Finally bit the bullet and booked me and my partner’s first ever Japan trip for May of this year – which is super exciting but also, oh boy…
I’ve booked flights, and pencilled in dates – but I’m yet to settle on accommodation and understanding travel with all the various rail passes is a bit of a daunting task for me, so anyone who can clarify what’ll actually get me the best value for money would be deeply appreciated.
**Day 0:**
Travelling from UK to Narita
**Day 1:**
Arrive at Midday – I’m currently thinking accommodation in Asakusa as that’s what seems to be the popular consensus – so drop our bags off, light shopping around Ueno, check out Ueno Park, maybe Senso-ji shrine in the late evening. I’m expecting jetlag to hit like a truck, especially for my partner, so I’m trying to keep this as relatively light as possible. Good recovery food recommendations very welcome!
**Day 2:**
Akihabara – big one for both of us since we’re big nerds. I’m big into retro games, she’s big into retro toys, we’ll end up basically just pouring money into the street. Skytree in the evening, potentially.
**Day 3:**
Shibuya. Start off with the Meiji Jingu to reset, then Harajuku for fashion shopping, followed by into Shibuya properly in the afternoon, photo ops, check out the Nintendo/Pokemon stores.
**Day 4:**
Shinjuku – I’m a big Yakuza/Like A Dragon nerd so I want to put my Kabukicho navigational skills to the test. Neither of us drink, which does limit the appeal slightly though – I tempted to keep a detour to Nakano in the back pocket for this one.
**Day 5:**
Morning – explore central Tokyo, I’m a big wrestling nerd so I’d like to take a detour to the Tokyo Dome for some photo ops. Back towards Chiyoda and exploring the area around Tokyo Station.
Afternoon – Back to Shinjuku, RomanceCar to Hakone, check in to a Ryokan and enjoy a fairly quiet, traditional evening.
**Day 6:**
Hakone – sightseeing around Hakone, check out a public bath if I can work up the courage. Shrines, Open Air Museum, check out Lake Ashinoko, quiet day. Travel to Odawara, then Shinkansen up to Yokohama.
**Day 7:**
Yokohama – my partner is unusually excited about the prospect of the Cup Noodle Museum (is this something I need to look at booking in advance?). Other than that, Minato Mirai, take in the sights – then in the evening, head to the Budokan and hopefully catch a STARDOM pro wrestling show that evening (assuming we can get tickets!).
**Day 8:**
Morning – slow start in Yokohama, check out Chinatown and anything we missed the day before. Then back on the Bullet Train and down to Osaka.
Afternoon/Evening – check into our hotel in Osaka, then head out to check out Dotonbori in the evening, eat my body weight in Takoyaki and hopefully meet up with some JP-based friends.
**Day 9:**
Osaka – check out Amerikamura and Shinsekei, Tsutekaku in the evening.
**Day 10:**
Nara – Day trip from Osaka, see the Deer, bit of sightseeing. I’ve seen folks on here mention that Fushimi Inari might be a bit of a trek to do in a day trip, so be good to get thoughts.
**Day 11:**
Osaka – mainly wrap-up, check out Osaka Castle in the morning, head to Nanba for an early lunch, then Osaka Aquarium for most of the day. Head back to Tokyo in the evening, I assume on the Bullet Train.
**Day 12:**
Tokyo – Check out Chuo and Koto Cities – TeamLab Planets if I can get tickets, grab food and bits from Tsukiji Outer Market, etc. Head towards Roppongi in the evening, check out Tokyo Tower on the way (although might not actually go up it).
**Day 13:**
Tokyo – last day of the trip so I’m keeping this one nice and open, just go and do anything good we missed.
**Day 14:**
Travel back from Haneda – our flight is at 8am, so what’s the best way to get back to the Airport at that early in the morning, I’ve heard conflicting advice regarding taxis in Tokyo and whether they’re value for money.
Please do feel free to ping questions in the comments – the more thinking I do about this, the better!
by TheBirdSolution