Hi all :) I’m planning my first trip to Japan on 4th-13th of Dec, I guess I'm just getting nerves as it's my first time and none of my mates helped me prep this itinerary so definitely feeling the pressure but it's fine as Japan has always been my dream holiday so hoping you guys can rate my itinerary or suggest other areas and dinner places (all on bold to make it easier) because I feel like some are repetitive or more activities can be added! :)

Travelling as a group of 4 (sister+cousins) and interested in food (LOVE Sushi and street food), visuals, general culture, anime and shopping! Not at all interested in nightlife or clubs, unless it's to go see some nice scenery!

Our BNB is located in Sumida, landing on the 4th at Narita Airport at 8pm so getting the Keisei Narita Skyaccess to get to Sumida and just find somewhere to eat then crash.

So here's my initial plan!

12/5 Day 1: Tokyo Stroll (Shinjuku)

- Get brekkie near Shibuya Scramble Crossing then head to; Hanazone Shrine, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Visit Shinjuku Central Park.

Lunch at Ichiran Shibuya then head to Vintage shopping in Shimokitzawa

- Dinner reservation at Gyukatsu Motomura Shinjuku at 6:30pm then Walk thru Omoide Yokocho then Shinjuku Cat Cafe or Central Shinjuku Kabukicho Road

12/6 Day 2: Tokyo Stroll (Asakusa) - Not sure if this day is too chill?

- 8am, head to Asakusa and Sensoji Temple and have a cheeky snack at Nakamise Street then Head to Kaminarimon Gate then Five-Story Pagoda

- Lunch at Kura Sushi Global Flagship Store Asakusa then Tokyo Skytree, Akihabara (shop at Animate) and see if there's any more cool stores here.

- Snack at Cha Cha Futatsume (saw somewhere ice creams are nice) then chill at Sumida Park.

- Dinner somewhere was thinking of the Kill Bill resto at Nishiazabu Gon Pochi or Daikokuya Tempura

- Go Shopping at GU / DonQ / Daiso then just see Nakamise Street and Asakusa Tourism and Culture centre for the night views!

12/7 Day 3: Kamakura (Day Trip)

- Have brekkie at 7/11 not sure if any stores as open as early as 7am in the area!

- 6am travel to Kamakura via bullet train then visit The Great Buddha, Kotoku-in, Hasedera temple, Hokokuji Temple (Bamboo Temple).

- Lunch at Komachi Street (Kamachidori) just Street Food and souvenirs then head to Tsurugaoka Hachimangū shrine, cheeky snack at Sakura Mochi!

- Visit Sasuke Inari Shrine then go back to Komachi Street for last souvenirs in the area then head back to Tokyo to get dinner somewhere by Shibuya.

12/8 Day 4: Tokyo - Harajuku / Shibuya Sky

- 7am head to Meiji Shrine / Meiji Jingu, have breakfast at Takeshita Street / Harajuku and try Marion Crepe or Yurinan Harajuku. Go see Hachiko Statue then shop at Shibuya 109!

- Lunch somewhere then go to MEGA Don Quijote for the vibes but explore Daiso/GU/pharmacies bc apparently its cheaper?

- Visit Shibuya Sky, we couldn't book for 4-5pm sunset time so just going at 6:40 bc it looks like there's a light show at 7pm! Then dinner at Nonbei Yokocho.

12/9 Day 5: Free Day, was thinking maybe an onsen but honestly no clue what to do for this day to make it all worthwile?

12/10 Day 6: Tsukiji Market / TeamLabs

- Head to Tsukiji Market at 7am and have brekkie there then head to TeamLabs Borderless which is booked for 9am (apparently we'll end up spending 2-3 hours here)

- Lunch somewhere near? then Uniqlo Shinjuku, ABC Mart , Don Q, Snack at I'm Donut then last vintage shopping in Shimokitzawa lastly Tokyu Plaza.

- Dinner somewhere and just stroll!

12/11 Day 7: Osaka - we're thinking of buying the Osaka Amazing pass just for the castle/umeda skywalk/transpo alone.

- Leave Tokyo at 6am to get to Osaka at 9am, go take a pic at Dotonburi Running man when there's barely anyone there!

- 10:30 - Snack at Honke Ootako and try Takoyaki! Go get Glanta rings then Namba Yosaka Shrine.

- Lunch at Unagi kushiyaki izumo and try the famous Eel and egg ricebowl! Head to Shinsekai to see the 80’s Japan town vibes.

- Snack at Korumon Market - food stalls! Visit American Village then Den den Town in Namba - famous anime store 6/7 floors. Visit Doguysauji - Kitchen Street (to buy knives) then Shinsaibashi Parco to go 6th floor/Spirited Away!

- Snack at Yorkys Creperie / eally nice crepes from Yorkys? then head to Umeda Sky Building & Kuchu Teien Observatory, go back to Kuromon Market for dinner then Dotonburi to see it last at night then head back to Tokyo at 8pm!

12/12 - Last Day :( at Studio Ghibli Museum - I feel like this day has little to no activities :(

- Get off at Kichijoji Station - stroll around the markets or Fluffy Japanese pancakes at FLIPPERS, then head to Koganei and visit the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum ((historical bldg), head to Nakano Broadway for anime/manga.

-Snack at Toho Bakery, Award-winning curry pan and salted butter roll. Then Vintage and second hand shopping Kichijoji Station.

- Lunch somewhere? then head to Studio Ghibli Museum at 1:30pm for 2pm reservation time and we'll apparently spend 3-4 hours here?

- Dinner somewhere - maybe last nice sushi place or street food :(

Sooooo sorry for the long post but I feel like some of these days can be utilised better and really just don't want to regret anything for my first trip if I can do alot more in a day! Any help or suggestion from you all would be really great!

I am traveling on my second trip to Japan. It’s my first time staying in Tokyo and Nagoya. I have already visited Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo (1 day).

I am interested in a bit of everything but I’m not a big foodie. I’m looking to collect goshuin, ink stamps, postage stamps, coin press medallions, and Pokémon cards which is why the plan is a bit mad.

Hoping to see some autumn leaves but I know the forecast is not great for the first couple of weeks of my stay.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions. I’ve tried to group activities by area but some of the locations are a bit out of the way.

Flight arrives at 5pm, check into hotel at Ueno, get food, and then sleep.

Tokyo Day 1 – Monday 18^(th) Nov:

·       Gotokuji Temple

·       Ghibli cream puff café

·       Meiji Jingyu

·       Harajuku shopping

·       Higuma doughnuts

Tokyo Day 2:

·       Akihabara       

·       Tokyo station 

·       Azabudai Hills Gallery Pokémon exhibition              

·       Tokyo Tower (evening)

Tokyo Day 3:

·       Disney Land

Tokyo day 4 – Thursday:

·       Ikebukuro shopping

·       Philatelic museum    

·       (if needed Disney Land evening pass from 5pm- depends how the day before goes)

Tokyo Day 5:

·       Mount Takao (try to arrive early)

·       Free afternoon

Tokyo Day 6:

·       Ueno Park and shrines

·       Maybe a museum if not too busy or weather is bad

·       Stamp shop (opens 12pm) by Nippori station

·       Rainbow Holic café and shop

Tokyo to Nagoya Day – 24^(th) Nov:

·       Origami museum (to buy books)

·       (Hokusai museum?)

·       Train to Nagoya

·       Crepe shop by Nagoya station

Nagoya Day 1:

·       Setogoya Museum

·       Manekineko Museum

·       Collect manhole cards from nearby

·       Free afternoon

Nagoya Day 2:

·       Nagoya Castle

·       Miwa Shrine   

·       Bansho-ji        

·       Shopping

Nagoya Day 3:

·       Ghibli Park (ticket purchased)

Nagoya to Kyoto Day – 28^(th) Nov:

·       Travel to Kyoto

·       Go to Imperial palace park and go-o shrine

·       Nijo castle night illuminations

Kyoto Day 1:

·       Nintendo museum 10am (ticket purchased)

·       Explore Uji

Kyoto Day 2:

·       Keep free for family

Kyoto to Osaka Day 1^(st) Dec:

·       Luggage in locker/ sent to next hotel  

·       Otagi Nenbutsuji via Saga Toriimoto preserved street

·       Adashino Nenbutsuji

·       Gioji temple and Nisonin temples on way back (or on walk up?)

·       Travel to Osaka

Osaka Day 1:

·       Katsuoji Temple          

·       Walk to Minho falls (1 hour walk to tourist info centre if using the forest walking trail)

·       Walk down to Mino station and return to central Osaka

Osaka Day 2:

·       Train to Wakayama

·       Electric railway for cat stamps

·       Wakayama castle and gardens

Osaka Day 3:

·       Universal Studios Japan (ticket and express pass purchased)

Osaka to Tokyo Day – 5^(th) Dec:

·       Shrine in morning

·       Travel to Tokyo hotel

Fly back at 10am the next morning

Sorry for any spelling mistakes.

ive just finished my tour and am on the way back home right now. it's a long trip back so ive decided to write up a review on it.

firstly, it's pretty confusing to get there if it's your first time. im from kyoto and am pretty new to the really confusing train system in tokyo (it's relatively easier in kyoto/osaka imo). hence from this, id say try to get there as early as possible. i arrived late for my time slot at 2pm because i got lost in the ikebukuro station but only by 5 minutes so i still managed to get in. so if you happen to be late by a LITTLE, fear not, you'll still be able to get in. but I'd still recommend to get there earlier.

once you get there you'll be greeted by a vast park that's a nice place to chill around as it's got some pretty comfortable benches and some harry potter statues and whatnot.

process to get into the building was easy. all you have to do is show them the qr code of your booking and voila youre in. when you're in, you'll have to go through security and there's a counter where you can collect your audio guide from, the gift shop on your left and the restaurant on your right. at the very front is where you'll have to pass to enter the tour. you'll have to show them your qr again so prepare that in advance.

the tour itself is estimated to take up to 4 hours which I think is pretty accurate. you get to see the set design, the costumes, the concept arts and even the making of the movie. you'll see replicas of the wardrobe the actors wore, the wigs, and even their wands. you'll be able to see the scaled down versions of the sets and even be able to walk into the ministry of magic ✨ the tour includes fantastic beasts too so it's not only harry potter

there's a cafe at the halfway point with a few picture spots so be sure to check those out too! you can also get your butter beers here. the butter beer tastes pretty different from the ones at USJ and even the cup design is different. you're allowed to take the cups home so please don't forget them!! i saw many people leaving them behind... the next part of the tour i feel like is slightly shorter than the first. there's a 9 3/4 gift shop at the start of the second part with exclusive items.

the second part may bore you if you're not interested in how they made the movie (sfx, editing, etc.)

at the end you'll be able to see a scaled down replica of the hogwarts castle with different lighting effects.

and that's it. youll be led into the gift shop that was accessible from outside the tour.

overall quite an amazing experience for me as ive been a long time harry potter fan :>

be sure to bring your wands if youve got one from USJ or mahou dokoro and if you don't you can purchase one from the gift shop before your tour!! there are interactive portions. and if you want to feel the part you can wear your hogwarts house robes too

(there is a new set of house wands that were released pretty recently as of november 2024)

ill be going again next week for the hogwarts in the snow (christmas) tour and may edit this review :)

I am traveling solo on my second trip to Japan. It’s my first time staying in Tokyo and Nagoya. I have already visited Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo (1 day).

I am interested in a bit of everything but I’m not a big foodie. I’m looking to collect goshuin, ink stamps, postage stamps, coin press medallions, and Pokémon cards which is why the plan is a bit mad.

Hoping to see some autumn leaves but I know the forecast is not great for the first couple of weeks of my stay.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions. I’ve tried to group activities by area but some of the locations are a bit out of the way. I'm flexible and happy to change things around as long as it works for specific opening times.

Flight arrives at 5pm, check into hotel at Ueno, get food, and then sleep.

Tokyo Day 1 – Monday 18^(th) Nov:

·       Gotokuji Temple

·       Ghibli cream puff café

·       Meiji Jingyu

·       Harajuku shopping

·       Higuma doughnuts

Tokyo Day 2:

·       Akihabara       

·       Tokyo station 

·       Azabudai Hills Gallery Pokémon exhibition              

·       Tokyo Tower (evening)

Tokyo Day 3:

·       Disney Land

Tokyo day 4:

·       Ikebukuro shopping

·       Philatelic museum    

·       (if needed Disney Land evening pass from 5pm- depends how the day before goes)

Tokyo Day 5:

·       Mount Takao (try to arrive early)

·       Free afternoon

Tokyo Day 6:

·       Ueno Park and shrines

·       Maybe a museum if not too busy or weather is bad

·       Stamp shop (opens 12pm) by Nippori station

·       Rainbow Holic café and shop

Tokyo to Nagoya Day – 24^(th) Nov:

·       Origami museum (to buy books)

·       (Hokusai museum?)

·       Train to Nagoya

·       Crepe shop by Nagoya station

Nagoya Day 1:

·       Setogoya Museum

·       Manekineko Museum

·       Collect manhole cards from nearby

·       Free afternoon

Nagoya Day 2:

·       Nagoya Castle

·       Miwa Shrine   

·       Bansho-ji        

·       Shopping

Nagoya Day 3:

·       Ghibli Park (ticket purchased)

Nagoya to Kyoto Day – 28^(th) Nov:

·       Travel to Kyoto

·       Go to Imperial palace park and go-o shrine

·       Nijo castle night illuminations

Kyoto Day 1:

·       Nintendo museum 10am (ticket purchased)

·       Explore Uji

Kyoto Day 2:

·       Keep free for family

Kyoto to Osaka Day 1^(st) Dec:

·       Luggage in locker/ sent to next hotel  

·       Otagi Nenbutsuji via Saga Toriimoto preserved street

·       Adashino Nenbutsuji

·       Gioji temple and Nisonin temples on way back (or on walk up?)

·       Travel to Osaka

Osaka Day 1:

·       Katsuoji Temple          

·       Walk to Minho falls (1 hour ish walk to tourist info centre if using the forest walking trail)

·       Walk down to Mino station and return to central Osaka

Osaka Day 2:

·       Train to Wakayama

·       Electric railway for cat stamps

·       Wakayama castle and gardens

Osaka Day 3:

·       Universal Studios Japan (ticket and express pass purchased)

Osaka to Tokyo Day – 5^(th) Dec:

·       Shrine in morning

·       Travel to Tokyo hotel

Fly back at 10am the next morning

Sorry for any spelling mistakes, I did the majority of my planning on excel and I'm dyslexic

Hello! I'm a solo female traveler going to Japan in a few days and wanted to see how my itinerary looks. Advice/suggestions would be appreciated!

My interests lean towards arts/culture, sightseeing, and shopping. I'll be in Tokyo for 7 days and I'm planning on mostly wandering, eating, and shopping. In Kyoto for 3 days and Osaka for 2, I have those mostly packed with day trips!

