My itinerary: please give advice
 

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?)

• Horyu-ji
• Ise Shrine

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

If you are interested in architecture, I can think of at least 2 places you really don't want to miss: Todai-ji in Nara (the Daibutsuden is the largest wooden building in the world) and Nikko, north of Tokyo, with it's ornate and beautiful temple carvings. You should try to visit Kiyomizudera in Kyoto while you are there. Also, you should visit at least 1 castle ... Osaka castle is close by, though Himeji Castle is far more impressive. Finally, I recommend everyone in the Kansai area visit Koya-san, just cause I love the place so much.

I think doing both Nara and Ise may be too much in 1 day. Getting to Ise will take several hours, and several hours coming back as well. Even a quick look around Nara will require at least a good half day.

IMO you could cut out the Church of the Light and White Chapel, but those may suit your personal tastes more than mine. They just aren't very Japanese IMO.

Second that... one more thing to suggest is Kiyomizu Dera in Kyoto, I personally believe its a must see for first timer

noooo! dont cut out the church of light!

its ando at his finest!

I cant believe i forgot to see that while i was in tokyo :mad:

I reckon if youre an architecture buff and wont be coming back in a while, you'll kick yourself for not seeing it.