Hello everyone, so my situation is a little unique. My girlfriend and I had started planning this trip 6 months ago. However due to many things we have broken up and are no longer speaking. She cannot financially go, but I still can.
The flights have already been paid for and hotels are booked. At this point I decided that I would go alone, it will be my 3rd time visiting but first time going solo so I am a little nervous. I fly out in 17 days and am starting to get anxious that I’m forgetting stuff.
Despite this I’m attempting to plan out the remainder of the trip, some parts I’ve neglected due to dealing with the break up and other life events. If possible id like help filling those parts in.
Its very rough and is more to use as a guide, but I’m going for enjoyment as well as to see as much as possible. Any recommendations or comments are much appreciated.
Day 1 – Sunday Nov 19 – Tokyo
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• 4:55 PM: Arrive at HND
• Train to Keikyu-Kamata Station (Keikyu Airport Line – 200円)
• Check in APA Hotel Keikyu-Kamata Ekimae
• Head to Konbini (Lawson/Family Mart/711)
• Dinner (Sukiya?)
• Public Bath House? (Kaiseiyu/Kotobukiyu/Taisho-yu/Tenjin’yu)
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Day 2 – Monday Nov 20 – Tokyo->Osaka
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• 10:00 AM Checkout
• 11:00 AM: Shinkansen to Osaka (4 hours – Â¥15,010)
• 3:00 PM Arrive in Osaka
• Check in APA Hotel Namba-Shinsaibashi
• Explore Dotonbori (Ichiran Ramen, Don Quixote, Yakiniku (Sex Machine?))
• Public Bath House (Suehiroyu/Healthy spa Tateba/Namba Onsen/Radium Onsen)
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Day 3 – Tuesday Nov 21– Osaka
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• Train to Osakako Station (Namba->Honmachi->Osakako – 290円)
• Osaka Aquarium – (Opens 10:30AM – 2,700円/$27 each)
• Mt. Tenpo Ferry to City Walk side (Free)
• Universal CityWalk (Opens 10AM)
• Train to Osakajokoen Station (Universal-City->Nishikujo->Osakajokoen – 210円)
• Osaka-jo Castle (Opens 9AM – 600円/$6 each)
• Train to Shinsaibashi Station (Osaka Business Park-> Shinsaibashi – 240円)
• Food (Okonomiyaki, Kushikatsu (Kushikatsu Daruma Namba?) , Takoyaki)
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Day 4 – Wednesday Nov 22 – Kyoto
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• Train to Shichijo Station (Namba->Yodoyabashi->Shichijo – 620円)
• Sanjusangen-do Temple – (Opens 9AM – 600円)
• Tofukuji Temple – (Opens 8:30AM – 1000円)
• Fushimi Inari Shrine – (Open 24/7 – Free)
• Gion (Gion Uokeya U, Musoshin, Steak House Yoshida)
• Train to Namba Station (Gion-Shijo->Yodoyabashi->Namba – 620円)
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Day 5 – Thursday Nov 23 – Kyoto?
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• Kiyomizu-dera – (Opens 6AM – Free?)
• Kyoto Manga Museum – (Opens 10:30AM – 900円)
• Higashiyama District
• Kyoto National Museum
• Nishiki Market
• Nanzenji Temple?
• Ginkakuji?
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Day 6 – Friday Nov 24 – Nara
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• Train to Kintetsu-Nara Station (Osaka-Namba-> Kintetsu-Nara – 680円)
• Todai-ji Temple
• Kofuku-ji Temple
• Nara Park
• Naramachi
• Train to Osaka-Namba (Kintetsu-Nara->Osaka-Namba – 680円)
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Day 7 – Saturday Nov 25 – Osaka->Narai
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• Explore Namba Last Chance
• 10:00 AM Checkout
• 12:00 AM: Shinkansen to Narai (4 hours – Â¥10,470)
• 4:00 PM Arrive in Narai
• Check in Minshuku Shimada
• Explore Narai-juku
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Day 8 – Sunday Nov 26 – Narai->Nagano
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• Explore Narai-juku
• 10:00 AM Checkout?
• 11:00 AM Train to Nagano Station (2 hours – Â¥1,690)
• Explore Nagano Station
• 3:00 PM Train to Yudanaka Station (1 hour – Â¥1,190)
• 4:00 PM Arrive in Yamanochi
• Check in Hotel Housei
• Explore Shibu Onsen
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Day 9 – Monday Nov 27 – Nagano
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• Yudanaka Onsen
• Shibu Onsen
• Snow Monkey Park?
• Matsumoto Castle?
• Togakushi shrine?
• Zenoji Temple?
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Day 10 – Tuesday Nov 28 – Nagano
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• Matsumoto Castle?
• Togakushi shrine?
• Zenoji Temple?
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Day 11 – Wednesday Nov 29 – Nagano->Tokyo
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• Explore Shibu Onsen
• 10:00 AM Checkout
• 11:00 Train to Nagano Station (1 hour – Â¥1,290)
• 12:00 Train to Akihabara Station (2 hour – Â¥8,130)
• 2:00 Arrive in Akihabara
• Explore Akihabara
• Check in APA Hotel Akihabaraeki Denkigaiguchi
• Teacup Puppy Café
• Yodabashi Akiba
• Mos Burger?
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Day 12 – Thursday Nov 30 – Tokyo
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• Akihabara
• Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple
• Tokyo Tower
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Day 13 – Friday Dec 1 – Tokyo
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• 7:00 AM Train to Kamakura (1-2 hours – Â¥950)
• Kotoku-in
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Day 14 – Saturday Dec 2 – Tokyo
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• Fuji-Kawaguchiko Fall Leaves Festival?
• Shirakawago Village?
• Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival?
• Mt. Takao?
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Some specific things I need help with addressing:
1. I need to contact Minshuku Shimada and let them know it’ll be only one guest instead of two. I noticed a price difference and was concerned they may not accept my original booking if I come alone. The others are APA hotels which I should be good to leave as is, and Hotel Housei has no mention of fees for just a single traveler. Was curious on the communities thoughts?
2. I need to look into getting a pocket wifi as well as suica alternatives. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
3. My original reason for going in Nov was to see the autumn leaves and I love onsens so I’m trying to hit as many as possible, would love any recommendations.
Thank you so much for any help!
3 comments
For Day 8 to Day 11 are you staying at Shibu Onsen? If so then maybe visit Obuse as its not too far.
I wouldn’t suggest going to any of the animal cafes especially a teacup puppy one. They’re super unethical, cruel, and usually sad. Plus by spending your money going to them, you’re almost always supporting puppy mills and illegal wildlife traders here.
Factor in sunset will be ~4.45pm for some days you are there
Pasmo card will work like a Suica where you are going and still available at Narita / Haneda last I heard.
I use pocket wifi from iVideo. Works well. You can order and pick up from Narita Airportl Post Office on arrival and just pop it into a mail box before departure. Delivery to your hotel is possible as well as arrangements for Haneda, you to look into as I am not familiar. If you want to use the post office check closing times.
Some temples will open at night. ie you could fit Zenogi in that way if you run out of time.
Check opening days. Some will close one day a week and it is not the same day for all.
Night time illuminations in Kyoto / Tokyo of shrines, temples, parks etc for Autumn leaves / Christmas should be happening while you are there if of interest.