Day 1 - Arrive at Narita Airport ~3:30pm

• Hotel in Asakusa
• Wander Asakusa (recover from jet lag)
• Shop at Kappabashi Street

Day 2 - Asakusa (chill day)

• Senso-ji (buy a goshuincho)
• Imado shrine
• Tokyo National Museum
• Ueno Park

Day 3 - Ginza and Akihabara

• Chill shopping and wandering day!
• Want to stop by some anime/sanrio stores

Day 4 - Ikebukuro and Nakano

• Another chill shopping day
• Nakano Broadway

Day 5 - Shinjuku?

• Not really sure what else to add to this day besides exploring Shinjuku.

Day 6 - Kamakura day trip

• Komachi street
• Hike around some temples (ie; Hasedera, Kotoku-in, Daibustu hiking trail)
• Enoshima for sunset + dinner

Day 7 - Harajuku and Shibuya

• Meiji Jingu
• Harajuku + Takeshita Street
• Pokemon Center Shibuya
• Shibuya Sky (5:30pm)

Day 8 - Kyoto

• Shinkansen early to hotel in Kyoto
• Kodaiji Temple
• Nishiki Market
• Gion
• Kyoto Manga Museum

Day 9 - Arashiyama

• Not planning on the bamboo forest, I want to hike to the different temples nearby
• Monkey Park
• Enrian
• Gioji
• Adashino Nenbutsuji

Day 10 - Kifune

• Start early at Fushimi Inari
• Kyomizu-dera
• Travel to Kurama-dera Temple and Kifune-jinja shrine
• Eat somewhere overlooking the river

Day 11 - Nara

• Todai-ji
• Nara Park
• Head to hotel in Osaka
• Osaka Aquarium (if I have time)

Day 12 - Himeji

• Himeji Castle
• Koko-en
• Head back to Osaka in late afternoon
• Dotonbori
• Denden town

Day 13 - Undecided

• Honestly not sure what to pick for my last full day. I want to go to an onsen and thought about taking a day trip to Kinosaki (it’s three hours from Osaka though). Or go to Hakone and book a night at a private onsen/ryokan and leave for Narita Airport in the morning. I’ve been looking for ryokan with a private onsen but it’s hard to find one for just one person. I also have tattoos so that’s why I was looking at going to Kinosaki. 

Going to an onsen isn’t a deal breaker though. I’m open to suggestions for a different kind of day! 

Day 14 - Leave for Narita Airport

• Going from Osaka to Narita, so I don't have anything big planned for this day

• Flight departs 5:30pm from Narita.

Hello, I'll be in Japan from mid march - late march. Group of 4, personally 3rd time going and first time for some of us.

Would like to seek advice for my planned itinerary thus far. Thank you!

Tokyo (D1 - D5), reaching Haneda at 9:50am, base in Ueno

D1 : Ueno and Asakusa

Ueno park + Shinobazu Pond
Ameyoko
Sensoji
Nakamise
Tokyo skytree + Jukken bridge at night

D2 : Akihabara (can be considered a free day, for me to go around looking for trading card shops)

Imperial Palace (probably just outside)
Akihabara

D3 : Shinjuku + Shibuya

Meiji Jingu Shrine
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shibuya crossing
Some shopping/cafe hopping
Shibuya sky in the evening

D4 : Mt Takao
(Still planning for evening)

D5 : Day trip to Kamakura/ Yokohama

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Hasedera Temple
(I think might be possible to fit in more here)
Chinatown
Yamashita park
Train back to Tokyo

D6 : Shinkansen to Osaka (Base in Osaka as hotels are cheaper)

Kuromon Market
Osaka Castle ( just outside)
Dotonbori
Hozenji Yokocho

D7 : Himeji Day Trip

Himeji castle
Mount Shosha
Spend evening exploring Umeda

D8 : Nara
Nara Park
Todaiji Temple
Kofuki-ji
Kasuga Taisha
Saho River

(Wanted to do Mount Yoshino too but seems hard to fit in Nara Park and Mount Yoshino on same day)

D9:

Nishiki Food Market
Nijo castle
Nanzenji + Eikando
Philosopher’s path
Ginkaku-ji
Toji temple (night illumination)

D10:

Fushimi Inari Taisha
Maruyama park / Yasaka Shrine
Higashiyama district
Kodaiji Temple
Kiyomizu-dera (night)

D11 :

Kinkakuji
Bamboo Groves
Tenryuji Temple
Togetsukyo Bridge
Monkey park
Kimono forest

D12 : (Flight back at 9pm)

DenDen town
(Still looking for things to do around Osaka)

Hello everyone! I wonder if you guys could help me rate my itinerary for a 12 day solo trip to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. I want to do a relaxed trip because I'm quite sure Japan will be overstimulating enough as it is, so I'm hoping to leave some room to explore. Here’s my itinerary:

Day 1

Arrive at Haneda at 9h30. Rest in the morning and early afternoon.

Late afternoon – Uniqlo Ginza Flagship Store and teamLab Borderless at 6pm

Day 2

Kokyo Gaien National Garden and Imperial Palace

Hie Shrine

Ikebukuro – browsing through the shops

Day 3

Tokyo DisneySea

Day 4

Senso-Ji

Nakamise-dori Street

Tokyo Skytree (might ditch this in favour of the national museum)

Kanda Myoujin Shrine

Akihabara – browsing through the shops

Day 5

Ghibli Museum

Hanging around in Shinjuku for the rest of the day – have some shops I want to check.

Yayoi Kusama Museum

Dining at Omoide Yokocho

Day 6 

Arrive at Kyoto in the morning after taking the Shinkansen

Nijo Castle

Ninenzaka

Kinkaku-ji temple

Day 7

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Adashino Nenbutsuji

Kodaiji Temple

Kiyomizu-dera

Fushimi Inari Taisha

(this feels like a lot but I've checked the distances and this seems doable. Any thoughts?)

Day 8

Daigo-ji in the morning

Train to Osaka

Enjoy afternoon and evening strolling in Dotonbori – visit the Namba Yasaka Jinja

Day 9

Universal Studios Japan

Day 10

Osaka Castle

Lunch in the Shinsekai Market

Go back to Toyko (shinkansen)

Day 11

teamLab Planets

Tsukiji Outer Market

Art Aquarium Museum (is this worth it? Thinking about switching to a visit to kewpie mayo. I've seen some concerning reviews about the quality of life for the fish)

Day 12

Meiji Jingu and Yoyogi Park

Exploring Shibuya for the rest of the day

Day 13

Back home

Hello, I am visiting Japan for the first time from England next year mid April with my husband in the spring. I wanted advice if this is too much to fit in in terms of amounts of locations visits with side visits to Hakone and Takayama etc. as well as a day trip or two from Tokyo. This is the rough plans on amounts of days and general bits planned in each place.

Part of me is considering cutting the Hida Folk village since its harder to get to and I am not sure if I am trying to fit in too many stops here. Also considering just doing Osaka as a day trip from Kyoto to save on travelling but not sure if that would be a miss in terms of the nightlife there. Thank you!

Interests:
History
video games (Husband)
Nature/outdoors/walking/wildlife.

Day 1-5 Tokyo. Arrive in Tokyo day 1, stay 4 nights and then leave for next destination day 5.
-Includes 1 day trip to the lakes or Kamakura.
-Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara, ginza shopping.
-Tokyo Tower maybe
-Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi park
-TeamLab Borderless

Day 5-7 Leave Tokyo on day 5 to stay in Hakone for 2 nights.
-Staying in an Onsen, visit the steaming valley, visit outdoor museum

Day 7-12 - Travel to Kyoto - staying for 5 nights before leaving for Osaka on day 12.
-Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, followed by Iwatayama Monkey park, Gio-ji Temple & Moss Gardens
-Fushimi Inari Shrine
-Kyoto Imperial Palace, Yasaka Shrine
-Kiyomizu-Dera temple
-Maruyama park.
-Yasaka Shrine.
- Nijo-jo Castle
- Chion-in temple
-Otoyo shrine
-Ginkaku Ji temple.
-Philosophers path

Day 12-13 Visit Osaka
- Visit Nara if I don't fit it in a day trip from Kyoto if not visit Osaka castle
-Eat and drink out in Osaka in the evening.

Day 13-15 travel to Takayama with visit to the Hida Folk village staying in the area for 2 nights.

Day 15-19 Back to Tokyo
-4 nights in Tokyo to finish the bits we didn't see.
-Ueno Park
-1 day trip to Nikko(maybe too far) or Mount Takoa.

Hello folks, posting my fleshed out 16-day Kyushu itinerary trip. Any feedback, pointers, food recommendations, etc. or even just a sanity check on the viability would be great. Thank you!

Day 1 (Fri Nov 29) - Arrive at Fukuoka

- Land at 3:30 pm

- Get Hakata Ramen, Yatai

- Visit Fukuoka Asian Art Museum if I get the time (everything else will be closed by the time I check in)

Day 2 (Sat Nov 30) - Fukuoka

- Daizaifu daytrip- Kyushu National Museum + Daizaifu shrines (Tenmangu and nearby)

- Alternatively, a daytrip to Nokonoshima or Itoshima (but hesitant on going for this)

- Ohori Park on the way back + Canal City at night

Day 3 (Sun Dec 1) - Fukuoka -> Ureshino/Takeo (Ryokan)

- Mifuneyama Rakuen (15 mins away, but it might be really off season)

- (optional) Space and Science Museum (1 hour away from my Ryokan though)

- (optional) TeamLabs (30 minutes away, but optional)

- Chill at Ryokan / Onsen

Day 4 (Mon Dec 2) - Ureshino/Takeo -> Nagasaki

- Visit Atomic Bomb Museum + Peace Park (next to each other, but 1 hour from hotel)

- Visit Dejima open air museum

- Visit Chinatown (right next to the hotel)

- (optional) Visit Inasayama Observatory (30 min away)

- (optional but unlikely) Visit Gunkanjima (1 hour away)

- Crazy Horse bar for live music in the evening + Dejima Wharf for food

Day 5 (Tue Dec 3) - Nagasaki -> Unzen (Ryokan)

- Visit Unzen Jigoku (right next to Ryokan)

- Visit Kojigoku Onsen (right next to Ryokan)

- (optional) Depending on fatigue, can take the ropeway and hike Mount Unzen / check out the observatory

- Chill and eat at Ryokan 

Day 6 (Wed Dec 4) - Unzen -> Shimabara + Ferry to Kumamoto

- Take an early bus to Shimabara, visit Shimabara Castle + the nearby Samurai houses

- Take the ferry to Kumamoto, reach by 1 or 2 pm (60 min ferry)

- Visit Kumamoto Castle (20 mins from hotel)

- Visit Suizenji Garden (30 mins from hotel but in the opposite direction from castle.. )

- (optional) Visit Tatsuda Nature Park (30 min from hotel but in a third direction)

- Find a Basashi place + Red beef hamburg / gyuudon place to eat

Day 7 (Thu Dec 5) - Car- Kumamoto (pickup car 8am) -> Takachiho Gorge -> Kurokawa (Ryokan)

- Pick the car up in the morning, drive to Takachiho Gorge (1.5 hours)

- (optional) do the boat ride depending on the wait time (most likely will skip this if crowded)

- Visit nearby Amanoyasukawara shrine

- (optional) visit nearby Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine (1 hour away)

- Reach Kurokawa Onsen, check into Onsen, explore the town, have dinner + onsen hopping and relaxing for the day

Day 8 (Fri Dec 6) - Car- Kurokawa -> Mt. Aso -> Yufuin (Ryokan)

- Start after Ryokan breakfast, drive to Mt. Aso + Aso-Kuju National Park (1 hr 15 min drive from ryokan)

- (optional) Visit nearby Kusasenrigahama

- Backtrack and drive to Yufuin (2 hours from Aso)

- Explore and eat at Yufuin

Day 9 (Sat Dec 7) - Car- Yufuin -> Beppu + Oita

- Drive early to Beppu (35 minutes)

- Cover the Beppu Hells (should be easier with the car)

- Visit Umitamago Aquarium + Takasaki Money Park (halfway betwene Beppu and Oita)

- Go back to Ryokan, get food, Onsen hopping, etc.

Day 10 (Sun Dec 8) - Car - Beppu -> Sightseeing (anything I missed - Kuju Flower park, Hokkein Onsen, Kamishikimi shrine, etc.) -> Kumamoto(car dropoff 4pm) -> Kagoshima (train)

- (this will be the most driving intensive day of the trip but no choice around it)

- (optional) Try and visit one piece statues (atleast a few) on my way to Kumamoto from Beppu

- Drop car off in Beppu, train to Kagoshima

- Probably late when reaching Kagoshima, so have a late check in, quick dinner, sleep

Day 11 (Mon Dec 9) - Kagoshima / Sakurajima

- Daytrip to Sakurajima - I plan to follow this guide or adjacent https://www.touristinjapan.com/sakurajima-1-day-itinerary/

- Should be back in time to try some food places hopefully, will look for kurobuta, kagoshima ramen, good shochu place, etc.

Day 12 (Tue Dec 10) - Ibusuki daytrip

- Take the scenic train "Ibusuku no Tamatebako" to get to and from Ibusuki

- Do classic Ibusuki things (Sand Onsen, Parks, noodles, etc.)

- (optional) Depending on fatigue (and if possible on the same day) go for a hike at Mt. Kaimon

Day 13 (Wed Dec 11) - Kagoshima/Ibusuki -> Yakushima (by ferry) (car pickup 10 am)

- Pickup car at 10-10:30 am, tour the entire island via car, cover some scenic spots like the seaside onsen, etc.

