9 Day Itinerary for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
Hi everyone, I’ve been lurking on this and various other Japan subs for a few weeks now and I wanted to ask for some advice around my itinerary. I know it’s quite busy and I’m someone who if I’m tired I’ll rest, I like having options.
I’m visiting Japan in the second half of August this year and I’ll be solo travelling.
I’m staying in a hostel in Asakusa for the Japan portion and a hotel near Shikoku-Omiya station for the Kyoto portion.
I’m flying in after spending some days in Seoul so hopefully no jet lag. I’ve downloaded my SUICA card, ordered some cash, have the Japan Web immigration form bookmarked and various other bits like a UV umbrella.
Any advise around my travel structure/route placement would be appreciated.
I haven’t booked much experiences as I’m not hugely into but do have an appreciation anime, fashion, cafe hopping etc. I enjoy museums, trying good foods, learning history, live music or theatre and activities that don’t require much sweating.
Based on feedback I do know it’s quite touristy but it’s my first time and Ive been managing burnout from work which has impacted on my focus/enthusiasm at times with planning but I’m feeling a turnaround as the trip is getting closer.
Again any feedback or criticism is welcome.
ITINERARY:
Day 1- half day Tokyo
– [ ] Arrive at Narita at noon
– [ ] Drop off luggage at hostel in Asakusa and de-compress
– [ ] Asakusa Chicken for Lunch
– [ ] Don Quijote/Daiso Asakusa to window shop and make note of prices.
– [ ] Visit Senso-ji Temple (evening time)
– [ ] Kaminarimon
– [ ] Muscle Girl Bar in Ikebukuro
– [ ] Hoppy Street/Ginza if time/energy?
Day 2
– [ ] Cheap breakfast
– [ ] Nakamise-Dori Street
– [ ] Asakusa Kagetsudo for 🍈 bread
– [ ] Kappabashi Kitchen Tool Street
– [ ] Hamatikyu Gardens
– [ ] Akihabara (Super Potato store) Gyukatsu Motomura for dinner
Day 3
– [ ] Shibuya (Hachiko statue, Watch Crossing from Starbucks but not too bothered about the latter). Morning
– [ ] Harajuku (crepes, people watch for the fashion, light shopping if plus size options). Early afternoon.
– [ ] Shinjuku- Tokyo Metropolitan building for the views). Late afternoon/early evening.
– [ ] Hoppy Street or Ginza for light buzz and socialising.
Day 4- half day Kyoto
– [ ] Arrive at Kyoto hotel to drop off luggage around 2.30pm.
– [ ] Visit Kifune Shrine
– [ ] Visit Hyoue Cafe
– [ ] Rest and have nice dinner nearby.
Day 5- Kyoto Day
– [ ] Arrive 6:30am Fushimi Inari Taisha and ascend what I can.
– [ ] Suntory Kyoto Brewery tour
– [ ] Rest
– [ ] Explore Gion District maybe
– [ ] Visit Macho Bar
Day 6- Nara and Uji Day Trip
– [ ] Pick up matcha 10am from specialty shop.
– [ ] Go to Nara deer park.
– [ ] Watch Mochi pounding
– [ ] Chill out in air conditioned Museum (any recommendations for around Nara/Uji)?
– [ ] Uji quarter day (probably 2-3 hours max, might pick up additional matcha here).
Day 7- Himeji & Kyoto Day
– [ ] Himeji Castle. Arrive for opening time. (this one’s on my list for sentimental reasons involving a London LEGO store and a precocious young child proud to share his Japanese heritage and knowledge of historical landmarks).
– [ ] Visit Kiyomizu-dera
– [ ] Maruyama Park maybe
Day 8- Osaka Day/Overnight Trip
– [ ] Namba Shrine
– [ ] Ebisu Ferris Wheel
– [ ] Lunch. Will have a wander around.
– [ ] Round 1 theme park
– [ ] Onsen to chill and de-stress. Suehiroyu
– [ ] Dotonbori street food for dinner.
– [ ] Pure Nightclub Midnight-5 am (I’ll see how I get on with my closer to 30 than 25 bones).
Day 9 (25/08)- Kyoto Day
– [ ] Sleep till noon probably.
– [ ] Kimono Tea Ceremony.
– [ ] Lunch
– [ ] Monkey Park Iwatayama
– [ ] Explore Arashiyama shopping street
– [ ] Tenzan No Yu onsen
Day 10
– [ ] Fly Off to Bangkok
by SweetAsPecanPie