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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/Capitan_Tortuga on 2025-03-04 12:31:37+00:00.

Hello!

I'm going to Japan in June for the first time, and after reading a lot and watching many travel videos, I’ve put together a rough itinerary for the trip. What do you think? Are there areas where I’ve allocated too much time or others that are essential but missing, or that I’m spending too little time on?

The plan is:

• 2½ days in Kyoto
• About 2½ days in Osaka plus one day for Universal Studios
• 5+ days in Tokyo plus 1 day at DisneySea

Once we finished scheduling the days for Tokyo, we got the impression that our time there is too tight, and perhaps it would be a good idea to “steal” a day from Kyoto/Osaka to add to Tokyo. However, at the same time, it seems ridiculous to spend only a day and a half in each of the other cities!

I'm still figuring out which areas in Kyoto and Osaka offer the best shopping for my interests in photography, antique markets, manga/anime and merch, video games, and clothing (yes, almost everything? 😅). In Tokyo, Ithink I have a clearer idea, but with so many options, it’s hard to decide which ones are really worth it.

I plan to check out specialty shops—like Jump Shop, Mugiwara stores, and Snoopy shops (my wife is a huge fan)—as well as popular chains like Uniqlo and Mandarake, but I'd love recommendations on which specific locations are worth prioritizing if time is short. And of course, if there are any must-visit shops I haven’t mentioned or hidden gems that might be easy to overlook, I’d really appreciate the suggestions!

And evidently, suggestions for additional sights in these areas, whether it's a museum, scenic stroll, or temple I might have missed are more than welcome!

KYOTO

First Day:

• Arrival in Kyoto around 1:00–2:00 PM.
• Visit:
  • Shirakawa Canal
  • Yasui Kompiragu Shrine (sanctuary)
  • Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
  • Maruyama Park
• Around 6:00 PM:
  • Nishiki Market
  • Pokémon Center

Day 2:

• Morning:
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  • Golden Temple (Kinkaku-ji)
• Later (around 1:00 PM):
  • Ryōzen Kannon
  • Fushimi Inari Taisha

Day 3:

• Early morning at Nansen-ji
• Then visit:
  • Eikando Temple
  • Okazaki Shrine
  • Heian Jingu
  • Tetsugaku no Michi (Philosopher’s Path)
• The rest of the day: Explore additional sights or head toward Osaka

OSAKA

Day 1:

• Visit:
  • Osaka Castle
  • Tenjinbashi-suji
  • Umeda Sky Building
• (Also planning to visit the Godzilla Shop in Osaka—timing still TBD, and maybe not Day 1)
• Baseball game if I have time? Again, maybe not Day 1.

Day 2:

• Spend the day at Universal Studios Japan

Day 3:

• Visit:
  • Sumiyoshi Taisha
• Around 11:00 AM, head to:
  • Dotonbori
  • Shin Sekai
• Also check out a couple of local temples, such as Shitennō-ji and Isshin-ji

Day 4:

• No specific plan yet—depart for Tokyo, hour TBD

TOKYO

We plan to stay in the Shinjuku area, and although it isn’t fully detailed in the list, we intend to experience the local nightlife (Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, Godzilla Head). The challenge is fitting in a daytime visit to Shinjuku given the busy schedule, and we’d like to have the last day completely free.

Day 1:

• Visit DisneySea

Day 2:

• Early morning in Shinjuku (our hotel will likely be in that area)
• Visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for views
• Then head to Ikebukuro
• Around 1:00–2:00 PM:
  • Nakano Broadway
  • Tokyo Dome (to watch the Giants)
• Late afternoon/evening in Koenji

Day 3:

• Early morning: Tokyo City Flea Market Oi Keibajo
• Have lunch in the area, then attend a Swallows game around 2:00 PM
• Afterwards, visit Shibuya (including Shibuya Sky)

Day 4:

• Early visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine
• Explore Ginza and the Tokyo Station area—plan to visit Pokémon Center DX and have lunch at the Pokémon Café
• Continue to Akihabara afterward

Day 5:

• Visit Kaminarimon and walk toward Asakusa to see Senso-ji (and possibly Imado Shrine)
• At 10:00 AM, visit the Tokyo National Museum, then explore Ueno and Ueno Park until about 4:00 PM
• Head to Tokyo Skytree, then visit Pokémon Center Asakusa and further explore the Asakusa area
• Finally, visit the Asahi Building for sunset or nighttime views

Day 6:

• Free day

So... what do you think? Thank you for your help!