Greetings! This sub has been a huge help in planning my upcoming trip. This is my 3rd time visiting Japan but it’s been 10 years since my last visit and this will be my buddy’s first visit. We’re pretty chill dudes in their 40s and flexible about travel expectations. Appreciate any feedback y’all can provide!
I’m mostly curious about:
-tickets or reservations needed for shrines, temples, and observation towers? Last time, I tried to ride up Tokyo Skytree and they ran out of tickets for same day purchase. I’d like to avoid that for anything I can pre-purchase now!
-when is a ‘good’ time to experience some popular places like Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Meiji Shrine, or Nara Deer Park?
-If weather turns for the worse, what are activities to avoid?
-Suggestions for onsen or bathhouse experience in Kyoto? (We have no tattoos!)
-is the Tsukiji fish market area a good place for you early morning sushi? That was my ‘breakfast hack’ years ago while still jet lagged after arrival.
-Can you get a reserved seat on next-day Shinkansen trains pretty easily, or do prices skyrocket if less than 24 hours? I can purchase tix now using Smart-EX and my Suica, but unless the cost or availability is much better now, we would like to wait and purchase when we arrive.
**Activity Dates: 2-11 February 2024**
**Day 1: Arrival in Shinjuku**
– arrive around 14:00 JST
– Afternoon: Check-in Keio hotel Shinjuku eki
– (if not too jet lagged) Evening: Explore Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. (10 minute cab)/15 min train ride
-(if not too jet lagged) Enjoy dinner in the vibrant area of Kabukicho.
10 minute cab ride. 15 minute train ride
**Day 2: Tokyo**
– Morning: Visit Tsukiji Outer Market for fresh sushi. (30 min train ride)
– Afternoon: Explore Asakusa for Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street. (30 min train ride)
– Evening: Head to Tokyo SkyTree for panoramic views and dinner. (7min train)
Back to hotel 34 mins
**Day 3:**
– Morning: Discover Akihabara for technology and anime. (34 min train)
– Afternoon: Explore Odaiba for entertainment and shopping. (53 min train ride)
– Evening: Optional visit to Tokyo Tower or nearby areas. (38 minute train)
**Day 4:**
– Morning: pack overnight bag, ship luggage via kuroneko/sagawa
– Purchase Shinkansen tix to Kyoto
– Explore Shibuya for the iconic crossing
– Visit Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street in Harajuku. (20 minute train )
ALTERNATIVE IDEA: Visit the Imperial Palace and East Gardens (20 minute train ride)
– Late Afternoon/Evening: Go-kart experience in Shibuya.(edit-cancelled, won’t be able to get our IDP in time).
-Evening: dinner and Nightlife in Roppongi (20 mins)
**Day 5:**
Checkout Shinjuku hotel, breakfast
– Travel to Kyoto, checkin to hotel (Kawaramachi-dori) at 15:00
-Explore around the hotel… good walking.
Enjoy a good Kyoto style dinner
**Day 6:**
– Morning: Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine. (26 mins)
– Afternoon: Explore Gion district. (22 mins)
– Evening: Enjoy a traditional Kyoto-style dinner.
**Day 7:**
– Morning: Explore Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). (40 min)
– Afternoon: Visit Ryoan-ji Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. (11 mins)
– Evening: Relax in a Kyoto onsen. (Suggestions?)
**Day 8:**
– Morning: Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple. (27 min)
– Afternoon: Explore Higashiyama District. (11 min)
– Evening: Experience a traditional tea ceremony. (Or other similar cultural activity?)
**Day 9: Nara Deer Park**
– travel to Nara (leave early) 1h2 min train ride
-late morning-afternoon : explore Nara deer park and todai-ji temple (1hr)
– early evening – head back to Kyoto
– Purchase tix for train to HND
**Day 10:**
-Checkout, last minute shopping
-Must depart Kyoto station no later than 12:00!
-Go to HND for a 19:20 departure