My husband and I are landing in Narita Airport in the morning on May 17th, and intend to make our way to Tokyo first. As of right now, we want to divide our time this way:
Tokyo – 4 Days, Kyoto – 3 Days, Osaka – 3 Days, Hiroshima – 1 Day, Miyajima – 1 Day
We’re also flying back out of Narita Airport, so we need to wind up back in Tokyo. We have a very wide variety of options for each place, but we have little to no idea how long each item will take, especially since certain activities are more “free”, such as shopping in and exploring Shibuya. However, I have done my best to break up all the activities we really want to do by each day. We have not yet accounted for the specific shrines we intend to visit aside from Fushimi Inari and a couple others, although we really don’t intend to go to too many shrines anyway. We also haven’t accounted for how many times we will visit different onsens, especially since my husband has a tattoo on his forearm. Of course, recommendations by area and any rearrangements are very welcome, as this is just a very vague idea of what our trip will look like. As of right now, I have three days that are empty on our schedule as some wiggle room. I’ve actually organized each activity already based on travel and proximity, so it should be very timely and efficient during travel, although as I said before, some things may need to be edited based on just how long it will take to tour a certain area. You’ll notice that Mt. Fuji isn’t anywhere on the itinerary, and that is because it is my current understanding that May is not the ideal time to visit or view Mt. Fuji. Anyway, here’s our schedule so far:
**Day One: Arriving, Checking In, Exploring Tokyo**
Cup Noodles Museum (although it’s the first place listed, we don’t HAVE to go here if we’re short on time, we just think it’s neat)
Ghibli Museum (100% have to go, we would only give it up if the Ghibli Park has opened exhibits)
Nintendo (I don’t think you can visit the building but my husband really wants to just SEE it, so it won’t be very time-consuming)
Shibuya Center (definitely need to go here for souvenirs and all the pop culture)
Hachiko Memorial Statue (probably a five-minute visit to see the sweetest dog in the world, not far at all from some of our other stops)
Sakurai (cute little tea shop)
Harajuku (again, a must-see for the pop culture and fashion)
**Day Two: Exploring Tokyo**
Sky Circus (very interested in this but afraid this will bevery child-oriented rather than meant for all ages like an arcade would be)
Spa LaQua (if tattoo-friendly)
Toyokuni Atelier Gallery (just thought it looked like a neat art gallery)
Akihabara (another pop culture stop for shopping)
Pokémon Centre (a must-visit for my husband and I)
Godzilla Statue (honestly neither of us care about Godzilla but if we’re in the area and we have the time, we just want the photo op)
**Day Three: Exploring Tokyo**
Japanese Sword Museum (an absolute must, but afraid there will be little English)
Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium (if there is a tournament on, which I believe there is during May, we want to sit in for just a couple of matches)
teamLab Borderless (big fan of art displays, especially interactive ones like this)
Odaiba (artificial island with a ferris wheel and entertainment, but we have little idea what we would actually do in the area)
**Day Four: Wiggle Room**
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**Day Five: Arriving in and Exploring Kyoto**
Fushimi Inari Taisha (our #1 shrine, a classic)
Tea Ceremony Camellia [(Link for context)](https://www.camelliakyoto.com/) (This one is very exciting for me, 100% have to do it)
Gion (really want to roam a zen garden, see some type of traditional performance, and try on a kimono)
Bamboo Forest (we have two of these, willing to cut one out if we need to save time, we just think they’re neat)
Heian Shrine (something about this shrine grabbed my attention but I can’t remember what, if someone could do me the honor of jogging my memory)
Philosopher’s Path (we think this would be beautiful but wondering how nice it’ll actually be post-cherry blossom season)
**Day Six: Exploring Kyoto**
Ippodo Tea Kyoto Main Store (another cute tea store, I especially love tea and intend to pick up a bunch to bring back with us)
Kyoto International Manga Museum (not a huge priority considering my husband is not into anime/manga, so it can be taken off the itinerary if need be for the sake of time)
Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama (definitely want to visit here unless given a reason to avoid it)
Kimono Forest (I’m a textile artist, I am very interested in seeing this)
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (Different from the one before)
Kitano Tenmangū Shrine (second favorite shrine after Fushimi Inari)
**Day Seven: Wiggle Room**
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**Day Eight: Theme Park Day, Maybe Travel To Osaka**
Universal Studios Japan (I really and truly have no idea how much time we would need for this, we merely assume it would take a full day like most other theme parks, but we are also worried again this will be very child-oriented and not as entertaining for two adults)
