Japan in May 17 Days: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka - Itinerary Check

eathb on 30/03/2023 - 10:22
Last edited 30/03/2023 - 11:20

Hi all,

First time trip to Japan and would love feedback or additional suggestions. It will be with my wife and I and we should be all good with mostly eating and shopping (clothing).

Date - City - Area/Activity
14/05/2023 - Tokyo - Fly/Check in (~8pm) @ Shinjuku
15/05/2023 - Tokyo - Shibuya, Meji Shrine, Yoyogi Park
16/05/2023 - Tokyo - TeamLab Planets, Tsukiji Fish Market, Divercity Mall
17/05/2023 - Tokyo - DisneySea
18/05/2023 - Tokyo - Gundam Factory & Chukagai @ Yokohoma
19/05/2023 - Tokyo - Sensoji Temple, explore Asakusa; Akihabara, Harajuku, Ueno
20/05/2023 - Osaka - Train to Osaka, Check-In, Dotonbori
21/05/2023 - Kyoto - Kimono session (to be booked), Yasaka Shrine
22/05/2023 - Kyoto - Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera
23/05/2023 - Kyoto - Nishiki Market, Gion
24/05/2023 - Osaka - Nara Park, Kuromon Market
25/05/2023 - Osaka - Osaka Castle, Dotonbori
26/05/2023 - Tokyo - Train back to Tokyo, Shibuya Sky Tower, Ginza
27/05/2023 - Tokyo - Snoopy Museum, Gotokuji Temple
28/05/2023 - Tokyo - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
29/05/2023 - Tokyo - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
30/05/2023 - Tokyo - Fly Out

edit: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uGAsqxd4bfRIFjNADh65… google docs links as I make changes/suggestions

Thanks,

Travel Asia Japan

Comments

  • dogboy on 30/03/2023 - 10:39
    +4

    Wow, this itinerary looks amazing and I am definitely stealing a lot of it for when I go next year as well. See you there :) Thanks!

  • oshin on 30/03/2023 - 10:42
    +1

    I suggest you join this facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2307368624/?hoisted_section_…. They have lots of people who are travelling/travelled or planning to travel to Japan. You can post your itinerary there and get plenty of good tips.

    Happy travelling.

  • netbies on 30/03/2023 - 10:57
    +1

    I am not sure how much you are into the Gion thing and whether you have been to Kyoto before or not. Osaka is only 40 minutes train away from Kyoto. And Kyoto city is mostly about historical things and (to me) not much to wonder around apart from shires. Osaka may be more interesting to wander around as what I think.

    • eathb on 30/03/2023 - 11:17

      I'm actually staying in Osaka for the entire Osaka/Kyoto/Nara period!

      • KaTst3R on 30/03/2023 - 11:21

        It is a bit of a hassle to travel between Osaka and Kyoto daily. You can consider just rocking up to Kyoto from Tokyo then just stay there until moving on to Osaka.

        • Ramennightmare on 30/03/2023 - 11:25

          True, personally I would stay in Kyoto too unless you absolutely love Izakaya, then Osaka is good. Otherwise, Kyoto would be best.

        • eathb on 30/03/2023 - 11:25

          Interesting, do you think it's a hassle with my hotel at Osaka being basically next to a JR train station?

          • KaTst3R on 30/03/2023 - 11:27

            @eathb: I would prefer to spend less time on a train and sleep more or explore more. Your daily 1.5hr commute can be well spent elsewhere unless you are getting a massive savings on the hotel.

          • netbies on 31/03/2023 - 15:07

            @eathb: Me prefers to stay in Osaka as more to see in the evening. At least the Donki is open 24 hrs.

    • samyall on 11/04/2023 - 08:46
      +1

      Google says its only 15 mins on a Shinkansen. Which is free with the JRPass.

  • KaTst3R on 30/03/2023 - 11:06
    +2

    If you have a little more time in Osaka, visit the Osaka Aquarium. It is one of the largest aquarium in the world and it has a pool where you can touch baby sting rays which is an experience by itself.

    Regarding JR Pass. Unless you are constantly travelling inter region daily, it is not worth the full pass cost. I dont think you will break even based on your draft itinerary.

    Avoid taxis, they are super expensive. Trains, buses and walking are the way to go.

