just take it easy that day.
Glitch Coffee is amazing. Just a couple streets away is Bongen Coffee which I can also recommend.
Depending on if you like pourover be sure to consider Arise Coffee, sunday zoo, and Tokaku. I think actually you have missed the large 3rd wave coffee district in this area. It is between Kiyosumi Gardens and Kiba Park by the Fukogawa Edo Museum. If you want espresso pulls there is B2 & Allpress in this area as well as many others. This would be a great non crowded area during sakura season and the Tomioka Hachiman shrine. Maybe it fits in to a very lazy Sunday. Check the hours for the coffee shops as they are all very different.
I would avoid Senso-Ji & Nakamise on a Saturday if you don’t want any crowds. There’s really no way to avoid them on Nakamise. Senso-Ji is better at night after Nakamise closes anyways so consider going later around 530 or going twice: during the day and late at night around 830. Ueno Park & Zoo should be fine if you get there right when it opens at 930 and buy your tickets online.
Kichijoji and Inokashira park were a wonderful area to walk around. Full of small shops to explore. Some of the owners even chatted with us and offered freebies for picking up something at their shop. There is a smaller version of Shirohige cream puff in Kichijoji.
[https://www.japan.travel/en/uk/inspiration/visit-japan-s-most-sacred-mountain/](https://www.japan.travel/en/uk/inspiration/visit-japan-s-most-sacred-mountain/)