Day 14 (Thu Dec 12) - Yakushima

- Spend the day hiking at Shiratani Unsui Gorge

- If any time leftover, cover any remaining car-accessible scenic spots (especially on west side of the island as my hotel is on the east side)

Day 15 (Fri Dec 13) - Yakushima (car dropoff 10am) -> Tokyo (flight)

- Reach Tokyo by the evening (2:30 pm)

- Meet up with friends, have dinner

- (optional) try and book Shibuya Sky if I can

Day 16 (Sat Dec 14) - Tokyo (Yokohama daytrip / shopping)

- Daytrip to Yokohama, do Yokohama things

- Live Music show at Shimokitazawa in the evening with friends

Day 17 (Sun Dec 15) - Tokyo -> flight back home

- Catch a flight early in the morning and go back home

Day 1:

• Afternoon:
  • Arrive and check in to hotel in Shinjuku
• Evening:
  • Omoide Yokocho
  • Shinjuku Cat Billboard
  • Donki shopping

Day 2:

• Morning:
  • Sensoji
  • Nakamise-dori
• Afternoon:
  • Shibuya Sky (could not get sunset tickets so have to do it in the afternoon)
  • Hachiko statue
  • Shibuya crossing
• Evening:
  • Dinner around Shibuya
  • Trip to Daikoku JDM (still figuring this one out)

Day 3:

• Day trip to Fuji
• Shopping at night if time permits

Day 4:

• Morning:
  • Check out and store luggage in hotel
  • Ginza - want to get the onitsuka tiger shoes customized (is this worth the hype?)
• Afternoon:
  • Train to Osaka
• Evening:
  • Check in to hotel at Osaka
  • Dotonburi dinner and drinks

Day 5:

• Morning:
  • Osaka Castle
  • Shopping around the castle
• Afternoon:
  • Dotonburi for lunch
  • Namba Yasaka Jinja
• Evening:
  • Tsutenkaku slide (not sure if this is worth it, maybe one of the cafes if there is a good recommendation)
  • Dinner at dotonburi

Day 6:

• Morning:
  • Check out and send suitcase to Kyoto (need some recommendation in Namba area for this if any)
  • Express train to Nara
  • Nara Park
• Afternoon:
  • Kasuga Taishi (are the deer around here as well, can skip Nara park if so)
  • Isuien Garden
• Evening:
  • Express train to Kyoto and check in to hotel at Gion
  • Dinner near Gion

Day 7:

• Morning:
  • Hokan-ji
  • Kimono dress up and photoshoot near Gion
• Afternoon:
  • Lunch in Gion
  • Kiyomizu-dera
• Evening:
  • Pokemon center and dinner around the area

Day 8:

• Morning:
  • Fushima Inara
• Afternoon:
  • Bamboo forest
• Evening:
  • Explore shops in Gion

Day 9:

• Morning:
  • Toji Temple
• Afternoon:
  • Train to Tokyo
• Evening:
  • Arrive in Tokyo and train to Shinjuku (back to same hotel)
  • Remaining shopping (Shibuya and Shinjuku area)

Day 10:

• Morning:
  • Check out
  • Akhibara
• Afternoon:
  • Teamlabs borderless
• Evening:
  • Back to Shinjuku and grab bags from hotel and take bus to airport
  • Fly out of Tokyo

This is the first time my wife and I are visiting Japan. Is this a good plan or is this over ambitious? Any pointers will be very helpful. We will be traveling during the US Thanksgiving holidays. Hoping to catch the autumn colors in all these locations.

Thank you for going through my long post!

Hi! So I have 23 hours in Tokyo coming up in December. Does this iteinerary make sense and do you have any suggestions <3?

December 10:

• 1745 - Land in Tokyo
• From NRT go to Tokyo Sky Tower to go up and see the views / go to christmas markets there
• Dinner - any amazing sushi reccommendations near sky tower?
• If I have energy: Shinjuku Golden Gai
  • Or maybe better after sky tower to eat amazing sushi in this area? Any thoughts?
  • Is this worth even going to if I'm solo and not wanting to drink? Is it cool area for a picture?
• Accomdation: Hotel in Asakusa

December 11:

• 0630 - Senso-Ji Temple and other temples
  • What do you do here? Just take photos? Especially at this time when the shops aren't open? What exactly would I want the shops for?
• 0800 - 0900: Tsukiji Market Breakfast
  • Any reccommendations?
  • Can you get coffee here?
• 0930 - 1130: TeamLabs Borderless
  • Even if it's crowded will I still be able to get a cool photo?
• 1130 - 1230: Some sort of Traditional Sushi Lunch Experience --> Any reccommendations near TeamLabs?
• 1300 - Hop on Train back to NRT
• 1400 - Arrive to NRT
• 1550 - Flight to Okinawa

Is this feasible? Does it make sense?

Could I even fit something else in on second day? Also I really want to make sure I eat WELL lol. Sushi is my favorite food and I also love Udon so any reccommendations near Sky Tower, Golden Gai, TeamsLabs Borderless would be great. Also any coffee recommendations.

Any random Christmas cool stuff too.

Am I missing out badly if I don't go to Shibuya? Could i potentially fit the shibuya tower in here haha?

Thank you guys!! Literally any and all feedback and suggestions helps. x

Hi all!

I am flying to japan in just 12 days so was looking for a last itinerary check with possible recommendations and judgement of doability. Thanks in advance!

I will be avoiding to add "Explore" to every day as I assume it to be part of every all of them, we enjoy a mid pace itinerary and looking forward for set places to visit as well as exploring and just going with the day feeling activities.

Please for review take into account we are a couple and expect to do wake up early and be ready to explore at ~7:30

Day 1 - Friday

Arrive to Osaka KIX 11:40

Go to hotel check in

Get tickets in Klook before hand for Aquarium at 16:30

Day 2 - Saturday

Travel 6AM to tokyo (already have the tickets, hotel near station too)

Meiji Sanctuary

Ginko Park

Shibuya Crossing and nearbies

Day 3 - Sunday

National Shinjuku Gyoen garden

Shinjuku metropolitan government Observatory

Hanazono Sanctuary

Day 4 - Monday

Senso-Ji

Kappabashi street and zone

Ueno Park and Beten-do Temple

Akihabara at evening (will be staying close to the zone so it's a possibility every evening)

Day 5 - Tuesday

Travel to Kamakura early

Kotoku-in

Hase-dera

Rent a kimono!

Kencho-ji

If not tired, we will add Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu

Chinatown in Yokohama on way to the hotel

Day 6 - Wednesday

Kawagoe from Ikebukuro

Kawagoe Hiwaka

Karazukori street

Toki no Kane

Ikebukuro for the evening, just explore

Day 7 - Thursday

Nikko (previously bought nikko world heritage in asakusa from day 4)

Shinkyo Bridge

Tosho-gu

Futarasan sanctuary

Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park

Kanmangafuchi Abyss *If Time

Day 8 - Friday

Mount takao hiking in the morning

Explore Ginza

Tokyo station and imperial palace walkthrough

Tori no Ichi festival at night in asakusa

Day 9 - Saturday

Mostly free day, explore a more day to day neighborhood, so far the chosen one is Kichijoji and maybe walk to Nakano broadway

Day 10 - Sunday

Travel to kyoto at 6:15 in the morning (Hotel 15 minutes from station and reception for check out 24hs)

Arrive in Kyoto, hotel near fushimi Inari

Small travel to Uji and spend there morning and midday

Byodo-in

Ujigami Sanctuary

Back to kyoto afternoon/evening Fujimi Inari hiking (Wanted to experience both day and night in fujimi Inari so we came with this option)

Day 11 - Monday

Ryoan-Ji

Kinkaku-Ji

Shimogamo Shrine

*If time, kyoto botanical gardens

Day 12 - Tuesday

Nara day trip

Todai-ji

Nara park

Kasuga teisha shrine

*If time and not tired maybe a small hiking through Mount Wakakusa

Day 13 - Wednesday

Kiyumisu Dera

Sanjusangendo Hall

Walk through Gion

Kyoto imperial palace

Nijo castle

Day 14 - Thursday

Arashiyama zone

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Tenryu-ji

Okochi sanso Villa

* If time Giouji temple

Travel to osaka

Day 15 - Friday

Using Osaka E-Pass (Still evaluating if worth)

Umeda Sky building

Shitennoji Temple

Tsuntenkaku tower

Shinsekai zone

Maybe an evening cruise through river, need to review what the pass includes again

Day 16 - Saturday

Early morning Himeji travel

Himeji Castle

Koko-en garden

Travel to Kobe

Kobe harboland

Meriken park

Back to Osaka

Day 17 - Sunday

Last day and re-cap, free and will go with the feeling, can travel to kyoto for the day or other near place if we feel we want to see more

Day 18 - Monday

Back home, flight at 17hs.

Once again, many thanks for the read and let me know your honest comments so I can go ahead with changes if needed

Furthermore, we have priorities for each thing in the list so if the day feeling is that we won't be able to do everything we know what to prioritize

Hello everyone,

Me (28M) and my girlfriend (28F) will be travelling to Japan next week for 21 days. I would be grateful if you could give us feedback on our planned itinerary, and share your experience on things we should or should not include.

We're mainly looking to experience good food & drinks, culture and history, as well as see nature.

I do have one large tattoo on my shoulder, so might be nice to find an onsen that accepts tattoos or tolerate covered ones.

Here is our itinerary. We don't have a precise plan of what we want to do each day, but rather a list of activities available in different areas, and we'll plan the day before what we want to do for the next day.

Also, we plan on buying the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area pass for day 11 to 15.

Day 1 to 4 - Tokyo

• Arrival at Haneda airport around 6 pm. Were staying 2 days in Ueno region, and two days in Minato. Here are a few of the activities we have listed for each region :
• Ueno :
  • Senso-ji Temple
  • Meiji-jingu
  • Otome Inari Shrine
  • Eat at the Ramen Street
  • Rikugien Garden
  • Shopping (Uniqlo, Ameyoko, etc.
• Minato :
  • Harakado shopping/food center
  • Harry Potter station/store
  • Takeshita street (food, sightseeing)
  • Tsukiji Market
• We also have tickets for TeamLab Borderless and Toyosu Fish market Auction

Day 5 & 6 - Nagoya

Mainly here to try food and do part of the Nakasendo trail (Magome to Tsumago). Other activities we plan on doing :

• Toyota museum
• Atsuta-jingu
• Osu Kannon Temple

Open for any recommendation on more things to do or places to eat.

Food we would like to try :

• Hitsumabushi
• Miso-Katsu
• Tebasaki

Open for any recommendation on more things to do or places to eat.

Day 7 to 10 - Osaka

We're staying 2 days in the Kita region, and 2 days in the Naniwa region. Here are the activities we have listed :

• Osaka Castle
• Visit Amerikamura
• Shinsekai Market
• Nipponbashi Denden Town
• Tenma
• Kuromon Ichiba Market
• Namba Yasaka Jinja
• Sumiyoshi Taisha
• Shi Tenno-ji
• Round1 Stadium
• Namba Parks
• Temlab Osaka (we plan on going there at night)

Do you guys think the Osaka Amazing pass would be worth it?

Day 11 & 12 - Hiroshima

• Hiroshima peace memorial museum
• Shukkeien Garden
• Hiroshima Castle
• Atomic Bomb Dome
• Hike on Miyajima island

Day 13 & 14 - Kobe

We plan to do a quick stop by the Himeji Castle while moving from Hiroshima to Kobe

• Sorakuen Garden
• Ikuta-jinja
• Kitano-cho
• Nunobiki herb garden and falls

We're staying one night in Chuo and the other, we have a Ryokan in Arima. Do you guys think the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area pass would be valid to travel from Kobe to Arima using the West JR Bus?

Day 15 to 17 - Kyoto

We already have ticket for the new Nintendo Museum, and also have a sushi making class. Here are other activities we have listed :

• Ninenzaka cobbled street
• Shimogamo-jinja
• Sanzen-in
• Enryaku-ji
• Byodo-in
• Kitano Tenman-gu
• Fushimi Inari-taisha
• Kurama-dera and Kifune-jinja
• Pontocho Alley
• Nintendo Store
• Nishiki Market
• Ojamakan Fukakusa (retro gaming shop)

Do you think it is worth it to rent a bike to travel in Kyoto? I think it is included with the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass.

Day 18 to 21 - Tokyo

For the last 4 days, we're staying in Shinjuku. Here are activities we have listed for the shinjuku/shibuya area :

• Day 18
  • Omoide Yokocho
  • Nakano Broadway
• Day 19
  • Hyozaemon
  • Hie Shrine
• Day 20
  • Mount Takao Automn leaves festival
• Day 21
  • Packing up and going back home

We still have our Ghibli Museum ticket to buy and fit in our last days in Tokyo(waiting on Nov. 11th to buy our tickets).

Concluding thoughts:

I guess we're mainly looking for recommendations on things we might be missing or should be doing differently.

We plan on shipping our luggage with Yamato, and when not possible to leave them in lockers at train stations. Does this sound feasible?

I am going to get an e-sim for me and my gf for the whole trip | My gf and I both have Iphone and have added our digital Suica cards to our Apple wallet

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! We would greatly appreciate any thoughts, feedback, recommendations, advice or anything other comments. Thank you all!

Sharing with the hope that some of the info below collated from my recent solo trip may be of benefit to future travelers and fellow journey-people keen to explore some different areas of this beautiful country!

I thought I’d change it up slightly for my 17^(th) trip to Japan and venture out into new areas that I’ve not had the opportunity to visit before, but also push the boundaries a little with doing more hiking / trail-walking where I could. To most, some of these places would be on the frequently visited list by first-timers but I have to admit that I’ve always tried to avoid the crowds and main tourist must-dos for many years now!

Main agenda of trip – photography. Total duration of travel – 18 days, 18/10/2024 to 04/11/2024.

Areas covered; Takayama, Toyama, Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, Kamikochi, Matsumoto, Karuizawa, Kusatsu Onsen, Chuzenji / Nikko, Urabandai, Tokyo.

I did have access to a rental car for a portion of the trip to drive Japan’s Romantic Road and to get to the more off-the beaten track areas. Driving the mountain routes (touge) is also immensely fun and being able to take in the glorious autumn scenery while you’re moving along makes it so worth the while. It also opens up a whole new dimension of access to random areas of the countryside that you wouldn’t be able to enjoy while sitting in a bullet train; little roadside stops, fruit stalls where you can purchase freshly plucked apples, some of the best handmade soba I’ve ever tasted, the list goes on!

I’ll skip sharing info for Tokyo as I feel others have already covered this excellently. This will be a long share, thanks for reading!

Itinerary:

Day 1 – Takayama

Landed at Nagoya (Chubu Centrair International Airport) and ventured straight out to Hida Takayama. It’s an easy 3 hour-ish train ride from the airport out to Takayama and I managed to arrive at about 2PM. Tip: try to get a window seat on the left side of the Wide View train as there is a particularly beautiful section of the river that runs along the train route which seems to always be very calm (amazing deep turquoise colour and reflections).

Dinner recommendation – Jakson Curry & Coffee. For those about to visit and return visitors, you have to give this place a go. Genuinely one of the best curries I’ve had across Japan so far. Go early (they open at 5.30pm), you won’t regret it. Japanese menus only FYI but staff are very helpful and will take you through the menu items.

Day 2 – Takayama

Hit the usual touristy spots to see if anything had changed from my last visit (I have a very soft spot for Takayama, this was my 10^(th) time visiting). Noted on arrival that the new train station is finished and does look much flashier than the original one! The city still has a great vibe and has always been excellent for exploring on foot. Try to get out early and beat the bigger tourist crowds if you can; Sanmachi Suji has always been amazing to walk along before 7AM or even in the later afternoon before sunset.

The morning markets were OK this visit; felt like there used to be more stalls with a wider variety but it have might just been me. There is an interesting cube-shaped marshmallow snack that I believe originates from Toyama that you can get at the Miyagawa morning market, about halfway along in one of the permanent stores along the riverfront. Give this a try while you’re there!

Coffee recommendation - Falò Coffee Brewers (https://maps.app.goo.gl/pMiCMVM2tBPiMfRh9). Very impressed, easily the best coffee spot in Takayama at the moment. Went back again later that afternoon! Look it up, it’s just off the main Sanmachi Suji area and well worth a stop.