    • eathb on 30/03/2023 - 11:22

      Thanks for the idea, I went to SEA LIFE in Sydney last year and found it a bit boring after 10-15 mins. Do you think it's different?

      • KaTst3R on 30/03/2023 - 11:25
        +2

        I mean you are comparing one of the best aquariums in the world and an aquarium that no one cares about. Definitely different experiences. You can watch some youtube videos and see if that interest you.

    • alphanumericbargains on 30/03/2023 - 12:27

      Went to the Osaka Aquarium last week. It was great and all but it was way overcrowded with some people just bulldozing people to get in front.

    • netbies on 31/03/2023 - 15:31

      True. One of the best Aquarium in the world for Osaka.

  • Ramennightmare on 30/03/2023 - 11:10
    +3

    I would Imagine you are pretty into urban and anime. If that's the case, staying in Tokyo for so many days is alright. Me and my wife went to Japan back in 2019, we find ourselves not liking Tokyo as much but prefer other places more. We went there for 17 days as well, but we ended up squeezing Sapporo into our itinerary as we have the JR pass.

    In relation to your Itinerary, things I would change or add are as follows;

    Kyoto definitely add in the followings:
    - make sure your train to Kyoto request the Mount Fuji Facing seat.
    - For your Kimono session, try to visit Kiyumizu Dera , Fushimi Inari instead of Yasaka Shrine (1hour max, at least for me and my wife), because this shrine is sort of central located, depends on where you live, you can easily walk here.
    - Arashiyama (rent a boat, train, Bamboo forest and more) easily a whole day trip. Lots to do here.
    - Kinkaku-ji & Ginkaku Ji
    - Fire ramen (http://fireramen.com/menbaka/index.html)

    For Tokyo
    - For Tokyo, you may squeeze in Ueno on 16/05 if you want, unless you shop a lot in Shibuya. Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi are next to each other easily done in 2 hours if you go early, there are some good spots here to see Tokyo Tower from a distance.
    - If you find that, you have not much to shop/do in the last 2 days in Tokyo, definitely squeeze in Hakone (pirate ship and cable car round trip).
    - or Nikko (Kegon Falls)
    - Ginza - if you love beef, definitely try this AYCE place (YAKINIKU A FIVE Toku)

    If you are on a budget, alway look out for 7-eleven and family mart (there is one called family mart 100 in Kyoto, it is even cheaper). Everywhere you go try to make booking prior if possible through google, otherwise expecting wait/queue.

    In Tokyo, if you have JR pass, utilise Yamanote line as much as possible, you can visit lots of places through that line but super pack.

    Hope this helps and welcome any questions if you changed your mind and decided to visit Sapporo too :-)

    Edit: me and my wife both love nature, culture and historical buildings. So we are absolutely in love with Kyoto instead of Tokyo. So please put that into your consideration.

    • eathb on 30/03/2023 - 11:32

      Thanks, have added in your suggestions

      • Ramennightmare on 30/03/2023 - 11:38

        No worries, happy to help. I just saw your Google Doc. Good choice on Kinkanbo, that's the one we missed out last trip, because our flight arrived Tokyo at 8pm and they closed by the time we reached the CBD. One thing though, unless you have a steel guts & bladder, definitely don't get the Hell ramen there, you wouldn't want to spend your first few days in toilet.

        For Youtuber in Tokyo, I find Paolo is very informative and he does introduce seasonal stuffs too, so it is good to watch before you go

  • dazweeja on 30/03/2023 - 11:26

    Some good info there. I agree that the bamboo forest is worth a visit.

    Edit: Meant to reply to @sylau90

    • Caped Baldy on 30/03/2023 - 11:51

      The Kyoto bamboo forest?

      I went five years ago and thought it was really busy and the bamboo forest wasn't that thick…

      • Ramennightmare on 30/03/2023 - 11:56

        I think you have to be there early, so it will be really empty. The last time I was there, I arrived at around 7.30am/8am. It was amazing. You just need to make sure you go before those rickshaw guys started working.

    • MeesusEff on 30/03/2023 - 21:53

      We went to the bamboo forest at night instead, it was one of the best things. Sure we didn't get good photos of the bamboo because it was dark, but the kimono forest lit up was just beautiful. And there's virtually no one there as all the shops are closed at night (something we didn't know lol)

  • Caped Baldy on 30/03/2023 - 11:51

    You could do DisneySea at the end as it's sort of out of the way and close to one of the airports.

