We are so excited to announce that we have booked our next trip! We will be traveling back to Japan in May 2026 for 11 days.
Japan Part 4
This time we are taking one friend that has traveled with us before and 2 first timers. So we will be visiting the must sees for the first timers and going to see some new things for the “veterans”. The first timers are both history buffs so we will be planning to include more historical sites in our plans than we normally would.
If you are looking for things to do on your first trip to japan this is not the article for you. However, check out our 14 day itinerary for suggestions on what to do in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka on your first trip.
Our loose itinerary is to land and stay in Tokyo from Day 1-4. Travel to Kyoto Days 5-8 and travel back to Tokyo and stay Days 9-11. I am fond of itineraries but I generally don’t like to plan exact days unless we have date specific events or tickets to something. Instead, I like to plan “circuits” where we pick an area to explore each day and then visit the things in that area to avoid taking several 40 minute long train rides across the city. I also have left a day completely open to account for last minute plans. Additionally, we will be visiting during the sumo tournament in Ryogoku, Tokyo. Hopefully we will be able to score some tickets when they go on sale in April.
Tokyo Days 1-4
Day 1 – land and travel to hotel in Ryogoku
Days 2 – 4
- Asakusa, Akihabara, sumo 2-6 pm, sky tree at night
- Tokyo Station, Yasukuni-Jinja Shrine, Yushukan museum
- Free Day
Kyoto Days 5-8
Day 5 Arrive around lunch – put luggage in lockers and go to big kyoto areas for the afternoon.
Days 6 -8
- Osaka day trip (optional)
- Fushimi Inari in the early AM and then explore other places in Kyoto afterwards
- Hiroshima/miyajima day trip
Tokyo Days 9 -11
Day 9 – Arrive Early and drop off luggage at hotel in Shinjuku or use coin lockers- Explore shinjuku
Day 10 – Meiji Jingu, shibuya, Nakano
Day 11 – Depart Haneda Airport to return to the United States.
If we have time….
Some other things we would like to do in Tokyo:
- Ichigaya Fish center – go fishing in a castle moat.
- Nakano Prison Main Gate – was previously used for political prisoners during the war.
- Shinchiteien Garden – Meiji era traditional garden directly behind Yasukuni Shrine.
- Nihonbashi Bridge- View remnants of incendiary bombs from 1945 bombardment.
- Nishi-Naka-Dori Watch Post- Oldest Koban in the Country.
- PALM – Longest shopping arcade in the country. It is in a residential area and most of the shops are small family owned businesses. Would be a great place to walk around for a few hours on a rainy day.
- Gotokuji or Imado Shrine- Lucky Cat Shrines that battle over which one is the origin of the “lucky cat” statue.
- Todoroki Valley Park- Natural gorge in the middle of the city.
- Great Budha of Tokyo – 3rd largest in the country. The largest is in Kamakura and 2nd largest is in Nara.
This current itinerary will most likely change as things arise or interests change, either way fun will be had for all. Planning a trip to Japan is always fun when planning with friends. If you need advice on how to plan a trip to Japan or are looking for a built itinerary, you can check the following links provided below!
また後で!
Jacob and Katlyn