2 Week March Itinerary Check – Sumo/JJBA Fanatics in Tokyo & Kyoto

Hey all, I’m excited to finally be able to post an itinerary here! My husband (31M) and I (28F) are heading to Japan in March. Looking to get feedback, and hoping that our plans may be interesting to other folks with similar niche interests.

**Context**

My 3rd time in Japan (last visit was \~7 years ago) and his 1st. We’re both well traveled but haven’t been anywhere in a while due to COVID. I speak the tiniest bit of Japanese. I’m a planner, he’s go-with-the-flow. We’re both huge fans of Sumo and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. I’m into j-fashion and kawaii culture, while he’s interested in nature and traditional culture. We both love good food/alcohol but hate waiting in long lines. We’re in good shape and are down for walking and hiking (from NYC so no stranger to a LOT of walking daily). Interested in seeing unique or offbeat attractions while we’re in Japan, hence the amount of unusually themed cafes/bars/restaurants on our itinerary.

Our flights were purchased with points, hotels were purchased with points/incentives for low rates so those are locked in. I’ve tried to plan with all these factors in mind, but I’m highly aware my knowledge may be dated/limited despite researching – feedback and recommendations are greatly appreciated!

**Itinerary**

**3/11 – Travel from LAX to HND**

**3/12 – Arrive in Tokyo \~3PM**

* Grab Welcome Suica (Husband has an Android so adding a card to his virtual wallet is out)
* Estimating arrival at hotel in Ginza \~5PM
* Explore area
* Pick up some food at the depachika in Mitsukoshi Ginza before it closes at 8PM. Stop at a conbini for snacks and drinks for the next few days. We’ll probably crash after dinner.

**3/13 – Harajuku & Shibuya**

* Head to Meiji Jingu early after grabbing breakfast in Ginza. If there are any cherry blossoms we may swap this for some morning hanami at Yoyogi Park, but I know it’s unlikely.
* Harajuku – LaForet, Kiddyland, powerwalking through Takeshita Dori just for Husband to see the chaos briefly, lunch somewhere in area
* Shibuya – see the Scramble, stop by Q-Pot Cafe, explore, eat dinner at Saizeriya (I really want to try a Japanese family-style restaurant) and find drinks in the evening *(any Shibuya bar recs we should look out for?)*

**3/14 – Mt Fuji Daytrip**

* Full private day trip to Mt Fuji area. Meeting our guide in Tokyo at 9AM to head to over together. Tour visits: Mount Fuji, Arakurayama Sengen Park, Motosuko Lake, Aokigahara Forest, Shiraito Falls, Lake Kawaguchiko. Lunch is included. *As this tour is private and customizable, any suggestions for modifications?*
* We’re spending \~8 hours walking and hiking so 100% expecting to just eat something quick and crash once we’re back in Ginza.

**3/15 – Sanrio Puroland & Nightlife**

* Planning on rope-dropping Puroland to get a seating ticket to the buffet and knock out both rides before it gets super crowded. See the shows, shop for exclusive merch, and eat before heading out by early afternoon. *Really want to get good spots for the parade and Hello Kitty Kabuki show, any tips?*
* Take a rest at the hotel once we’re back in Ginza
* Head to Nakano to visit JoJo Style Bar DIO in the evening. Will make a reservation \~1 month out to be sure we have a seat. *Does anyone have experience using AutoReserve for these smaller restaurants, or is there a better way to reserve online?*
* Keep the party going in Nakano or Shinjuku if we’re feeling it (i.e. Golden Gai or a Yokocho)

**3/16 – Weeb Day**

* Relaxed breakfast at Ginza Starbucks Reserve (corny I know, but I’m a Starbucks cup collector so it’s high on my list)
* Akihabara for midmorning/early afternoon. Shopping for JJBA/anime merch, TATIO Station or Gigo for arcade games *(I believe TAITO has the JJBA game?),* maid cafe around lunch – *I’ve heard @ Home Cafe is good, any opinions on it vs another maid cafe like Maidreamin?*
* Ikebukuro in afternoon. Sunshine City Mall, more JJBA/anime merch hunting on Sunshine 60 Street. Kicking off evening with a visit to Muscle Girls Muscle Girls Bar and then dinner. *Any recs for similar ‘unusual’ themed bars/restaurants?*

**3/17 – Ueno & Asakusa**

* Sending luggage ahead of us to Kyoto this morning to ensure \~2 day delivery buffer. Breakfast after.
* Starting off day at Tokyo National Museum, focusing on Japanese historical artifacts/art.
* Depending on how long we spend at TNM, another chance to check for Hanami in Ueno Park or just have a leisurely walk/snack break.
* Travel to Asakusa for the afternoon to explore, visit Senso-ji, try Mister Donut, dinner, make our way to Tokyo Sky Tree for the evening. Will buy tickets \~1 month before to ensure we get in. (We’re not overly fussed about getting the ‘best’ view in the city, Skytree just fit the best into our schedule as it currently stands.)