Snack recommendation – Prices looked steep this time round for the usual stuff (kushiyaki beef skewers, mitarashi dango, the Hida Beef sushi sets served on senbei). Definitely give it a try if it’s your first time but if you want something off the beaten path, try the Hida beef mince cutlet (menchi-katsu) at Sukeharu https://maps.app.goo.gl/DQCrAhP9aGyGcg31A. You heard about this place here first.

Dinner – Hida Beef is always worth spending some coin on when you’re visiting Takayama although I did realise first hand that the usual yakiniku spots were very busy. Big tourist groups, etc. Maybe the word has got out now (damn it)! Not much I can advise on apart from going / queueing up early unfortunately…

Day 3 – Toyama

The Hida Wide View train continues on from Takayama to Toyama and it’s called the Wide View for a good reason. Beautiful views of the Northern Alps greet you on a clear day along with autumn colours as well if you time your trip right! I caught a local train to Hida Furukawa on the way up first; it’s still as picturesque and quaint as ever. You have to love a town that features koi living in the canals.

Toyama itself is a pretty standard city with admittedly not a whole lot to do. It is the gateway to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route though. If you have time and the weather is great, go for a stroll out to Kansui Park. Beautiful spot, with probably one of the best spots you could have for a Starbucks.

Meal recommendation – Being close to the sea, Toyama is famous for its seafood and sushi. Get stuck into it but try to order a side of shiro ebi (white shrimp) tempura if you can. It’s bloody good! There is a restaurant in the train station that does good ten-don bowls featuring shiro ebi (Shiroebitei).

TK Alpine Route tip – If you’ve purchased your ticket online, you can actually print them out using the QR code from your email at the Dentetsu Toyama station the day before you kick-off on the route. For others that like being ready beforehand like I do!

Day 4 – Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route (stay at Murodo)

Early start to catch the train out from Dentetsu Toyama. Luggage forwarding service works well and is easy to get your head around. There is an attendant who receives your luggage and gets your details / fills in a little sheet which you get a copy of. The route does get very packed in April / May (peak season) but was very reasonable this time of year. Did a stopover at Midagahara to explore the wetlands area – I would definitely recommend this if you have some time up your sleeve. Great views and I just about had the entire place to myself! Made it up to Murodo at lunchtime and the area was pretty busy; most visitors try to do the route in a day and Murodo is the main stopover point.

Hiking / walking tips – The area is manageable with some good shoes and average fitness. If you do plan to push into some of the steeper zones and cover the bulk of the area though (which I did…), I would definitely advise on making sure that you’ve got reasonable fitness as the altitude does make a massive difference. Hiking shoes are a must if you plan on tackling some of the more vertical routes; please be safe!

Stay – If you can, I would try to stay the night at Hotel Tateyama (heads-up, it won’t be cheap). It is an amazing experience having the entire area to yourself once the crowd leaves. I found myself absolutely smitten by the peace and beauty of Murodo in the late afternoon, leading into sunset. The hotel also offers stargazing sessions at night and there is an early morning special shuttle bus run to Daikanbo to watch the sunrise, offered only to hotel guests (for an additional fee).

Day 5 – Shinano Omachi

Going out for an early morning stroll around Murodo is well worth the effort, cannot recommend it enough. There is always something special in watching the sunrise touch the mountain peaks around you with the bonus of snagging some amazing photos. Heading back down towards Shinano Omachi, I spent a bit of time wandering around Kurobe Dam, another decision I’d fully recommend. The dam itself is an engineering marvel and appealed to me on many levels (being an engineer myself). The landscape surrounding the dam is amazing in autumn, and if you visit at the right time of the year, watching the water pour out from the dam release gates is equally special in its own right!

Spent the night at Shinano Omachi (stayed at Route Inn Shinano Omachi, just across from the main JR station). I have to admit that the town itself is rather small with not a lot to see for the average tourist but it will appeal to those who enjoy wandering around and experiencing that which is more ubiquitous to smaller country towns.

Day 6 – Kamikochi

I thought I’d try my luck at Kamikochi again this trip with the hope of seeing the valley better dressed in autumn colours. Was a little hit & miss, and it looked like the peak had passed, but Kamikochi remains breathtaking in all seasons. Managed to get into Kamikochi around mid-day and decided to go for a bit of a stroll in the rain. While the rain did help keep the number of people out on the trails down, it does make taking photos difficult! Shinano Omachi – Matsumoto – Kamikochi took up the better part of half a day for those that are wondering.

Day 7 – Kamikochi

Thought I’d push myself today to take advantage of the weather and ended up clocking 42,500 steps / 30kms (!!!) according to the step counter. Went beyond Myojinbashi up to Tokusawa-en; tough call to say if it’s worth the hike but I’d probably say no especially if you’re a day visitor. There is more to see around the main central area of Kamikochi / Kappabashi. Kamikochi does start to get busy from 8.30AM onwards once the tour buses and larger groups start to arrive so plan your movements accordingly as the main trails can get quite packed! The area as a whole was noticeably busier vs. when I first visited in 2012, however you can always find a quiet spot somewhere in Kamikochi; having my boxed bento lunch sitting by the banks of the Azusa River was definitely one of those “Ahhh… life is good” moments.

Photo Tip: Get up early and make your way to the riverbank just north of Hotel Shirakabaso on the western end of Kappabashi. There is a slight ledge where you can set up your tripod and get some amazing shots of the Azusa River and Yarigatake / mountain range in the background.

Day 8 – Matsumoto

If you’ve never been to Matsumoto before, do yourself a favour and add it to your itinerary. Matsumoto is one of my favourite cities to visit; key attractions lie within walking distance of the JR station, clean and wide-open streetscapes, amazing castle, little water features and music playing through the city. Interesting bit of info for those who are into their guitars, the Matsumoto / Nagano area is home to Deviser Guitars (one of the top local builders). Drop by Shimamura Music at the newer Aeon Mall for a peek at what’s available.

Snack Tip**:** Pay a visit to Nawate Street in Matsumoto (frog themed, also a play on the word “kaeru”). There is a store about halfway down that sells taiyaki made the old-fashioned way. Really good!

Coffee Tip*:* Alps Coffee Lab not far from Nawate Street is a solid visit if you’re hankering for a caffeine fix. They do some interesting infused beans (whiskey, etc.) and I had a particularly good flat white from an Ethiopian varietal.

Day 9 – Karuizawa

Picked up my rental car and started my drive towards Karuizawa. This leg of my trip was based on Japan’s Romantic Road, the local equivalent to its German counterpart. Ueda City was my first stop and the castle park area is an interesting visit, originally being home to the Sanada clan. The main street in the city itself has some smaller shops etc. but nothing that was noteworthy. The next stop was Unno Juku, a former post station (think Nakasendo route) with well-preserved buildings lining the main road. I was a little disappointed as 80% of the building were closed or boarded up when I got there. Maybe I visited at the wrong time but it looked pretty deserted to me! Decided to power on to Karuizawa and traffic was pretty busy as I got closer to central Karuizawa (Saturday). Karuizawa is very pretty this time of year and you can see why the rich chose the area to build their mountain resort getaways! Be warned though, the area does get very busy with both local and foreign visitors..

Coffee Tip: I had a really good pour-over from Vacilando Coffee in Ueda. Give it a go if you’re in the area.

Lunch Tip: Solid soba option across the road from the Ueda Castle Park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/PJddsyMExB4Uzbek9). Queue started even before opening time, the kakiage was fantastic.

Dinner Tip: Had a surprisingly excellent tonkatsu set meal in Kyu-Karuizawa at Tonkatsu Imai (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jpWDtTqVEAxWsQMD6). Highlight was having the rice cooked individually in a donabe clay pot. Rosu cut tonkatsu was top notch, very satisfied walking out of there.

Day 10 – Kusatsu Onsen

Start your day early and visit Kumobaike Pond; I did the same at 6AM and was greeted by some amazing morning views with autumn colours. Best part, no crowds! Karuizawa Ginza is also very pleasant to stroll along in the early morning before the shops open and the tour groups descend en masse. Drove up to the Usui Pass observation platform and Shiraito Waterfall; was greeted by excellent views and colours. Made my way from there to Onioshidashi Park which was a rather interesting stop. The landscape is primarily volcanic rock / lava fields and is very unique. The park is rather dated though (don’t expect too much) but still made for a nice mid-day stroll. There are some beautiful views from the park looking out towards Mount Asama.

Arrived at Kusatsu Onsen and my god, is driving through the town challenging. The streets are very narrow and really only designed for single vehicle use at any one time in some sections. Add trying to avoid hitting pedestrians and stress levels were through the roof!! Managed to stash the car, check-in to my ryokan and decided I needed a soak in the ofuro to calm my nerves…

Kusatsu Onsen makes for a fun little visit and is cool to explore on foot. The Yubatake area is quite special and is also lit up at night.

Dinner Tip: I tried avoiding the crowds and managed to find an excellent teishoku restaurant; Saika (https://maps.app.goo.gl/X4enCbAmvdqD7GXC9). The kaarage was particularly delicious along with the nasu shogayaki (eggplant ginger pork)! Would absolutely recommend this place, but do try to get in early as it’s popular among the locals. Was the only tourist there!

Stay Tip: Managed to get an excellent deal at Yoshinoya (https://maps.app.goo.gl/G15MdRNCzbZPgD1U7). Very well priced, spacious rooms, great location – highly recommended!

Day 11 – Chuzenjiko

Made another early 6AM start to the day and went for a wander around town. It was definitely much more pleasant around Kusatsu when it’s quiet. Ventured up towards Sainokawara Park and was not disappointed by the views splashed with autumn colour. Was pleasantly surprised that some of the stalls along the road leading towards Sainokawara Park were already open and selling freshly steamed manju which was delicious.

Jumped back into the car and carried on along the Romantic Road route to Shima Onsen. The weather was not the best unfortunately but I did manage to stop by the Shima Potholes (??) for a quick peek. The area made for some great photographs! Shima Onsen itself is a pretty small / quiet area and I probably wouldn’t have made the hike if I wasn’t planning to stay the night or in the area. I only then realized that I was in Initial D / Gunma territory and made an unplanned detour to Mount Haruna.  Extremely glad that I managed to drive the Yaseone Pass (Mt Akina downhill course if you’re an Initial D fan). What was even better was a chance stop at D’z Racing Café Garage which I drove right past by chance and did an immediate U-turn. This place is an absolute must visit for any JDM / Initial D fan, was blown away!!

Continued on into Shibukawa to grab a quick photo of the Initial D themed manhole cover outside the local government office and also managed to collect the matching manhole cover card (score!). Approached Chuzenjiko closer to 4PM and was blown away by the autumn colours of the area. Words and pictures struggle to do this place justice. The golden evening sun hitting the Senjogahara marshlands was also truly spectacular. I felt very lucky to have been able to visit during the best time of the year.

Lunch Tip: There’s an interestingly named restaurant called Romance Pavilion (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Pj5BiSAFG3u9eSm87) that I was lucky enough to enjoy a really delicious soba + maitake tempura meal at. Give it a go!

Day 12 – Nikko
In keeping with the trend of getting up early and going for a morning stroll, Chuzenjiko did not disappoint. An absolutely jaw-dropping view greeted me at the front of my minshuku with the morning sun glossing over the peak of Mount Nantai. I jumped in the car and went for a drive up to Ryuzu Waterfall and was again, blown away by the view and colours. I’ve been lucky enough to have visited many different areas through Japan during autumn and Chuzenjiko is easily part of my Top 3. Truly, truly special! The views of Kegon Waterfall all but reinforced this further. Do pay the additional fee to get to the lower observation deck as it’s well worth it.

The main reason for wanting to visit the area was so I could drive the Irohazaka downhill course and I was not disappointed. What a good lot of fun it was, let alone the stunning scenery accompanying me along the way. So much so that I ended up doing the downhill run 3 x times over the course of my stay! Please do drive safely though, it is still very much a busy public road.

Finally decided it was time to head down to Nikko (some very heavy fog had started to set in). It was still a little early to check-in and someone had recommended visiting Kirifuri Waterfall (https://maps.app.goo.gl/TVoHfpncH7JXWFd66). Definitely a beautiful spot and well worth dropping past if you have a car available! I tried headed further up towards the Kirifuri Plateau area but was forced to turn around due to the heavy fog unfortunately. Maybe next time…

Day 13 – Nikko

Visited the Toshogu Shrine area for the first time – some truly beautiful and lavish architecture; was easy to understand why the area is World Heritage listed. It did start to get very, very busy towards mid-morning however. I started to miss the quieter side of things back up at Chuzenjiko and jumped in the car and drove back up there to spend the day walking around and enjoying the beautiful autumn weather. Stopped by the Akechidaira Plateau on the way up Irohazaka (again!) and took the short cable car ride to the observation platform. Do yourself a favour and do the same if you can please; the full view of Kegon Waterfall and Chuzenjiko from afar is something I can only describe as phenomenal.

Tip: The ropeway ticket also includes free parking for Akechidaira. Whe you buy your ticket you’ll be asked if you have a car and whether you parked in the paid parking zone. Say yes, and the attendant will hand you a ticket to insert in the parking machine on your way out.

Tip 2: Dinner options appear to very limited in central Nikko. I ended up venturing out to Imaichi (easy 15mins drive) which had a lot more on offer; e.g. sushi train, ramen, McDonalds, you name it.

Day 14 – Urabandai

Ouchijuku was the main stopover on my journey north towards Urabandai from the Tochigi prefecture. Another former post-town, the area makes for a very pleasant visit with good photo opportunities. Shops now line the streets selling souvenirs and interestingly enough, soba which is meant to be eaten using a full sized spring onion (negi).

The colours in Urabandai had started to fade and I suspect it would have been much better if I had been a couple of weeks early in visiting. The area is still very beautiful though and I was definitely not disappointed for my first visit, with similar vibes to Chuzenjiko.

Stay Tip: Hotel Il Regalo was easily the best find of my trip. Surprisingly large rooms, well appointed with an excellent restaurant downstairs. Do have dinner if you’re staying, it is really good.

Day 15 – Urabandai

Final day of hiking / walking before heading back to Tokyo. Another early morning start saw me headed for the Goshikinuma walking trail. This is a must-do if you’re visiting and the area is beautiful this time of year draped in autumn colours and sunlight. The ponds have stunning shades of blue, not indifferent to the views of the Shirogane Aoiike in Biei (Hokkaido). I jumped back in the car and started exploring the other lakes and wider Urabandai area and can comfortably recommend this as a worthy visit! An excellent escape if you are one for nature and the beautiful scenery on offer.

Photo Tip: I accidentally stumbled across Magarisawanuma Pond (it’s a mouthful..) and the momiji colours on offer here were truly amazing!

