Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[evilerniex]

Hi everybody, I will be travelling to Japan for two months from end-May to August - will be based in Tokyo during the weekdays. I was wondering if I could get some advice on the following 2 points:

1) Any ideas for short trips I could do out of Tokyo during the weekends?

2) I will also be free during the weekdays to roam around Tokyo (preferably nearer to Setagaya) - any good hangout spots?

lots of places suitable for 1-2 days trip that are near Tokyo. nikko, hakone, kamakura etc.
u can take a look at japan-guide, scroll down to the part on "side trips from Tokyo":
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html

 

[Foress]

switching up my itinerary as recommended by friends and family:

(7 May) Day 1: 630AM arrival at Kansai Airport and take Shinkansen straight to Kyoto Station. Settle in Hotel (Should be noon already). You can choose to just shop in and around Kyoto station then go to Pontocho (the street with lots of restaurant and occasionally geisha with old traditional housing. Could be a nice walk.) before heading to Nishiki market. Visit Nishiki market only during morning or night time. Nishiki has lots of shopping and food.

OR

Kyoto (Fushimi Inari/Kiyomizudera/Higashiyama street)
I will think that both Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizudera is beautiful if you go in the morning and in general, many shrines close early. So you decide, if you want to chose one to go or both. Better to check their opening timing.

(8 May) Day 2: Kyoto (Philosopher's Walk/Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji))
If you go to station to ask, there might be a day bus fare to Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji and one more place which I forgot at 500 Yen only. Go purchase that and go for a day tour.

(9 May) Day 3: Kyoto (Arashiyama Scenic train* and bamboo groves)
Arashiyama is awesome and I will recommend you to spend 1 day there, slowly enjoy it and don't rush. You can take a bus from Kyoto station. Please check.

(10 May) Day 4: Kyoto (Nijo Castle//Gion)
You can spend half day on each place

(11 May) Day 5: Kyoto to Osaka, Half day trip to Nara


(12 May) Day 6: Osaka (Universal Studios)+ Osaka (Dotonbori in the evening - ichiran ramen)

(13 May) Day 7: Osaka (Shinsaibashi / Amerika Mura / Namba / Denden Town/Instant Ramen Museum/Umeda)
Still deciding, probably Shinsaibashi and Instant Ramen Museum


(14 May) Day 8: Osaka to Kansai Airport (10AM Flight)

You need to be in the airport early cos it's japan. Being punctual is important! So having last day in Osaka is better.

 

[bluegt]

So much to do!

Going to Japan in a week... any advice would be appreciated!

Day 1 - Saturday (Tokyo) - Land at 6am
Harajuku: Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Dori Street, Aoyama
Shibuya: Yoyogi Park

Day 2 - Sunday (Tokyo)
Ikeburoko: Mutekiya Ramen
Shinjuku: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Ronppongi

Day 3 - Monday (Tokyo)
Akihabara
Ueno (Ueno Park / Tokyo National Museum / National Science Museum)
Asakusa (Kaminarimon / Sensoji Temple / Asakusa Shrine / Nakamise Shopping Street / Skytree)

Day 4 - Tuesday (Tokyo)
Tsukiji Fish Market
Imperial Palace
Ginza (Window Shopping Only)
Ryogoku (Edo-Tokyo Museum)
Odaiba (Evening)

Day 5 - Wednesday (Nikko)
Day Trip

Day 6 - Thursday (Hakone)
Day Trip
Factory Outlets (Gotemba?)

Day 7 - Friday (Kyoto)
Kiyomizudara Temple
Kinkakuji
Gion, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama
Nishiki Market
Kodaiji Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park
Nijo Castle

Day 8 - Saturday (Kobe)
Eat Beef
Mount rokko
Harborland
Arima onsen
Nunobiki herb En, take the RopeWay at shinkobe.

Day 9
Return to Tokyo - at Narita by 3pm

Also want to visit:
Hiroshima/Miyajima/Momijiso/Mt. Misan - Visit Atomic Bomb /PEACE PARK/Hiroshima Castle, Itkushima Shrine via ferry
Nara, Hikone Castle
Tokyo Tower

One thought I have is to cut out Nikko to fit in Hiroshima. Another option is to possibly skip Kyoto all-together!

Appreciate any advice, thanks!

 

[deodorant]

(7 May) Day 1: 630AM arrival at Kansai Airport and take Shinkansen straight to Kyoto Station. Settle in Hotel (Should be noon already).

One note here. Arrive 6.30am, clear customs/immigration 7.15am. The train from KIX to Kyoto is JR's Haruka Ltd Express (not shinkansen), around 1.5 hour so you will reach Kyoto around 9am. Hotel check in is usually 2pm-3pm, and Japan hotels generally don't give you early check-in. It's not a huge problem cos you can put your luggage there and go continue your holiday, but just note that you won't be able to shower, freshen up, rest, etc from the overnight flight.

