September 4–18 • Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Tokyo
Everything is planned around these. Exact dates are being re-booked to fit the new flow (5 nights Tokyo up front, a Miyajima island night mid-trip). (Optional upgrades are in "Worth a Move".)
Kanda - dead-central Tokyo on the JR Yamanote loop (plus Keihin-Tōhoku, Chūō Rapid & the Ginza line). One stop from Tokyo Station and Akihabara, direct to Shibuya, and Chūō-Rapid-direct to Shinjuku — hopping between neighborhoods is effortless. Great base for the flexible Fuji day-trip window (go on the clearest morning).
📍 Shijo-Omiya — Hankyu line + the Randen tram straight to Arashiyama. 8 min to downtown Nishiki/Gion. Superb Kyoto + Nara/Osaka hub.
📍 Shinsaibashi — walk to Dotonbori, Kuromon, Amerikamura. Midosuji line spine of Osaka. Perfect for the Kansai day trips (Hiroshima/Himeji/Nara).
Kamata (Ota-ku) — Keikyu + JR Keihin-Tohoku. Easy to Yokohama & Kamakura south. A bit off-center for central nightlife, and ~100 min from your Narita departure — plan the last morning accordingly.
Mizuhasou, Itsukushima island — a traditional shrine-town ryokan a short walk from the floating torii, with kaiseki dinner and a hot-spring bath. One magical night after the day-trippers leave. Book ahead; carry only an overnight bag (forward big luggage Osaka → Kamata).
Click any day to expand · September 4–18, 2026
Sep 4 (Fri) - Airport to Kanda hotel, gentle first night
You land at Narita ~4:30 PM, so today is a gentle, evening-only easing-in: clear the airport, ride into central Tokyo, drop your bags in Kanda, then a short shrine stroll and an easy local dinner before an early, jet-lag-friendly night. (Senso-ji's saved for later this week — Shibuya & Shinjuku kick things off tomorrow.)
Evening arrival, so breakfast & lunch are travel-day bites — the real event is your first Tokyo dinner, a short hop over in Jinbocho.
~4:30 PM · Terminal 1 or 2
Wheels down. Budget ~1 hr for immigration, baggage & customs, and knock out the arrival admin: show your pre-filled Visit Japan Web QR, activate the JR Pass (if bought), grab pocket WiFi/eSIM, and load a Suica with ¥3,000.
~5:45 PM
The Skyliner is the fast, comfy way in. At Ueno, transfer to the Ginza line (or the JR Keihin-Tōhoku line) — either drops you at Kanda in just a couple of stops, no messy changes while jet-lagged.
~7:00 PM · Kanda · your base Sep 4-9 (5 nights)
Check in, drop the bags, freshen up — but don't unpack the whole suitcase. Grab your Suica and a light layer and head back out while the jet lag is still bluffing. You're now dead-central on the Yamanote loop — one stop from Tokyo Station and Akihabara.
~7:30 PM · free · grounds open late
A vividly lacquered vermilion shrine a short walk from the hotel toward Akihabara — 1,300 years old, the guardian shrine of old Edo, and famously beloved by anime fans (you'll spot playful pop-culture ema). Beautifully lit and quiet at night. A perfect low-effort "we're really in Japan" first taste.
~8:15 PM · Jinbocho, a short hop from the hotel
Ease into Japan with a sit-down sushi dinner at Sushi Wasabi in Jinbocho — gentler than queuing for ramen on a jet-lagged first night. (Exact rating/reservation policy not yet verified — confirm before locking in, and have a backup in mind in case of a wait.) Not feeling sushi? Kanda/Jinbocho is old-Tokyo eating territory with easy fallbacks:
Blue sightseeing · red food · grey transit · pins match the timeline numbers
Sep 5 (Sat) - The famous crossing at sunset, then Ginza for dinner
The west side's big day: the world's most famous crossing, a Pokemon Center, then a hop over to Ginza for dinner. (Meiji Jingu, Harajuku & Omotesando get their own day in a couple of days — Asakusa, Skytree & Akihabara are up next.)
Old-school kissaten coffee to a Sanuki udon lunch to conveyor-belt sushi in Ginza. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
Midday · meeting Tiff & Ryan at noon
Fuel up first at Chatei Hatou Tabelog 3.71 Walk-in (kissaten coffee & toast), then the legendary Scramble Crossing and Hachiko statue — this is also where you're meeting Tiff & Ryan at noon. For lunch, stay right in Shibuya for artfully plated Sanuki udon at Kagawa Ippuku Art Udon Walk-in ¥.
