Hi all, I’m planning a 10 day trip to Japan around new year, visiting, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
After lots of googling and ChatGPT, I refined an itinerary for my visit. Could you please give me advice whether this makes any sense? I know that lots of places are closed during the new year time, so, it would be great if you could give me tips or just heads up that some of these might not work?
Also, I’m not sure if I packed up a lot or little stuff to visit here, if there is something major that I’m missing, or I’m over stretching myself, please let me know.
**Tokyo (Dec 28-31):**
Explore Shinjuku nightlife (Golden Gai and Memory Lane).
Meiji Shrine.
Takeshita Street.
Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko statue.
Akihabara, Tokyo’s anime district.
Asakusa, including the Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street.
Odaiba and teamLab Borderless digital art museum.
**Kyoto (Dec 31-Jan 2)**
Participate in ‘Joyano Kane’ ringing of bells at a local temple for New Year’s Eve.
Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Tenryu-ji Temple.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).
Walk around the Gion district.
**Osaka (Jan 3-5)**
Osaka Castle.
Dotonbori, including Hozenji Temple and Hozenji-yokocho alley.
Day trip to Kobe: Meriken Park, Kobe beef lunch, Ikuta Shrine, Nankinmachi, and Sannomiya shopping district.
Explore Sumiyoshi-Taisha.
Visit Shinsekai and try local food near Tsutenkaku Tower.
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2 comments
You did not put nearly as much research as you suggested. teamLab Borderless closed over a year ago and it will re-open in a different location in January.
You should not use chatgpt… At least check to see if these places you’ll even be interested in going to and open during the time of your visit. For example, teamLab borderless in Odaiba closed last year and is reopening in Azabudai Hills in February 2024. There is teamLab Planets in nearby Toyosu.
There are lots of winter illuminations in Tokyo and Osaka you can check out in the evening during your trip.