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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/CommunityOk5345 on 2025-06-25 21:48:56+00:00.
Big thanks to this sub — so many of your posts helped shape our itinerary. This was a food-first, fall-season trip covering Tokyo → Fuji → Kyoto → Nara → back to Tokyo.
Travel Dates: November 19 – December 4
We booked ANA economy round-trip with points for both of us. Carried 2 checked bags + 1 carry-on each (in hindsight, way too much). Pre-reserved everything possible — restaurant bookings, train tickets, even luggage forwarding — and it made the trip smoother. Japan e-visa was straightforward, but I recommend applying early just in case.
Day 1 – Arrival, Sensoji, Ginza, Shopping and Fine Dining
Landed 5AM at Haneda, took a direct train to Ginza (great with bags). Hotel was 3 min from station. Picked up 72/48hr subway passes and used Suica via Apple Wallet (highly recommend).
Quick breakfast from FamilyMart and Lawson — egg sando, Famichiki, coffee (buy cup → use machine). Stocked up on Fibe Mini + veggie juice — helpful for digestion during travel.
Visited Sensoji early in light rain — peaceful, no crowds. Tourist center has a great photo spot. Nakamise shops were shut that early.
Lunch: Ramen Hayashida — clean chicken shoyu broth, they use duck to add a gamey richness to the flavor.
Back to Ginza: shopping at Mitsukoshi (free membership = 5% off), Ginza 6, TSUTAYA and Loft. Jet lag hit by afternoon.
Dinner at Tempura Kondo — precise, delicate tempura, seasonal ingredients. Formal vibe but excellent quality (they even change the oil mid-way). Sweet potato & Asparagus tempura was a standout.
Day 2 – Toyosu Auction, TeamLab Planets, First Omakase, Shinjuku + Omotesando, Yakitori
Started early with a 5AM taxi to Toyosu Market (plenty available outside hotels). We'd won the auction lottery and had a 5:30AM guided tour — highly recommend if you’re curious about the bluefin tuna auction. You’re taken right up to the action on a raised platform, and it’s fascinating to watch how fast and precise it all is.
Post-auction, wandered around the vegetable and seafood sections — lots to see beyond the restaurants. Breakfast queues were huge, so we grabbed snacks and coffee instead.
With time to kill before our 9AM Teamlab Planets slot, we visited Toyosu Manyo Club (great early-bird rate). The rooftop footbath with skyline views and natural spring onsen were perfect to unwind after the early start.
Teamlab Planets at 9AM was a great call — fewer crowds. Spent ~90 minutes exploring. Took the bus back to Ginza.
Lunch at Sushi Suzuki was the best nigiri of the trip — incredibly refined, and the progression was beautifully paced. Very little English is spoken, but fellow diners (local, bilingual) helped bridge gaps. Warm, friendly experience despite the upscale setting.
Afternoon in Shinjuku — checked out the observation deck at Tokyo Metropolitan Govt. Building, explored Omoide Yokocho, and did classic Don Quijote shopping. Then walked through Omotesando and browsed some flagship stores and boutiques — architecture alone is worth the visit.
Dinner at Yakitori Hirano in Ginza — casual but elevated, with a sake pairing that really worked. They use the Binchotan coal that burns with minimal smoke and odor, preventing flavor contamination of food. The Grilled skewers were perfectly timed and seasoned; fun counter seating and a chill end to a long day.
Day 3 – Coffee, Standing Sushi, Streetwear, Transfer to Kawaguchiko
Had a relaxed morning — dropped bags with the hotel for forwarding (super smooth, concierge handled everything). Started the day with lattes at Roar Coffee — great roast variety and you can choose your beans.
Late breakfast at Tachiguizushi Akira (standing sushi). High quality, fast-paced, and flexible — you can pre-select your favorites and can repeat pieces. We went heavy on uni and chutoro — no regrets.
Spent the afternoon in Shibuya and Harajuku — picked up running bibs for the Mt. Fuji marathon and did some streetwear shopping (Onitsuka Tiger, etc.). Fall colors were starting to pop — lots of bright yellows across the parks and streets.
Now for the tricky part: bus transfer to Kawaguchiko. From Ginza, we took the train to Shinjuku Station, then had to find the bus terminal — it’s in another building, a fair walk away, and located on an upper floor. Shinjuku is massive and confusing, and we weren’t expecting such a sprint before a race — plan extra time here.
Bus to Kawaguchiko got us in around 7:30PM. Most restaurants were closed, so we had stocked up on konbini snacks and bentos earlier. Ate in and slept early.
Day 4 – Mt. Fuji Marathon Fun Run & Ryokan
Checked out of our hotel in the morning — great balcony views of Mt. Fuji, with red and gold fall foliage all around.
