Still piecing together our first trip to Japan, and if I’m honest the process has been really overwhelming.. and its coming up fast. My wife and I have traveled pretty extensively to vacation destinations, but never anything that is such a blank canvas as Japan. The primary purpose of this trip is the Japanese GP the weekend of Sept 22-24 and a trip north to see family in Sendai. We’re 40’s pretty laid back, foodies (want at least 1 over the top dining experience), love a good bar.. but not really the stay out till 2am type. Temples, Onsen, natural and man made beauty sites and museums are high on the list.. not really into the anime scene so if we pass on things like that I wont mind one bit
Our current itinerary is loose framework without a lot of specific activities or sights. Travel between cities to be JR rail as much as possible on a 14day pass. Ship our checked bag between hotels as much as possible to allow more freedom on travel days.. (How much lead time do I need to allow for Hotel to Hotel shipments? )
Sept 18th to Oct 5th
Sept 18 Land in Tokyo NRT 4pm Train to hotel
Sept 18 to 21 Stay in Tokyo – Royal Park Shiodome
Day 1
Arrive, check in…. sleep?
Day 2
Tsukiji: Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple
Shiodome: HamaRikyu Garden (Y300)
Toyosu Market
Day 3
Asakusa:
1. Asakusa Jinja Shrine
2. Senso-ji Complex
3. Dembo-in Temple
4. Hanayahiki (amusement park)
5. Kaminarimon Gate
Day 4 activate JR pass
Shibuya and Travel to Nagoya (arrange luggage transfer to Nagoya Hotel)
Shibuya Scramble
Statue of Hachiko
Harajuku: Meiji Jingu Shrine
Train to Nagoya
Sept 21-24 Stay in Nagoya Hotel ACTEL Nagoyanishiki for Formula 1.
Train to Suzuka Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Should be all right as Nagoya station is a short walk or subway ride as far as I can tell
Hesitant to really plan anything for Nagoya as the F1 Weekend takes precedent. Will explore Nagoya as time permits
Sept 24th Race Day. Check out of Nagoya, (arrange luggage to be sent to Kyoto Hotel) will either head back to Nagoya station or go to Osaka Station after the race depending on how chaotic it is. Final destination for the night is Kyoto.
Sept 24th to 29th – Soraniwa Terrace Kyoto.
Day 1
Probably arrive late after a long day at the race…. So check in, nightcap, Sleep
Day 2
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Higashiyama Ward (Kiyomizu-dera temple)
Shannen-zaka and Ninen zaka streets
Day 3
Arashiyama Bamboo Forset
Arashiyama Monkey Park
Day 4 Osaka Day Trip?
Osaka Castle
Donbori District
Day 5
Chill day in Kyoto maybe rent some bikes and explore. Looking to book a nice dinner on this date. Perhaps Kobe Beef Steak Gion as I can actually make a reservation online .. but Open to suggestions. Not really worried about cost on this one.
Sept 29th Travel to Sendai.
Check into Onyado Nono Sendai Sept 29th to Oct 2.
I have a brother in Sendai so they are in charge of the itinerary. So far Booked Tohoku Future Art Fireworks festival for the 30th.. let’s hope the weather cooperates
The rest of the time in Sendai I just want to hang out with my brother and go where he wants to take us.
Oct 2nd Travel to Hakone.
Oct 2 to 5th Mizunoto Hakone.
Just booked this leg the other day. Originally we intended to do another 3 nights in Tokyo..but this seems like a nice way to relax for a couple of days before heading home. I’m sure there will be enough to explore in the area to keep us occupied. Any specific recommendations for the area are totally welcome.
Oct5th Check out and head to the airport- Fly home from NRT 5:30PM
2 comments
I booked the same ryokan in Hakone but we’ll be there after you. Let me know how it is! You can definitely do the Hakone Round course that people usually follow for sightseeing: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html
I’m actually there for the same days, with F1 being the focus too. A few thoughts:
* For a first trip, I personally feel like there’s not a lot of time in Tokyo itself (entirely preference based). There would be some nice museum at Ueno too.
* Race Day: I’m a bit worried you plan to explore Nagoya, attend race, and head to another city on the same day
* There’s support starting 9:30, drivers parade at 11:30 if you wanted to go early
* I’d skip morning of Quali day instead (missing FP3) to explore parts of Nagoya
* Race ends 16:00, traffic will be bad getting out, I don’t see myself getting back to Nagoya (or Osaka) until 19:00. Then moving to Kyoto from there seems very tiring and late. Can maybe look into direct route to Kyoto (there were some bus packages to Kyoto hotels, but not on JR Pass).
* Note not all hotels do weekend luggage forwarding, and delivery is usually the next day.
* Day 5 Kyoto: Can always try doing a quick day trip to Nara as well if you’re in the area. Temple + Deers.
* Hakone:
* Double check if your hotel does luggage shipping to NRT. It would be very difficult same day (5th Oct), so depends if you are able to send a day or 2 early.
* 2 Hour train ride to NRT with transfers may be annoying to navigate on day of flight.
* I’d recommend going back to Tokyo on the 4th, so you can have an easier time getting to airport.
Hope you enjoy your trip.