**Day Nine: Osaka**
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (love this one, very excited to see some different fish)
Osaka Castle (a classic destination, definitely need to stop in)
Redhorse Osaka Wheel (we think this one would be neat but I know some ferris wheels have lines that aren’t worth the wait, like the London Eye)
Cup Noodles Museum (Different from first one, wouldn’t mind getting rid of one if need be)
Kobe Plaisir (our one certified fancy meal)
**Day Ten: Wiggle Room**
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**Day Eleven: Arriving in and Exploring Hiroshima**
Shukkeien (beautiful zen area, definitely want to visit)
Hiroshima Castle (also very interested, but probably last on the list for Hiroshima)
Atomic Bomb Dome (all the landmarks for the atomic bomb memorial are a must-see, these are what we’re planning our day around, although we don’t know how long visiting these sites will take, but I suspect we will have time to spare)
Children’s Peace Monument (the one site I want to see most)
Peace Memorial Park (generally just want to visit)
Peace Memorial Museum (also a general visit to pay respects)
**Day Twelve: Exploring Miyajima**
Following the all-day guide given on the official [Miyajima Tourism Website](https://www.miyajima.or.jp/english/course/course_5hour.html) (a must-visit for us)
**AND THAT IS IT** but as you can probably tell, there is a lot of editing left to do, especially considering we do have to return to Tokyo. Any wiggle days can be arranged in any order, I just decided to designate one for each of the larger areas. I also have a brief list of other places we’d love to visit but they’re more out of the way, and time is precious, but I’ll list them anyway:
Tsuwano Catholic Church (big interest for my husband as he’s a huge theology nerd)
Amanohashidate (if it’s just a scenic area, it isn’t too big of a loss since we know we will see plenty of other beautiful scenery on our trip)
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (not that important but neither of us have ever visited a dinosaur museum)
GREEN Cooking Studio (Takayama) (VERY interested in doing this if it is worthwhile, but seems very out of the way)
Sample Kobo (Food Replica Workshop that I thought looked neat, but not a priority unless I’m informed it’s an absolute highlight)
Togakushi Folk Museum/Ninja House (I REALLY want to go to this one, but I’m afraid it will be very child-oriented and go a great distance for a child’s attraction)
Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen) (Not a big deal to miss if we go to the other monkey park)
Ghibli Park (Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park) (Willing to replace Ghibli Museum with this if enough exhibits are open by then, but unsure how long it would take, but a VERY large interest for my husband and I)
And of course, Mt. Fuji and the Ropeway, although as I stated before, I don’t believe it’s something we can do if we’re visiting in May.
Please, be ruthless!! Tell me what should be changed, what isn’t as worthwhile, what is actually really close by to some of the items I’ve already listed, tell me if a certain spot will not be very english-friendly (I know some Japanese but my husband knows virtually none at all), even tell me if certain areas will be reluctant to serve us because we are tourists!!
If you’re looking to make suggestions, I will inform you I do not drink but my husband does very occasionally, so Tokyo nightlife is not a priority by any means, but my husband and I are both very interested in food, and I am interested in any kind of art, and my husband would love anything historical and scenic. We’re definitely doing some shopping, and I’m looking for some beautiful prints to bring back with us to hang on our walls.
Sorry this was so long, but I would rather be detailed than vague if I’m looking for advice. Thanks folks!!
3 comments
I’m only going to touch on the days where I have a lot of experience, but…
>Day One: Arriving, Checking In, Exploring Tokyo
Day 1 is way too packed. The Cup Noodle Museum is 40 minutes south of downtown Tokyo in Yokohama (which could honestly be its own day trip). Ghibli Museum is 30 minutes west of downtown Tokyo, and the time slots for it are rigid, so it will depend on what you can get. Shibuya/Hachiko/Harajuku/Sakurai are together, but Sakurai is a place where you really want to sit down and enjoy for 1-2 hours (and I recommend making reservations, since it’s only 8 seats). I also recommend going in the afternoon, since one of their highlights is tea-infused liquor and cocktails, so your husband might be interested in that part.
>Day Three: Exploring Tokyo
This day is pretty spread out, too, mostly because Odaiba takes way longer to get to/from than it looks. Also, Borderless is closing at the end of this month, and there are no current plans for reopening, and much of Odaiba will be under construction well into 2023, so you might want to reconsider visiting the area at all.
>Day Five: Arriving in and Exploring Kyoto and Day Six: Exploring Kyoto
These two days are very packed. I definitely think you’ll end up spilling over into Day 7. Also, no Toraya by the imperial palace for tea? It’s an amazing tea and wagashi shop. Although they also have locations in Tokyo if you have more time to burn there.