    I'd recommend going to Miyajima Island with a stopover at Hiroshima.

    I really enjoyed going to the owl cafe and otter cafe but these can be a bit pricey.

  • djones145 on 30/03/2023 - 12:08

    are u a pokemon fan. there is a pokemon cafe and pokemon store in tokyo

    • wackedupwacko on 30/03/2023 - 12:29

      Pokemon centers are definitely a good visit if you like Pokemon, but the cafe you have to book 1 month in advance and work for it like a true f5 warrior. The slots disappear very quickly.

  • wackedupwacko on 30/03/2023 - 12:38

    Looks reasonably solid.

    19/05 : Harajuku. Move that to either your first or second trip to Shibuya. Its a 15 minutes walk from shibuya but a 30+ min train ride from Akihabara/ Ueno area.

    Osaka: considrr universal studios Japan. It'll take a full day but may potentially be worthwhile.

    Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka now needs prebooking if you want to being your luggage along with you so look out for that.

    A lot of people don't realise but Tokyo station itself is a huge eating and shopping area that you could literally spend hours in.

    Yokohama Gundam factory: go there in the morning if you want the limited haro pudding glass cups. They disappear by about midday each day. You want to aim for the full AI show on the schedule. Also the Unicorn gundam does transformation every other hour at diver city. Some additional sound and effects at the evening (19:00?) Show.

    • Clear on 31/03/2023 - 11:03

      Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka now needs prebooking if you want to being your luggage along with you so look out for that

      Do you know if the same applies for Kyoto?

  • dtc on 30/03/2023 - 12:42

    14/05/2023 - Tokyo - Fly/Check in (~8pm) @ Shinjuku
    15/05/2023 - Tokyo - Shibuya, Meji Shrine, Yoyogi Park - Yoyogi park is nice enough but its just a park; suggest Meiji, Harajuku, Shibuya (they are all next to each other). If you have extra time head out to Ikebukuro and wander around or head over the Shinjuku gyoen (gardens) if you want some peace. Or there are other places of course.
    16/05/2023 - Tokyo - TeamLab Planets, Tsukiji Fish Market, Divercity Mall - note the fish markets is very different now, not sure its worth a special trip but if you are just after food then fine
    17/05/2023 - Tokyo - DisneySea
    18/05/2023 - Tokyo - Gundam Factory & Chukagai @ Yokohoma
    19/05/2023 - Tokyo - Sensoji Temple, explore Asakusa; Akihabara, Harajuku, Ueno - not in this order! As above, Harajuku is between Meiji and Shibuya, so you will already have seen it. Make sure you go to Kappabashi Street
    20/05/2023 - Osaka - Train to Osaka, Check-In, Dotonbori - if you are leaving from Tokyo station then allow a little bit of time to wander around. Its just a shopping area with restaurants but will pass the time. An hour is fine, unless you are eating
    21/05/2023 - Kyoto - Kimono session (to be booked), Yasaka Shrine - you will probably have spare time on this day so could go to Nazenji temple etc or even head up to Kiyomizu-dera. Or hop on a train and go to Sanjusangendo
    22/05/2023 - Kyoto - Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera - after Kiyomizu-dera, wander down the hill and visit some of the temples along the way (Kodaiji Temple has a pretty good bamboo grove that is far less crowded than Arashiyama). You end up in Gion, so you may as well cover Gion on this day. Make sure you go to the Shirakawa Area.
    23/05/2023 - Kyoto - Nishiki Market, Gion - suggest you go to Ginkakuji and then Nijo Castle (there is a bus between them) then to the market and then walk over to Heian Shrine (go to the gardens around the back). You will have already seen Gion area
    24/05/2023 - Osaka - Nara Park, Kuromon Market
    25/05/2023 - Osaka - Osaka Castle, Dotonbori
    26/05/2023 - Tokyo - Train back to Tokyo, Shibuya Sky Tower, Ginza
    27/05/2023 - Tokyo - Snoopy Museum, Gotokuji Temple
    28/05/2023 - Tokyo - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places - consider areas such as Yanaka, Nezu Shrine
    29/05/2023 - Tokyo - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    30/05/2023 - Tokyo - Fly Out

  • suchan on 30/03/2023 - 13:44

    Hey, sounds like you'll be having heaps of fun with a reasonably packed itinerary :)
    Tip 1:
    While you're in Kyoto, if you and your wife are keen, I would highly recommend getting / booking an hour (or two if you're game) session for one of the local photographers to take photos of you and your wife in the kimono. My wife and I did that back in 2019 and we have loved every moment https://www.sweetescape.com/en/reserve/kyoto/holiday

    Our photographer's name was Yoshiaki and he spoke very good English.

