Day 1: 12/28
Arrive NRA @5:45 pm
Check into hotel
Get snacks from kombini
Ueno Park
Sleep
Day 2: 12/29
Train to Kyoto (6:00 AM)
Kiyomizudera
Gion District
Higashiyama District
Day 3: 12/30
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Train to Nara
Deer Park
Kasuga Taidha, Todai-ji, and Horiyuji Temples
Day 4: 12/31
Himeji Castle Day Trip (morning)
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Shinsekai Market
Dotonbori
Day 5: 1/1 (NEW YEARS DAY!)
Train to Tokyo (already reserved)
Shiba Crossing
Poekemon Center
Shibuya Sky (maybe)
Togo Shrine
Day 6: 1/2
Train & Bus to Kusatsu Onsen,
Explore Kusatsu,
Day 7: 1/3
Explore kusatsu,
Day 8: 1/4
Return to Tokyo,
Mejia Jingu & Youogi Park,
Tokyo Plaza (shopping),
Day 9: 1/5
Shinjuku Goyen National Garden,
Imperial Pallace,
Day 10: 1/6
Senso-Ji,
Kirby Cafe,
Tokyo Skytree (maybe),
Kanda Shrine,
Explore Akihabara,
Day 11: 1/7
Ghibli Museum,
Gundam Base,
Tokyo Tower,
Fly Home @7:00 pm
So that’s the itinerary. Particularly something I haven’t planned for is restaurants. If you have recommendations for places to eat on days where we might not end up in a food hub by the end of the day, they would be appreciated. I took a lot of care in planning for things that are open around the new year, but if you noticed a mistake please let me know.
The one big thing that I was worried about was the trip to Kusatsu Onsen. Specifically if it was worth the experience when some baths will be closed around the holiday. Additionally, my partner has tattoos so we might also not be allowed in certain baths because of this.
The other thing that I thought was kinda off was Day 9: 1/5 where we didn’t really have much planned. I thought this might be good for if we wanted to do things we hadn’t planned for, or needed to push things from other days in Tokyo due to not having time.
All of your notes would be appreciated 👏
2 comments
The Tokyo stuff you should rearrange after looking at a map. Ghibli Museum, for example, and the Gundam base and Tokyo Tower are all in different places. Narita Airport is hours away from Tokyo, too: for a 7 PM flight you might have to leave Tokyo at 2 PM.
Triple-check openings on 1-3 January, too. Not much is open in Tokyo.
I’m a bit concerned about the new year period – please check opening dates. New year is taken very seriously