Hi all!
It’ll be my first time in Japan in mid-April next year, and I’m super excited(: I wanted to figure out the foundation for my itinerary to see the most we can but at a leisurely pace. My family has traveled a lot in the past and we have come to appreciate the slow-paced vibe and being more present in what’s around us as opposed to going to attraction after attraction and packing our day up (though not opposed to doing so if needed). If we don’t get to see it all, we’ll just have to come back again obviii. We’ll be in Japan for 18 days, realistically 16 due to the traveling to and from. I’ve outlined our itinerary but nothing is set in stone and I would love people’s input!
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, stay in Taito
\-For this day we’re just going to be settling down at our hotel, walk around, and grab something to eat.
Day 2: Taito
\-Sensu-ji Temple
\-There are a lot of shrines around us, was wondering if any of them is a must-see?
\-Go around Asakusa, however, I haven’t gotten to researching what to do or see here so any suggestions are welcome!
Day 3: Nagoya
\-Nagoya Castle
\-Shitori Castle
\-Atsuta Jingu
\-Lunch
\-Mipig cafe
\-Osu Shopping District
Day 4: Nagoya -> Gujo -> Inuyama
\-This day seems really packed bc Gujo is \~2.5 hrs away from Nagoya and Inuyama is \~2.5 hrs away from Gujo. Was wondering if I should break this into two trips as opposed to fitting it all in one day.
|Gujo|
\-Gujo Castle
\-Igawa and Yanake Lane
\-Lunch at 翔太のうどん (Udon restaurant)
|Inuyama|
\-Inuyama Castle/Biyori
\-Urakuen Tea Garden
\-Sankoinari Shrine
\-Travel back to Nagoya
|Nagoya|Eat dinner
Day 5: Osaka
\-Osaka Castle
\-Nepenthes Store and Issey Miyake
\-Umeda Sky Building at Night
\-This day isn’t complete yet
Day 6: Osaka -> Nara -> Uda
|Nara|
\-Nara park to see the deers
\-walk around
|Uda|
\-Matabei Zakura-Any lunch suggestions?
\-Head back to Osaka
|Osaka|
\-walk around + dinner
Day 7: Osaka -> Awaji -> Kobe
|Awaji|Naruto Amusement Park, I’ve read posts on how its a must-see for Naruto fans so I’m excited for this!
\-Lunch
|Kobe|
\-Hakatsuru Sake Museum
\-Kobe Municipal Arboretum
\-Any Kobe beef restaurant suggestions?
\-Head back to Osaka
|Osaka|
\-walk around + dinner/snack if hungry
Day 8: Kyoto
\-Kinkaku-ji Shrine
\-Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
\-Lunch
\-Pontocho
\-Nijo Castle at night(?)
\-walk around + dinner
Day 9: Kyoto
\-Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
\-Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
\-Adashino Nenbutsu-ji
\-Lunch
\-Sannenzaka + Ninnenzaka Path
\-Sake tasting
\-Walk around + dinner
Day 10: Kyoto ->Fushimi ->Uji-> or Kyoto ->Fushimi -> Kurama
|Fushimi|
\-Fushimi Inari + Sembom Torii
\-Summit of Mt Inari (Will only do if it’s a short trek)
\-Lunch
|Uji|
\-Byodo-in Temple
\-Koshoji Teemple
\-Miryu Bridge
\-Torikiku
|Kurama|
\-Mount Kurama
\-Kifune Shrine
Day 11: Tokyo
\-TeamLabs Planets
\-Thrifting
Day 12: Tokyo
\-Disney Sea
\-Please lmk your recommendations on what foods or drinks to try!
Day 13: Tokyo
\-Ginza/Odaiba/Tsukiji
\-haven’t figured this one out yet
Day 14: Tokyo
\-Thinking Mt Fuji full day
Day 15: Tokyo
\-Shibuya/Shinjuku
\-Maybe get a tattoo?
\-Japanese designer shopping/more thrifting
Day 16: Tokyo
Akihabara/Aoyama
\-Anime, anime, anime
\-Last min shopping
Day 17: Leave 🙁
Thanks for reading this long post! Like I said, just wanted to get some foundation on my itinerary straightened out. I also wanted to mention that we’ll be in Tokyo for the Golden Week, and wanted to ask your opinions on going to Mt Fuji and Disney Sea on Days 12 and 14 as I know everyone will be on holiday this week and it will be crazy, lol. Also open to any festivals that would be happening this week as well!
One more thing, what would be the best app to learn Japanese?
Thanks in advance! 🙂
7 comments
Try and do something that you can’t do in your own country. I’m from Ireland* so going to a professional baseball match was fun.
*Experiencing a fully functioning high speed train network was also a novelty but that’s a rant for another sub.
The Tokyo parts look fine, but some of the places you’ve listed for the same day are needlessly distant from each/one an- other: Akihabara and Aoyama, for example, are not really close.
‘Thrifting’ is not something you can do in the places you have listed for Tokyo. Places where bargains are to be had are in the outer parts of the city.
Please don’t patronize any animal cafés. The animals lead poor, stressed, shortened lives and are generally badly cared for. The ‘mipig’ places are particularly egregious examples, as the pigs are underfed to keep them small and usually die in a year or so, rather than the 15 they’d live if they were properly cared for.
How many hotels is that? Feels like a lot of check ins and check outs for such a short stay.
Asakusa has a lot of touristy shops that are really cool. Like actually sell some really awesome stuff. Don’t know if it’s still there or not, but Hokusai Umbrella sells amazing umbrellas and are really good and strong quality.
Nara has some incredible hiking trails but you will need a lot more time to explore them. I spent a solid 5 days in Nara just hiking back country and exploring shops in town. Deer Park was cool for about 30 minutes.
Also, Mt Fuji is not in or near Tokyo… You will need to take a train or cab to get there. It is in Shizuoka. There is also a bus you can take but it is 2 hours one way.
I’d suggest giving yourself more time to do things and actually enjoy it. Honestly the most realistic part of this itinerary is Day 1..
Bring allergy medicine or buy in Japan. Next year looks like a heavy pollen year from the cedar trees.
For Kyoto recommend Kiyomizudera Temple. Definitely don’t go during the weekends/holidays since crowds are crazy, but it has gorgeous views. If you can squeeze it in Izusen at Daitokuji temple has an absolutely delicious ryori shojin lunch (a lot better than Shigetsu).
If you’re interested in anime, maybe check out the Ghibli museum/Ghibli Park.
Teamlabs Planets has a ramen restaurant outside so you can do lunch there. Side note though – there is a strong smell of feet inside the Planets exhibition since everyone has to go in on bare feet. Maybe they need to put more chlorine in the water or something.
Yes, Nagoya day 2 looks too packed to be enjoyable. Even driving people between places I would not recommend so much in one day. IF you are taking the train, this is a rough guess of how a rushed day would look.
8:00 Nagoya -> Gujyo
10:00 Arrive Gujyo
10:45 Arrive Castle (if walking)
11:10 Depart Castle
12:00 Udon (with very quick looking at Igawa)
12:30 Leave Udon
12:54 Train departs Gujyo Station (previous one is 11:19, 12:34, both too early. Next one is too late)
15:30 Arrive Inuyama
16:00 Arrive at castle
16:20 Leave castle
16:40 Arrive at garden (with short stop to see shrine)
17:00 Leave garden
17:30 Arrive Station
18:00 Nagoya Station