Pokemon Center #1 of 3
A whole vertical mall worth browsing, not just the Pokemon Center — first of your three Pokemon Center stops, plus the Jump Shop and Capcom Store on the same floors. Don't miss Nintendo TOKYO (6F) — the flagship Nintendo store, with exclusive merch you won't find anywhere else.
Afternoon
Rooftop park over a sleek mall, plus Shibuya's endless shops and record stores to fill the afternoon.
Evening
Conveyor-belt sushi carrying the Michelin-pedigree Ginza Onodera name — no-reservation-hassle, lower-key, and still a proper way to close out Shibuya day. (Despite the name, it's actually in Jingumae near Omotesando — not Ginza. Confirm current hours/reservation policy before you go.) Energy left? Harajuku Station is right here — JR Yamanote line direct to Shinjuku (~5 min) for Kabukicho neon, the free Metropolitan Government Building observation decks, and the tiny bars of Golden Gai.
Blue sightseeing · red food · pins match the timeline
Sep 6 (Sun) - Old town, the tower, and otaku heaven
A relaxed east-side day, mostly on one train from the hotel. Old-town temple, a chef's-supply street, up the Skytree, then otaku wonderland — and if you're up at dawn, kick off with a Tsukiji Outer Market breakfast first (graze the stalls — the sit-down restaurants there open later, ~11:30 AM). Breathing room built in. (Shibuya & Shinjuku were yesterday; Harajuku, Omotesando & a Shibuya Sky sunset are up next.)
Market grazing to an affordable sushi lunch to old-school unagi — three very different Tokyo bites. Badges: Tabelog rating · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
Best ~7-9 AM · many stalls close by early afternoon
Turn the jet lag into a feature: graze the outer market stalls fresh off the grill — tamagoyaki on a stick, grilled scallops, uni, knife shops. Note: Tsukiji Aozora Sandaime Tabelog 3.60 is a famous sit-down kaisendon option here too, but it opens ~11:30 AM — doesn't fit a 7 AM start, so it's a lunch-timing pick if you linger instead. (The wholesale market moved to Toyosu, but the outer market street food is the real draw.)
Morning · free
Tokyo's oldest temple in daylight — the giant Kaminarimon lantern, five-story pagoda, and the Nakamise souvenir street while you're fresh.
Chefs' supply street — Japanese knives, ceramics, and the famous plastic food samples.
A quick Ginza Line detour to Ueno for an affordable chef-curated sushi lunch — the ~15-piece "Ninomiya Special Set" runs ~¥3,500. Multilingual menu/staff, online reservation available. (Replaces the placeholder here — 400° Pizza's reservation was actually for Sep 7.)
Early afternoon, right after lunch
A silky, wobbly purin (custard pudding) break at the actual Asakusa Silk Pudding shop (浅草シルクプリン) in the Asakusa backstreets — a sweet little breather before the trek to Skytree. (Exact shop/rating not verified yet — tell me the specific spot you mean and I'll pin it down properly.)
Midday · go up the Tembo Deck
Ride to 350m (and 450m) for the best all-Tokyo panorama. The Solamachi mall below is a good coffee/dessert stop, and the Sumida Aquarium is here too if you want it.
Afternoon
Retro arcades, multi-floor anime/game towers, and card hunting at Hareruya & the Akiba card shops.
Loop back to Kaminarimon, right by Senso-ji, for legendary charcoal-grilled unagi (grilled eel) at Hatsuogawa — a change of pace from fried food; it's walk-in only so budget time to queue. (Corrected from "Ningyocho" after verifying live on Google Maps.) Then head back to the hotel.
Blue sightseeing · red food · pins match the timeline
Sep 7 (Mon) - Forest-shrine calm into Harajuku color, sunset at Shibuya Sky
A relaxed west-side morning-to-evening, almost all on foot: a serene forest shrine, a big city park, Harajuku's madcap fashion lane, and the chic tree-lined boulevards of Omotesando — capped with a quick hop over to Shibuya Sky for sunset before dinner. (You covered Shibuya's Scramble & Shinjuku on Day 2, then Asakusa, Skytree & Akihabara yesterday.)
Trendy brunch to premium tonkatsu to a Harajuku izakaya dinner — all in the stylish Harajuku/Aoyama pocket. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
Morning · free
A serene forest shrine right in the city. Do it early while it's peaceful — you might catch a traditional wedding procession.
