10 Day Japan Itinerary

This is my personal 10 day play by play in Japan. If you have questions, just reach out directly.

Tokyo

Airbnb: Coco in Nakameguro 301 (we loved this area);

A higher end alternative is The Edition Hotel.

Day one: 

  • Took train from the airport to Nakameguro (PRO TIP: get a subway card at the airport to get around with ease; subways are clean and efficient)

  • Ramen at AFURI NAKAMEGURO

  • Walked around Nakameguro and Ebisu (big foodie scene with cute streets, more local/ hipster)

  • Nightcap at a random bar (so many to chose from in the area)!

Day two:

  • Quick brekkie at LONCAFEスタンド中目黒

  • Took train to Yoyogi park || went to the famous Meiji shrine

  • From Meiji, you can walk to:

    • Takeshita street 

    • Cat street

  • Ichiran ramen for lunch (must do)!

  • Cega Land arcade

  • Shibuya crossing/ roamed Shibuya

  • Dinner at Tatsumi in the palace hotel (high end tempura - make a res online)

Day three:

  • Train to Roppongi

  • Bricolage bread & co. for a pastry/ fruit bread and kombucha 

  • Mori Art Museum and Observatory 

    • Saw Keith Hering exhibit and skyline views from the observation deck

  • Stopped at Yapparisuteki Shibadaimonten やっぱりステーキ 芝大門店 for lunch (delicious cheap all you can eat steak/salad/soup - no frills)

  • Procured art at Tolman Gallery (beautifully curated, high end art gallery, call in advance to make an apt.)

    • A purchase from here is a great way to commemorate your Japan vacation!

  • Omakase at Nishiazabu Sushi Shin (very high end, traditional Omakase; need a res)

  • Bar Trench for drinks

Day four:

  • Tsukiji Outer Market (ate A5 wagyu, Japanese strawberries and tuna nigiri)

  • Mitsukoshi Ginza 銀座三越 - department store with food (get food in 1b and 1c and eat on 9 floor)

  • Walk around Ginza area (cool vintage stores/ shopping)

  • Walked to the Imperial palace / enjoy the beautiful Japanese black pine trees out front

  • Tokyo station 

  • Roamed around Akihabara, which is the anime tech district (must do if your a tech nerd like my husband)

  • Dinner: Aoyama Gyusai 青山 牛彩 for dinner (teppanyaki)

    • Alternative: tempenyaki - 恵比寿 鉄板焼 鉄板人 (make a res if you want a sit at the counter to watch them cook)

  • A10 bar for drinks, vibey, and GREAT music (must do)!

Day five:

  • Little street stand for coffee outside our apt (salad bowl coffee club)

  • I’m Donuts? For morning snack (worth waiting in line; unlike any other donuts I’ve ever had) 

  • Naka-Meguro Tsutaya Books

    • Cool bookstore in general; it is a chain, so you can go to any location

  • Kittan Gyoza in Neka- Meguro for lunch (dumplings)

  • LOCALE for dinner (Californian cuisine - fresh farm to table)

    • Chef Katie is the best. This provided a nice change up from Japanese cuisine and is a must do in my opinion.

  • “Red.” In Golden Gai area

    • Golden Gai is a famous scene to bar crawl; the narrow streets are filled with tiny bars

    • More of a gritty/bag packer scene if you are looking to meet people

  • Park Hyatt New York Bar for lost in translation moment/ Tokyo skyline at night 

Hakone 

Hotel/ Onsen: Ashinoko Hanaori

Day 6: 

  • Romancecar to Hakone from Shinjuku station 

  • Hakone ropeway for views of Mt. Fuji (get a black egg); a bit touristy

  • Pirate ship for more Mt. Fuji views and shrines from the water 

  • Dinner and private onsen at the hotel

  • Recommend staying in this area for at least two nights to feel truly relaxed; tough to get to just for one day

Kyoto 

Hotel: Hotel Monterey Kyoto (budget friendly)

Higher end alternative is ACE hotel

Day 7:

  • Balcony onsen, slow morning 

  • Trip to Kyoto via Shinkansen Express (train is so fast and an experience in itself)

    • If you skip Hakone, you can also take this straight from Tokyo

  • Strolled to Pontocho, which is a cute alley for drinks and dinner! 

    • Drink at bar alchemist and then popped over to Bar Bacchus for Japanese whiskey (same owner) 

    • Yamafuku for dinner (shabu shabu that is delicious - highly reccomend) 

Day 8:

  • “here Kyoto” for morning matcha and nibble

  • purchased sky hop bus pass that takes you all around the below temples/ landmarks 

    • Kinkaku-ji Temple (aka golden pavilion)

    • Daitoku-ji Nammon

    • Kyoto Imperial palace (under whelming - you can skip) so got lunch at FC Dining Table エフシーダイニングテーブル nearby (delicious variations of steak)

    • Higashiyama Jisho-ji 東山慈照寺 silver temple

  • Yasaka Pagoda Photograph Spot —> walk to Sannenzaka from there. Old school Kyoto vibes. Touristy, but one of my favorite areas we walked around. 

  • Kiyomizu-dera (another temple) is right there. We checked it out from outside but decided to go back after sundown tomorrow because it lights up at 6pm.

  • Japanese convenience store for face products! Best here. 

  • Pizza and Netflix in bed 

Day 9: 

  • Fushimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷大社 At first light to avoid tourist (try going before 8am)

  • Tokisirazu ベルギービール&イタリアン 刻シラズ brewpub/ Belgian for dinner

  • Hashi (Chopsticks) Gallery Mon for custom chopsticks 

  • Walk around Nishiki market 

  • 9pm last entry for Kiyomizu-dera (temple that’s cooler at night)

Day 10: 

  • Last day in Japan, slow morning 

  • 井上コーヒ店 for a crazy cool coffee shop experience

    • This is no frills, ran by a wise old man. Try to use a translator and have a conversation with him. He gave us gifts and life advice. 

  • Next, we went to IOLITE COFFEE ROASTERS for the best curry quiche 

  • 六角ace for Izakaya dinner at 5pm (need reservation)