**3/18 – Tokyo -> Kyoto**

* Checking out of Ginza hotel in morning. Bringing our overnight bags to Tokyo Station, buying ekiben before going to purchase shinkansen tickets.
* Once in Kyoto stop by our hotel in Gion to drop off bags.
* Lunch at Izuju Sushi for Kyoto-style sushi.
* Check out sights in Gion close to hotel. Small walking loop from hotel to Hokan-ji, Ninenzaka, Hanamikoji Street, Pontocho, then back to hotel. Maybe stop for a cheeky pachinko along the way.

**3/19 – Sumo Day in Osaka**

* Hoping to score tickets to the Haru Basho in Osaka! If we’re able to get seats, we’ll travel to Osaka after breakfast.
* Wander around EDION Arena building area until \~12:30PM, then head into arena. We want ample time to shop for rikshi merch, eat a bento, and get settled before the upper division matches begin.
* Expecting for matches to wrap up around 6PM. Make our way to Kuse ga Tsuyoi Menya Reiwa (JoJo Ramen) ahead of their 7PM opening to get a seat.
* Make our way to Purple Haze (Osaka JoJo Bar) after dinner. Planning on reserving \~1 month out to save our seats.
* If we have the energy/time, check out Dotonburi for a few quick pics before heading back to Kyoto.

**3/20 – Kyoto Day**

* Early morning Fushimi Inari if we’re up for a long hike or the Philosopher’s Path if sakura have started blooming. Overall just take it easy and soak in the vibe.
* We’re prepared for things to be busier from this day forward due to Japanese school break starting.
* *Should we be looking out for anything special during the Vernal Equinox holiday? Planning on keeping an eye out for shrines and rituals that may be happening.*

**3/21 – Arashiyama**

* Ship bags back to Tokyo this day for \~2 day delivery buffer.
* Breakfast at Rilakkuma Tea House in Arashiyama
* Hike up to the Monkey Park
* See if we can take a boat ride down the river for a break from walking *(I did this during my last trip, is it still a common activity?)*
* Explore the area and find a good lunch, options include Tenryuji, Jojakkoji Temple, Okochi-Sanso Villa, Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street. Skipping Bamboo Grove as I remember it being very underwhelming.
* Possibly stopping at Arashiyu Arashiyama for a relaxing footbath before making our way back to the hotel. Dinner back in Gion.

**3/22 – Kyoto -> Tokyo**

* Check out of hotel after breakfast. Head to Kyoto Station with our overnight bags, pick up ekiben for the trip, buy shinkansen tickets back to Tokyo.
* Drop off bags at Roppongi hotel.
* Go to Kokugikan for Sumo Museum. Explore all the little sumo-related attractions in the area and eat dinner at Chanko Kirishima or Yakiniku Meatland (retired rikishi restaurants).

**3/23 – Final Day in Tokyo**

* Flex day, keeping it open in case there are areas we want to revisit or if we had to change plans on a previous day. Roppongi and/or Odaiba as a back up neighborhoods to visit in case we (somehow) did everything we wanted everywhere else.
* *My husband really wants to go to Ghibli Park during one of our Tokyo days. Even if we can miraculously get tickets, it seems like a brutal idea travel wise. We don’t want to lose any time in Kyoto. How bad an idea is it really? Would it be miserable to do Kyoto -> Ghibli Park -> Tokyo?*

**3/24 – Travel Day**

* Flying HND -> KIX at 7:25AM. Arriving 8:25AM. Layover until 5:50PM.
* Planning on venturing to Rinku to do any last-minute shopping, eat our last Japanese meals, and kill time before heading back to airport at 3PM for KIX -> LAX return flight.

Thank you for taking the time to read all this! I’ve learned so much from this subreddit and I really appreciate everyone sharing their expertise. Hoping to post a trip report after to share how much we actually managed to do (and if Saizeriya doria is bussin or not).