My brother (26M) and I (31F) are heading to Japan (from the USA) for the first time Oct 23 – Nov 4 and would love some insight from those who have done this trip before. Since it’s our first trip, we’re interested in hitting a lot of the touristy stops and a few unique things if time allows. Aside from our flights, no hotels or tickets have been booked. We may pass on the JR Pass since it seems like we may break even on its value (assuming we buy it before price increase).
Our main goals is to experience the food, culture, and anime and geeky stuff. We plan on buying a lot of souvenirs. Would also love some recommendations on food or can’t-miss activities! We plan on sending our souvenir luggage – how early should we send it? I imagine most of our souvenirs will be bought in Tokyo so maybe stick this bag in a coin locker?
**Mon Oct 23, Day 1 Tokyo**
3PM Arrive at HND airport, pick up JR Pass?, SuICa
Shuttle or taxi to hotel,
Shinjuku area
Walk around/Explore Shinjuku
Dinner Ichiran Ramen or something else
**Tues Oct 24 Day 2 Tokyo**
8am Tsukjji Market for breakfast
Harajuku/Takeshita Dori (closes at 8pm)
Omotesando, at the end of Meiji Shrine (closes at 8pm)
Meiji Shrine
Akihabara
Shibuya Pedestrian Crossing & Shibuya Sky at sunset
**Wed Oct 25 Day 3 Tokyo**
Watch Sumo pratice?
10am Benitsuru pancakes
Mario Kart
Shopping Ginza?
Sensō-ji Temple, Explore Asakusa
Kabukicho/Golden Gai
**Thur Oct 26 Day 4** [Day Trip to Mt Fuji](https://www.getyourguide.com/hakone-l1875/mt-fuji-and-hakone-cruise-bus-tour-t367700?lang=en&_pc=1,2&date_from=2023-10-26) 730 AM – 6PM (mental break day from logistics planning)
**Fri Oct 27 Day 5 Tokyo to Kyoto \*stay at a Ryokan – any recommendations on a mid-range? Would like onsen**
Take first bullet train to Kyoto
GO EARLY Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine
Explore Gion district
Nishiki Market
Nijo Castle
Kyoto Illumination Synesthesia Hills
**Sat Oct 28 Day 6 Kyoto**
Kinkakuji Temple Golden Pavilion
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Togetsukyo Bridge
Monkey Mountain
Dinner Takashimaya Basement Food Floor (closes 8pm)
**Sun Oct 29 Day 7 Day Trip to Nara**
Nara Park
Tōdai-jiKōfuku-ji Temple
Nakatanidou Mochi Shop
Head back to Kyoto
Japanese BBQ for dinner
**Mon Oct 30 Day 8** FLEX DAY: Additional day in Kyoto or Osaka, or move Osaka up a head and spend an additional day in Tokyo at the end – would love any recommendations/thoughts!
**Tues Oct 31 Day 9 Osaka**
Osaka Castle
Pokémon Center TOKYO DX ＆ Pokémon Cafe
Namba Yasaka Jinja
Dotonbori
Umeda Sky for sunset/nightview
**Wed Nov 1 Day 10 Osaka**
Himeji castle
Minoh Falls – Maybe? Seems very out of the way
Instant Cup Ramen Museum
Find some traditional Okanomiyaki
Bar Moon walk
**Thurs Nov 2 Day 11 Osaka to Tokyo** \* stay in Shibuya
Morning bullet train to Tokyo
Imperial Palace
Ghlibi museum
TeamLabs Planet
Dinner Omakase ???
**Fri Nov 3 Day 12 Tokyo – Public Holiday/Culture Day**
Disney Sea
**Sat Nov 4 Day 13 Tokyo**S
Shopping in Ginza
1:30 PM Leave for airport
5:30 PM Flight leaves HND airport
Thank you for all your help!
4 comments
I advise everyone to avoid the Mario Karts. Not only can you not even dress up at them anymore because of copyright issues, they’re incredibly disruptive, obnoxious, and loud. Many locals including me absolutely despise them.
I have a few suggestions, but they’re all jumbled cause I’m tired –
1. I would go Tokyo > Osaka > Nara > Kyoto > Tokyo. This way, when you want to get to Kyoto attractions early on your first Kyoto day, you’ll only be 40 minutes away rather than 3 hours.
2. If you are interested in Anime I would go to Osaka’s Denden area. It’s their Otaku area and they have some cheaper prices then Akihabara. They’re way less crowded too so it’s easier to actually buy things and shop. If you do go, Tokyo Goonies has amazing Takoyaki.
3. I also recommend America Town in Osaka for shopping. It has a lot of great food, alternative/punk/skating fashion, live music everywhere, good bars, including that family guy bar going around, and some cool animal cafes that are way easier to get into than Harajuku.
4. If you’re looking at going to Golden Gai, Osaka once again has a less crowded alternative. There are standing bar streets all over that town. I know there is one that’s more traditional near Dotonbori. There is also one near America Town with a bar I’d recommend called Umineko
5. Take public transit to your hotel from HND. I wouldn’t bother with a taxi or shuttle. If it’s because you have luggage, there are services at the airport that will deliver your luggage to your hotel for way cheaper than taking a taxi.
6. I would recommend going to Asakusa early in the day when it’s less crowded, unless you’re going for Hoppy Street as well. Usually things open there for lunch, but by then Asakusa will be crowded.
7. I’d also recommend skipping Mario Cart. It’s just not worth it and it will make you enemies lol
8. As for your Fuji day trip- is it one that involves going to Hakone? If so, you can go on your own for really cheap. There is a Hakone Freepass you can buy online. It’s ￥6100 and lasts 2 days. That gets you from Shinjuku to Hakone and all your transit once You’re in Hakone, including the scenic boat tours and Ropeway. It also gets you discounted entry to a lot of the onsen/museums, free entry to other attractions , and discounts at some of the cafes and restaurants. You mentioned also wanting to stay in a Ryokan in Kyoto, but Hakone is known for their Ryokan. It’s literally full of natural, traditional onsen. Might be worth spending the night in one there so you know you’re getting an actual onsen. If not, I’d recommend still going to one there and taking a dip. Heck, they even have an onsen theme park so
I can’t say much on Kyoto cause I keep skipping it on my trips (just doesn’t interest me much) but those would be my suggestions! Only other thing I can think of is putting all your daily itinerary into Google maps and seeing how you’d have to get between each one since some of your stuff is pretty spread out. Otherwise, have fun!
Get to Tsukiji earlier than 8 AM. At 8 it is packed and busy. You will be waiting a while.
Mario Kart – if you are planning to drive around in a go kart on the roads, for the love of everything holy please don’t do that. It is fucking dangerous and absolutely annoying for everyone.
Last day – shopping at Ginza – most shops open up between 10-11 AM. You have to leave to for flight at 130 pm. Time might be tight, unless you know what you want and will be in and out.
For Nara – you can also go there after Fushimi Inari. They are on the same train line and will make more sense to do it one after the other. Start the climb early. It is so much more peaceful and you can enjoy it.
Umeda Sky – get there early ish before sunset. It gets really busy.
Omakase dinner – book early.
Why does everyone do those mario kart things they are so annoying and cringe, just go to a go-kart place where you live.