Coffee Tip: Rotten Row Coffee Roasters served an excellent flat white (https://maps.app.goo.gl/rPAguN6Lc3oeb6gz9). Very surprising find essentially in the middle of nowhere!

Day 16 / 17 / 18 – Tokyo

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end I had to bid my rental car (goodbye my trusty Toyota Yaris) farewell at Koriyama.

Stay Tip: I stayed at Sotetsu Fresa Inn in Akasaka this trip and I cannot recommend it enough. Akasaka is a great spot to base yourself out of for Tokyo with easy access to all the major lines and Shibuya. Much quieter, calmer and well-priced. Added bonus of Harry Potter café next to the Akasaka subway station.

Final parting tip: It’s completely OK to not do, see and eat everything while you’re visiting. Don’t get caught up into feeling that you need to try and squeeze in a million different items into your trip because of what you saw on Instagram / TikTok. Japan is truly amazing and has even more to offer when you are able to slow down and appreciate its many hidden sides.

Overall, an excellent trip with some amazing memories that I’ll cherish for years to come. Chuzenjiko was the true standout and I would highly, highly recommend that you try to visit in late October if you can. Thanks again for reading!!

Hey guys I will be going to Tokyo in the 1st week of January for my first trip to Japan. I wondered if I could get some ideas/critique of my itinerary, I'll be doing mostly touristy stuff but if people recommend something I will look into it absolutely. I'd also love to hear hotel/accommodation recommendations for approx. $100-$150 per night and also places to eat!

Here's the itinerary:

Day 1 Arrival/Shinjuki

*Arrival at Narita. Check in hotel, sort out phone/internet/tickets *Shinjuku Goyen *Isetan Shinjuku *Tokyo Metro Building to view scenery *Takashimaya Shinjuku (shopping and dinner)

Day 2 Shibuya

*Meiji Shrine *Harajuku *Cat street *Shibuya Crossing (at night)

Day 3 Ueno *Ueno Park/Zoo *Senso Ji *Nakamise *Sumida Park *Tokyo Skytree

Day 4 Tsukiji

*Tsukiji Market *Imperial Palace East Garden *Chiyoda *Ginza

Day 5 Akhibara

*Odaiba for gundam statue *Rainbow Bridge

Day 6 Day trip to Hakone

Day 7 Return home

Please let me know if you would swap anything out of add anything in? and like I mentioned if you have any places to eat or accommodation recommendations please let me know.

Hi, everyone

I’m planning a 16-day trip to Japan, with stops in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Im still building up my Itinerary so it's not final and i want your feedback

i also will be buying JR Pass and suica card when i land

---

Tokyo (Days 1-4)

- Day 1: Arrive at Narita at 6 PM Take the Narita Express (N'EX) train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, check-in in Ginza area?, late-night sushi at Sushizanmai, or at 7/11.

- Day 2 : Tsukiji Outer Market breakfast, TeamLab Borderless, Tokyo Tower. Lunch at Bills Odaiba, dinner at Gonpachi.

- Day 3: Tokyo Disneyland – all day..

- Day 4: Tokyo DisneySea – all day..

Kyoto (Days 5-9)

- Day 5 : Shinkansen to Kyoto, check into Gion. Lunch at Yasaka Yutone Kyokaiseki, explore Gion and Yasaka Shrine. Dinner at Pontocho.

- Day 6 : Arashiyama – Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, Okochi Sanso Villa. Breakfast at % Arabica, lunch at Shoraian, dinner at Gion Kappa.

- Day 7: Northern Kyoto – Kinkaku-ji, Philosopher’s Path. Breakfast at Cafe Reims, lunch at Omen Ginkakuji, dinner at Katsukura.

- Day 8: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nishiki Market, Kyoto Imperial Palace. Breakfast at Eggs’n Things, lunch at Nishiki Market, dinner at Teppanyaki Gion Tenamonya.

- Day 9: Kyoto highlights – omurice breakfast at Kichi Kichi, Nanzen-ji Temple, Kyoto Botanical Gardens. Lunch at Heihachi Jaya, dinner at Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M.

Osaka (Days 10-12)

- Day 10: Shinkansen to Osaka, check into Namba area hotel. Explore Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. Lunch at Dotonbori Konamon Museum, dinner at Yakiniku Rokko.

-*Day 11: Universal Studios Japan – all day. Breakfast at a local café, lunch at Mel’s Drive-In, dinner at Ichiran Ramen.

- Day 12: Osaka Castle and Namba. Breakfast at Le Pont de Ciel, lunch at Kushikatsu Daruma, dinner at Namba Kappo Yoshiya.

Back to Tokyo (Days 13-16)

- Day 13: Shinkansen back to Tokyo, visit Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Street, Ueno Park. Lunch at Asakusa Imahan, dinner at Ueno Nabe-zo.

- Day 14: Harajuku, Shibuya, Roppongi. Breakfast at Eggs’n Things, lunch at Uobei Shibuya, dinner at Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama.

- Day 15: Ginza, Akihabara, Odaiba. Breakfast at Bills Ginza, lunch at Ginza Kagari Honten (Michelin-rated ramen), dinner at Kua `Aina Odaiba.

- Day 16: Last day for shopping, pancakes at Hoshino Coffee, head to Haneda.

Hi there,

My FH and I will be going to Japan for our Honeymoon for 3 weeks over March / April 2025. This will be my 3rd time and my partner’s first time. Previously I have only done the golden route so a lot of this is new to me too. We understand it is a packed itinerary and understand some things may be missed due to weather / transport delays / tiredness - but if all goes to plan we are hoping to visit the majority of the below.

Any advice or previous experiences would be greatly appreciated. Or if you think there is anything else that suits our vibe. (Early 30’s interested in sites, cherry blossoms and slight nerds. Past the nightclub phase.)

Day 0

• Arrive at Narita airport ~5pm.
• Travel to Hotel
• Find food / Early night

Day 1 - Tokyo

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
• Meiji Jingu Gyoen
• Takeshita Street

Day 2 - Tokyo

• Teamlab Borderless
• Explore Shibuya
• Shibuya Skydeck (sunset to be booked)

Day 3 - Tokyo

• Tokyo Imperial Palace (grounds only)
• Akihabara
• Ueno Park
• Senso-ji
• Sumida Park

Day 4 - Tokyo

• Teamlab Planet
• Odaiba
• Tokyo City View Roppongi Hills
• Meguro River

Day 5 - Tokyo

• Mt Fuji Day

Day 6 - Tokyo

• Nihon Minka-en (open air folk museum)

Day 7 - Tokyo to Nagano

• Matsumoto Castle
• Togakushi Okushi Shrine

Day 8 - Nagano

• Snow Monkey Park

Day 9 - Nagano - Kanazawa - Kyoto

• Kenrokuen Garden
• Kanazawa Castle
• Higashi Chaya District
• Omicho Market

Day 10 - Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari
• Toji Temple
• Golden Pavilion
• Kyoto National Garden

Day 11 - Kyoto

• Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
• Hokan-ji
• Kodaiji Temple
• Bamboo Forest?

Day 12 - Kyoto

• Maruyama Park
• Yasaka Shrine
• Akyoji Shrine
• Pontocho Park

Day 13 - Kyoto

• Tenryuji Temple
• Romantic Train Up
• Hozugawa River boat
• Arashiyama Bamboo forest

Day 14 - Kyoto to Hiroshima (Ryokan Stay on Miyajima)

• Himeji Castle
• Hiroshima Castle
• Atomic Bomb site
• Miyajima Island

Day 15 - Day trip to Fukuoka - Osaka

• US Burger * Yes we are going this far for a US burger 🙂

Day 16 - Osaka

• Namba
• Dotonbori
• Osaka Castle surrounds (evening)

Day 17 - Osaka

• Nara Day trip

Day 18 - Osaka

• Nintendo Museum
• Kobe afternoon
• Kobe Port
• Kobe Beef dinner

Day 19 - Osaka

• Universal Studios

Day 20 - Option day

• Koyasan - Okunoin Cemetery
• Catch up Kyoto
• Legoland

Day 21 - Plane to leave Narita @ 8:30pm

• Legoland
• Harry Potter world
• Mt Fuji - if not shown itself
• Spend rest of our money in Tokyo

Hi all,

I've wanted to visit Japan since I was a kid and lived in Hawaii. As a heads up yes I did use chatgpt to help me structure this itinerary. I tried to do a bit of a deep dive not only here on reddit but other websites and travel blogs to get an idea of some activities. Want to get your thoughts and see if I am crazy for thinking I could make this work or if it sounds good for a first trip to Japan and my first solo international trip.

If these details matter: I'm 35 male (would be 36 at the time of this trip). I know 0 Japanese (though not too concerned as I know google translate and google maps served me well in Mexico City and reddit says it works wonders there), 6' and fit/no health conditions.

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

• Flight Details: Arrive at Narita Airport (NRT) at 3:40 PM on Tuesday, May 13.
• Evening:
  • Transfer to your hotel in Tokyo (Ginza or Tokyo Station area recommended).
  • Take a short evening walk around the neighborhood to soak in the Tokyo night vibes.
  • Enjoy a casual dinner nearby to recover from travel.

Day 2: Asakusa and Ueno

• Morning:
  • Visit Senso-ji Temple and stroll down Nakamise Shopping Street for traditional snacks and souvenirs.
• Afternoon:
  • Explore Ueno Park and visit the Tokyo National Museum.
  • Optional: Check out Ameya-Yokocho Market (Ameyoko) for street food and unique finds.
• Evening: Dinner near Ueno or Asakusa.

Day 3: Shibuya and Harajuku

• Morning:
  • See Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko Statue.
  • Wander through Shibuya’s vibrant streets and enjoy views from Shibuya Sky.
• Afternoon:
  • Walk from Takeshita Street in Harajuku to Omotesando for a mix of quirky shops and upscale architecture.
  • Visit the serene Meiji Shrine.
• Evening: Dinner in Shibuya or Omotesando.

Day 4: Odaiba and Tokyo Bay

• Morning: Visit the immersive teamLab Borderless.
• Afternoon:
  • Walk through Odaiba Seaside Park for views of Tokyo Bay and Rainbow Bridge.
  • Stop by DiverCity Tokyo Plaza to see the giant Gundam statue.
• Evening: Waterfront dinner or return to central Tokyo.

Day 5: Cultural Tokyo

• Morning: Participate in a traditional tea ceremony at Happo-en.
• Midday: Visit Hie Shrine and walk through its iconic red torii gates.
• Afternoon: Explore Akihabara’s anime and electronics scene.
• Evening: Catch a Kabuki performance at Kabuki-za Theatre, then enjoy a relaxed stroll around Ginza.

Day 6: Hiroshima Day Trip

• Morning: Take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima and visit the Mazda Museum (reservation required).
• Afternoon: Walk through the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, including the A-Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum.
• Evening: Have okonomiyaki at Takaya and return to Tokyo.

Day 7: Onsen Experience

• Full Day: Relax at a tattoo-friendly onsen:
  • In Tokyo: Yuen Shinjuku.
  • Outside Tokyo: Hakone or Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku (with scenic walks if in Hakone).
• Evening: Return to Tokyo (if visiting an outside onsen).

Day 8: Tsukiji and Ginza

• Morning: Explore the bustling Tsukiji Outer Market for fresh seafood and street food.
• Afternoon: Stroll through Ginza, visiting upscale shops and quiet alleys.
• Optional: Stop by Tokyo Station’s Character Street for unique souvenirs.
• Evening: Light walking and dinner near your hotel.

Day 9: Departure from Tokyo

• Morning: Take a final walk around your neighborhood for any last-minute exploration.
• Afternoon: Transfer to Narita Airport (NRT) for your flight departing at 5:40 PM.

Walking Highlights 🚶‍♂️

• Day 2: Nakamise Street and Ameyoko Market.
• Day 3: Shibuya to Omotesando and Meiji Shrine.
• Day 4: Odaiba Seaside Park.
• Day 5: Hie Shrine, Akasaka, and Ginza.
• Day 6: Hiroshima Peace Park.
• Day 8: Tsukiji Market and Ginza.

On the day I arrived to Kyoto, I started developing symptoms for a UTI. I suffer from chronic UTIs and i’m a nurse so I know how important it is to treat it with antibiotics. My bf and I were researching what to do and where to go to obtain some antibiotics. We stumbled across Kajita Urology, heavily recommended by reddit users but with my luck, of course it was closed that day because it was a public holiday!

I was in severe pain (10/10) at this point and needed something to manage my pain and symptoms until I was able to see the urologist the next day. We walked to a pharmacy and the pharmacist recommended “JinSenSan.” This herbal medication drink really helped my symptoms so that I was still able to enjoy my day and not waste our first day in Kyoto.

On the next day, we called Kajita Urology at 12:30 and asked if we can make an appointment for later on today. Their hours are 9:00-13:00, 16:30-19:30. I was told by the receptionist that they were full for the day and that if I wanted to walk in, I should be prepared to wait for 2 hours.

We arrived to the clinic at 17:00 and was greeted by the receptionist. She notified us again that the wait will be about 2 hours and that I should be prepared to pay up to 10,000 yen (cash only, out of pocket w/ no travel insurance) or more. She asked for my passport, which I just realized that I left in our hotel. Thankfully, the other receptionist said a valid Drivers License would suffice. I agreed to everything and was given paperwork to fill out. I sent my bf to the Lawson across the street to pull out more yen, just in case we didn’t have enough.

I sat there and waited for a little bit (roughly 20 mins?) and then the nurse approached me to ask me about my symptoms and to pee in a cup. After peeing, I was instructed to wait again until the doctor was ready to see me. I waited another 20ish minutes and I was called in to see the doctor.

He notified me that I do in fact have a UTI and that he was going to prescribe me a 5 day course of antibiotics. He also said that the medication drink “JinSenSan” was a wonderful medication to help manage the symptoms until I was able to get the antibiotics. He handed me the antibiotics and then I was sent on my way. This interaction took only about 5 minutes. He was very nice, spoke perfect English and made sure I had no more questions.

I went back to the reception table to pay my bill. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m from America but I was absolutely stunned at the price. My total was 5700 yen, which is only $37!!!!!! My entire doctor visit, urine test PLUS a course of antibiotics only cost me $37 out of pocket!!

Kajita Urology gets a 5 stars from me. The whole process took only an hour. My experience was amazing. The clinic itself was also very nice and clean. I can’t recommend them enough. They really saved my trip. It is now day 3 on my antibiotics and I feel great!! Hopefully someone in the future finds this post useful :)

TLDR: Developed a UTI at the start of my Japan trip in Kyoto. Found a Urologist (Kajita Urology) recommended by reddit users. Bring passport. Receptionist said 2 hours but was in and out within the hour. Paid 5,700 yen ($37) for the doctor visit, urine test and antibiotics. Doctor spoke perfect English. Clinic was very clean and saved my trip.

Hi there, heading to Japan in a week for the 1st time.

