Hi everyone. Visiting Japan for the 1st time next month. Below is what I have planned. The big stuff (plane & hotel) is fixed, but the day-to-day activities are flexible. I'm mostly interested in architecture, old & new, and bringing back some interesting gifts for friends & family.
I'd appreciate any kinds of advice you want to give. Especially potential pitfalls. And good places to eat in the locations I'll be. Thanks!
Thu Aug 6 (Tokyo)
- Arrive NRT ~2:00PM
- NEX train or Limousine bus(?)
- check-in Hyatt Regency (Shinjuku)
- Baseball game at Tokyo Dome 6:00PM
Fri Aug 7 (Tokyo)
- Observation deck at Tokyo Metropolitan Govt Office
- Shinjuku Shopping: Takashimaya, Tokyu Hands
- noontime concert at Casals Hall (? website unclear)
- Roppongi architecture: Suntory Museum, 21_21 Design Sight, Louis Vuitton
Sat Aug 8 (Tokyo)
- Tsukiji Fish Market
- Shibuya crossing & Hachiko Statue
- Ginza architecture: Nakagin Capsule Tower, Prada, Swatch.
- Ginza Shopping: Ito-ya stationery
- Harajuku Shopping: Bunkaya Zakkaten
Sun Aug 9 (Tokyo-Kyoto)
- check-out Hyatt Regency (Shinjuku)
- Shinkansen - depart from Tokyo station(?)
- Arrive Kyoto station
- subway or taxi (?)
- check-in Hotel Monterey Kyoto
- Fushimi-Inari-Taisha
Mon Aug 10 (Kyoto)
- Imperial Palace reservation office (for Thu)
- Daitoku-ji & others
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Nishiki Market
Tue Aug 11 (Kyoto-Nara-Ise-Kyoto)
(is this too much for 1 day?)
Wed Aug 12 (Kyoto-Osaka-Kyoto)
- Aqua-Liner tour
- Church of the Light
- White Chapel at Hyatt Regency Osaka
Thu Aug 13 (Kyoto)
- Ryoan-ji or Renge-ji
- Katsura Imperial Villa (need reservation)
Fri Aug 14 (Kyoto-NRT)
- check-out Hotel Monterey Kyoto
- Shinkansen to Tokyo station
- NEX train to NRT
- Depart ~4:00 PM