Hey guys, I’ve used this sub plus numerous other itineraries online to create the perfect plan for me and a buddy of mine. But still, it will be great to hear if any of days are packed or not optimized fully. Our first day will be 02.12, and our last is 19.12, my last two days are empty and if there’s no suggestions we like we will probably leave them this way and just do what we want when the time comes.
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Day 1.
* Arrive at Narita Airport around 15:00
* travel to Shinagawa
* travel to Kyoto- check in to hotel, 5 mins from central station
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Day 2. Kyoto
* Kiyomizu-dera
* Sannen-zaka
* Maruyama-koen Park
* Chion-in
* Shoren-in
* Downtown Kyoto
* Nishiki Market
* Daimaru Basement
* Teramachi-dori
* Shijo-dori
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Day 3. Kyoto
* Tenryu-ji Temple
* Bamboo Grove
* monkey park
* Kinkaku-ji
* Nijō Castle
* Gion
* Higashiyama
* Pontocho
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Day 4. Kyoto
* Kyoto Imperial Palace
* Ginkaku-ji
* Path of Philosophy
* Nanzen-ji Temple
* Heian Shrine
* Fushimi-Inari
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Day 5. – daytrip Nara
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Day 6. rest day for the legs, do some laundry in the hotel, eat and drink coffee around the hotel.
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Day 7. Osaka
* Osaka Aquarium
* Tempozan
* Kita District
* Osaka Castle
* Dotombori
Day 8. Osaka
* Minami District
* Dotombori
* Hozenji Yokocho
* Doguyasuji Arcade
* Den-Den Town
* Minami
* Abeno Harukas
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Day 9. Yokohama daytrip and moving to Tokyo
* Minato Mirai 21
* Gundam Factory
* Nissan Gallery
* Red Brick Warehouse
* Chinatown
* Kuan Ti Miao Temple
* travel to hotel in Tokyo
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Day 10. Tokyo
* Meiji Jingu
* Shibuya
* Shibuya Sky
* Tokyu Hands
* Mega Don Quijote
* Takeshita Street
* Shimokitazawa
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Day 11. daytrip Fuji lakes – subject to change, we need clear weather
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Day 12. second rest day for the legs + laundry
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Day 13. Tokyo
* Nakamise-dori
* Senso-ji
* Kappabashi
* Akihabara
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Day 14. Tokyo
* Imperial Palace
* Yushukan Museum
* Shinjuku
* Golden Gai
* Omoide Yokocho
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Day 15. Tokyo
* Fish Market
* Ginza
* National Museum
* Asakusa
* Sensoji Temple
* Yanaka
* Nezu
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Day 16. Tokyo – empty
Day 17. Tokyo – empty.
Day 18 Tokyo go home.
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Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
2 comments
It’ll take a couple of hours to visit Shimokitazawa, and it doesn’t seem worth it to me (who lives near the place). It used to be a kind of underground/alternative destination, but it really is not these days: over the last 10 years or so many of the older shops have closed down and prices have risen drastically. I’d recommend instead visiting either Sangenjaya (about as distant as Shimokitazawa) or Kichijoji (a little farther, but with more to do and see).
Be aware that 4 and 11 are Mondays, and many places like museums are closed on Mondays.
On your first rest day in Kyoto, go to Kurasu (one of my favorite spots in all of Japan ) there’s also Coyote which is great as well, they’re both about a 3 min walk away from the station.
Also, Kyoto is pretty much where all the matcha is from, so I’d say go do a tea ceremony if you have even the slightest bit of interest.