>Day Eleven: Arriving in and Exploring Hiroshima
I’d say for the atomic bomb memorial stuff, I would allocate 10-20 minutes for the A-Bomb Dome (it’s really just walking around it and viewing it). Maybe 30-60 minutes for the Peace Monument and Peace Park (again, it’s just walking around and viewing it). And probably 2 hours for the museum. Of course you could spend longer in any place, but doing all the atomic bomb stuff can be a solid half-day in Hiroshima, and at minimum it’s a couple of hours if you blitz through it.
>And of course, Mt. Fuji and the Ropeway, although as I stated before, I don’t believe it’s something we can do if we’re visiting in May.
You can’t *hike* Fuji in May, but the area around it would still be lovely to visit. Someplace like Kawaguchiko would be fun (you can do the ropeway, get out on the lake, stay in a ryokan, etc.). The view of Mt. Fuji would still be lovely, although it probably won’t have its iconic snowcap, if that matters to you. I’ve been to Kawaguchiko a few times in the spring and the weather was gorgeous.
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If you love tea, you might want to consider a day trip to Uji from Osaka. It can honestly be done in only a few hours, there are some cute tea shops, and you can also see Byodo-in, which is a gorgeous temple.
Day 1 : cup noodle museum in in Yokohama, does not especially make sense to do that along with Ghibli Museum. They are oven 1h away from each other.
“Nintendo”, what do you mean exactly, this is quite vague. If you mean a Nintendo office in Tokyo… don’t waste your time. Instead, consider stopping at the former Nintendo building in Kyoto, it is now a hotel.
Most people just plan Harajuku and Shibuya for a day and can be quite enough.
Day 2 : Spa LaQua is not tattoo friendly, clearly stated on their [website](https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/en/tourists/experiences/tourists-plan-10/).
You are also moving quite a lot between Ikebukuro, Akihabara, Shinjuku… focus on staying on one or two general area of the city and try to select area that are close to each other.
Day 3 : Yes, there is sumo in May, but check to buy tickets in advance.
TeamLab Borderless is closing in like 2 weeks. Planets will still be open. The Ferris wheel in Odaiba is also getting torn down (as the whole Palette town complex is being redevelopped.
Day 5 : I would not go to Fushimi Inari-taisha on arrival in Kyoto as you are likely not going to be there before lunch time If you do, you will be there will a load of other people. Try to go early to beat the crowd, so on a different day would be best in my opinion. Do you have a specific idea of zen garden in Gion. Also, do you have a specific bamboo forest in mind ? You also have quite a lot for half a day in Kyoto.
Day 6 : the manga museum is apparently mostly about the manga collection, mostly in Japanese, so unless they have an exhibition about a manga or mangaka you like, might as well pass.
Day 10 : Taht is a bit spread out in Osaka, like the cup noodle museum is an hour away from the castle and again an hour away from the restaurant in Kobe.
Day 11 : Instead of Shukkeien and Hiroshima castle, I would consider getting in the train early and stopping by Himeji to see Koko-en garden and Himeji castle, eat lunch in the train to Hiroshima and go see the peace museum.
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In general, I think you have too much things that are too spread out in the city each day. Try to focus on less neighborhoods and select places that are closer to each other on each day.
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Notes one the other places you named.
Tsuwano Catholic Church : mildly interesting for me. Tsuwano does have other christian related sight, absolutely nice place, but totally out of the way for you.
Amanoashidate : yes, nice view, but I would only consider it if you were spending a good 2 weeks in Kansai only.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum : In my book not really worth the detour unless you were doing it as a stop on the way to Kanazawa.
GREEN Cooking Studio (Takayama) : Would work better if you had Kanazawa/Takayama in your itinerary.
Sample Kobo : Yes, Gujo is famous for food replica fabrication, but you could likely find a workshop in Tokyo (in Kappabashi) or Osaka (I did, in Japanese, in doguyasuji at a store called Food samples Designpocket)
Togakushi Folk Museum/Ninja House : that seems to be hard to access, there would be easier ninja sports to visit like Iga, but with the time you have…
Ghibli Park : It’s opening in November, but so far no idea if it will be possible or easy to get tickets. I guess you would figure most of the day for it.
Mt. Fuji and the Ropeway : You mean look at Mount Fuji ? And the ropeway in Kawaguchiko ? No problem, it’s an easy daytrip from Tokyo, just 2h away on the bus. Of course, you are not in season to climb Mount Fuji.
>Osaka Castle (a classic destination, definitely need to stop in)
It’s actually a postwar concrete reconstruction. Skip it (and the castle in Hiroshima), and stop in on the excellent original castle at Himeji on your way to Hiroshima.