Hi all!
This sub has been basically my bible as I’ve planned this trip since January but have been dreaming about it for 5 years now! My fiancee and I will finally be going to Japan November 20 – December 5 and will be going to **Tokyo > Kyoto > Osaka > Hakone > Tokyo**
Below is a semi-fluid itinerary except for the shinkansens we have already booked as well as team lab tickets, aquarium tickets, and a ramen tasting in Tokyo. I am a photographer, and am looking for advice on places to buy film, look at cameras, and my fiance is obsessed with all things one piece and pokemon so it will be very easy for him to shop and find things! I am not going to be upset if we can’t do everything we have listed below, this is more so for me to reference and have a general outline but I am happy to pivot when needed.
*I would love to get recommendations for a great place to eat in Osaka on November 30th as it will be my fiancee’s golden birthday! (turning 30 on the 30th)*
**Tues Nov 21 TOKYO**
\-Arrive in Tokyo in afternoon
\-Head to Hotel and chill (hotel is in shinjuku area)
**Wed Nov 22 TOKYO**
\-Tsukiji Outer Market
\-Tickets to Team Lab Planets
\-Gundam Statue
\-Hamarikyu Gardens/Nakajima Teahouse
\-Walk around Ginza
**Thurs Nov 23 TOKYO**
\-Gyoen National Garden
\-Takeshita Street Harajuku
\-Ramen Tasting Tour in Shibuya
\-Explore Shibuya at night / shopping
**Fri Nov 24 TOKYO**
\-Tokyo National Museum
\-Ueno Park and Zoo
\-Sensoji Temple
**Sat Nov 25 TOKYO > KYOTO**
\-shinkansen to Kyoto
\-explore Gion district
\-Pontocho area for dinner/drinks
**Sun Nov 26 KYOTO**
\-Fushimi Inari
\-Kiyomizu Dera
\-Philosophers Path
\-Nishiki Market
**Mon Nov 27 KYOTO**
\-Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
\-Tenryuji Temple & Gardens
\-Togetsukyo Bridge
\-Golden Pavilion
**Tues Nov 28 KYOTO**
\-Kurama to Kibune Hike half Day Trip
\-Travel back to Kyoto and explore missed areas
**Wed Nov 29 KYOTO > OSAKA**
\-Free half day in Kyoto ????
\-Travel to Osaka
**Thurs Nov 30 OSAKA**
\-Kaiyukan Aquarium
\-Team Lab Botanical Gardens
\-Osaka Castle
\-Amerikamura
**Fri Dec 1 OSAKA>NARA**
\-Nara Day Trip
(Nara options: Yoshikien Garden, Isuien Garden, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga-taisha shrine)
\-Travel Back to Osaka at Night
**Sat Dec 2 OSAKA > HAKONE**
\-Travel to Ryokan in Hakone
\-Enjoy Ryokan stay and check out around Hakone possibly
**Sun Dec 3 HAKONE > TOKYO**
\-shinkansen to Tokyo from Hakone
\-Free day in Tokyo?
\-Shibuya crossing maybe?
\-Meijii Shrine maybe?
**Mon Dec 4 TOKYO**
\-last full day in Tokyo (any recommendations of things I missed above?)
\-Akihabara shopping?
\-Anything else that we missed?
**Tues Dec TOKYO > HOME**
\-leave Japan and go home 🙁
**Questions:**
Realistically, how much Japanese do I need to know? I know basic words but am worried about not knowing enough and don’t want to be rude.
What type of e sim should I get and how much storage? I see so many options, I have an iPhone 15 with Verizon.
Is it worth it to do the luggage forwarding? I was planning on bringing a checked bag and am so worried about it being too big/cumbersome.
General weather during this time of year? I’ve looked it up obviously but it seems to be like a wide range in temperature.
Should I pack two different pairs of sneakers?
Is it really that odd to wear leggings? No big deal if so, I just know there will be a lot of walking and would like to be somewhat comfortable in the clothes I’ll be wearing all day.
Best places to buy film!?
**Thanks all!**
4 comments
Gyoen mean National Park. Gyoen National park is not a place. It’s either Shinjuku Gyoen or Kyoto Gyoen.
teamLab in Osaka is outside so might be better to move later in the day.
Depending where you stay for the second part in Tokyo but taking the Odakyu Romancecar could make more sense than the Shinkansen.
Need no Japanese if you can use Google translate for speech and image.
Never used luggage shipping, just require a bit more planning. Would consider it Osaka to Tokyo to not carry luggage in Hakone.
Travelled for 3 months with a single pair of shoes… why would you need 2 pairs?
Japanese girls do not wear leggings outside. If they do, like when they go hiking, they wear shorts on top of them.
The two pairs of shoes thing is up to you, but I think the thought is that you want to give a pair 24 hours to both reform in shape and dry out. I went with one and suspect my feet would have hurt regardless due to the volume of steps – even my knees were a little sore from walking after a week, day after day, lol.
At least familiarize with some basic Japanese phrases for sure – I suggest because it’s actually really fun. There are tons of YT videos on this so you can get the hang of pronunciation. Don’t stress it but if you do a little familiarity beforehand you’ll have an idea what might be useful once your trip starts. Thank you, excuse me, no bag, do you have English menu, just some examples I used often.
Have a blast planning!
Food- surprised not to see Dohtonbori. It seems like a staple in Osaka for street food, general food, and donki. I heard M Matsusaka Beef is also good (maybe a little overpriced, reservation needed) but i’ve personally never tried it.
Luggage forwarding – Personally I don’t mind lugging a bag around but luggage forwarding is super useful and the freedom of just jumping off the train and going sightseeing without having to look for bag storage or head to the hotel first is great. If it was me, i would definitely use it on the Hakone part of the trip. Send the bag straight from Osaka to the Tokyo hotel and just bring a day bag to Hakone.
Shoes – I always bring an extra pair in case it rains and my shoes get wet.
Japanese – Sumimasen (excuse me) is my most used word. I usually say that then show my google translate. Then a lot of bowing and thank you after. Lol
Since no one else mentioned this, if you go to the Pokemon Center during the month of your birthday they give you a little treat. It’s possible they do even more if it’s on your actual birthday, but I have only been able to go by birth month. I know last year they were giving out a Pokemon for Scarlet and Violet for people born in a particular month.
I’d also look up where the Pokemon Centers are. A lot of people seem to think there is one in Akihabara. There is not. There are a few Jump stores and I want to say One Piece has its own shops as well, it should definitely have stuff at the Jump Store.
I love luggage forwarding. I like to shop and I don’t want to schlep bags everywhere. It’s not that expensive and it’s very reliable. It’s really easy and most hotels will help you with it, just be aware that I want to say you need to send bags at least 48 hours in advance if you are sending them to the airport.
I usually bring one pair of sneakers and one other pair of shoes. But again, I pack heavy and TakQbin by bags so… if I was doing your itinerary, I would probably do: Tokyo to Kyoto via TakQ bin, then take the bag with me on transport to Osaka depending on where in Kyoto I am starting and where in Osaka I am going. I would then send it Osaka to Tokyo, and plan to take it with me to get on transport to the airport.
the most important Japanese words you can know are “sumimasen” like u/SuperRandom124 said and I think “wakarimasen” is also good to know, it means I don’t understand.