Hi,
This will be my 3rd time going to Japan but my friend’s first time! So I’m planning an itinerary of a typical first timer in Japan sort of trip. It is just the two of us and we have bought our 7-day JR pass, here is our plan:
**Day 1 – August 18 Friday / Tokyo**
Arrive to Haneda Airport @ 4PM
Day: Check in Airbnb at Shinjuku
Night: Explore Shinjuku, Tokyo Kabukicho Tower
**Day 2 – August 19 Saturday / Tokyo**
Day: Ghilbi musuem, Nakano City and thrift shop at Koenjikita, Shinokitazawa
Sunset: Shibuya Sky Tower
Night: Explore Shibuya
**Day 3 – August 20 Sunday / Tokyo**
Morning: 10AM Street Kart (I am aware the locals despise this but my friend really wanted to do it)
Day: kirby cafe
Night: Not sure maybe explore Akihabara?
**Day 4 – August 21 Monday / Tokyo**
Early Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market / Toyosu Market
Early Afternoon: Imperial Palace East Gardens (or thrift shop if no time in day 2)
Day: Asakusa, Sensoji Temple (or thrift shop if no time in day 2)
Night: ?? last night in tokyo
**Day 5 – August 22 Tuesday / Kyoto**
Early Morning: Checkout of Hotel
Late Morning: Leave for Kyoto on bullet train
Afternoon: Check in Kyoto airbnb at Nakagyo-ku
Day: Maybe enough time to explore Temples, mochi
Night: not sure
**Day 6 – August 23 Wednesday / Kyoto & Osaka**
Early Morning: Checkout of airbnb and find luggage locker
Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Day: Iwatayama Monkey Park
Evening: Take train to Osaka and check in at APA Hotel
**Day 7 – August 24 Thursday / Osaka**
Whole day: Universal Studio
**Day 8 – August 25 Friday / Osaka / Hiroshima**
Early Morning: Take bullet train to Hiroshima(1hr30m), then Express buss via Takehara (1hr30m) to Tadanoumi, then Tadanomi Port for ferry to Rabbit Island
Late Morning: May fit in Peace Memorial park & Museum before or after the rabbit island
Day: eat okonomiyaki, Itsukushima Shrine (if time)
Night: Arrive back to Osaka via bullet train
Late Night: Explore Osaka nightlife, Round1
**Day 9 – August 26 Saturday / Osaka**
Morning: Osaka Castle
Lunch: Dotonbori, takoyaki
Afternoon: Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade
Night: teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka
Late Night: Explore Osaka nightlife again?
**Day 10 – August 27 Sunday / Tokyo**
Morning: Checkout from hotel and take bullet train back to Tokyo
Day: Check in Sumida-ku airbnb
No real plans here up for any suggestions
**Day 10 – August 28 Monday / Tokyo**
Day: Arrive to Haneda Airport
I am open for any good ideas/tips/food etc. The most important things that I am unsure about are:
1. How does reserving seats/luggage space on bullet trains work? Does it have to be on the day or can it be in advanced etc.
2. Is Day 6 and Day 8 feasible with time management?
3. Do we need to go to Universal Studio early if we bought the Express 7? (i.e. I read that you can go on the Mario rides twice if you go early enough)
1 comment
I can’t answer your 1st and 3rd question, but for your second question I would say:
• day 6, yes pretty doable. If you arashiyama and the monkey park are pretty close and walking distance from each other. Arashiyama also gets pretty crowded around 8-9am so plan to be there real early if you want solo shots.
• day 8, ehh. I would so recommend staying in Hiroshima rather than a day trip. The city itself is so quaint and peaceful. I would also recommend taking a ferry to Miyajima if you do end up staying there…I just feel like a day trip would feel very rushed.