Hello everyone,
I’m visiting Japan for the first time at the end of February and Iām finalizing my itinerary. Iāve opted for the traditional route of Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka.
**Tokyo:**
18/02
Arrival at Narita at 5:20 PM
Transfer to the hotel in Shinjuku
19/02
Explore Shibuya
Explore shopping streets (Takeshita, Harajuku, Omotesando)
Shibuya Sky (buy tickets in advance)
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
20/02
TeamLab Planets (buy tickets in advance)
Tokyo Skytree (buy tickets in advance)
Explore Shinjuku
21/02
Tsukiji Fish Market
Explore Ginza
Tokyo Tower (buy tickets in advance)
22/02
Senso-ji Temple
Nakamise Street
Akihabara
**Kyoto:**
23/02
Train to Kyoto
Hotel near Kyoto Station
(Not sure what to do on this day)
24/02
Nishiki Market
Nijo Castle
Kinkaku-ji
25/02
Fushimi Inari
Kiyomizu-dera
Explore Gion
26/02
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Explore Arashiyama
Pontocho Alley
**Osaka**
27/02
Train to Osaka
Kuromon Market
Explore Umeda
Dotonbori
28/02
Universal Studios (buy tickets in advance)
29/02
The flight is at 11:30 PM, so I have the whole day free.
Maybe do some shopping? Any suggestions?
Need help with the following points:
1- Do you consider the itinerary doable? Any adjustments you would make?
2- Iām not sure if visiting Tokyo Tower on 21/02 makes sense. Would you suggest placing it elsewhere?
3- The last day in Osaka is empty. The flight is only at 11:30 PM, so I thought of spending it on some shopping. What is the shopping area in Osaka?
4- I plan to take only 2 longer trips: Tokyo – Kyoto and Kyoto – Osaka. From what I understand, the Suica card is helpful. Is it just to top up the card and use it for any transportation, including these longer trips? Or is it still necessary to buy tickets in advance?
5- Iām thinking of using a pre-paid Revolut card for payments. Do you recommend another option?
6- Iām going in winter with very low temperatures, any recommendations?
7- I would like to try Wagyu or Kobe beef in Japan. Can you recommend a restaurant that is not excessively expensive?
8- Iām staying in Kyoto near the Kyoto Station. Is this a good area, or it is recommended to chose a more central location?
Thank you for your help!
4 comments
The Tokyo parts look fine to me. I’m not sure I’d go up into three towers in four days, though, but maybe that’s just me: I myself have trouble telling one mass of low, indistinguishable buildings from another.
Some tickets (for example, for the Shinkansen or for some minor train lines) you will have to buy separately.
Have a nice time.
You could probably explore more of Osaka on the second day unless you really wanted to spend the entire day in Universal Studios? The first day seems a bit tight. But everyone has different styles of exploring, so YMMV. Have fun!
I think this itinerary is overall very doable. Iāll answer some of the questions I can:
3 – Depends on what kind of shopping youāre into, but there are some great clothing stores in America-mura.
4 – Your Suica card will work on everything EXCEPT shinkansen (bullet train) travel. You need to buy separate tickets for that. Youāre not traveling during any major holidays, so youāre probably fine buying those day-ofāespecially if youāre traveling solo. I usually prefer buying when I get there so Iām not stressed about missing my train while Iām trying to navigate through the station. Make sure you sit on the right side of the train from Tokyo -> Kyoto for the best view of Mt Fuji!
6 – If youāre cold, hit a Uniqlo early on in your trip and get some of the heat-tech thermals to layer under your clothes. They are super warm without being bulky. There are Uniqlos everywhere, but the big flagship store is in Ginza if that interests you.
8 – Great area. The biggest problem with Kyoto is how crowded the buses can get. Most bus routes start at Kyoto Station, so youāll be able to get a seat more easily than if you were getting on in say, Gion. Worst case scenario you can also always take a cab, which is fairly inexpensive (theyāre more expensive in Tokyo).
Skip Teamlabs. It was the most disappointing part of my two weeks. Go to a museum.