Hi all, my solo travel to Japan last 2020 was cancelled due to Covid. But this year, I’m finally going (fingers crossed), but now with my girlfriend. We will be in Tokyo from May 14-22.
We’d like to get some tips for our initial itinerary – we have 8 days (excluding our last day, flight is at 1PM).
Some things to note:
– We find the trains to Osaka expensive – so we decided to hold that off for another trip.
– Food: My girlfriend loves sushi, I love steaks (but still on a budget)
– Nightlife: We’d like to go clubbing for at least a night, or maybe do a pub crawl (any suggestions)
– Accommodation: Ideally, we’d like to stay in 2 hostels in 2 different areas. We want to stay in a private room in a social hostel. We’re looking at NUI at the moment.
– Sequence of places by proximity are not accounted for yet.
Hostel Options
NUI – Good hostel in Asakusa
Day 1 Shinjuku
– Kabukicho Tower (Mall)
– Alpen Tokyo (Shoe Shopping)
– Samurai Museum (Sword drawing Demonstrations)
– Shinjuku Gyoen (Park)
– Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)
– Champion Bar (Shortcut Alley to Golden Gai)
– Food: Ramen Tatsunoya, Omoide Yokocho, Nagi Ramen, Konjiki Hototogisu
Day 2 Shibuya & Harajuku
– Hachiko Statue
– Shibuya Crossing View (Magnet/Mag’s Park)
– Meiji Shrine
– Cat Street (Restaurants, Shops)
– Shibuya Sky (Observation Deck, Sunset)
– Takeshita Street
– 1oak (Club)
– Food: Miyoshitei, Zuicho Katsudon, Ore Ryu Shio Ramen
Day 3 Odaiba
– teamLab Borderless (Azubadai Hills)
– Giant Gundam
– Rainbow Bridge
Day 4
– Disney Sea
Day 5 Asakusa & Akihabara
– Lashinbang (Second hand figurine store)
– GiGo Arcade
– Nakamise Dori (Shopping Street)
– Tokyo Skytree
– Kaminarimon
– Sensoji Temple (Visit at night)
– Imperial Palace
Food: Nikuya Yokocho, Gyukatsu Motomura, Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku
Day 6 Thrift Day
– Oi Racecourse
– Hardoff Saitama
– 2nd street (Kamagaya)
– Shimokitazawa
Day 7 Mt. Fuji Day Tour (Klook)
Day 8
Questions:
– No day 8 yet
– Day 3 a bit light? Would like more suggestions if possible!
– Best outlet for sneakers?
– How is the weather in May?
– I know that some of these thrift shops are chains, so specific branches would be very helpful.
– What transportation pass should we get?
– Need another hostel recommendation. Haven’t checked the prices of NUI, but we don’t want to spend a lot on accommodation (not very picky either, as long as comfort rooms are decent)
– Any hidden gems we missed?
– Restaurant recommendations (not too expensive)
– If we were to splurge in one restaurant, where should we go?
– Pub crawl suggestions?