Breakfast served 8-11 AM
Highly-rated Tomigaya cafe, ~5 min walk from Yoyogi-Hachiman — timed for right after Meiji Jingu. (Swapped in after confirming the previous pick, PATH, is now closed — verified live via Google Maps.)
Tokyo's big green lung — buskers, rockabilly dancers on weekends, and space to breathe before the crowds.
Midday
Harajuku's madcap fashion lane — rainbow crepes, kawaii shops, peak youth culture. For a real lunch, hop ~10 min to Butagumi Tabelog 3.71 Reserve ¥¥ for premium tonkatsu.
Afternoon
The chic, tree-lined "Tokyo Champs-Elysees" — architecture, cafes, flagship stores — then the hip boutiques of Cat Street.
5:40 PM · book timed ticket
Quick hop over to Shibuya for the open-air rooftop deck — the best sunset skyline in the city. Timed for ~5:40 PM golden hour.
Back to the Harajuku/Omotesando pocket for izakaya-style dinner — or graze the stylish Omotesando cafes. (Swapped in for Harajuku Torimachi — confirm hours/reservation policy before locking in.)
Blue sightseeing · red food · pins match the timeline
Sep 8 (Tue) - Clear forecast = Fuji; cloudy = Kamakura coast
Grab-and-go morning, a regional-specialty lunch out of town, then a proper ramen finish near Shinjuku. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
Your Fuji window - check windy.com / tenki.jp the night before and feel free to swap this with any earlier Tokyo day for the clearest morning. If Fuji is hidden, hit the Kamakura (cloudy) tab above for the all-weather coast day instead. Go early either way.
Go early · reserve seats ahead (limited-capacity train, books out in high season)
At Shinjuku, find the JR Chūō Line platforms and board the "Fuji Excursion" limited express (富士回選フジサン) toward Kawaguchiko — it runs as one direct train the whole way (starts on JR tracks, continues onto the Fujikyū Railway without you switching trains). ~¥4,130 one-way, ~1h50-2h. Budget alt: the highway bus from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Basta Shinjuku) to Kawaguchiko Station, ~1h45, ~¥2,200 — no reservation headache, just more traffic-dependent.
Get off one stop before the Kawaguchiko terminus, at Shimoyoshida Station. From the station it's a ~15-20 min walk (including the climb) up to Arakura Sengen Shrine and the pagoda — the postcard shot, five-story pagoda with Fuji behind. Climb the ~398 steps.
This station is your base for the rest of the day. Rent a bike right outside the station — several rental counters cluster at the exit (regular bikes ~¥1,500-2,000/day, e-bikes ~¥2,500-3,000/day — worth it for the hillier north-shore stretch to Oishi Park). (Exact shop names/current pricing not verified — confirm on arrival; if you'd rather not pedal, the Kawaguchiko Retro Bus loop covers the same sights on a day pass.) Timing (verified live): Hoto Fudo Kawaguchiko Ekimae Tabelog 3.55 Walk-in ¥¥ doesn't open till 11 AM — if the Fuji Excursion + pagoda stop gets you here earlier, grab the bike now, hit Kachi Kachi Ropeway first, then loop back for hoto once it's open (11am-7pm daily) on your way to Oishi Park.
Quick cable car to a panorama deck over the lake and mountain. Lock your bike at the base station.
Flower fields framing Fuji across the lake — gorgeous photo spot. The full lake-loop path is ~19 km total if you want to keep riding; the station-to-here stretch you've actually covered is closer to ~9-10 km round trip.
Return the bike, then soak with Fuji in view (e.g. Fuji Lake Hotel, ~¥1,000-2,000) before heading back.
Back at Shinjuku, switch to the Keō New Line (or Toei Shinjuku Line direct-through service) one stop to Hatagaya.
Stunning clear chicken ramen with its signature egg-shell foam — a Bib Gourmand knockout after a long day. Then Chūō line back to Kanda to sleep.
Sep 9 (Wed) - Shinkansen west, settle into Shijo-Omiya
Bullet-train west, drop into your Kyoto base, then a gentle first evening among Nishiki, Pontocho, and Gion. Forward big luggage from Kanda to the Kyoto hotel (takkyubin) so the shinkansen is easy.
Bento box on the shinkansen, the classic ekiben rail lunch, then a Kyoto ramen welcome. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
Morning · Nozomi/Hikari ~2h15
Bonus Fuji shot: sit on the right (D/E seats) — Fuji appears ~40 min in (a bonus if Sep 8 clouded over).
Head to the hotel; your forwarded bags should be waiting. Room check-in is 3 PM — if you land earlier, the front desk will happily hold/store bags so you're not lugging them around.