    Tip 2:
    One other tip I was given by a frequent traveller regarding food is that if you have a specific restaurant you're going to:
    - Pick an unusual time for your meals like 10- 11am lunch / 4- 5 pm dinner to avoid the crowds
    - don't be too tied up about one place as there'll be long queues and you'll waste precious time queueing. Any restaurants you walk into will likely taste really good

    Tip 3:
    Maybe check out Puroland for all things Hello Kitty if your wife (or you) have a thing for it.

    Tip 4: This usually matters little in other countries but for Japan, room size matter! I learned it the hard way. When you book hotels, pay attention to the size of the room (look for something > 30m2, I think. Avoid those < 20m2) Just because they had queen sized bed doesnt mean you will have enough space. With 17 days of travelling, I'd imagine you might be carrying a lot in your luggage and when time comes that you need to open your luggage to pack, you'll be thankful for that extra room size.

    • Ramennightmare on 30/03/2023 - 13:54

      100% on tip 2 and tip 4.

      Tip 2 - it is true that, it is hard to find a restaurant with foods that taste bad, but if you want some good ones, Definitely try to book a week or few days before via their website or google reservation (work surprisingly well in Japan).

      Tip 4- Seems like OP has booked most of his hotel already, might be worth checking and upsizing when needed. Hope he doesn't book into any of those "Love" hotel though, they always comes in cheap and big in size.

    • dtc on 30/03/2023 - 14:06

      30m2 in Japan is a hard find (or very expensive find). Something around 18m2 is fine; sure you wont have much space but will have enough. A well designed 15m2 room is also fine; albeit that you need to ensure the 'well designed' bit (eg good ones will have raised beds so you can slide your suitcase under the bed; or will not have a stand alone desk taking up space). Have stayed in plenty of 15m2 rooms admittedly I always travel with 2 large but not very large suitcases per 4 people plus perhaps a cargo bag; if you are someone who travels with 2 suitcases a person then different needs)

      • suchan on 30/03/2023 - 19:32

        My bad,

        My memory was incorrect. I went back and checked my previous bookings and found that the biggest room at a reasonable price that I stayed in was 20m2 (Washington Shinjuku) which was more than enough like @dtc said. So I should've said 15-20m2, is pretty good room size.

  • Ikemen on 30/03/2023 - 15:39
    +1

    Hey there, used to live in Tokyo and going back soon, your itinerary looks awesome but my 2 cents on suggestions:

    • If you're checking in at Shinjuku go see Golden Gai that night, there's great pricing for tourists often and is a real experience.
    • Shinjuku Park > Yoyogi Park if you are just into seeing something aesthetic, will be much quieter usually but whether that's better or worse is up to you.
    • If you want some suggestions for places to explore in those final days around Tokyo, Koenji and Ebisu are super compelling in my opinion, lots of little bars, shops, and food options. Koenji was my personal favourite. Shin Okubo and Kabukicho can also be an interesting time (you'll probably pass Kabukicho at some point if staying in Shinjuku) but will get very busy. Beware of scammers at the latter.
  • Muselibar on 30/03/2023 - 16:30
    +2

    Each to their own, there's no right or wrong way to travel/holiday.

    Having travelled a fair bit. Moods/energy/enthusiasm change from day to day, especially in a busy place like Japan (depending where you go) and where English is not spoken widely it can be a bit mentally draining. Low expectations are key - and money doesn't always insulate you from shit going wrong (or even getting sick).

    Perhaps don't pack too much in when you could just chill and have a stroll and go to a cool or random restaurant/bar.
    Some of my best times overseas are drinking in small bars and chatting shit to locals. Even if you don't drink, just explore and get lost.
    The top restaurants on Tripadvisor often cater to tourists and may have good food but the whole experience can be a bit bland.

