Hi All. After my health scuppered plans at the start of the year, I’m *finally* going to Japan between 20-30 November – my first solo trip (outside of weekends to Scotland). I’m flying out of London Heathrow at around 6:30pm on the Saturday, so should be arriving at Haneda around 5:20pm on the Sunday. Because my return flight is at 9:50am, I’ve booked a hotel near Haneda for that night.
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Pokémon Café, Ghibli Museum, and Gundam Factory are all booked. It was only afterwards that I realised I’d booked the Gundam Factory for Labour Thanksgiving Day.
Pokémon Café is admittedly wedged in because I really want to go, so tried to book slots from the very first day just in case – but got in on my first try lol. I’ll be based in Shibuya, so always planned for my first day to be there, in case of jetlag woes.
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My biggest questions right now are:
* How to build around Ghibli Museum (middle of the day is a bit of an awkward time – all I could get)
* Related: where to slot in Nakano Broadway.
* Kansai: Still very tbc, so any advice welcome.
* Currently thinking of using a hotel at Kyoto Station as my base, but visiting Osaka first due to Kyoto’s tourist spots necessitated earlier arrivals. I have the option to use either Osaka, or split the trip between the two cities, though.
* I have Osaka book-ending the Kansai leg in case I decide to dedicate more time to Kyoto, or even a day-trip to Nara.
* Would it be possible to slot in Philospher’s Path anywhere?
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I’ve been going by Google Maps a lot, so if I’m being an absolute spanner, please do call me out.
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**Sat 18 – Sun 19**
Fly in at approx. 5:20pm.
Collect JR Pass.
Travel to the hotel, check in.
Wander around outside so my body gets used to natural darkness again.
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**Mon 20 Nov**
Morning: Get my bearings. Stay local.
13:15 Р14:45 РPok̩mon Caf̩
Pokémon Center DX
Meiji Shrine?
*Shibuya*
Shibuya Parco
Shibuya Sky (waiting for bookings to open)
Shibuya Crossing
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**Tue 21 Nov**
Sensoji Temple and Asakusa (am)
Akihabara (pm)
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**Wed 22 Nov**
Suga Shrine
Maybe Nakano Broadway?
Ghibli Museum (for 3pm entry)
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**Thur 23 Nov – Yokohama Side Quest**
Have luggage forwarded to the Kyoto hotel.
Gundam Factory Yokohama (Dock Tower viewing time 13:05 – be there for 12:50).
Pokémon Center Yokohama
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**Fri 24 Nov**
Ikebukuro Sunshine City
Harajuku?
Nakano Broadway (if not on 22/11).
Shinjuku
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**Sat 25 Nov**
Check out.
Activate JR Pass – travel to Osaka
Denden Town
Dotonbori
PM: Travel to Kyoto to check into the hotel (check in before midnight)
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**Sun 26 Nov**
AM: Fushimi Inari Shrine
Nishiki Market
Pokémon Center Kyoto
Gion District
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**Mon 27 Nov**
AM: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Temple Day
Have luggage forwarded to Tokyo hotel.
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**Tue 28 Nov**
Travel to Osaka
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (need to book)
PM: Travel back to Kyoto.
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**Wed 29 Nov**
Check out of the hotel. Travel back to Tokyo (am)
Free day.
PM: Travel to the hotel at Haneda airport.
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**Thur 30 Nov**
Fly back.
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Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated! Also, what clothing should I pack for late November?
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~~If I had one more day, I’d have loved a day trip to Chichibu – Oh well, maybe I’ll go off the beaten track next time!~~