Just wanted to check how feasible my rough plan is and is open to any recommendations for a early 30yr old male traveling with my mid 20 year old brother (he have been to Japan once as a teenager but didn't get to experience much) and friend.

We're foodies with interest in sightseeing, anime/videogames, and fashion (menswear/streetwear/American heritage/workwear style etc.)

P.S. I have tattoos so if someone can recommend a private onsen that'll be great, but I don't necessary need to go to one.

Main Questions: *If you don't have time to read through everything.

1. Priority is should I combine Uji/Nara as a transfer daytrip from Kyoto to Osaka (instead of going to Nara from Osaka)? And use a transport service to ship my luggage to hotel in Osaka?

2. What time to visit Fushimi Inari?

3. Should I get a Osaka 2-day amazing pass based on itinerary?

4. Worth to visit Tokyo Sky Tower x JJK Collab?

______________________________________________________________________________________

Day 1: Tokyo (11/18, Monday)

• Arrival at Haneda Airport at 2:50pm
• Check-in Hotel (Hamamatsucho, Minato City Area)
• Explore surrounding area and get dinner
• Probably just relax & chill for the 1st day but if anyone have suggests lmk

Day 2: Tokyo (11/19, Tuesday)

• Tsujiki outer market?
• Teamlabs Planet (10-10:30am admission slot booked)
• Tsukishima Monja St for lunch (not sure if should skip this as it takes some time to backtrack according to Google maps)
• Explore Odaiba (there to see Unicorn Gundam mostly)

Day 3: Tokyo (11/20, Wednesday)

• Yoyogi Park (Might skip)
• Meiju Jingu Shrine
• Explore Harajuku (Tameshita Dori, Cat Street, Ura-Harajuku, shop at pure blue japan, beams plus, etc)
• Tokyu Plaza Omotesando - Geometric mirrors
• Shibuya Crossing/Loft
• Shibuya Sky (7pm reservation)
• Dogenzaka St (Izayaka)??

Day 4: Tokyo (11/21, Thursday)

• Shinjuku National Garden in the morning
• Shimokitazawa
• Dongenzaka St
• Omoide Yokocho + Kabuyukicho (evening)

Day 5: Kamakura/Enoshima (11/22, Friday day trip)

• Tokyo to kamakurakoko-mae station
• hase-dori street, kotoku-in temple, komachi-dori
• Enoshima (escar escalator, sea candle lighthouse)
• Katase-Enoshima station back to Tokyo

Day 6: Tokyo (11/23, Saturday)

• Teamlabs Borderless (9:30-10am admission slot booked)
• Lunch @ Nodaiwa (Unagi) or recs?
• Azabudai Hill
• Pokemon x Kogei event (3pm slot booked)
• Tokyo Tower/Shiba Park?
• Explore Roppongi Hill area in late afternoon-evening

Day 7: Kyoto (11/24, Sunday)

• Shinagawa Station To Kyoto Station (11:23am arrival)
• Drop off luggage at hotel (South of Kyoto station)
• Fushimi Inari (What is recommend? After lunch, at night or next day morning?)
• Explore Uji?

Day 8: Kyoto (11/25, Monday)

• Kiyomizu-Deru (morning)?
• Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka/Hokan-ji
• I want to eat at curry & tempura koisus but open to other options in the area
• Gion/Hanamikoji-Dori
• Nijo Castle/Nikishi Market (if time allows?)
• Pontocho river area in the evening?

Day 9: Kyoto (11/26, Tuesday)

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Jojakkoji
• Adashino & Otagi Nenbutsuji
• Tenryu-ji temple
• Monkey Park
• Kinkaku-ji in the evening (actually not sure what to do in the evening)

Day 10: Kyoto to Osaka or transfer daytrip to Nara first.. (11/27, Wednesday)

• Local train to Osaka Station (haven't planned arrival time)
• Drop off luggage to nearby hotel in Kita Ward
• Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Castle, and if time allows Aquarium in which order?
• Dotonbori in evening or next day

Day 11: Osaka (11/28, Thursday)

• Namba Jinja Shrine (get coffee around there at Aoma or Lilo)
• Shinsaibashi/America-mura
• Kuroman market or skip?)
• Shinsekai/Tsutenkaku Observation deck
• Namba Yasaka/Den Den Town
• Dotonbori (Evening river cruise?)

Day 12: Osaka or Day-Trip to Nara (11/29, Friday)

Day 13: Kobe (11/30, Saturday day trip)

• Ikuta Shrine
• 12:30pm Lunch Res @ Kobe Royal Mouriya
• Kitanocho
• Nunobiki Herb Garden/Ropeway (one-way or round trip?)
• Kobe Port
• Chinatown (evening/dinner?)

Day 14-18 : Osaka to Tokyo (Sunday, 12/1 - Thursday, 12/5)

Haven't brought train ticket yet

How should I split these up between the five days? Open to other areas of interest to explore

• Ueno Park
• Ameyoko Market
• Senso-ji Temple/Namakise Street
• Akihabara
• Ginza
• Tokyo Sky Tower Area
• Tokyo Station (Ramen, Champion St, etc..)
• Nakameguro/Ebisu?
• Starbucks Reserve Roastery
• Ikebukuro?

My flight on the last day is at 10:55pm (Haneda Airport), Any recs on what to do on last day, what time to get to airport to get last minute souvenir/gifts and if I should ship my luggage to the airport? (Tips on that would be appreciated)

If you got to here. Thank you for reading all of that!

I have posted my itinerary Below. My biggest area of concern is the kanazawa/gifu section of my trip. Is the transportation to and from these locations ideal and realistic with the time I have. I really want to go to these areas because they are more nature focused and I would like to experience a ryokan/onsen.

Day 0 (March 12)

Fly To Japan

Day 1 (March 13)

Arrive at Japan

Suica Card

Check into Hotel/Ueno

Explore a bit and eat dinner

Day 2 (March 14)

sensoji temple /asakuso

nakamise street

ueno park

akihabara

tokyo skytree

Day 3 (March 15)

gyoen/meji shrine

harajuku

Shibuya/shibuya sky shopping nintendo store

shinjuku at night if i have time

Day 4 (March 16)

tsukiji outer market

teamlab borderless

ginza

shinjuku night

Day 5 (March 17)

morning exploring before travel

Travel to Kyoto/check into hotel

nishiki market

Day 6 (March 18)

kinkaku-ji

Arashiyama bamboo groove

tenryu ji

Day 7 (March 19)

kiyomizu-dera

philosophers path

ginkakuji

higashiyama

gion

Day 8 (March 20)

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Day Trip To nARA

Day 9 (March 21)

Travel to Osaka

dotonbori/shinsaibashi night

Day 10 (March 22)

Osaka Castle

kuromon market

den den town

shinsekai

Day 11 (March 23)

umeda sky

osaka aquarium

dotonbori for food

Shopping

Day 12 (March 24)

Travel to Kanazawa

Day 13 (March 25)

Kanazawa Explore

Day 14 (March 26)

Travel to Gifu

Kakurean Hidaji Ryokan Onsen

Day 15 (March 27)

Ryokan breakfast

Travel Back to Tokyo Shinjuku Stay

Free time Exploring Collecting Souvenirs

Day 16 (March 28)

Flight Leaves at 6 PM

I recently came back from my first trip to Japan with my aunt to visit some family and roughly followed the golden route when it came to planning. It was more of a spontaneous decision so I only had about a month or so of prep time. I'm very fond of architecture and exploring as I go so we often just walked around the area. We also spent quite a lot of time shopping :D 

Pre-planning tips and recommendations

• Get Ubigi e-sim: super easy and painless to set up and there is always a 20% off coupon somewhere, it will save you money and time and the hassle of buying a SIM when you arrive. Ubigi worked as soon as I touched down. 
• Yamato Transport: the little black cat saved us the hassle of lugging around multiple suitcases worth of souvenirs and gifts through sometimes very long subway stations and rush hours. 100% recommend. Most staff can speak English if not a little google translate goes a long way. Keep in mind most hotels can only ship luggage for it to arrive the following day to be sure to plan accordingly. It also took us an embarrassingly long time to realize that most convenience stores offer the same luggage shipping services as the hotel and sometimes at a cheaper rate so be sure to check them out. 
• Sugi Drug mart: sells necessary and emergency over the counter medicine and is almost everywhere, we needed it due to a deer allergy at Nara
• Google maps is your best friend but does not do well in navigating buildings with lots of floors.
• Book specific experiences in advance to structure certain days but I wouldn’t stress too much about packing everyday with specific times as it get slightly overwhelming 

(we booked→)

• Tea Ceremony and Kimono Experience at Kyoto Maikoya

• Bus tickets to Shirakawago from Kanazawa) 

• Kaiseki dinner with a ryokan we stayed at Kaga

• Get comfortable shoes: cannot recommend enough if you are not used to walking long distances in the city, the miles really take a toll on you and the last thing you want is to be tired before your trip has even begun.

Itinerary 

Chiba

Day 1

Flew in via JFK and landed around 5 am at Tokyo Haneda and drove to Chiba to stay with my cousins. I decided I would just tough it out with the jet lag after chilling for like 2 hours, and went straight to Kamogawa Sea World for the afternoon. It was more of a local aquarium/sea world so all the introductions and information on the animals were made in Japanese. I also mistook one of the sleeping walruses for a statue -.- I ate the first of many many soft creams on my trip and for dinner we ate at a family restaurant with a set menu, it was so good for the price! 

Mt Fuji Region

Day 2

We headed out early for a road trip to Mt Fuji, visiting Makaino Farm with a huge grassy slope where you can feed sheep and goats pellets and carrots and saw some glimpses of the elusive mountain while eating more soft cream. Stayed in a ryokan with a kaiseki dinner and rotenburo. The dinner included some really good sashimi but I am not a fan of crispy garlic and we were greeted with a cloudy view of Fuji-san in the morning and all you can eat buffet style breakfast. 

Day 3

We checked out Oshino Hakkai, which had crystal clear ponds and gave us the best view of Mt. Fuji up on the viewing platform that cost around $3. Fujiyoshida is awesome for Fuji Q Highland but we just stopped by for its famous street with Mt. Fuji in the background. It was quite the drive back to Chiba.

Chiba

Day 4 

Didn’t do much, just hung out with family.

Day 5

Ventured out on my own for the first time and explored the Peria mall around Chiba station (much prefer the Aeon Malls after completing my trip). Then I traveled to Narita to pick up my aunt.

Asakusa

Day 6   

Arrived around lunch time, checked into the hotel and then walked right into Uniqlo and did some damage. We visited Senso-ji Temple which was crowded for an off-season but still very impressive in its size and structure as it was the first temple on our journey. Then explored the shopping streets in and around Asakusa and got a matcha float. Headed to Shibuya Parco at night, said hi to Hachiko, stopped by the Starbucks at Shibuya Crossing and visited the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo in Meguro.

Day 7

Started the morning off at Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, the park was pretty quiet in the morning hours and the further into the Museum the less people there were, with a variety of ancient scrolls, paintings, ceramics and buddha statues. During lunch there were several yatai set up for a food festival and we had to get takoyaki and grilled fish. We then went to Ikebukuro for its Animate store and I found I enjoyed it more than Akihabara. Visiting Meiji Jingu in Yoyogi Park was amazing at dusk but the atmosphere walking into the park leading up the shrine was slightly haunting due to a large group of crows that kept on calling which kind of added to the chill of the dense forest. We then stopped by Akihabara at night for a quick walk around and Book Off. 

Hakone 

Day 8 

It took absolutely forever to get to our ryokan in Hakone due to the slow bus and traffic in the mountain roads but we managed to visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum and it was honestly quite impressive, as someone who is generally not a fan of modern art, it had great architectural landscaping that allowed each art piece to breathe and did not feel overcrowded at all. The cafe in the center of the park hit the spot even if there were only two food options: hotdog and a muffin. The whole park was really conceptual but very well curated and laid out. 

Hakone → Kamakura → Yokohama 

Day 9 

BE PATIENT, the bus in Hakone is absolutely brutal and if you can drive, DRIVE. We waited for about an hour after bus driver upon bus driver told us the bus was full and that we would have to wait for the next one. But we managed to finally catch the bus and not miss our ride on the Togendai Pirate Ship, which gave us a clear view of the iconic red Heiwa no Torii in the water and took us directly to the cable car leading up to Owakudani. There is also a regular ferry but the pirate ship was just more fun bc obviously. The view of Owakudani from the cable car looked as if there were pockets of steam rising from the mountainside and lowkey looked like forest fire smoke. 

Around mid-afternoon we caught the train to Kamakura to see the Kotoku-in which enshrines the Great Buddha statue, once again, dusk was the perfect time to capture photos and walk around without it being overly hot as fall still hadn’t quite come. I ate more soft serve and headed up to Yokohama for the night. I got a kebab for dinner and it was amazing. 

Osaka

Day 10 

Arrived in Osaka, ate some of the best butter chicken curry I’ve ever had in Nishishinsaibashi, then took a walking tour path from Amerika-Mura to Shinsaibashi Shopping Street which is great for casual streetwear and has lots of international brands. I already liked the vibe of Osaka more, you could immediately feel it was more laid back than Tokyo, the shop staff were more friendly and much more willing to consistently try to talk. We had to pay a visit to Mr Glico Man at Dotonbori, stopped by a small shrine in the heart of Hozenji Yokocho, and saw the fierce facade of the Namba Yasaka Jinja. It was slightly sad that it appeared like an oasis between the high rises because it was facing a hotel I think? that was towering over it but also made it feel like another block on the street. We had to check out the Namba City shopping mall and if I recall correctly, there were quite a few boutiques on the B2 level selling very cute clothing.

Day 11

Started a relatively slow day at Himeji Castle, exploring the castle grounds.I visited Koko-en gardens thinking there might be some fall foliage and I was greeted with absolutely nothing but it was a nice walk. The interior of Himeji Castle is mostly preserved but the rooms did start to get a little repetitive after a while. I’d still say I think it’s good to visit the interior once because there were some insanely steep and slippery wooden steps to climb. We visited Osaka Castle in the evening, saw it lit up with lights and passed by a massive concert being played at Osaka Jo Hall and had some very nice tonkatsu in the park adjacent to the castle.  

Osaka → Nara → Kyoto 

Day 12

Feeding the deer at Nara, we saw some deer fighting, head butting a poor girl off the steps and biting tourists butt for food. Very cute but kind of aggressive. 7/10. Walking all around the Nara Park area, Todai-ji was very impressive, configured in a giant courtyard setting with really huge Buddha and guardian statues inside. We also stopped by the temple buildings of Todai-ji around the area. Isuien Gardens and Museum was serene and quiet but there was a very nice garden a little bit ahead of Isuien that was free and I felt like it was quite similar if not a little bit bigger but nevertheless, worth the walk around the park. Ate a very brunch style late lunch and headed directly to Kyoto afterwards.

