15 DAYS IN JAPAN: DAYS 1 TO 5

After a very long flight you’re finally in Japan. WELCOME TO NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT!! Enjoy this full itinerary for first time visitors, it will make planning your trip much easier!

DAY 1- Narita International Airport & Asakusa/Ueno.

On your arrival at the airport be sure to keep your eyes open and marvel at everything you see… you’re not dreaming!

If you feel up to it, browse around dozens of stores or grab an early breakfast in one of many cafés and restaurants. Don’t forget to pick up your pocket WiFi from the Post Office and your Japan Railway Pass if you ordered them beforehand.

After you’re done exploring, take the train to Tokyo (Narita Express, Keisei Skyliner or Limited Express, 40-50 minutes depending on where you’re staying). Check into the hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring your surroundings. Get a PASMO or SUICA prepaid card, it’ll help you move around on the subway or bus.

There are many things to see both in Ueno and Asakusa Districts. You can search for souvenirs in Nakamise-dori, a street famous for its traditional shops (I recommend buying yukatas, they make wonderful gifts), marvel at Sensoji temple and its gate Kaminarimon or walk around Ueno Park and Tokyo National Museum (which we didn’t have time to see).

You can also visit Tokyo Sytree, the tallest building in Japan and see Tokyo from its observation deck; we decided the price wasn’t worth it and instead explored the huge mall inside it.

 Hotel: Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International.

 

DAY 2- Tsukiji Market, Ginza, Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Shibuya, Meiji Shrine & Shinjuku.

Since it’s your second day, you’ll probably be jet lagged. Even if you wake up really early, you can go to Tsukiji Market, one of the largest fish markets in the world, open from 5:00 am. Have a nice breakfast of fresh sashimi or sushi and explore the inner and outer markets, you’ll be surprised with the assortment of fish and seafood in display. TIP: Even though the inner market is more sought after, we recommend spending extra time exploring the outer market.

 

Walk towards Ginza, a luxurious shopping district with state of the art building design. We didn’t stay long as we wanted to enjoy a more traditional Japan.

Your next stop will be the Imperial Palace and its gardens. You can only access the grounds through a guided tour that takes place daily but needs to be booked in advance. Pay special attention to the trees around the Palace, they were unlike any we had seen before!

 

Take the subway to Tokyo Tower and gaze at its beautiful red and white steel structure. You can climb up to the observation deck to get a view of Mount Fuji (only in clear days).

From there go to Shibuya, the fashion and entertainment district for young people. You can find trendy stores, restaurants and nightclubs as well as the famous Shibuya crossing, the busiest intersection in the world.

In the middle of Shibuya you’ll find Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu or shrine, which you can access through a huge wooden torii. While walking on the gravel path towards the shrine don’t miss the sake barrels offering or the enormous sacred Camphor tree where you can tie a prayer written in a small tablet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your final stop of the day will be Shinjuku, famous for Kabukicho, Japan’s largest red light district. Enjoy the hustle and neon ambiance that can be found all around, and dine in one of the hundreds of small bars in the Golden Gai.

Next visit the Edo Tokyo Museum which illustrates the history of Japan’s capital city since the 1600’s. The exhibitions are really cool and interactive, and include life-size models of buildings and utensils used back then.

Now take the subway to Harajuku Station and walk Takeshita Dori, a 400 meter street full with the weirdest clothing and costumes shops. Don’t leave without entering DAISO (a four-story store where most of the items sell at 100 yen) or trying a monstrous crepe at Angel’s Heart Crepes (too kawaii to be true).

End you day in Akihabara, home of the anime and manga fandom and go-to location if you’re looking for any kind of electronics. Enter Yodobashi, a 9-story store with every kind of electronic equipment, gadget or video game you have ever imagined; prices are not that cheap though.

Browse among the many arcade buildings; we went inside SEGA and were impressed by the abilities shown by the gamers and players.

We didn’t care to see any maid cafes, but if you’re interested this is the place to find them.

Hotel: Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International.

DAY 4- Nikko & Odaiba

Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Ueno Station to Utsunomiya, then transfer to the JR Nikko Line. Nikko is a lovely town up in the mountains and just a 90 minute ride away from Tokyo; I can tell you it was one of our favorite destinations.

Start your journey by walking to Kanmangafuchi Abyss. Relax in this wonderful place while you take a stroll with the river on one side and 70 statues “dressed” in hats and scarves on the other.

Next, go to Toshogu Shrine, mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu (great shogun who started the Edo Period), a complex of buildings decorated with beautiful wood carvings painted in vivid colors with gold leaf. Walk 200 meters west to see Taiyuinbyo, mausoleum of Ieyasu’s grandson, resembling Toshogu but less ostentatious.

We couldn’t fully appreciate Rinnoji, Nikko’s most famous temple, since it’s undergoing renovations untill 2019, however you can enter Sanbutsudo hall (the main building) and observe the work in progress.

Spend the rest of the afternoon wandering along Nikko’s main avenue and browsing through little antique and souvenir shops. Don’t leave before taking a photo of Shinkyo Bridge, one of the most famous and classic bridges in Japan.

Return to Tokyo and head towards Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo Bay connected to the mainland by the iconic Rainbow Bridge. Odaiba is famous for its hotels, shopping malls and entertainment centers, but you’ll never guess what else you’ll find there…..

Hotel: Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International.

DAY 5- Tokyo Station & Kyoto (Gion)

Check out from your hotel and head to Tokyo Station. Seize the opportunity to explore Tokyo Station before taking the train to Kyoto.

Tokyo Station City is a huge complex with hotels, shops, restaurants, galleries and a museum. Go to “Tokyo Ramen Street” located on section B1 and figure out how to order a delicious ramen for breakfast, pork or vegetarian, from a machine with dozens of buttons. Or head to “Tokyo Character Street” and enjoy browsing around two dozen stores of popular cartoon and anime characters.

If you’re interested in reading more about Tokyo Station, click here.

Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen -bullet train- to Kyoto (160 minutes). Check into your hotel and walk along the Kamo River and around the streets of Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district. In Shijo Avenue you can find beautifully made Japanese crafts; in Hanami-koji Street and the Shirakawa Area you’ll find exclusive restaurants and tea houses.

Hotel: Royal Park Hotel The Kyoto

Continue the journey, days 6 to 10 click here

Have you been to any of this places? Please share your own recommendations, comment below!