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Japan Trips & Travel Tips

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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.

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