Hi all! This thread has been great for info while planning my trip to Japan so thanks all for that! I’m taking a solo trip to Japan from April 16th-May 5th and I’m a bit weary of being in Japan during golden week. I’ve heard Tokyo is less crowded (or at least not terrible) during this time as people usually travel elsewhere so I’ve planned to stay there for my last few days during golden week. If anyone has any suggestions on if this is a good idea or something else to do during golden week I would really appreciate it! I will also list my whole itinerary below if anyone could comment on my routes I’ll be taking and the areas I’ll be staying in relation to golden week (if I should visit anything during golden week instead of Tokyo, etc).
I should mention that a friend of mine will be joining me for the part of my trip from April 23rd to April 29th.
Tysm in advance everyone!
April 16
land in tokyo
April 17
Kamakura/enoshima
April 18
Uneo + ikebukuro
April 19
Undecided in Tokyo
April 20-22
Sapporo (flights already booked)
April 20
Sapporo beer museum>
Odori park>
JR T38 observation deck
April 21
Sapporo station shopping>
Nakajima park>
Mount Moiwa>
Suskino for ramen alley
April 22
Nijo fish market>
Tanukikoji>
Flight at 8 pm to Tokyo
April 23
Whatever my friend wants to do in tokyo
April 24
Hakone day trip
April 25
Kyoto
Marauyama Park>
Kyoto International Manga Museum>
Nishiki Market>
Pontocho and Gion
April 26
Kyoto
Togetsukyō Bridge>
Arashiyama bamboo forest>
Monkey park>
Tenryu-ji Temple>
Kinkaku-ji
April 27
Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine>
Fushimi sake district>
Staying at a Ryokan
April 28-29
Osaka
Train back to Tokyo night of 29th
April 30
Undecided in Tokyo
May 1
Shibuya
May 2
Day Trip to Nokogiriyama
May 3
Daikanyamacho and Ebisu
May 4
Teamlab planets and Ginza for shopping
May 5
Fly home!
6 comments
I think it’s worth staying 2 nights in Hakone. I did one night and missed out on the relaxation and meals because of the timing.
What’s golden week? I’m planning to visit Japan too by April 12th-21st.
Why fly back to Tokyo and not direct to Osaka ?
Also it’s Hakone not Hakkone.
Would stay longer in Osaka. It is really a fun city and little bit cheaper than Tokyo. The atmosphere is more relaxed too
Make sure you book some hotel rooms. Unfortunately you’re going to be paying a higher price than usual because of Golden Week.
> May 4 Teamlab planets and Ginza for shopping
If you can snag an afternoon reservation for TeamLab Planets, we found it pairs well with Tsukiji fish market for lunch. A group of ~10 of us wandered Tsukiji before walking about 30 minutes to TeamLab. The walk is fun and takes you over a couple of harbor bridges with great views of the city.
> April 26 Kyoto Togetsukyō Bridge> Arashiyama bamboo forest> Monkey park> Tenryu-ji Temple> Kinkaku-ji
Similar itinerary to ours. The bamboo forest was great, just make sure you walk the full distance into the forest to get the whole experience. Okochi Sanso Garden is a private garden at the back of the forest I feel was totally worth the 10-15 yen fee to escape the crowds.
The monkey park was fun and more of a hike than we anticipated. Not difficult, but steep enough to scare off a few tourists.
In Kyoto, I thoroughly enjoyed wandering the Kamo Riverwalk. It’s a great route from the Imperial Palace down to the Shincho area.