Based on the sakura forecasts I have moved up my travel dates with new itinerary as follows:
*I’ve been to Tokyo 3x so I don’t have to see the usual attractions and just want to check shops/cafes/art
*I will be using the 6day JR East-South Hokkaido Pass
Apr 14 (F)
– 12nn Arrive at Narita, Check-in to Ueno hotel around 3ish pm
– Daikanyama in the afternoon (check out stores, galleries, and cafes)
– Shibuya at night (hopefully eat at Tsuro Ton Tan for late dinner but it’s a Friday so 🤞)
– Stay in Ueno, Tokyo
Apr 15 (S)
– Tokyo whole day
– Nezu Shrine early morning (depending on the azelea blooms)
– Lunch/Coffee at Kiyomisu-Shirakawa area
– Possibly check out Kiyosumi Garden
– Museum of Contemporary Art (if I miraculously get tickets for Dior exhibit)
– Ameyo Yokocho for dinner
– Stay in Ueno, Tokyo
Apr 16 (SU) – D1 Pass
– Ueno to Sendai, arrive 8am
– Shiodome and Matsushima whole day
*Is it worth checking out the Sendai Ruins and Zhuihoden Temple?
– Stay in Sendai
April 17 (M) – D2 Pass
– Sendai to Funaoka (30min) or Sendai to Kitakami (50min)
– Funaoka or Kitakami early morning to beat the crowd (Funaoka as preference but will check sakura conditions), 6:30-11:00am
**Funaoka forecasted best viewing: Apr 2-10
**Kitakami forecasted best viewing: Apr 12-19
– Sendai Station Lunch
– Sendai to Ichinoseki (20min)
– Ichinoseki (Genbikei Gorge) 1-4pm
*Do the Genbikei buses run as scheduled? Because I wouldn’t want to be stuck there in the afternoon lol. Or are there taxis if ever?
– Stay in Sendai
April 18 (T) – D3 Pass
– Sendai to Aomori (2hr), arrive 9:30am
– Aomori day tour- Nebuta Museum, bay area, A-Factory, Nokkedon lunch
– Aomori to Hirosaki (45min), arrive 2:30pm for check-in
– Sunset/Sakura night illumination at Hirosaki Park
– Stay in Hirosaki
**Hirosaki forecasted best viewing: Apr 17-25
April 19 (W) – D4 Pass
– Whole day Hirosaki
*Rent a bike? Is there a bike rental near the castle? Since my hotel is nearer to the castle than the station
April 20 (H) – D5 Pass
– Hirosaki to Morioka (2hr), arrive 9am, leave luggage at hotel
– Morioka castle ruins in the morning
– Morioka to Kakunodate (50min), arrive 1:30pm
– Kakunodate- Samurai street and riverside until sunset
– Stay in Morioka
**Kakunodate forecasted best viewing: Apr 19-28
April 21 (F) – D6 Pass
– Morioka to Tokyo (2hr 45min) to Shimbashi , arrive 9:10-9:30
– Leave bags at Ginza hotel or Shimbashi station depending on time lol
– Shimbashi to Shin-Toyosu (30min)
– TeamLabs Planets (already have 10am booking 🫣)
*Honestly such a risky plan but if I miss teamlabs and wast $25 it’s fine lol
– Ad Museum at 1:30pm (walking distance to hotel)
– Ginza hotel check-in at 3pm
– Shibuya Sky at 5:20pm
April 22 (S)
– Tokyo full day
– Jiyugaoka brunch
– Shopping at Harajuku-Omotesando-Aoyama-Shibuya
*I read there are PRIDE events this weekend as well
April 23 (SU)
– Last day
– Will probably stay in Ginza to check out flagship stores
– Art Aquarium?
– Head to Narita Airport at 5:30pm for 9pm flight
1 comment
* the last Kakunodate-Tokyo shinkansen leaves at 19:53 and sunset on April 20 is 18:20ish. Since the only major train ride the next day is the trip back to Tokyo, unless money is no object I would strongly consider heading back to Tokyo on the 20th to save 7000 yen as now everything fits within the five day Tohoku pass. It also saves one hotel change. You can nap on the train.
* Genbikei gorge is probably mostly tree branches with few leaves at that time which doesn’t sound super attractive to me but YMMV. If you like temples you can go to the two famous ones in Hiraizumi