This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/PetersMapProject on 2025-03-21 16:42:13+00:00.
Travellers: two adults in their 30s, no kids. One pescetarian (no meat, fish is ok) and one eats everything. On a bit of a budget, but willing to spend a bit more where it represents good value for money.
Dates: late October
Interested in: food, Pokémon, Nintendo, sightseeing, vintage shopping (homeware not fashion), railways, Japanese gardens and architecture
Not interested in: anime, manga, Studio Ghibli, maid cafes, animal cafes (for welfare reasons).
Day 0
- Arrive in Tokyo from London (time tbc). Chill a little bit, deal with jetlag, wander a little.
Day 1 - Tokyo
- Tsukiji Market (closes at 2pm)
- Lunch at Seagen (10am-3pm, closed Weds and Thurs)
- Hamarikyu Gardens, with a stop at the Nakajima Tea House (9am-4.30pm)
- TeamLab Planets (book ahead)
- Dinner TBC
Day 2 - Tokyo
- Imperial Palace and Gardens (open 9.00-11.15 and 13.30-14.45)
- Lunch TBC
- Afternoon in Shibuya - Pokémon and Nintendo centres, a quick stop at Hachiko Dog Statue and a bit of exploring.
- Sunset either at Shibuya Sky or Mag's Park Rooftop (the latter is cheaper and lower - my partner isn't good with heights)
- Dinner at Zauo Fishing Restaurant
Day 3 - Tokyo
- DisneySea - note the need to arrive early. We will make this a weekday in the hope it's slightly less busy.
Day 4 - Tokyo
- Morning - Senso-ji Temple
- Lunch & Afternoon - tbc and open to suggestions
- Dinner - around Ebisu Yokochō
Days 5 & 6 - Hakone
- Purchase the Hakone Freepass and travel from Shinjuku station
- Stay at a ryokan that's willing to cater for a pescetarian and has private onsens that can be hired (one traveller has tattoos). Fukuzumirō and Mount View are possibilities
- See the usual sights - the volcano, open air museum, Fuji (if it's a clear day!), ropeway, boat trip etc. etc.
Return to Tokyo at the end of day 6, for one night.
Day 7 - Tokyo to Osaka
- Morning: take the Shinkansen to Osaka. Book seats E and F for a Fuji view, and probably the outsized baggage. Purchase an ebiken at Tokyo station for brunch.
- Afternoon: drop bags at hotel, and a little exploration near the hotel
- Evening - 5.30 to 8.30pm - Backstreets Osaka Tour
Day 8 - Osaka
- Universal Studios
Day 9 - Osaka / Nara
- Day trip to Nara - Lonely Planet suggests a route that takes in the deer and Todai-ji - covering Isui-en, Nandai-mon, Daibutsu-den, Nigatsu-dō, Hokke-dō, Mizuya-chaya, Kasuga-taisha, Wakamiya-jinja, Ni-no-torii, Ichi-no-torii and the Five Storey Pagoda
Evening - dinner in Dōtombori and a walk around the area seeing some of the local landmarks
Day 10 - Osaka
- Morning - Osaka Castle ground - I understand it's not worth going inside
- Afternoon - Shinsekai (and Amerika-mura, if there's time)
- Evening - travel to Kyoto (approx 30 min train journey)
Day 11 - Kyoto
- Morning / Lunch at Nishiki Market
- Afternoon - explore Gion following the Lonely Planet suggested route including Yasaka-jinja, Hanami-kōji, Kiri-dōshi, Tatsumi-bashi, Shimbashi, Nawate-dōri, Shijo-ōhashi
- Dinner and drinks around Ponto-chō / Kiyamachi-dōri.
Day 12 - Kyoto
- Nijō Castle
- Kodai-ji Temple - there is an evening light festival starting in late October, dates tbc, that we hope to catch.
Day 13 - Kyoto / Arashiyama
- Bamboo Grove
- Sagano Romantic Train
- Boat ride for the return from the Sagano Romantic Train
- Monkey Park
- Kimono Forest (might skip this tbh)
- Tenryu-ji Temple
Day 14 - Return leg
Depart from either Osaka or Tokyo back to London, depending on what's cheaper.