    I think it's good to have a plan, which you clearly do.
    But don't feel like you need to do everything on your list or have to 'accomplish' something each day.

    Japan is great! Getting the train around is magical!
    Enjoy

  • Roman Sandstorm on 30/03/2023 - 16:38
    +1

    @eathb, I am sure you will have a wonderful time in late spring time - just before it gets too hot and humid.

    I have been to Japan a number of times, including living there for a year or so - back in last century. So if I had just 17 days, my itinerary might look something like this:

    Date - City - Area/Activity
    27/11/2023 - Tokyo - Fly/Check in (~8pm) @ Shinjuku
    28/11/2023 - Tokyo - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    29/11/2023 - Tokyo - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    30/11/2023 - Tokyo - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    01/12/2023 - Tokyo - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    02/12/2023 - Tokyo - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    03/12/2023 - Tokyo - Shinkansen to Kyoto
    04/12/2023 - Kyoto - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    05/12/2023 - Kyoto - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    06/12/2023 - Kyoto - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    07/12/2023 - Kyoto - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    08/12/2023 - Kyoto - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    09/12/2023 - Kyoto - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    10/12/2023 - Kyoto - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    11/12/2023 - Kyoto - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    12/12/2023 - Osaka - Free day for shopping, exploring, re-visiting favourite places
    13/12/2023 - Osaka - Fly Out

    Note that I have selected late autumn; apart from the fact that I'm a cold weather person, but also for one very specific nostalgic reason. One of the greatest experiences of my life were a couple of days I spent (while living in Kyoto) wandering the walking tracks between the temples and shrines in the Kiyomizu area. The astonishing autumn colours in all the gardens and grounds, the endless 'drifts' of leaves to kick through, the (relative) lack of tourist hordes, the sheer tranquility and peace and beauty, all within one tiny section of the city. The crispness of the pre-winter air, and the weary feet from a day's rambling soothed deliciously by a steaming bowl of udon at the nearest train station.

    To me Kyoto is a wonder of the world; that's no great revelation or insight. Millions have appreciated the synthesis/integration of the old and the new, the ancient aesthetic and the modern world, the peacefulness and the franticness. Sipping tea in the teahouse in the grounds of Ryoan-ji, quietly contemplating the Zen rock garden, or simply appreciating the exquisitely crafted surrounding gardens, while located in a city the population of Melbourne crammed into an area the size of Ballarat, is an experience that stays with one.

    And at the other extreme of this: days spent exploring Akihabara in Tokyo, world centre of otaku culture, seemingly endless electronics store, maid and pet cafes. 😵

    / Nostalgia trip.

    @eathb, as a first-time visitor to Japan, your plan looks terrific. It'll be almost impossible not to enjoy.

  • ForkSnorter on 30/03/2023 - 16:40
    +1

    Yoyogi park is just an ordinary park in my opinion, with grass, trees, and ponds. Any Australian city would have similar or better, with a lot more nature (birds and lizards, etc.). Why not go to the more magnificent Tokyo Imperial Palace Gardens? It's a nice walk from Tokyo station. Really magnificent area, right next to the Japanese government area, wide streets, very green, fancy tall buildings, etc.

    Shibuya is just a busy street crossing.

    I don't like Fushimi Inari, I think it's a gimmick, and left after 10 minutes. But maybe you'll like it. Kiyomizudera is pretty good, as long as they've finished the renovation. It's very busy though. Nice views from there. Gion = extremely busy, and not much to see (you can't see over people's heads sometimes).

    Osaka castle is not bad, but Himeji castle is way better.

    Nara Park is not in Osaka, it's in Nara, which is about as far away as Kyoto. Quite nice though, especially when misty after rain.

  • eathb on 30/03/2023 - 17:00

    Thanks for the suggestions, my plan for Fushimi Inari was to take a very early AM train there and hopefully not have a lot of people there

    • Ramennightmare on 30/03/2023 - 17:17

      In my experience, I went to Fushimi at around 3 or 4pm, the crowd was not that bad. However, if you go to Kiyomizu after Fushimi, you might meet with a super huge crowd because there is Nineizaka & Sanneizaka right at the entrance (narrow hilly shopping street with lots of street foods and souvenir shops).

