Hello, I’ll be heading to Japan in with a friend for the 1st time to see the cherry blossoms and wanted to ask for advice on our itinerary please.
We are interested in a mix of modern and traditional site-seeing.
* In Tokyo we want to go thrifting/shopping, visit cafes and dessert places and try a sushi-making classes.
* In Kyoto we are planning to see the Bamboo forest, Gion district and Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine.
* In Osaka we want to experience the Dotonbori nightlife.
* We’d also love to do a day-trip to see Mt. Fuji but heard the weather might be too cloudy during spring to see it well. My questions are:
1. Should we cut out the day trip to Mt. Fuji?
2. Are food markets worth visiting?
3. Is our Tokyo (4) / Mt. Fuji (1) / Osaka (1) / Kyoto (2) day split enough to see the highlights? Have we missed any highly-recommended places for 1st time visits?
Thanks in Advance!
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Day 1: Tokyo
* Arrive in Tokyo in the evening, only plans are to check-in and get dinner locally.
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Day 2: Western Tokyo
* Start in Shinjuku area
* Head to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in the morning, then walk towards Meiji Jingu Shrine for sight-seeing.
* After lunch walk towards the Harajuku area for shopping/thrifting.
* Go to Omoide Yokocho for dinner
* Visit Golden Gai in the evening
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Day 3: Northern Tokyo
* Visit Sensō-ji in the morning then stroll through Sumida Park and Ueno Park to see the cherry blossoms (hopefully). Relaxed morning stroll, check out local cafes for modern coffee shops and traditional sweet treats.
* Visit the Asakusa district, Ameyoko market and if we have time the National Museum.
* Late afternoon/evening plan is to attend a Sushi-making class
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Day 4: Day trip to Mt. Fuji
* Book a coach full-day trip to Hakone from Tokyo. Specifically the view from Lake Kawaguchi.
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Day 5: Tokyo
* Book a morning timeslot to teamLab
* Visit Central and Southern Tokyo in the afternoon and evening but unsure yet what to see/do
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Day 6: Travel Tokyo -> Osaka
* Travel to Osaka in the morning, check-in hotel
* Visit Osaka Castle and Park in the afternoon
* Get dinner in the Dotonbori district, explore the area
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Day 7: Day trip to Kyoto
* Head to Fushimi Inari Taisha in the morning, explore the area, see the Daigoji or Tofukuji temple.
* Rent a kimono experience in the afternoon
* Book a Gion District walking tour in the afternoon/evening
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Day 8: Day trip to Kyoto
* Visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in the morning
* See the Otagi Nenbutsuji statues
* Afternoon – Lunch in downtown Kyoto district
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Day 9: Travel Osaka -> Tokyo
* Osaka morning: Kuromon Ichiba Market in the morning (or skip?)
* Travel back to Tokyo
* Free afternoon? Possibly book a tea ceremony activity
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Day 10 – Last full day in Tokyo
* Spend the day in Disneyland
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Day 11 – Head back to the airport in the afternoon for evening flight home