Hello! I am looking for opinions on my Itinerary for my upcoming trip to Japan (March 27-April 11)
We will be entering Tokyo around 6pm local time at Haneda airport on March 27th. we will be leaving on April 11th from Narita airport. Since we will be starting and ending our trip in Tokyo I have tried to separate activities based on their proximity to our hotels. Hotel general locations are listed in Itinerary. Please feel free to comment suggestions on things to do and places to see! It will be my husband (28M), brother (26M) and myself (29F) on this trip. This is all of our first times visiting Japan, and for myself personally I have been dreaming of going for over 15 years. We want to see a bit of everything and are open to suggestions for anything you consider a must see/do! If any of the activities I have plotted out would be better suited on another day I would love to know that as well. Thank you so much for your time reading and responding to this post. I know its a long one!
All of us are avid music fans, I have been a fan of J-Rock and Visual Kei for years and would love to be able to see either a concert or if anyone knows any good bars that have live rock music that would be wonderful! None of us are really into sports but would be interested in seeing Sumo but I don’t have any clue were to start looking into that. Thank you again for taking the time to read!
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Day 1 (Regina -Vancouver) MARCH 25TH-Monday
Arrive in Vancouver and check into the hotel. Meet up with Family for supper and spend the evening with them. Get a good night’s sleep! Fill out travel documents on Japan website.
Day 2 (Vancouver- Tokyo) MARCH 26TH/MARCH 27TH-Tuesday/Wednesday
Take a cab or the train to the airport and depart for Tokyo! Upon Arrival do our house keeping at the airport. Take out more cash from the ATM if needed. Load a SUICA or PASMO card. Use google maps to locate our hotel. Find and take the train to our home-base. It will be around 9pm local time when we settle into hotel so likely just a bit of casual exploration around hotel and a quick meal before bed.
\*\*HOTEL IS IN SHINJUKU\*\*
Day 3 (Tokyo-Western Tokyo) MARCH 28TH-Thursday
First full day! Nothing reserved so probably some Hanami in the morning hours, grab a coffee and explore. Possible Sakura Viewing at Yoyogi park and visit Meiji Shrine. In the early afternoon explore Akihabara and Harajuku. Find an arcade (or two!) and a karaoke bar.Visit Nakano Broadway. Also, maybe a maid café for all you can drink beer. Pretty much a day to do all the nerdy things. Nothing is pre planned so we can take our time exploring all the areas.
Day 4 (Tokyo) MARCH 29TH-Friday
Studio Ghibli Museum, tickets need to be bought in advance. When booking aim for an early time so that we can have the rest of the day to explore other things. Likely to try and see a few temples and shrines. Just a nice calm day nothing crazy planned. Have an early/cheap supper and then head to Golden Gai to experience the Izakaya. While it may be tempting, don’t drink too much at the Izakaya, we have our first bullet train tomorrow! Book tickets for Shibuya sky for around sunset if possible, to get a beautiful view of Tokyo. If we are able to get tickets we will spend the later afternoon in Shibuya and do the scramble!
Day 5 (Tokyo- Day Trip) MARCH 30Th -Saturday
Day trip to Kamakura and Enoshima. Catch the earliest train to Kamakura and explore the temples and shrines. In the afternoon head to the island of Enoshima and spend some time relaxing and walking along the beach and maybe exploring some caves. No big events planned just a day to explore. Dress comfy!
Day 6 (Tokyo-Kyoto) MARCH 31st Sunday
Take the bullet train to Kyoto. Upon arrival navigate to home-base. Explore the area around our accommodation. If we have lots of time an afternoon walk along the philosophers patch would be nice. Best to avoid the busiest attractions as it will be mid afternoon by the time we are settled in our Airbnb.
\*\*AIR BNB IS IN UKYO WARD\*\*
Day 7 (Kyoto) APRIL 1ST-Monday
First full day in Kyoto. Have an early start and go visit Fushimi Inari Shrine. This is a bit of a hiking day so dress comfy. Go see Arashiyama and the bamboo forest. Explore the temples and shrines. Head back to the main part of Kyoto and grab lunch.
Day 8 (Day trip to Nara) APRIL 2ND-Tuesday
Before going to Nara, get an early start and check out Kiyomizudera and explore Higashiyama. Then take the train to Nara. Pay admission and spend some time walking around and feeding the deer! Have lunch here and take lots of photos. 2nd half of the day will be spent back in Kyoto, good day for a nice dinner out.
Day 9 (Kyoto-Osaka) APRIL 3RD-Wednsday
Take the train to Osaka and locate Home Base. Head out and explore downtown Osaka.. This is where we will eat Takoyaki by the river and take tons of photos. Explore Dotonbori. Celebrate brothers birthday, maybe do karaoke.
\*\*AIR BNB IS 2 BLOCKS FROM DOTONBORI STREET\*\*
Day 10 (Osaka) APRIL 4TH-Thursday
Go to Osaka Aquarium for open at approx. 9am. Spend the morning at the aquarium and then head back to Airbnb. See Dotonbori during the day. Go to a market for some lunch and shopping. Explore Shinsekai area in the evening and choose an izakaya for supper and drinks! Konpai!
Day 11 (Day trip to Hajime Castle) APRIL 5TH-Friday
Take the train and go see the historic castle. Take a train ride to Kobe to explore another city and have supper there. Maybe find a restaurant serving Kobe beef.
Day 12 (Osaka-Tokyo) APRIL 6TH-Saturday
Head back to Tokyo, check in to home-base. We will be staying in the Eastern side of Tokyo so will explose Sensoji Temple. Explore Asakusa.
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\*\* HOTEL IS IN SUMIDA CITY\*\*
Day 13 (Tokyo) APRIL 7TH – Sunday
Possibly going to a festival in Kawasaki (Kanamara Matsuri). If we do it will take up most of the day and I imagine it will be very crowded. If we don’t feel like it we will stay and explore more of Tokyo!
Day 14(Day trip to Hakone) APRIL 8TH-Monday
Spend the morning at our private Onsen (this will need to be booked in advance!) and exploring Hakone. Get the Hakone free pass and go on the cable cars as well as the pirate ship to fully enjoy views of mount Fujisan.
Day 15 (Tokyo) APRIL 9TH-Tuesday
Tokyo Limitless art museum. Explore Korea town for some Korean BBQ. Other activities open to suggestions!
Day 16 (Tokyo) APRIL 10TH-Wednsday
Last day in Tokyo, go visit some of our favorite spots or explore somewhere new!
Day 17 (Tokyo-Regina) APRIL 11TH-Thursday
Coming home! Long day of travel.