(11 May) Day 5: Kyoto to Osaka, Half day trip to Nara

Don't know what you mean by half day trip to Nara. From Kyoto you going to move to Osaka hotel, put luggage, then go to Nara? Just a note that the Nara attractions close like 5pm, 5.30pm, so plan your day accordingly.

 

[Foress]

One note here. Arrive 6.30am, clear customs/immigration 7.15am. The train from KIX to Kyoto is JR's Haruka Ltd Express (not shinkansen), around 1.5 hour so you will reach Kyoto around 9am. Hotel check in is usually 2pm-3pm, and Japan hotels generally don't give you early check-in. It's not a huge problem cos you can put your luggage there and go continue your holiday, but just note that you won't be able to shower, freshen up, rest, etc from the overnight flight.


Don't know what you mean by half day trip to Nara. From Kyoto you going to move to Osaka hotel, put luggage, then go to Nara? Just a note that the Nara attractions close like 5pm, 5.30pm, so plan your day accordingly.

is it possible to early check out? because I'm leaving for airport at 545am..

 

[deodorant]

Appreciate any advice, thanks!

Frankly your itinerary freaking packed, I hope you are like early 20's and full of energy ... if you got uncle or auntie in your travel group, by 3rd or 4th day will KO in hotel lol.

Day 3 - Monday (Tokyo)
Asakusa (Kaminarimon / Sensoji Temple / Asakusa Shrine / Nakamise Shopping Street / Skytree)

At Asakusa make sure to try the famous Kagetsudo Asakusa 花月堂 melon-pan.

So much to do!
Day 4 - Tuesday (Tokyo)
Tsukiji Fish Market
Imperial Palace
Ginza (Window Shopping Only)
Ryogoku (Edo-Tokyo Museum)
Odaiba (Evening)

What are you planning to do in each of the places? Tsukiji can easily take up 8-9 hours, Odaiba can easily do one full day if you go into detail in each area. To me it seems very very touch & go only - can't go auction, can't spend time browsing the market, can't queue for any of the famous sushi shops in tsukiji ... etc.

 

[bluegt]

Frankly your itinerary freaking packed, I hope you are like early 20's and full of energy ... if you got uncle or auntie in your travel group, by 3rd or 4th day will KO in hotel lol.


At Asakusa make sure to try the famous Kagetsudo Asakusa 花月堂 melon-pan.


What are you planning to do in each of the places? Tsukiji can easily take up 8-9 hours, Odaiba can easily do one full day if you go into detail in each area. To me it seems very very touch & go only - can't go auction, can't spend time browsing the market, can't queue for any of the famous sushi shops in tsukiji ... etc.

Haha - not early 20s, but still have decent amounts of energy. Thanks for the tip on the melon-pan!

I'm thinking of cutting Kyoto and Kobe all-together. Then I can add 1 more day in Tokyo, and maybe add Kamakura also.

 

[evilerniex]

switching up my itinerary as recommended by friends and family:

(7 May) Day 1: 630AM arrival at Kansai Airport and take Shinkansen straight to Kyoto Station. Settle in Hotel (Should be noon already). You can choose to just shop in and around Kyoto station then go to Pontocho (the street with lots of restaurant and occasionally geisha with old traditional housing. Could be a nice walk.) before heading to Nishiki market. Visit Nishiki market only during morning or night time. Nishiki has lots of shopping and food.

OR

Kyoto (Fushimi Inari/Kiyomizudera/Higashiyama street)
I will think that both Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizudera is beautiful if you go in the morning and in general, many shrines close early. So you decide, if you want to chose one to go or both. Better to check their opening timing.

(8 May) Day 2: Kyoto (Philosopher's Walk/Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji))
If you go to station to ask, there might be a day bus fare to Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji and one more place which I forgot at 500 Yen only. Go purchase that and go for a day tour.
[yes, there is a 1-day bus pass for 500yen. allows u to take unlimited bus rides to almost anywhere, no just kinkakuji and ginkakuji]

(9 May) Day 3: Kyoto (Arashiyama Scenic train* and bamboo groves)
Arashiyama is awesome and I will recommend you to spend 1 day there, slowly enjoy it and don't rush. You can take a bus from Kyoto station. Please check.