Day 13

For our first full day in Kyoto, we booked an all day tour with lunch included with Sunrise Tours and both our tour guides for the morning and afternoon were really wonderful. We first saw Nijo Castle, a residence for the Tokugawa Shogun, then Kinkaku-ji which was expectedly packed, I chatted with our tour guide Yoshi-san who spoke very good english and was also really good at trivia from around the world, listing out language similarities in other countries that were similar to Japanese. The Kyoto Imperial Palace didn’t allow for much sightseeing into the buildings but the grounds were manicured to perfection as befitting of the emperor. Lunch was short but catered to vegetarians and a solid 8/10. We then switched buses and tour guides and saw the Fushimi Inari Taisha, didn't get a chance to hike all the way up though, it would’ve been better in the morning hours. What really impressed me was the Sanjusangen-do Temple, which houses 1,001 statues of Kannon deities, each with multiple heads and arms and the sheer amount of statues was just insanely impressive, but no photos allowed like many temple interiors. Our last stop was the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Sannenzaka and another soft cream.

Day 14 

I prebooked a tea ceremony and kimono rental at Kyoto Maikoya and our tea ceremony master was a very sweet and friendly lady who gave us a short demonstration of a part of the tea ceremony and she really emphasized the phrase, “ichi go ichi e” “one chance, one encounter” and said that our tea ceremony today was also “ichi go ichi e” and in the quiet of the teahouse, I have to say it did move me a little. Since kimono rental was the whole day, we visited Yasaka Shrine in Gion before returning them. We had lunch near Hokan-ji and then revisited the Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka area to shop for souvenirs.

Day 15

I started the morning off at Arashiyama Bamboo grove and since it looked like it was about to rain, there weren't that many people on the trail. I walked to Sagano Bamboo forest as well before stopping by a secluded temple called Jojakkoji slightly off the main path and then the rain started pouring down. I took shelter in a courtyard house, but since I was really determined to still see the temple, when the rain subsided I was the only person in the quiet groves and stairs. I had originally wanted to visit Tenryu-ji but so glad I stopped by Jojakkoji. Since I still desperately needed an umbrella I stopped by a small pottery studio and shop nearby but slightly off the beaten track and met a very kindly old shop owner who not only sold me a tanuki statue but also deducted the tax and umbrella fee from the total. I swear his shop was something straight out of a ghibli film, especially with the heavy rain pouring down, foggy and damp. But when I walked out onto the main street leading up the station the magic was gone. I met up again with my aunt later in the afternoon to walk the Philosopher's Walk and we visited Okazaki Shrine, Nanzen-ji and a multitude of shrines and temples in the area before stopping at the famous Blue Bottle cafe for a bite before visiting the Kyoto Handicraft center for souvenirs and pottery. 

Kaga

Day 16

Slow morning, stopped by a bakery near the station to eat curry bread and took several trains into the countryside to reach Kaga. We had no major plans besides enjoying the kaiseki dinner and private bath the ryokan had to offer. It was a very quiet, sleepy resort town with affordable prices and frequented by many locals. I really recommend you to find a few spots on your trip without many major online recommendations that look beyond the major cities if you’re a big fan of a more serene escape in nature. They also cater to all sorts of diet restrictions as we ordered one vegetarian and one without sashimi. I would say it was like a holiday within a holiday.

Kanazawa

Day 17 

We may or may not have spent way too much time in the mall near Kaga Station buying clothes because everything was so affordable and very Japanese casual style, with academia vibes and muted tones. I think we spent about 2 hours in the same store. Most of the staff don’t speak English here but it wasn’t that much of an issue and we also managed to ship some items back to my cousin’s place. We then caught the Shinkansen through Fukui and arrived at Kanazawa. We visited the Nagamachi Samurai District and picked up more local Kutani pottery before having dinner at a local family run restaurant which served crab. 

Kanazawa → Shirakawago → Kanazawa

Day 18 

Spent most of the day at Shirakawago, which takes quite some time to get to but it was pretty unique and we had the best butter toast and red bean paste at a very very cute cafe that let you pick out the cup set you wanted to use for coffee and there was studio ghibli bgm. We sat around an open hearth with a pot of red bean soup boiling underneath and it was amazing. 

Kanazawa → Tokyo 

Day 19

Spent the morning exploring Oyama Shrine and the Kanazawa Castle Ruins area before visiting Kenrokuen Gardens, it started to get a little rainy by the time we left Kanazawa to head back to Tokyo. It was already evening by the time we checked in and we headed into Ginza to shop. 

Tokyo → Chiba 

Day 20 

We saw Tokyo Tower in the morning, and again at Zozo-ji before doing more shopping in Ginza and Tokyo station area. We visited Itoya, Tokyu Hands, Tokyo Station Character street and Daimaru at Tokyo Station. Before it got fully dark we headed back to Chiba. 

Day 21

More shopping at Mitsui Outlets, met up with my cousins and then had soba for lunch and visited Uniqlo nearby before a final ramen dinner. 

Day 22

Caught the first bus out to Haneda and flew home

Final Thoughts: I honestly loved the trip, I would definitely come back and explore North Japan or venture south to Fukuoka and Okinawa. I really liked the vibe of Osaka and the cities on the west coast but most importantly, it was just really nice to see family.

I ended up visiting the Mt Fuji region twice with my cousins first and then my aunt because they had already prebooked the stay and I didn't know (it was a last minute trip after all) but since it was different regions I still had a nice time.

A little bit of Japanese will be useful and just look around at what other people are doing, etc you stand on the left on escalators in Tokyo and on the right in Osaka. Trains are also generally quiet and you will realize pretty quickly if a foreigner is talking loud.

Don’t overpack, there is literally everything you could ever need within walking distance so you can bring more clothes and souvenirs back. I want to thank everyone else's itineraries that helped me in planning so its only right I also leave my tidbit.

have fun!

Hi everyone!

I'm (21M) planning a solo trip for the first time in my life, and I've decided to experience Japan for this during January. I've spent quite a lot of time crafting this itinerary, and I'd like to see what you all think of it (recommendations, things not to do, things I missed, etc.)

For some context, I'm mainly visiting Japan for 2 things: To experience the nature and culture, and to go shopping for some nostalgic video game and anime merchandise. I'm sure this would be pretty easy to see in my schedule. Planning to just explore and walk around in the time between the planned activities, as I really want to soak in the area and not fill my days with a ton of planned activities.

I'm a big junkie of historical museums and old temple spots, so please drop any recommendations for ones I have missed in these areas!

If anyone has any experience with some of these, please let me know if some days are too packed! I really want to have relaxed days with 2-4 major things and the rest of the time just exploring interesting things and places.

Day 1: Sunday, Jan 5th (Tokyo)

- Land in Tokyo

- Check into hotel and drop off luggage

- Rest / Explore

Day 2: Monday, Jan 6th (Tokyo)

- Check out the Imperial Palace

- Check out Shinjuku Gyoen Park

- Explore Shinjuku (potentially stores like Suruga-ya, Book Off, etc.)

- Shinjuku Suehirotei Rakugo Show

- Explore Nakano Broadway and do some shopping

- Try out a batting cage

Day 2: Tuesday, Jan 7th (Tokyo)

- Visit Senso-ji temple early to beat the crowd

- Kirby Cafe (if reservation goes well)

- Tokyo Skytree

- Check out Ueno Park

- Explore Akihabara and do some shopping (Mandarake, Beep, etc.)

- Check out the Girl's Muscle Bar (might be a tourist trap, but in all honestly looks like a lot of fun)

Day 4: Wednesday, Jan 8th (Tokyo)

- Go to teamLab Planets

- Quick stop by National Diet Building (since it was featured in one of my favorite video games)

- Check out Akasaka Imperial Gardens

- Suginami Animation Museum

Day 5: Thursday, Jan 9th (Hakone)

- Train to Hakone

- Boat ride on Lake Ashi to see Mt. Fuji

- Tenzan Onsen

- Train back to Tokyo

Day 6: Friday, Jan 10th (Nikko)

- Train to Nikko

- Nikko Tosho-go Shrine

- Nikko Tosho-go Museum

- Temple Hopping

- Train back to Tokyo

Day 7: Saturday, Jan 11th (Tokyo)

- Planning to meet with a friend if schedules line up. If not, just exploring some cool areas

Day 8: Sunday, Jan 12th (Kichijoji)

- Train to Kichijoji

- Ghibli Museum (If reservations work out)

- Explore Inokashira Park

- Edo-Tokyo Museum

- Walk around Kichijoji

- Train back to Tokyo

Day 9: Monday, Jan 13th (Kamakura)

- Train to Kamakura

- Temple Hopping

- Explore Enoshima

- Train back to Tokyo

Day 10: Tuesday, Jan 14th (Yokohama)

- Train to Yokohama

- Sankeiein Garden

- Red Brick Warehouse Shopping Area

- Train back to Tokyo

Day 11: Wednesday, Jan 15th (Kyoto)

- Train to Kyoto

- Fuhsimi-inari Shrine (Try to get there as early as possible)

- Kiyomizu-dera Temple

- Nijo-jo Temple

- Higashi Hogan-ji Temple

- Check out Higashiyama

- Stop by the Pokemon Center Kyoto

Day 12: Thursday, Jan 16th (Kyoto)

- Kinkaku-ji Temple

- Walk in Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

- Walk on Philosopher's Path

- Check out the Gion District

- Nijo Castle

Day 13: Friday, Jan 17th (Uji/Muko)

- Train to Uji

- Byodo-in Temple

- Tale of Genji Museum

- Fushimi Sake District

- Train to Muko

- Bamboo Grove Walk at night

- Train back to Kyoto

Day 14: Saturday, Jan 18th (Nara)

- Train to Nara

- Nara Park (Get there early for low crowd)

- Todai-ji Temple

- Train to Kyoto

Day 15: Sunday, Jan 19th (Kinosakionsen)

- Train to Kinosakionsen

- Onsen Hopping

- Walk throughout the town

- Train back to Kyoto

Day 16: Monday, Jan 20th (Osaka)

- Train to Osaka

- Explore Den Den Town (Book Off, Hard Off, etc.)

- Explore Dotonbori

Day 17: Tuesday, Jan 21th (Osaka)

- Visit Osaka Castle

- Check out Osaka Museum of History

- Check out Kuromon Ichiba Market

- Visit Nintendo Osaka + Pokemon Center

Day 18: Wednesday, Jan 22nd (Osaka)

- Visiting a friend if plans work out. If not, pretty much a free day

Day 19: Thursday, Jan 23rd (Himeji)

- Train to Himeji

- Visit Himeji Castle

- Hyogo Museum of History

- Ropeway to Engyo-ji Temple

- Train back to Osaka

Day 20: Friday, Jan 24th (Himeji)

- Train to Kurashiki

- Kurashiki Bikan Historical Center

- Achi Shrine

- Ohashi's House

- Washuzan (Bridge Sightseeing)

- Train to Hiroshima

Day 21: Saturday, Jan 25th (Hiroshima)

- Hiroshima Orizuru Tower

- Shukkeien Garden

- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

- Hiroshima Pokemon Center

- Hiroshima Manga Library

Day 22: Sunday, Jan 26th (Miyajima Island)

- Ferry to Miyajima

- Itsukushima Shrine (Floating Torii)

- Daisho-in Temple + Mt. Misen

- Check out Mega Spoon (just for the gag)

- Mitaki-dera Temple

- Train back to Tokyo

Day 23: Monday, Jan 27th (Tokyo)

- Explore Ginza

- Explore around local suburbs

- Fukugawa Edo Museum

Day 24: Tuesday, Jan 28th (Tokyo)

- Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo

- Tokyo Character Street

- Nintendo Tokyo

- Explore Shibuya

Day 25: Wednesday, Jan 29th (Tokyo)

- Pokemon Cafe (if reservation works out)

- Pokemon DX Store

- Gundam Statue

- teamLab Borderless

- Explore Harajuku

Day 26: Thursday, Jan 30th (Tokyo)

- Last minute wrap-ups

- Fly out

A couple questions:

1. I'm not too keen on drinking alone since drinking for me is mainly a social thing I do with friends, and I am not sure if a foreigner in local bars knowing nobody would be a fun experience. If anyone has done this and thinks otherwise, please let me know! I can speak Japanese on a Kindergarten conversational level, so I think I may be able to converse well enough with locals, but I'm not sure if people would actively distance from foreigners in bars and izakayas.

2. Does anyone have any great recommendations for day-use onsens in these areas? I don't really want to spend too much on an overnight ryokan by myself, and soaking in the onsen at night then coming back to my hotel seems much better.

3. I haven't planned any dining locations because I'd much rather find local spots and eat there. Does anyone have experiences with a lot of places denying foreigners? I can read Hiragana + Katakana pretty well, but regardless of this do you think many local spots would deny me because of my skin color? If so, I'd like to prep to reserve seats at restaurants.

If anyone has any recommendations that I have not hit, please let me know! Also, I'd really appreciate any feedback on this itinerary. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’m planning my first winter holiday in Japan, and since I’m from a tropical country, I want to make sure I’ve covered all the essentials. I’d really appreciate your advice and feedback on my itinerary to make sure I’m not missing anything important! 🙏

Details:

• Travel Dates: 31st Jan 2025 to 1st Mar 2025
• Locations: I’ll be traveling around Hokkaido and Nagano, visiting Sapporo, Furano, Asahikawa, Hakodate, Shiretoko, and more.
• Purpose: To experience a snowy winter for the first time, explore beautiful landscapes, enjoy onsen, and try winter activities like snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Concerns and Questions

1. Weather Conditions: As a tropical traveler, I'm concerned about the winter weather and any unexpected impacts it could have on my travel plans. Are there any weather factors or considerations I should be aware of for Hokkaido and Nagano?
2. Time Needed for Travel: I’ve tried to account for travel times, but I’m unsure if winter conditions might make certain journeys take longer. Any tips on travel time adjustments for winter in Japan?
3. Winter Safety: Do I need specific gear for activities like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or even just walking around on icy streets?

Packing List for Winter

Here’s a list of what I’ve bought so far. Please let me know if I’m missing any essentials or if there’s anything you’d recommend adding based on your winter experience!

• Clothing: Thermal base layers, fleece sweaters, down jacket, waterproof pants, wool socks, gloves, scarf, beanie, goggles. Have not bought snow boots but intending to get them from Decathlon.

• Essentials: Hand warmers, portable phone charger (as I heard cold can drain battery fast), sunscreen (for snow glare)

• Other Gear That I Haven't Bought: Hiking poles, crampons for icy surfaces.

I haven’t researched food options in-depth yet, so any recommendations for must-try dishes or restaurants in each location would be very welcome! I’d love to know which local specialties to look out for that I absolutely shouldn’t miss.

Final Thoughts

This trip is a dream come true, and I want to make sure I’m fully prepared! If you’ve been on a winter trip in Japan or are familiar with traveling from a warmer climate, I’d love to hear any advice or insights you might have.