Ran the Mt. Fuji charity fun run (13.5km) — stunning experience. Crisp weather (5–10°C, sunny), and by 10AM Fuji was completely visible, towering right ahead on the course. The race was well-organized with food/snacks post-run, and the medal + Mt. Fuji-themed swag (towel, tee, etc.) were top-notch.
After cheering on the full marathon runners, we checked out and headed to Ubuya Ryokan for a 3PM check-in. Got a room with a private onsen on the balcony — worth the splurge. Ended the day with a cozy shabu-shabu dinner and a long soak.
Day 5 – Fuji Sightseeing
Started with a traditional Japanese breakfast at Ubuya — grilled fish, miso soup, pickled vegetables, egg, and tea. Checked out and spent the day exploring the area.
Walked to Oishi Park for postcard views of Mt. Fuji over Lake Kawaguchiko — peak fall colors made it extra scenic. Had pastries at amazing Patisserie Esperance and tried Cremia ice cream.
Then hopped on the Fuji sightseeing bus, which loops around key spots like Maple Corridor, Kawaguchiko Music Forest, and Chureito Pagoda (you won’t hit everything in a day, but it’s a relaxed way to get around).
Dinner at Hotel - Ishiyaki Style — hot stone–grilled wagyu beef, rich and tender with seasonal side dishes. Simple, satisfying end to the day before turning in.
Day 6 – Mishima Shinkansen Saga, Arrival in Kyoto, Rainy Evening
Slow morning — soaked in the last views of Mt. Fuji before checking out. Had an early lunch at Chante le Vent in Kawaguchiko — cozy floral café with excellent Japanese-style curry and brewed coffee. Also started binging on local fruits, especially strawberries — so sweet and fresh everywhere from here on.
Took the bus to Mishima Station for the Shinkansen to Kyoto… and then came the chaos: we rushed onto the train and I accidentally left my backpack on a station bench. Panicked, but the train staff were incredible — they called Mishima Station, confirmed the bag was there, and we got off at the next stop to turn back. Sure enough, the bag was still untouched — the staff just smiled and said, "No one touches personal belongings here" Seriously impressive.
We lost about an hour but hopped on the next train using our same ticket (in unreserved seats) — smooth process.
Arrived in Kyoto, grabbed a quick McDonald's snack (shrimp burger + shaka shaka chicken — both worth trying), then checked into our hotel near Marutamachi Dori & Gyoen Garden.
Evening walk in the rain through Nishiki Market and Gion — the warm lights and reflections made it feel magical. Ended the night with a teppanyaki dinner at Steak Mouriya — Kobe beef cooked in front of you, perfectly tender, rich, and balanced. Took the bus everywhere in Kyoto — super efficient and easy to navigate.
Day 7 – Arashiyama, Temples, Fall Foliage, Kiyomizudera Illumination
Started early in Arashiyama — even at sunrise, crowds build fast in Kyoto’s major spots. Went first to Giōji Temple for a calm walk around its moss gardens. Then walked through Tenryuji Temple and its garden paths, surrounded by peak fall foliage — reds, yellows, and oranges everywhere.
Lunch at Shigetsu, inside Tenryuji — a serene Buddhist vegetarian meal served on floor mats, beautifully presented and deeply flavorful. Then wandered the main street for snacks and souvenirs (lots of sampling!). Had nice Taiyaki at Mamemono to Taiyaki.
Next: Ryoanji Temple — peaceful and uncrowded, with wide walking paths and a quieter vibe. Then to Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) — striking reflection on the pond, gleaming against the fall trees. Crowded but worth it.
Late afternoon in Higashiyama, visiting Yasaka Pagoda (Hōkan-ji) and sipping incredible matcha at Gokago — best we had all trip, ended up buying a lot (should’ve bought double). The narrow sloping lanes were buzzing with energy.
Walked up to Kiyomizudera for the night illumination — visually stunning with light filtering through the autumn leaves, but absolutely packed. Could barely move hands while walking, so we left sooner than planned.
Took a taxi (traffic was heavy) to Tempura Kawatatsu for dinner — cozy, 8-seat traditional spot. Tempura set meals with sake pairing, low tables, and a chill crowd. Lovely 2-hour dinner, with fun conversation from the locals.
Day 8 – Fushimi Inari, Philosopher’s Path, Soba & Kaiseki
Early start at Fushimi Inari — hiked halfway up under a clear blue sky. Peaceful and energizing. From there, we went north toward Yasaka Pagoda and Yasaka Shrine — fewer crowds than usual since many shops were still closed in the morning.
Stopped at Ippodo Tea Store for some excellent matcha and gifts, then kept walking north to the Philoso...
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