Thanks so much to this sub for all of the inspiration! Long-term lurker but would love itinerary feedback (everywhere we are staying is booked, but otherwise flexible on plans). I realize a lot of shinkansen time, but we already tweaked once to lessen trains and then just accepted it.
We are a couple in our mid-thirties, first time to Japan. We are most interested in food, nature and culture for activities. We honestly love just wandering around neighborhoods and exploring. We were trying to see fall foliage and booked things too late to do the Japanese alps so we are exploring Tohoku!
We would especially love Tohoku recommendations and any fabulous places to eat, drink coffee, cocktails or sake. Or if you did a cooking class or other experience you loved that would be amazing too.
Oct 3 – 6 Tokyo
We arrive in Tokyo around 1:30 pm on Oct 3rd and are staying in Shinjuku. Figured we would explore Shinjuku the first day and then be more ambitious the following days.
Loose plans – can be easily changed:
Wednesday- Harajuku, meiji jingu, and Shibuya
Thursday – Asakusa (senso ji) and ueno
Friday – akhibara, and anything else until we leave on for hachinohe
Recommendations for good coffee, cocktails, sushi etc?
If we are lucky we can get into Bar Bennfiddich, Bar orchard or SG club
Oct 6-8: Hachinohe
Arrive late evening on 6th – grab food if didn’t eat an early dinner in Tokyo
Oct 7: Day hike on michinkoku coastal trail
https://www.michinokutrail.com/michinoku-tanesashi-coast
Depending how long it takes visit portal museum or tour a sake brewery
Dinner Yokocho (likely Mirochu Yokocho)
Oct 8th:
Sunday morning market at Tatehana wharf in Hachinohe and then to Lake Tazawa
Oct: 8-10 Lake Tazawa area
Staying right next to the lake and renting a car. We were hoping to see fall foliage but might be too early.
Hoping to hike, bike around the lake enjoy nature.
Maybe a day-trip to Kakunodate and/or Akita city
Any recommendations for hikes or things to do (or eat drink) in this part of Akita?
Oct 10-11th Nyuto onsen
Staying at a ryokan in Nyuto onsen town and will plan on onsen hopping and relazing
Oct 11-12 Matsushima
Shinkansen from Lake Tazawa to Matsushima. Staying in a ryokan, but would love to explore the islands a bit. Dinner and breakfast at the ryokan.
Has anyone kayaked in Matshushima bay or other fun ways to explore (there is a boat tour).
Oct 12-16 Kyoto
Long travel day from Matshushima to Kyoto (staying in Gion) via shinkansen
Go out to dinner on the 12th, maybe explore more depending on when exactly we arrive
Oct 13-15: flexible explore Kyoto
Loose ideas for these days:
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Kinkaku-ji
Arashiyama
Explore Gion
Nijo-jo
Shoren-in
Other recommended sites/temples etc? recommended food and/or drink or experiences? Tea ceremony day trip to Uji etc?
Oct 16th- shinkansen back to Tokyo and fly home
We have a Japan rail pass, ubigi esim, and planning on trying to do suica via apple wallet or if I can’t add money (failing with mastercard ahead of trip but it seemed to work for other people once they got to Japan) thanks to advice from this sub.
2 comments
Coffee shops in Tokyo – This was from a prior post
Coffee shops
STARBUCKS RESERVE(R) ROASTERY TOKYO
Onibus Nakameguro
Glitch Coffee
Ogawa Coffee Lab
Café de l’Ambre
Lattest
Counterpart Coffee Gallery
Streamer Coffee Company
Kugutsuso
Chatei Hotou
Fuglen
Duct Coffee Lab
Maruyama (great for buying beans, too)
Koffee Mameya Kakeru ($$$ – special experience type of place)
Akihabara opens really late between 11 AM and Noon. Since you’re visiting in autumn maybe you could take a stroll at a park in the morning? Since you’re staying in Shinjuku maybe you could check out Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
The park has multiple gardens. The Japanese Garden displays deep red maple leaves, while the British Garden shimmers in ginkgo gold. It’s one of the best places for watching autumn foliage.