Hi all,
It'll be my first time visiting Japan and I'm super excited! I'm going with my partner and their sister, and we've made an itinerary below. Would love any advice and recommendations from folks here!
Saturday September 28: Check into hotel in the afternoon
Afternoon/Evening:
-Train to the city (Keisei Skyliner or Narita Express)
-Hotel Check-In: Taito City
-Find Food
-Visit Senso-ji
Sunday, September 29: Tokyo – Akihabara / Ueno & Asakusa
Morning:
-Up To You Coffee (Owner won a latte art competition)
-Explore Asakusa and Nakamise-dori (Street shopping & food)
Mid-Morning:
-Take a Sumida River Walk
-Lunch in Ueno
Afternoon:
-Visit Ueno Park
-Stop by the Tokyo National Museum
Late Afternoon-evening:
-Head to Akihabara
-Check out Animate (for anime merchandise)
Monday, September 30: Tokyo Ginza (Optional: Roppongi / Odaibo)
Morning
-Stay: Taito City BnB, Tokyo
-Explore Ginza (Optional: Roppongi or Odaiba)
Late Morning to Early Afternoon
-Shopping in Ginza: Uniqlo, GU, etc.
-Ginza Hachigou – Ramen for lunch
Afternoon
-Visit Kabukiza Theatre
-Explore Ginza Art Galleries
-Stop by Itoya Stationery Store
-Tea at The Peninsula Tokyo
Evening
-Dinner at Mantensushi Hibiya (7:00 PM Reservation)
Tuesday, October 1 Tokyo → Kyoto
Morning:
-6:30 AM: Depart for Tokyo Station
-8:30 AM: Take the Nozomi Line Shinkansen to Kyoto
-Stop at Tokyo Station Character Street (Mofusand, Chikawa, Pokémon, etc.)
Late Morning:
-Arrive in Kyoto
-Drop off luggage at hotel
Afternoon:
-Explore Gion
-Visit Kiyomizudera Temple
Evening:
-Stroll through Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park
-Dinner at Torikizoku (Yakitori)
Wednesday, October 2: Kyoto → Osaka
Morning:
-Depart for Osaka
-Visit Osaka Castle
Mid-Morning:
-Explore the Osaka loop from Osaka Station to Osakajokoen
-Visit Kuromon Ichiba Market
Lunch:
-Enjoy lunch in Dotonbori or Shinsaibashi
Afternoon:
-Visit Umeda Sky Building
-Explore the Osaka Museum of Housing
Evening:
-Visit Namba Shrine
-Dinner in Osaka
-Return to Kyoto
Thursday, October 3: Kyoto → Tokyo
-Check out of Kyoto hotel
Morning:
-Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
Mid-Morning:
-Explore Nishiki Market for snacks or lunch
Afternoon:
-Tour Nijo Castle
Evening:
-Have dinner in Kyoto
-Pick up luggage
-7:00 PM: Arrive at Kyoto Station
-8:00 PM: Take the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo
Night:
-Check into Toshima City hotel in Tokyo
Friday, October 4: Tokyo: Toshima → Ikebukuro → Shibuya → Shinjuku
Morning:
-Mukai Kaisendon (Cash Only) for breakfast/lunch
Mid-Morning:
-Explore Ikebukuro
–Visit Animate for anime merchandise
–Play Gacha machines
-Shop at Sunshine City
Afternoon:
-Head to Shibuya Scramble for sightseeing
-Visit Shibuya Parco and Loft Shibuya for shopping
Evening:
-6:30 PM: Dinner at Gyukatsu Momotaro in Shinjuku
-Shop at MEGA DONQUIXOTE and visit GiGo for games
*Saturday, October 5: Tokyo: Shimokitazawa → Shinjuku → Harajuku → *
Morning:
-Head to Shimokitazawa for vintage shopping
–Visit Little Trip to Heaven for unique finds
-Flipper's for breakfast (famous for puffy pancakes)
Mid-Morning/Afternoon:
-Enjoy Curry Fest in Shimokitazawa
-Bocchi the Rock sightseeing: Walk through Shimokitazawa streets (this may end early, so visit Harajuku if time allows)
Afternoon:
-Move to Shinjuku/Harajuku for shopping
-Explore gacha machines
-Visit Maguro Mart for lunch/dinner
Evening:
-Relax at MEGA DONQUIXOTE for shopping
-Optional: Unwind at a Cat Cafe nearby
Sunday, October 6: Tokyo: Departure to USA
-Check Out of hotel
Morning:
-Conbini Run for breakfast/snacks
Afternoon:
-Lunch & last-minute shopping at Narita Airport
-Get on plane!
by Lowl