Your base Sep 9-13 (4 nights) · check-in from 3 PM
Drop your bags here first — even if it's before 3 PM the front desk will stash them — then head out for Nishiki Market with empty hands. Swing back for the room key once it's ready. Downtown is 8 min away.
"Kyoto's kitchen" — snack your way down the covered market.
A legendary, old-school Kyoto ramen shop (since 1938) right by Kyoto Station — hearty pork-bone broth for a casual, no-reservation welcome-to-Kyoto dinner. (Swapped in for Roan Kikunoi.)
Book ahead · engraving option
A hands-on Gion workshop where you shape and finish your own pair of Japanese chopsticks — add the name-engraving option for a personalized his-and-hers keepsake. Reserve a late-afternoon/early-evening slot.
The geisha district's lanterns and old machiya — magical at nightfall.
Blue sightseeing · red food · grey transit · pins match the timeline
Sep 10 (Thu) - Torii gates, Higashiyama, Gion
A dawn start earns you the torii gates almost to yourself, then a slow wander through eastern Kyoto's most beautiful lanes. Early start beats crowds AND September heat — carry water + a hand towel.
Fox-shrine inari snack, a griddled hambagu lunch, then Neapolitan pizza to close out the day. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
~7 AM
The 10,000 vermilion torii gates almost to yourself at dawn. Hike as high as you like.
Midday · ~¥400
Hilltop temple with its famous wooden stage and city views.
Sannenzaka / Ninenzaka — matcha, crafts, kimono strolls, preserved old streets. For lunch, swing by Hikiniku to Kome Tabelog 3.54 Walk-in ¥¥ for hand-mixed hambagu griddled tableside, near Gion-Shijo/Kiyamachi. (Replaces "Shubaku" — verified there's no ramen/tsukemen shop by that name in Kyoto.)
Canal-side stroll under the trees — serene late-afternoon option.
Neapolitan-style pizza near the Kyoto Imperial Palace to close out the day. (Swapped in for Izuu saba-zushi — this branch is in Marutamachi, not Gion; last order ~5:45 PM so confirm hours before you go.)
Blue sightseeing · red food · pins match the timeline
Sep 11 (Fri) - Bamboo, Kinkaku-ji, Pokemon Center
Hop the Randen tram from Omiya (your doorstep!) straight to Arashiyama before the buses arrive — a genuine perk of your hotel. Use it before 8 AM.
Riverside coffee, lunch TBD (see note below), then heritage wagyu sukiyaki downtown. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp). Kyoto's casual spots genuinely rate ~3.5-3.6.
Randen tram from your doorstep
The towering bamboo tunnel — ethereal and empty first thing in the morning. Timing: hit the grove itself first — % Arabica Arashiyama doesn't open till ~9 AM, so it won't be open yet if you're here at true dawn.
Opens ~9 AM
A latte by the Katsura River with a Togetsukyō-bridge view — grab it once it opens, on your way from the grove to Tenryu-ji.
UNESCO Zen temple with a stunning garden backed by the mountains. (Lunch here was Hikiniku to Kome, but that chain has no Arashiyama branch — moved to Day 7 where it actually exists. Grab something nearby or tell me what to book.)
Midday
The gold-leaf Golden Pavilion mirrored in its pond — unmissable.
Japan's most famous Zen rock garden — quiet contemplation.
Pokemon Center #2 of 3
Afternoon Pokemon stop near downtown.
Top-tier matcha dessert at Tsujiri or Nakamura Tokichi, then heritage wagyu sukiyaki at Mishima-tei off Nishiki (book ahead) — or Menya Inoichi ramen (3.85).
Blue sightseeing · red food · pins match the timeline
Sep 12 (Sat) - Tea-town shopping spree, then a relaxed Kyoto afternoon
Since Nara moved to the move day, today's the day you gained — so we're spending the morning in Uji, Japan's matcha heartland since the 1100s (~20 min south of Kyoto), for a proper tea-shopping spree among historic tea houses, then an easy afternoon back in Kyoto. Come thirsty.
Grab-and-go morning, a green-tea-soba lunch in Uji, then a yakiniku farewell to Kyoto. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
~9 AM · beat the tour buses
Little riverside tea town famous for the highest-grade matcha in Japan. Get here early — the good shops sell out of the best tins and the parfait queues build by late morning.
Morning
The 1,000-year-old Phoenix Hall floating on its pond — the exact building on the back of the ¥10 coin. A gorgeous, quick opener before the tea crawl.