(10 May) Day 4: Kyoto (Nijo Castle//Gion)
You can spend half day on each place
[dun think u need the whole day for these 2 places]

(11 May) Day 5: Kyoto to Osaka, Half day trip to Nara


(12 May) Day 6: Osaka (Universal Studios)+ Osaka (Dotonbori in the evening - ichiran ramen)
[can stay for the night parade in USJ. dotonbori can always go at night on day 5 after nara]

(13 May) Day 7: Osaka (Shinsaibashi / Amerika Mura / Namba / Denden Town/Instant Ramen Museum/Umeda)
Still deciding, probably Shinsaibashi and Instant Ramen Museum
[Shinsaibashi / Amerika Mura / Namba / Denden Town are all in the same area. u can visit ramen museum in the morning, and do all the shopping after tt]


(14 May) Day 8: Osaka to Kansai Airport (10AM Flight)

You need to be in the airport early cos it's japan. Being punctual is important! So having last day in Osaka is better.

comments above

 

[evilerniex]

is it possible to early check out? because I'm leaving for airport at 545am..

u can check out any time u want. most hotels will have a staff to man the counter at any time. or there is a place to leave ur keys if there is nobody manning the counter

 

[evilerniex]

Haha - not early 20s, but still have decent amounts of energy. Thanks for the tip on the melon-pan!

I'm thinking of cutting Kyoto and Kobe all-together. Then I can add 1 more day in Tokyo, and maybe add Kamakura also.

i would cut out kyoto and kobe, and spread out ur tokyo itinerary.
kyoto and kobe far from tokyo and not worth spend so much to travel there just for the 2 days.

would suggest u stayt a night in hakone. day trip is too rush to cover both hakone and gotemba outlet

 

[bluegt]

i would cut out kyoto and kobe, and spread out ur tokyo itinerary.
kyoto and kobe far from tokyo and not worth spend so much to travel there just for the 2 days.

would suggest u stayt a night in hakone. day trip is too rush to cover both hakone and gotemba outlet

Thanks for the advice, I've cut out Kyoto and Kobe and spread things out a bit. Here is my revised Tokyo-focused Itinerary.

Also looks like the Tsukiji market is only open May 2, 6 & 7 so I've adjusted to account for that.

Day 1 - Saturday - Apr 30
Land at 6AM
Harajuku: Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Dori Street, Aoyama
Shibuya: Yoyogi Park

Day 2 - Sunday - May 1
Ikeburoko: Mutekiya Ramen, Otome Road
Shinjuku: Yodobashi Camera, Don Qujote, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Kabukicho
Ronppongi

Day 3 - Monday - May 2
Tsukiji Fish Market & Sushi for Breakfast
Imperial Palace (?)
Ginza (Window Shopping Only)
Ryogoku: Edo-Tokyo Museum
Odaiba: Aqua City, DiverCity, Maritan museum, Ferris Wheel, etc.

Day 4 - Tuesday - May 3
Akihabara (Not Anime Fans)
Ueno: Ueno Park, Ameyoko / Tokyo National Museum / National Science Museum
Asakusa: Kaminarimon / Sensoji Temple / Asakusa Shrine / Nakamise Shopping Street / Skytree / Sumida River - Try: Kagetsudo Asakusa 花月堂 melon-pan

Day 5 - Wednesday - May 4 (Nikko)
Visit Nikko Attractions (?)

Day 6 - Thursday - May 5 (Hakone)
Visit Hakone Attractions (?)

Day 7 - Friday - May 6 (Hakone / Tokyo)
Factory Outlets (Gotemba?)
Return to Tokyo

Day 8 - Saturday - May 7
Day Trip to Kamakura or Yokohoma

Day 9 - Sunday - May 8
Mount Takao
12:30p: Lunch
1:30p Return to Hotel, Freshen up, Depart for Narita 2:30p
3:30p: Reach NRT (flight at 6:00p)

Since it is a holiday week, should I expect that many things will be closed? I was thinking about swapping the days.

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks for the advice, I've cut out Kyoto and Kobe and spread things out a bit. Here is my revised Tokyo-focused Itinerary.

Also looks like the Tsukiji market is only open May 2, 6 & 7 so I've adjusted to account for that.

Day 1 - Saturday - Apr 30
Land at 6AM
Harajuku: Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Dori Street, Aoyama
Shibuya: Yoyogi Park


Day 3 - Monday - May 2
Tsukiji Fish Market & Sushi for Breakfast
Imperial Palace (?)
Ginza (Window Shopping Only)
Ryogoku: Edo-Tokyo Museum
Odaiba: Aqua City, DiverCity, Maritan museum, Ferris Wheel, etc.

Day 9 - Sunday - May 8
Mount Takao
12:30p: Lunch
1:30p Return to Hotel, Freshen up, Depart for Narita 2:30p
3:30p: Reach NRT (flight at 6:00p)

Since it is a holiday week, should I expect that many things will be closed? I was thinking about swapping the days.

day1: yoyogi park is near harajuku station, not shibuya

day3: too packed. the places u listed for odaiba would take half a day or more.

day9: too rush to go takaosan. takes about an hour to get to takaosan and then need to take cable car. not sure if there is going to be a queue for the cable car, especially since it is a sunday. u dun want rush back and risk missing ur flight. stick to somewhere near for last day

 

[Foress]

would like to show my appreciation to evilerniex for his very helpful advice! thank you!