      Edit: there is a lot more Kimono rental near Kiyomizu compare to Fushimi (bought mine from Klook previously) and expect to wait for make up and hairdo as well. I don't think you will want to rent a Kimono in Arashiyama if you are planning to jump on a train (Sagano Romantic) or a boat with the Kimono. So IMO, I would start with Kiyumizu, then Fushimi and you will need to travel very early from Osaka to Kyoto for that day.

  • vice on 30/03/2023 - 22:49
    +1

    Some great ideas in your itinerary and suggestions above. Just a few observations (have been several times)

    The May Sumo tournament will be on in Tokyo - would be an interesting experience
    https://www.sumo.or.jp/EnTicket/year_schedule

    In Kyoto on May 15 is the Aoi Matsuri festival.

    Shunka-en is a nice Tokyo daytrip if bonsai up your alley

    The itinerary looks Tokyo heavy - I wouldn’t have those last days allocated to free exploration in Tokyo but that’s just me. Perhaps a daytrip to Hakone and enjoy an onsen and the ship/ropeway loop, especially if staying in Shinjuku (the Odakyu railway station is there).

    Also worth considering a daytrip to lake Kawaguchiko - an opportunity to get a closer look at Mt Fuji. Lots of tourists there though, I’d pick either Kawaguchiko or Hakone not both.

    Definitely add Arashiyama whilst in Kyoto to the list - interesting bridge, temples, bamboo forest and relaxing atmosphere.

    There is enough time in this itinerary to make a daytrip to Hiroshima from Osaka - Miyajima with its floating gate, Iitsukushima temple has amazing tea houses and oysters, the a-bomb dome and the Mazda factory are some attractions there.

    Kyoto is the better daytrip hub than Osaka - Kyoto station is surrounded by decent hotels, you can catch bullet train easily to other destinations. Osaka’s bullet train station doesn’t have much nearby you need to transfer to get to the main city area. It’s nice to not have to pack/unpack/carry around luggage.

    Himeji Castle is in the Kansai region - it is an original castle compared to Osaka castle which is a rebuild.

    And check out sushi zanmai if in Tokyo reasonable price awesome sushi.

    • kiitos on 31/03/2023 - 17:03

      We stayed on Miyajima overnight and it was interesting to walk around at night after everyone had left, mind you this was in December so it might be busier in May.

  • Richie1010 on 31/03/2023 - 12:19

    Have traveled in Japan before and have visited the cities you plan to head to a well as others. In my humble opinion you are trying to squeeze far far too much into your trip. You will be exhausted mentally and physically if you attempt to fit all those spots in such a short timeframe..!

  • AaronRain on 31/03/2023 - 16:00

    You might want to try Enoshima/Kamakura (Giant buddha statue) near the end of your Tokyo trip. I would suggest hiking around Kamakura in the morning (visit the Giant Buddha statue if you are into it), then take the tram to Enoshima island, and end the trip at the the Enoshima spa for a nice relaxing soak in the evening while you stare at the sunset.

  • lbsyc on 05/04/2023 - 09:32

    I would suggest after you have arrived in Tokyo, take a day there then immediately go to Osaka/Kyoto, reason being in Tokyo you are likely to shop even if you arent planning for it. 9 days in Tokyo is very long imo, I agree with other people you should try making another day trip or two to cities close to Tokyo/Kyoto.

    Nara/Uji/Kobe/Himeji/Kamakura/Hakone are all very good options

  • lainey13 on 12/04/2023 - 16:30

    Awww nice, my next trip will be with a small kid, which is an entirely different ball game!

  • stan86 on 12/04/2023 - 16:46

    Make sure you book teamLab Planets tickets in advance and not leave it to the last minute. Really need to book 2 weeks in advance if you want to choose your timeslot. Otherwise it will be quite limited. Right now it's sold out until next Tuesday and with limited availability the following week.

    https://teamlabplanets.dmm.com/en/ticket

  • mrtin on 13/04/2023 - 21:51

    How is your Japanese? Learning some will help heaps with signs, menus etc, and even interact with locals (even with limited Japanese). They love it!
    In a month you should be able to learn hiragana and katakana. I used the tofugu website (google tofugu hiragana and tofugu katakana and download the free pdf book). You can also do some kanji and some words on wanikani (free up to level 3 but even so you learn quite a bit).
    I can say this has helped so much.

    Enjoy your trip.

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