I have been doing the initial planning for my honeymoon with my fiancé. We have never been to Japan, and know once we have kids, a trip like this becomes unlikely. We are trying to balance fast paced site seeing, with some relaxing time together. We see Tokyo & Osaka as our fast paced time, then Kyoto has site seeing with relaxation and mixed in. Lastly were going to Okinawa for a few days for just full relaxation and beach time.
Please look at my itinerary and let me know any must do's, any sites or restaurants we will be nearby and should check out, activities to consider, etc. (Restaurants were filled in by Chat GPT so they're all flexible for replacing).
Thanks!
- June 8: Land 1:35 PM Haneda airport
- Arrive and check into —. Take the evening to explore Shinjuku. Feel free to check out Shinjuku park since it is nearby. Try Omoide Yokocho for small, local izakaya-style dining.
- Go back to hotel or hang around Shinjuku 7pm Reservation at Yonegami.
- June 9: Wake up when comfortable and head to Meiji Shrine. Go right there to beat the morning crowd. After, walk around Yoyogi park before heading to Harajuku for fashion and culture. Have lunch at Takeshita Street. Go back to hotel. Teamless Labs before dinner. Ticket is for :00 and recommend 2 hours. Stay in Rabbongi for Dinner at Sushi Saito (booking required). https://www.tableall.com/restaurant/49 and drinks in rabbongi.
June 10: Head to Asakusa to see Senso-ji Temple and explore the Nakamise shopping street. (40 minutes from hotel) (Visit Ueno Park and the nearby Ameyoko Market for snacks and shopping. NOT SURE ABOUT THESE) Evening in Shibuya, Dinner and cocktails at night at Ce La Vi. Bars all over Shibuya
June 11: FREE DAY – Day trip to Mt. Fuji. Or explore Shibuya and Shinjuku Return by evening and relax in Shinjuku.
June 12: Check out by 11 AM. Travel to Kyoto in the afternoon. FIGURE OUT TRAIN.
Kyoto (June 12-15)
- June 12: Check into —. When time allows head to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Only requires an hour of time. Evening walk through the Pontocho Alley for dining and maybe a glimpse of a Geisha.
- June 13: Early morning at Fushimi Inari Shrine for about 2-3 hours, then visit Kiyomizu-dera (will need to take another taxi). Lunch at Kikunoi, a famous kaiseki restaurant. Walk to and explore Maruyama Park and the nearby areas. Walk to Gion corner. A lot of beautiful stuff to see around our hotel and Gion Corner. https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/94876-gion-corner-traditional-arts-performance/?source_channel=googlettd&_source_module=cu&utm_content=cu&utm_content=campaignid_21054075549_adgroupid_159487682156&_language=en&_currency=USD&_activity_id=94876&package_id=318982&aid=26991&campaignid=21054075549&adgroupid=159487682156&targetid=kwd-2279069280371&matchtype=&device=c&creative=692237415720&extensionid=&keyword=&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9003689&network=g&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw0YGyBhByEiwAQmBEWigeqmBOqN2xRrKW5xhh7jIEGfIWkcDhcFt98XGcK-AazOUOQEcWzBoCfNIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&utm_medium=affiliate-alwayson&utm_source=non-network&utm_campaign=26991&utm_term= Book 6pm or 7pm show at Gion Corner
- June 14: Start at Arashiyama to visit the Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple. Lunch in Arashiyama at Arashiyama Yoshimura for noodles with views. Go to hotel for afternoon spa treatments (massages). Dinner at Ganko Sushi for a more relaxed sushi experience.
- June 15: Check out and depart for Osaka.
Osaka (June 15-17)
- June 15: Check into — Explore Dotonbori at night; try Dotonbori Imai for an authentic Osaka-style okonomiyaki.
- June 16: Morning visit to Universal Studios Japan, focusing on key attractions. After a few hours, head back to the city. Explore Umeda Sky Building in the evening for great views and dinner nearby at Kiji Umeda for Osaka-style okonomiyaki.
- June 17: Check out at 11 AM, maybe a quick visit to Kuromon Market for street food before departing for Okinawa.
Okinawa (June 17-21)
- June 17: Arrive and check into —. Relax at the beach or hotel facilities.
- June 18-20: Enjoy beach activities. Visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. Dine at Onna Village Food Market for local foods. Explore Shurijo Castle for a cultural touch. Try Umibaru Okinawa for dinner one night to taste local seafood.
- June 21: Check out at 11 AM. Relax at the beach if time allows before heading to the airport.
by CYDYtothemoon