Group of five going to Japan for the first time next month. Wanted a quick itinerary check to see if it’s feasible (it feels like 2-3 hours of train travel almost daily is inescapable) as well as some recommendations.
– We plan to use luggage services but will be staying in airbnbs/hotels 50-50 so need a service that can deliver to hotels and a place we can pick up from. Any good suggestions?
– Any benefits to getting an esim over pocket wifi? Should every person have their own?
– How hard is walk-in seating at restaurants for five people? Should we try to reserve ahead of time or be prepared to split up?
Appreciate any and all help!
Itinerary:
Day 1 Tokyo
– Tokyo NRT afternoon arrival
– Shinjuku lodgings, explore/sleep early
Day 2
– Splitting up: Group A to Ueno Zoo, Group B to Yokohama Gundam Factory
– Meet back up: Skytree, solamachi
– Kirby cafe
Day 3
– Odaiba
– Teamlabs
– Akihabara
Day 4
– Meiju Jingu
– Explore Harajuku/Shibuya
– Golden Gai
Day 5
– Asakusa
– Ghibli Museum
– Nakano Broadway (time permitting)
Day 6 Hakone
– Shinjuku/double back
– Train to Hakone
– Hakone Gora Park
Day 7
– Open air museum
– Ropeway from Gora to Owakudani to Lake Ashi
– Hakone Shrine/Heiwa no Torii
Day 8 Kyoto
– Early Chisuji Falls hike
– Train to Kyoto
– Fushimi Inari Taisha (near lodgings)
Day 9
– Kinkaku-ji temple
– Arashiyama Grove and Monkey Park
Day 10
– Morning bento class
– Nishiki Market/Higashiyama
– Kiyomizu-dera
– Gion
Day 11
– Matcha tour in Uji
– Splitting up: Group A to Eikando Zenrin-ji, Group B to Otsu/Lake Biwa
Day 12 Nara
– Train to Nara
– Nara Park/Todai-ji/wander a bit
– Train to Osaka
Day 13 Osaka
– Cup ramen museum
– Minoh Falls
– Dotonbori
Day 14
– Osaka Castle
– Explore Shinsaibashi/Nipponbashi
– Denden Town
Day 15
– Last minute shopping/sightseeing
– Osaka KIX afternoon departure
1 comment
Day 5 is especially hectic, you need a couple of hours at least in Asakusa, and depending on your interests, at least 2 to 3 hours in Nakano Broadway. Chuck in Ghibli museum, you won’t have time or it’s go go go.
For luggage delivery yet Yamato, you’ll see the car logo everywhere.
I just used my own mobile data while roaming for $5 a day and then the hotel wifi.
Restaurants – depending on the type of restaurants you’re wanting to go. I’d at least book a few in advance so you’re not always lining up at the popular places for ages.