Hello!
My sister (17F) and I (29F) will be headed to Japan for the first time in the middle of March. We will have 10 days there.I am typically an anxious overthinker and plan too much but I am trying to leave the itinerary quite open to allow for exploration. In an effort to keep it simple, we’ve decided to stick to just Tokyo instead of running around the country with our probably many, many souvenirs. Hoping for cherry blossoms but we’re probably too early!
***The lists are just POTENTIAL things we want to see in each area. We will basically explore each area and see what we feel like doing. The days are also completely interchangeable to allow for flexibility if we want to make reservations where necessary.***
Contrary to this itinerary we are not huge shoppers, but that seems to be the natural thing to do while exploring on foot. I tried to balance shopping with parks and temples…I’d love some recs for some more activity-based things. I’ve heard of like a denim workshop where you can make things out of Japanese denim? A cool pastry class or something would be fun, too. The trip is a gift to myself for my 30th birthday and a gift to my sister for her high school graduation, so I’m open to spending a bit more for nicer experiences. 🙂
*Our interests: Skincare, Sanrio, Snoopy, vintage shopping, K-pop, Ghibli, pastry/baking. Japanese voice actors (My sister likes Ensemble stars and their voice actors, specifically), Lolita fashion, video game art.*
**Day 0 (Tuesday, March 19):**
* Land in Narita at 16:00
* Buy IC cards and activate eSIMs.
* Head to hotel in Ikebukuro! I haven’t booked a hotel yet but there are express airport busses that go to the Sunshine City area, and many hotel websites tell you which one to take.
* Check in and relax a bit, then grab dinner near the hotel. I’m sure there will be tons of amazing restaurants nearby.
**Day 1 (Wed) – Exploring Ikebukuro!**
* Breakfast at hotel or conbini.
* Sunshine City (interest points: Sanrio Café, Totoro shop, Pokemon Megacenter, Kiddyland/Snoopy/Rilakkuma store, gachapon machines)
* Lunch at Sunshine City food court.
* Probably midday nap at the hotel lol
* Animate flagship store, K-Books voice, k-books Kpop/Jpop (We are planning to visit many second-hand shops to search for specific Enstars nuis for my sister lol).
* Dinner is flexible! We are going to try for reservations at Café Cinnamon (Enstars café) but this can be any night as it’s in the hotel area. Mutekiya Ramen was recommended.
* If we have any energy left, I want to check out skincare at Matsukiyo and walk around Donki later on lol.
**Day 2 (Thurs) – Shibuya**
* Shibuya 109 Shopping (Department store with more Lolita and younger fashion)
* Animate Shibuya
* Tower records
* Shibuya Parco (1st or 7th floor conveyor belt sushi, Kiwamiya steak/hamburger)
* Miyashita park rooftop garden
* Mega Donki (supposed to be less crowded?)
* Afternoon tea at The Strings Omotesando (Sakura theme)
**Day 3 (Fri) – Harajuku and Shinjuku**
* Train to Meiji Jingu shrine (Leave hotel at 7AM?)
* Make 9AM reservation at Peanuts Sunnyside kitchen
* Takeshita street, cat street, La Foret shopping center, and surrounding area for vintage and Lolita shopping (most open 11AM).
* My sister is hoping to find a Lolita-style prom dress (something like this?[https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1114183045/black-gothic-dresslolita-fashion](https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1114183045/black-gothic-dresslolita-fashion) ) . I’ve heard that Takeshita is not worth it because it’s “not what it used to be” and all the cool shops are gone/overpriced. If anyone has alternate recs for a more chill experience, please share!
* Head to Shinjuku for late lunch/early dinner. Could potentially push this to Saturday if we’re still too jetlagged.
* Shinjuku potential points of interest: Cat billboard, Can-Do 100 yen shop (largest in Shinjuku is in Seibu Pepe building), Isetan (mostly for the foodcourt in the basement — nicer food souvenirs), Tokyo metropolitan building (free lookout!), Shinjuku Gyoen Park
**Day 4 (Saturday)**
* Recovery day. We can rest or revisit a point of interest.
* I was thinking about switching hotels on this day and checking into a hotel closer to Tokyo station. This would give us quicker access to things on the southeast side of Tokyo for the remainder of the week. Thoughts?
**Day 5 (Sunday)**
* Tsukiji Outer Market (opens 10AM)
* Imperial Palace Garden
* Shopping in Ginza. Potential points of interest: Marronier gate (OK supermarket in basement for bento lunch and packaged food souvenirs, Muji flagship, Sanrio World, Ginza Six, 3 coins.
**Day 6 (Monday)**
* Shiro Hige cream puff factory
* Studio Ghibli museum if we can get tickets (heard the theme park is not worth it)
* Return to hotel
* *Considering Radio Kaikan/Akihabara at night on this day or some other evening when we are feeling up to it.*
**Day 7 (Tuesday)**
* Sanrio Puroland. Purchase tickets on Klook beforehand. Many people said it’s overpriced and overhyped but I still think we’d enjoy it 🙂
**Day 8 (Wednesday) – Asakusa/Ueno**
* Senso-Ji
* Kappabashi street – I’d love a nice santoku knife as a souvenir to myself! Plus I can’t resist a kitchen gadget, RIP. :’) If anyone can recommend a spot to buy cute cookie cutters or specialty baking/patisserie things, either here or elsewhere, please let me know.
* Head to Ueno park –not interested in the zoo for ethical reasons. Maybe a museum here? Idk. Just wanted to take in the area because everyone says it’s lovely. Open to recs.
**Day 9 (Thursday)**
* Day trip to Mt. Fuji – Thinking about booking this one through Klook. Will wait until closer to the date and book a day with nice weather. [https://www.klook.com/en-CA/activity/2675-mount-fuji-classic-route-day-tour-tokyo/](https://www.klook.com/en-CA/activity/2675-mount-fuji-classic-route-day-tour-tokyo/)
**Day 10 (Friday)**
* Pack and head back to the airport! Leave time for airport browsing.
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Thank you for any input!