 

[beckz]

Bro,

Wanna ask u.. I bought DisneySEA tickets online. Am i able to sell the tickets away as my wife is sick and we are unable to make it there?

 

[evilerniex]

Bro,

Wanna ask u.. I bought DisneySEA tickets online. Am i able to sell the tickets away as my wife is sick and we are unable to make it there?

no idea. i havent buy online before
any names on the e-ticket? it is for a specific date?

 

[bluegt]

day1: yoyogi park is near harajuku station, not shibuya

day3: too packed. the places u listed for odaiba would take half a day or more.

day9: too rush to go takaosan. takes about an hour to get to takaosan and then need to take cable car. not sure if there is going to be a queue for the cable car, especially since it is a sunday. u dun want rush back and risk missing ur flight. stick to somewhere near for last day

Thanks man!

We are picking between three areas to stay
Shinjuku - 10m walk from the Metro/Yamanote Station
Asakusa - 10m walk to Asakusa Metro
Minato - 5m to Metro / 10m to Yamanote

In terms of location for what we want want to do, any suggestion on what would be better positioned?

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks man!

We are picking between three areas to stay
Shinjuku - 10m walk from the Metro/Yamanote Station
Asakusa - 10m walk to Asakusa Metro
Minato - 5m to Metro / 10m to Yamanote

In terms of location for what we want want to do, any suggestion on what would be better positioned?

shinjuku will be good, especially since u are making day trips out to hakone, kamakura etc.
generally anywhere near JR Yamanote line is good since most of the places within tokyo can be reached by JR Yamanote line.

personally, my fav place to stay is Ueno. it has both Yamanote line and metro line, as well as direct train to narita airport. lots of cheap eateries in the area too.

 

[Foress]

Hi all! just awnted to check if this is a realistic plan?

0630AM Arrive in Japan Kansai Intl Airport
0700AM Shinkansen to Kyoto Station Haruka Express
1000AM Arrival at hotel Sakura Terrace Hotel Kyoto
12PM Fushimi Inari Inari Station 140yen inari station, opposite JR Inari Station
3PM Kiyomizudera Kiyomizu-gojo Station Keihan train from FushimiInari station (located near JR Inari station) to Kiyomizu-gojo station (7mins, 210yen),Then walk about 30mins from Kiyomizu-gojo station to Kiyomizudera.
5PM Higashiyama Street
7PM Nishiki Market only during morning or night time. Visit Nishiki market lots of shopping and food.

 

[Hetheone]

Hi all! just awnted to check if this is a realistic plan?

0630AM Arrive in Japan Kansai Intl Airport
0700AM Shinkansen to Kyoto Station Haruka Express
1000AM Arrival at hotel Sakura Terrace Hotel Kyoto
12PM Fushimi Inari Inari Station 140yen inari station, opposite JR Inari Station
3PM Kiyomizudera Kiyomizu-gojo Station Keihan train from FushimiInari station (located near JR Inari station) to Kiyomizu-gojo station (7mins, 210yen),Then walk about 30mins from Kiyomizu-gojo station to Kiyomizudera.
5PM Higashiyama Street
7PM Nishiki Market only during morning or night time. Visit Nishiki market lots of shopping and food.

Mayb u should check again about nishiki mkt operating hours.

Most of the shops close around 5+ pm ( usually noon to 2-3 pm is a good time to shop there )

 

[evilerniex]

Hi all! just awnted to check if this is a realistic plan?

0630AM Arrive in Japan Kansai Intl Airport
0700AM Shinkansen to Kyoto Station Haruka Express
1000AM Arrival at hotel Sakura Terrace Hotel Kyoto
12PM Fushimi Inari Inari Station 140yen inari station, opposite JR Inari Station
3PM Kiyomizudera Kiyomizu-gojo Station Keihan train from FushimiInari station (located near JR Inari station) to Kiyomizu-gojo station (7mins, 210yen),Then walk about 30mins from Kiyomizu-gojo station to Kiyomizudera.
5PM Higashiyama Street
7PM Nishiki Market only during morning or night time. Visit Nishiki market lots of shopping and food.

half hour to clear customs a bit too optimistic. 1hr or more will be more realistic.
there is no shinkansen from kansai airport. Haruka is a limited express train.

from my understanding, nishiki market only opens till ard 5pm. dun think there is anything there at night. best to double check if there is anything open at night