Itinerary check, open to suggestions. Sorry about the formatting

We are going to Japan from Sept.19th to the 25th.

We don’t have set expectations or things we HAVE to do for the week except for the restaurants I’ve booked (which were the best ones I could get, no judging).

I am studying/reading/enthralled with samurai history and the tea ceremony. My partner just wants to experience what we can and loves trying new food and respecting new cultures.

The only question I have in about the JR Rail Pass. I wasn’t going to get it but she surprised me with Sumo Tournament tickets AFTER we booked in all three cities, which is why we are going back to Tokyo for a day. With the back and forth, is the JR Pass worth purchasing? I believe it is, after crunching the numbers.

If it is, should I just buy them when we arrive or should I order them online and get an exchange ticket to pick them up when we arrive?

Also, do I need a Suica card?

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Thank you in advance.

Itinerary:

**Tues Sept 19th: Shinjuku**

Arrive at Haneda

Get Suica Pass?

Exchange/withdraw money

Trains to Shinjuku

Check into Hotel

Shower/nap?

Walk around/food

Dinner: Explore Omoide Yokocho street food or anything

**Wed Sept 20th: Shinjuku**

no rush, recover day

Gyoen Park (greenhouse)?

Meiji Jingo Shrine

Walk/explore to Shibuya Sky observation deck/Shibuya Crossing? (1 hour walk from Shinjuku)

LUNCH: Sushi Yakima? (have staff make reservation)

DINNER: walk/eat everything in PISS ALLEY (find an unagi house!)

**Thurs Sept. 21: Shinjuku to Kyoto**

Tokyo Imperial Palace?

47 Ronin Gravesite (1 hour walk from Shin Godzilla statue)

Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto

Stay at Mitsui Garden Hotel

Food/explore around hotel

DINNER: Gion Mikaku, 7pm RESERVATION​

**Fri Sept. 22: Kyoto**

\*\*Tea ceremony 10:30am @ Maikoya Gion Kiyonizu RESERVED\*\*

Shrines: Sannenzaka, Kiyomizu-dera

Kyoto Night Foodie Tour, 6pm​ RESERVED

**Sat Sept 23: Kyoto to Tokyo (stay in Ginza)**

Take Shinkansen back to Tokyo

Check into Marriott

Senso-Ji Temple?

Ushijima Shrine?

Tokyo Skytree observation deck?

Sumo Basho​ close to 3

DINNER: Omakase in Tsukiji Market (RESERVED 8PM)!!​

**Sun Sept. 24: Tokyo to Osaka**

Shin Godzilla statue?

Take Shinkansen to Osaka

Check into Cross Hotel

Godzilla store!!/Explore

DINNER: ​Food tour

Explore: Namba, Dotsonbori

**Monday Sept 25: Osaka to Bali**

Train to airport