Thank you so much for your help! 😊

Hi everyone!

Next Saturday we'll go to Japan for our honeymoon and I'd like to share the draft of the itinerary:

Day 1

Landing at Tokyo Haneda airport at 11.30 a.m.

Leave the bags at the hotel

Afternoon at Senso-ji, then visiting Tokyo Sky Tree mall (not going up the tower)

Day 2 (wife's birthday)

Imperial Palace, then moving to Tokyo Station

1.00 p.m. Owl Cafè (booked)

3.00 p.m. Pokémon Cafè (booked)

VIsiting Ginza (Muji shop / Uniqlo Flasgship store)

Have a look at Miyazaki NTV clock

Dinner at Gyopao Roppongi (booked)

Day 3

Peanuts Cafè breakfast

Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park

Shibuya Crossing (visiting nerdy shop, going to Taito Station)

3.30 p.m. Shibuya Sky Tree (booked)

Roaming around

Day 4

All day Nikko visit

Day 5

Tokyo DisneySea

Day 6

Odaiba

10.30 a.m. teamlab Planets (booked)

Immersive Museum/Small World miniature Museum (still not sure on what to do)

Day 7

Moving to Kyoto

Arriving at Kyoto around lunch time

VIsiting Iwatama Monkey Park

Tenryu-ji + Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Day 8

Fushimi Inari

After lunch visiting temples

Tofuku-ji, Sanjusangendo, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Kiyomizudera

After dinner walk in Pontocho

Day 9

10 a.m. Nintendo Museum (booked)

Visiting nord-east Kyoto:

Ginkaku-ji

Philisopher's path

Nanzen-ji, Heian, Chion-ji, Maruyama Park, Kodai-ji, Yasaka

Day 10

Kyoto manga museum and get our potrait done

Nishiki market lunch

4 p.m. Maikoya Tea ceremony (booked)

Day 11

Moving to Osaka in the morning

Osaka Castle

Walking through Donbori/Den Den Town (Hozenji Temple + Tsutentaku)

Day 12

Universal Studios

Day 13

Nara visit

Wondering what to do in the afternoon/evening

Day 14

Moving to Hiroshima

Peace Memorial Museum

Orizuru Tower

Hiroshima Museum

Day 15

Moving to Miyajima Island

Exploring the island

Misen Mount using the ropeway

Traditional dinner at our ryokan

Day 16

Going back to Tokyo for the last 4 days

Shinjuku

Day 17

Ueno

Renting pond boat

Tokyo National Museum (+ Science Museum?)

After lunch: Akihabara

Day 18

Hakone trip

Day 19

The Making of Harry Potter

Ikebukuro (Evangelion shop, Gashapon store and other nerdy shops)

Day 20

Leaving Japan :(

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

We'd like to add Nakano Broadway into the itinerary, but we can't figure in which day putting it.

Also if you know of particular restaurants or activity that would fit into the trip, we can definitely get some advice!

Furthermore, considering our itinerary, do you recommend any passes to save some money for transportation?

Thank you in advance!

Greetings! I am working on my Tokyo trip itinerary. Hope it's a trip to treat my clinical depression. Any suggestion or comment would be great appreciated!

Day 1) 18:00 HND T3 > Ikebukuro Station/ Or Takadanobaba Station ⚠️Hotel selection: Ikebukuro Sunshine city Prince (Haunted?) or Vessel Inn Takadanobaba Ekimae

Day 2) Hotel breakfast or Komeda Cafe > Seibuen Amusement Park > Shinjuku CityWalk + Dinner > Meiji Shrine + Shibuya

Day 3) Chichibu city One day trip/ Chichibu Night Matsuri ⚠️How to book a dinner at local restaurant?

⚠️When did Chichibu Night Matsuri ends?

Day 4) Making of Harry Potter > Akihabara shopping > Ueno city walk

Day 5) Shopping > 12:00 Narita T2

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Hi, please add some recommendations or advice! I know it is very touristy...Because I am a tourist.

I know Cherry blossoms are unpredictable, but any recommendations if there happen to be any while I'm there?

March 29: We're Here!

1. Arrive at the airport by 4:30 PM.
2. Depart by 5:45 PM via airport limousine bus to Tokyu Kabukicho Tower (webservice.limousinebus.co.jp).
3. Take a cab to Airbnb and settle in.
4. Find a nearby restaurant for dinner (specific location TBD).
5. Stop by 7-Eleven for late-night snacks.
6. Rest for the night.

March 30: Sleep in and Explore

1. Breakfast at Café AALIYA

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Notes: Enjoy breakfast and expect a line.
2. Walk to Hanazono Shrine
Time: 11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Notes: The walk is about 5-10 minutes. Allocate 20 minutes for walking and exploring.
3. Stop by 7-Eleven for snacks
Time: 11:20 AM - 11:30 AM
Notes: Quick stop for snacks and refreshments.
4. Visit Don Quijote Shinjuku Kabukicho
Time: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Notes: Spend about an hour shopping.
5. Walk to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Notes: The walk is about 5 minutes. Allocate time for the walk and initial exploration.
6. Explore Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Notes: Spend around 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the garden.
7. Lunch at Afuri Shinjuku
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Notes: After enjoying the garden, head to Afuri Shinjuku for a ramen lunch.
8. Airbnb rest..nap.. recoup
9. he can choose

March 31: Shibuya and Harajuku!

1. Departure from Airbnb in Kitashinjuku

Time: 9:00 AM
2. Arrive at Togoshiya for Breakfast
Time: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
3. Explore Shibuya 109 and Surrounding Area
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Notes: Visit Shibuya 109 for trendy shopping and explore the nearby streets.
4. Travel to Harajuku
Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
5. Lunch in Harajuku
Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Options:
Harajuku Gyoza Lou: Known for its delicious gyoza.
Cafe Crêpes: For a sweet or savory crepe.
6. Picture booth!!
7. Explore Takeshita Street (CROWDED)
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
8. Visit Meiji Shrine
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
9. Return to Shibuya
Time: 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
10. Explore Shibuya Crossing
Time: 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Notes: Experience the bustling Shibuya Crossing and take in the vibrant atmosphere as the area starts to come alive in the evening.
11. Dinner
12. Late night walking around

April 1: Team Labs Pokemon Cafe (this day can be interchangeable depending if I can get a booking through Fiverr)

1. From Airbnb in Kitashinjuku and walk to a 7/11 for something to hold us over)

Time: 9 AM
2. Breakfast at Pokemon Cafe (will try to book through Fiverr)
Time 10:30 AM
3. Team Labs Planet
Time 12pm - 1:30pm
4. Lunch at Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo and walk around a little after
5. ERAWAN - AKASAKA Thai Traditional Massage
6. Thousand Toriis
7. Dinner: Champagne & Gyoza Bar STAND-CHAM-SHOKU

April 2: Disney Sea or Disney Land

April 3rd: Sanrio Puroland

1. Leave Airbnb in kitashinjuku
2. Head to Sarabeth's LUMINE 2 Shinjuku Branch for breakfast
3. Head to Sanrio Puroland
4. Explore eat some lunch, etc.
5. Back to Airbnb to rest a little before dinner
6. Dinner at Ichiran Ramen
7. Rest

April 4: Travel to Kyoto!

1. Breakfast
2. 7/11 for some snacks
3. Hop on the train to Kyoto - arrive around 2PM
4. Settle in hotel for an hour or 2
5. Lunch/early dinner at Gyoza Chao Chao - Shijo Kawaramachi
6. Walk around and explore
7. L'Escamoteur for some drinks later in the evening

April 5: Kimono and Shrines and Shopping

1. Breakfast
2. Kimono rental
3. Kiyomizu-dera shrine
4. Inari temple
5. Return the kimonos
6. Lunch: Arashiyama Rilakkuma Tea House
7. Shopping
8. Return the kimonos
9. Rest at hotel for a little
10. Dinner: Noodle shop Rennosuke

April 6: Leave Kyoto To Osaka and a Day trip to Nara!

1. Breakfast
2. Travel to Osaka
3. Go to the hotel have them hold our bags
4. Head to Nara
5. Go to Nara Park and interact with the Deer
6. Todai-ji
7. Lunch at Tonkatsu Ganko Nara
8. Walk around a little
9. Head to Osaka to check-in
10. Rest
11. Dinner at Oretachino-curry Ramen Koji Labo Osaka-namba
12. Head to 7/11 for late night snacks and breakfast

April 7: Universal

1. Wake up really early and arrive at universal

April 8: Head back to Tokyo

1. Breakfast
2. Head to hotel
3. Have hotel hold bags
4. Get a massage
5. Exploring day

April 9: Rest day and last minute shopping

1. Explore
2. Tokyo Imperial Palace
3. Luxury Shopping/thrifting?
4. Akihabara & Ikebukuro for some DBZ stuff?

April 10: Rest day

1. Last minute Exploring
2. Head to airport late in the night

hi there, i'm zee! i have been to japan twice before!

1st with two friends of mine for 8 days (tokyo/osaka/kyoto/tokyo) in 2016.
(absolutely insane itinerary. my feet hurt so much lol.)

2nd with my bf (tokyo/hakone/osaka/tokyo) for 12 days in 2019. it was the best trip ever!

now solo for 20 days in 2024. he's not coming because of a few reasons, but i have always wanted to go to japan for longer than two weeks… that trip was awesome tho, so i'm having trouble not repeating myself lol.

i have already done a lot of the major tourist attractions. i have never done fukuoka / kyushu before so i'm excited about that! as a canadian, the second i heard maple leaf tempura i knew i had to go try that haha, that will be a day trip from osaka. i'm also a big nerd - so lots of anime/manga related shopping. i also really want to find a nice set of knives and bring those home as a souvenir. possibly in namba. the last time i went i splurged on some nice animation cels in nakano broadway. they're framed in my office :)

itinerary:

flight to japan nov 11

• ikebukuro: 12 nov - 16 nov
  • ikebukuro shopping, akihabara shopping, wolf bar (furry meet friday!!), tokyo skytree, asakusa shitamachi (??? idk, lol, i'll think of some more stuff)
• odaiba: 16 nov - 18 nov
  • design festa, joypolis, tokyo disney sea, odaiba mall
• osaka: 18 nov - 21 nov
  • amerikamura, den den town, meiji no mori minō quasi-national park (maple leaf tempura) dotonbori, tsutenkaku tower, shinsekai. this part has a lot of returns, but i love osaka's vibe a lot.
• kakogawa: 21 nov - nov 22
  • visit friends, see himeji castle, toy museum
• fukuoka: 22 nov - 24 nov
  • sumo viewing booked for nov 22! eat all the ramen, yatai, nakasu island, kihinkan hall / tenjin central park
• yufuin: 24 nov to 25 nov
  • cute onsen town on a cute train to relax in!!! seriously look at the train "yufuin no mori"

nov 25 - train back to hakata station to fly to tokyo or shinkansen (i have to decide this rn lol)

• shibuya: 25 nov - 30 nov
  • watch saturday good byes, nakano broadway, shimokitazawa, jojo bar, samurai restaurant (yeah tourist trap i know) ???? idk this part lol, again, filling tokyo is not hard but - too many choices of places to go
• numazu 30 nov - dec 1
  • kinnikuman museum, mt fuji viewing
• kawasaki: dec 1 - dec 2
  • onsen / hotel - relax before flight

flight home dec 2

things i have done before: anime japan, shibuya 109, shibuya crossing, maid cafe, mos burger, otome road, mega tokyo pokémon center, closet child, tokyo metropolitan government building, animate, takeshita street, nakano broadway, hakone mountain, osaka castle, dōtonbori, denden town, tsutenkaku tower, fushimi inari shrine, arashiyama bamboo grove, kyoto - gion, divercity gundam, tokyo tower, hep five ferris wheel, osaka tennoji zoo, a lot of hot springs, tombori river cruise, ate way too much okonomiyaki, monster cafe, nippori fabric town, kimono rental, toei animation museum kyoto, studio ghibli museum, captain kangaroo osaka.

bucket list things that will never happen unless someone in japan i know outright takes me to them lol:

• a musical anime production. i used to be so into the bleach musical as a teenager. i knew literally every song. i know it's niche, but i loved it. i was sad to hear it came back this year but i missed it!! basically, i just love the vibe of musicals and cosplay on stage. i would go see anything, just to say i did it. this website has a lot of them listed: https://www.j25musical.jp/en/
• takarazuka revue. ever since hearing about this in ouran i have wanted to see one!!
• rakugo performance. i don't know much japanese but i would just love to see it performed.
• a live music performance.
• the muscle "macho" cafe closed before i could go in 2019. the biggest sadness!!!

i should say i'm not interested in aquariums or zoos - people keep telling me to go to them lol. i have been to vancouver aquarium, toronto ripley's aquarium, and atlanta aquarium. i'm good for aquariums!! i also live in toronto, and our zoo is crazy good. actually, that's a big problem with traveling in general... toronto has so much. it's hard to find things we don't have as well. like we even had a maid cafe for a number of years lol.

i am also bringing a 2004 mini-dvd camcorder with me to record my time there, so hopefully i can make an artsy lil video about my adventure when i return :) i got a computer with windows movie maker on it too, it's gonna be so old school and crap i am excited haha.

thanks for reading!

Hi everyone,

I’m travelling from Canada, currently in Tokyo. I am going back home on Nov 12, but my glucose sensor/transmitter system broke and the backup for that system broke too. I have some extra backup blood sugar test strips, but only enough to last me 1-2 more days.

I’ve been to 3 drug stores and 1 actual pharmacy in Tokyo so far, and all have told me they don’t dispense blood sugar strips.

I am wondering if anyone has any advice on what to do next - I literally just need 20 more strips to get me back home to Toronto.

Thank you in advance, a worried glucose gal.

UPDATE: thanks everyone for your help!

For anyone curious, I use the closed loop Tandem T-Slim Control IQ system with Dexcom G6 normally. I took 3x the amount of Dexcom sensors but turns out those weren’t the problem after I replaced them 4 times. My transmitter stopped working, but I didn’t have a backup since my insurance pays for one 1x/90 days and I’ve never had it fail before.

I ended up talking to a really nice English speaking pharmacist (also helps that I myself am a pharmacist back home). Turns out that they basically don’t see any type 1 diabetes cases and barely dispense any diabetes devices since prevalence in Japan is so low.

The pharmacist here ended up speaking to an endocrinologist working in the same building, who told her that they only give Freestyle Libre devices to their patients and they’re booked far ahead for appointments. They also don’t have a way to order Dexcom - she’s never heard of it. She called around and found a pharmacy in Roppongi that sold me some Japanese brand meter and 30 strips in a set. They didn’t sell any Contour Next or Accu-Check or any other Western brand I’m familiar with. Overall, it cost me $150 CAD.

Life pro tip - take backups of literally everything, even if you think you don’t need it. I had backups of what I thought was prone to failure (even an extra pump!) but what failed wasn’t what I expected.