10 Days in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka

Hello! My family and I visited Japan for 10 days in March 2018. When I planned my itinerary originally, I completely overestimated how much we would be able to cover in one day. There's so much to see in Japan, and if you have the time, I recommend that you take your time to really enjoy the sites you want to see.

 

I made this video that overviews what I did: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anrHydKDNCw

 

Day One: 

Depart PHL;  Arrive NRT. Take airport bus to hotel (~1 hr)

Hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel

• Overall impression: very nice hotel, centrally located near Shinjuku Station and near several convenience stores

Walk around hotel:

• Grab dinner at a local spot
• Club Sega
  • Yodobashi Camera Shinjuku West Main Store
  • Japan, 〒160-0023 Tōkyō-to, Shinjuku-ku, Nishishinjuku, 1 Chome−１１−１
  • Until 10 PM

 

Day Two:  Harajuku + Shibuya

• AM: Take Train to Harajuku
  Route: JR Yamanote Line (Shibuya・Shinagawa bound)
  Boarding Station: Shinjuku Station
  Exiting Station: Harajuku Station
  Fare: 133 yen

Walk around Harajuku

Sites to visit:

• Yoyogi Park
• Meiji jingu Shrine 
• PomPomPurin Café  (http://pompom.createrestaurants.com/jp/info_harajuku.html).
• Takeshita Street: Shopping and Crepes

 

Afternoon: Walk (or train) to Shibuya

• Shibuya Crossing; Hachiko Memorial Statue - Japan, 〒150-0043 Tōkyō-to, Shibuya-ku
• Shibuya 109
• Maricar
  • http://maricar.com/en/shibuya.html
  • 150-0044]東京都渋谷区円山町15-3
             15-3 Maruyama-Cho Shibuya ward Tokyo, Japan
  • 7,000 yen (~63 UDS) pp, 1 hr to Tokyo Tower
  • APPLY FOR INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS LICENSE
    • on my trip, the original Maricar was still completely operational. It was an extremely unique experience and a lot of fun! You have to schedule an appointment in advance, so be sure to plan accordingly. 
• Dinner 
• Don Quixote Shibuya: Snacks, souvenirs and other fun things

 

 

 

Day Three: 4/2 (Mon)

 

Tskukiji Fish Market (Get there as soon as it opens so it's not too busy!)

1. METRO → Tsukiji; Lunch The Tsukiji Market, 5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo 104-0045, Tokyo Prefecture
   1. -Take the Oedo Subway Line directly from Shinjuku Station to Tsukiji Shijo Station. The one way trip takes 20 minutes and costs 270 yen.
2. Eat lots of food

 

Ginza (early afternoon)

1. Walk around, look at some stores
   1. Mitsukoshi Ginza Department Store - Japan, 〒104-8212 Tōkyō-to, Chūō-ku, Ginza, 4 Chome  (~1km)
2. Eat at a cafe

 

Asakusa (mid-late afternoon)

1. Senso-Ji Temple
   1. Nakamise Dori (shopping street leading to temple)
2. Hanayashiki Amusement Park 
3. Dinner

 

Tokyo Skytree (Nighttime)

-The entrance to the Tokyo Skytree is on the 4th floor of Tokyo Skytree Town, which spans the area between Tokyo Skytree Station (formerly known as Narihirabashi Station) on the Tobu Isesaki Line, and Oshiage Station on the Asakusa Subway Line, Hanzomon Subway Line and Keisei Oshiage Line. Alternatively, it is a 20 minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa.

-20 min walk or From Asakusa Station, 1 stop, a 2 minute-ride on the TOBU SKYTREE Line, or a 15-minute walk.

 

Day Four: Mt Fuji Tour

I don't have the exact one that we did, but this one is pretty similar: https://www.viator.com/tours/Tokyo/Day-Trip-to-Mt-Fuji-Kawaguchiko-and-Mt-Fuji-Panoramic-Ropeway/d334-20415P59

• The guided tour includes many sites, a traditional lunch, and has good facts about Mt Fuji and Japanese culture in general.