November 2022 14 Day Trip (Tokyo, FujiKawaguchiko, Takayama, Car Culture)

10 comments

1. My understanding is that TeamLab Borderless (along with the entire Palette Town complex) in Odaiba will be permanently [closed](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/teamlab-borderless-in-odaiba-will-be-closing-in-august-2022-072121) on Aug. 31, 2022. TeamLab is planning to re-open that exhibit in 2023, in another location. TeamLab Planets may still be an option.

   The Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku is also [closed](https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/has-shinjuku%E2%80%99s-robot-restaurant-closed-permanently) – maybe permanently, though I’m not sure if that’s officially confirmed.

2. The timing of things in Tokyo looks pretty good – not too rushed which I like as you will get easily distracted. Day 12 looks ok, are you worried you have too much on? Akihabara is one of those places that are tricky to recommend how long you need. If you love anime and gaming and hunting around for collectibles then you can easily fill a day there. If that isn’t your thing then you might be done after an hour or so.

   I’ve only done Kawaguchiko as a day trip from Tokyo so 3 days there seems generous, but if you are happy to just relax and take it easy then it’s ok. Keep in mind that the weather can be fickle that time of year so it might be rainy or foggy which might limit what you can do.

   Takayama is pretty small. I think you will have seen most of what the town has after a day or so, so maybe have a few options in case you find yourself with an afternoon free.

3. Day 2 is extremely light. The things around the palace would just be enough for the morning. While it is not totally uninteresting, especially if you are a history fan (sakuradamon gate would be a great example of historic point). The garden is arguably not the best in Tokyo, I personally prefer Koishikawa korakuen (that you list in your options) or you also have Shinjuky Gyoen in your list. Realistically speaking, you can spend a it of time around Tokyo station and if you cross the whole park and go check Yasukuni-jinja (as long as you know it’s a bit of a controversial shrine). Also, not sure where is Yakitori alley, but the place that I can find it, it’s the same as Omoide yokocho.

   Day 3 this is also quite light, the garden might take the morning, but you will have to do something else than just the gov. building in the afternoon. Also note that Root Restaurant is now close and it is unsure it will come back.

   Day 4 In my opinion, Yoyogi park could be skipped. The only good reasons I can see to go are for sakura, for people watching during the weekend, to practice some sport/activity or place to meet friends. Otherwise, it’s just a park. I would also recommend to only do your shopping in Tokyo at the end of the trip so you do not have to carry all your stuff around Japan.

   Day 8, considering you will have less than 4 hours and these locations are not that close to each other, it might be a bit much, but the other days seems fine.

   Day 10, no idea what is your plan, but did you consider to continue to Matsumoto and continue to Tokyo from there ?

   Day 11, feel that it might be a bit light as the 5 first things are literally next to each other and it’s somehow hard not to see them all when going to Senso-ji. You might even be able to continue to Ueno after Kappa bashi and start visiting what you want to see in Ueno park.

   Day 12, help about what?

   Day 13, Borderless will close on August 31 as part of Palette Town redevelopment. You still have the option to see Planets and it seems teamlab is looking to open a new exhibition in a more central location of Tokyo.

   In general, I think you could add options of things to do in most of your Tokyo day. You could do these if you end up having too much extra time and you are not finding things that are interesting enough.

4. Boyfriend here, I can’t wait to go on this trip 🤩

5. For Takayama – it’s small but there’s so much to do there. The small town vibe is lovely and is a great contrast to the busy cities.

   Jakson has the best curry I’ve ever tried. Check out Suzuya as well for Hida beef.

   I would skip the Hida Folk Village in Takayama and take a half day trip to Shirakawa-Go instead for the real deal. It’s so much more worth it. Nohi Bus offers some good deals.

   Shinhotaka ropeway is extremely weather dependant. It’s no fun going up in complete fog with zero views. You may want to schedule a backup activity, such as a trip to Hida-Furukawa (koi fish in drains!) Or Railbike Gatten Go.

   Also, do visit Hirayu Onsen which is a short bus ride away. It’s lovely.

6. For burgers I recommend trying mos burger. you won’t find it outside Japan (except a few east-Asian countries).

   For cars, check out Nissan crossing, its a small showroom at Ginza. But actually I think best way to experience is to find a place where ppl meet at night to drive their cars.

7. Day 2: The Imperial Palace tour (perfectly skippable) and Imperial Palace East Gardens is really about 3 hours worth of itinerary. I’d guess you could extend it towards Ginza, Yasukuni Shrine or Koishikawa Korakuen (and no, you don’t want to have anything to do with a car in that area).

   Day 3: Robot Restaurant is gone and most likely for good.

   Day 8: If arriving that light at Takayama in November – it’s unlikely that your visit to Hida Folk Village and Hida Takayama Festa Forest would be enjoyable (even if you take cabs, because otherwise it’s undoable).

   Note that going straight from Kawaguchiko to Takayama is seriously silly, considering the number of transfers (whether via Otsuki/Takao, Hachioji, Shin-Yokohama and Nagoya or via Otsuki, Kofu and then by bus from Matsumoto), so the advice would be probably to stay overnight in Matsumoto or around Shin-Yokohama.

   Also note that I would rather skip day 7 itinerary entirely and just visit Shirokawa-go from Takayama.

8. Looks like a nice plan overall.

   Just keep in mind that it’s not sure if the Robot restaurant will open again after the pandemic, and teamLab Borderless will close from August 2022 until sometime in 2023 (opening at a new location). So the plans may need to change if you’re not able to come before August 2022.

9. Day 4. I agree on some to skip Yoyogi Park unless if you visit Japan during sakura season. There are new places to visit in Shibuya so I suggest to check out Shibuya Sky (observatory) and Miyashita Park (lunch/dinner)
   Day 12. As a female anime fan, aside Akihabara, I suggest if you could also visit Ikebukuro (Animate Ikebukuro and Otome Road). Most stores in Akihabara target men while Ikebukuro target women.

10. For Takayama there’s lots of great restaurants to try too and definitely add in a visit to one (or more) of the many sake breweries in town. We really enjoyed our visit to Takayama!

    – [Takayama: Autumn Weekend (Gifu) ](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mg8ir9/autumn_weekend_in_takayama_gifu_prefecture/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)

    Happy Planning!