[Itinerary check] Tokyo with emphasis on day trips (Late Nov-Early Dec)

Hi friends, I'm planning a trip to Tokyo region for my parents to Tokyo in late Nov-early Dec 2024.

They really love nature, scenic areas and do not mind travelling/walking a fair amount. They don't enjoy nightlife, are ok with shopping and eating, but prioritise sightseeing.

We have already booked accommodation within 800m/walking distance of Tokyo Station. We are likely going to get the Tokyo Wide pass (which will help in terms of travel to Kawaguchiko and Karuizawa), and also since they don't drive!

Would appreciate your feedback/comments/recommendations on my itinerary. Would appreciate any tips too, especially wrt Karuizawa and Atami!

29/11 – arrival in Tokyo/chill day

  • Touch down at 0615 (note: overnight flight)
  • Reach hotel latest 1000, care off luggage
  • Have breakfast or brunch
  • Chill time near the hotel (options):
  1. Around Tokyo Station area/cafe. 
  2. Tokyo station gallery (closes 1800)
  3. Chill at 6th floor garden terrace at KITTE Marunouchi Rooftop Garden KITTE Garden, or 7th floor at Marunouchi house (FOC)
  • Head back to hotel at 1500 to rest
  • 1800 head out for dinner
  • Head to Uniqlo Ginza Flagship store (closes at 2100)
  • Head back to hotel to rest

(Alt, it may be more logical to head to Uniqlo Ginza Flagship store after breakfast or brunch, then go back to rest at 1500, before exploring tokyo station area at night. Alternatively, scrap the night plan and just chill and rest.)

30/11 – autumn foliage day

  • Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Sendagaya JR) – reach about 1000, and finish with something at starbucks inside before heading for lunch in the vicinity)
  • Meiji Jingu Gaien/Gingko Avenue (Shinanomachi JR, 1 stop from Sendagaya JR) (peak time is 25/11-3/12, will light up from 1630-1930). Can reach here about 1530, and see it in daylight and when lighted up
  • Free and easy

1/12 (tokyo wide pass) – Day trip to Karuizawa

  • Travel 1h 15 min directly via shinkansen
  • Prince shopping plaza
  • Yagasaki Park
  • Old Karuizawa Ginza Street

2/12 (tokyo wide pass) – Day trip to Fuji/Kawaguchiko

  • Take Fuji express direct train early
  • Reach kawaguchiko
  • Take red omni bus to ropeway – do the ropeway
  • Take red bus to one museum/place of attraction (either the museum of art, itchiku kubota art museum or NLC/oishi park)
  • Consider momoji corridor (?)
  • Take Fuji express back
  • Prepare to postpone/sacrifice this day if weather is unfavorable

3/12 (tokyo wide pass) – Atami/Yokohama

  • Take Odoriko No. 5
  • Reach Atami by lunch time, explore the town, shopping streets, coast
  • Take the train to Yokohama around 1700
  • Explore Minato Mirai/dinner
  • Head back

4/12 – Chill day

  • Half day free (am looking for recommendations here 🙂
  • Shibuya sky (late afternoon/evening- to catch both day and night views)
  • Shibuya crossing
  • Shibuya Hachiko statue 
  • Shibuya blue cave illumination (starts from 1/12) ^

5/12 – Chill day

  • Checkout and leave luggage with hotel
  • Tsujiki outer market (?)
  • Can hit Uniqlo Ginza if not hit yet
  • 1500 start leaving for Narita Airport hotel

6/12 – Flight home

  • Early morning flight home around 0500

Appreciate all your help!!!

by And_hi

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