Est. 1854 · expect a queue
The legendary Uji tea house's main store. Lunch on a green-tea cha-soba set + the iconic matcha-jelly parfait in the garden cafe, then buy top-grade matcha, hojicha & genmaicha tins to take home.
Midday · graze & buy
The whole street is wall-to-wall tea: Itoh Kyuemon (famous matcha parfait & roll cake), Masuda Chaho and Kanbayashi Shunsho (centuries-old tea merchants), plus matcha soft-serve, warabi-mochi, dango and matcha beer. Grab whisks & chawan bowls for souvenirs.
Est. 1160 · lunch stop
The oldest tea shop in Japan, run by the same family for 24 generations right by the bridge. Sit for a proper bowl of whisked matcha and a light soba/tea lunch. Optional: a hands-on tea ceremony at nearby Taiho-an (¥500).
Afternoon
Easy last Kyoto afternoon — deeper Nishiki browsing, Teramachi arcade gift-hunting, or a downtown tea ceremony.
Farewell to Kyoto with a proper yakiniku grilled-meat dinner at Keiraku Yakiniku Yabu. (Swapped in for Tousuiro — confirm hours/reservation before you go.)
Blue sightseeing · red food · pins match the timeline
Sep 13 (Sun) - Sightsee Nara en route, no backtrack
Nara sits on the Kyoto-Osaka line, so you sightsee it en route — zero wasted transit. Forward big luggage straight to the Osaka hotel (takkyubin) and carry only a daypack.
Grab-and-go morning, a Nara specialty lunch, then your first hit of Osaka soul food. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
Morning · ~45 min
Check out, forward the bags, and ride down to Nara with just a daypack.
Bowing deer everywhere — deer crackers ¥200, bow and they bow back. Lunch on Nara's kakinoha-zushi (persimmon-leaf pressed sushi) at Hiraso Tabelog 3.55 Walk-in ¥¥.
The Great Buddha Hall — one of the world's largest wooden buildings.
Lantern shrine deep in the forest — thousands of bronze and stone lanterns.
Your base Sep 13-15 (2 nights)
Bags already waiting. Squeeze in Pokemon Center Osaka DX & Cafe if timing allows (cafe needs a reservation) — Pokemon Center #3.
Glico sign, takoyaki, okonomiyaki at Fukutaro — five minutes from your bed.
Blue sightseeing · red food · grey transit · pins match the timeline
Sep 14 (Mon) - Kuromon, Shinsekai, Umeda, Amerikamura
Osaka is the kitchen of Japan — today is a full eating-and-exploring loop through its markets, retro districts, and vintage haunts. Come hungry.
Market grazing to a sushi lunch to a curry-house dinner. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
Morning
Sashimi, wagyu skewers, crab, uni — graze your way through the covered market for breakfast.
Gloriously retro neon district around the Tsutenkaku Tower.
Sushi lunch, booked for 12 PM — loop through Shinsekai/Tsutenkaku on the way so you arrive right on time.
Floating Garden Observatory — open-air rooftop views over the city.
Vintage fashion + Book-Off / Hard-Off for used Pokemon cards.
A casual, veg-forward curry-house dinner at BOTANI:CURRY. (Swapped in for Kigawa.) Then the hidden, mossy Hozenji Yokocho alley for a nightcap.
Blue sightseeing · red food · pins match the timeline
Sep 15 (Tue) - Peace Park afternoon, sleep on the island
Turn the big western trip into an overnight: Hiroshima's Peace Park in the afternoon, then cross to Miyajima to sleep on the island — the magic hour when the day-trippers leave, the torii lights up, and the deer have the streets. Forward big luggage Osaka → Kamata and carry just an overnight bag. Check out of Osaka this morning.
Grab-and-go morning, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, then a ryokan kaiseki on the island. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
Nozomi shinkansen ~1h25
Check out, forward the big bags to Kamata, then bullet west with an overnight bag.
The preserved skeletal dome — a sobering, essential landmark.
Moving and unforgettable — allow a couple of hours. Late lunch on Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki at Nagataya Tabelog 3.63 Walk-in ¥¥ by the park.
Evening · book ahead
Drop the bag at Mizuhasou, a shrine-town ryokan a short walk from the torii — kaiseki dinner and a hot-spring bath included. This is the whole point: the island after dark.
Check tide times!
The great vermilion gate and Itsukushima Shrine, illuminated at night with barely anyone around — the reward for staying over.
Grilled oysters, anago-meshi (conger eel rice), and fresh momiji-manju off the griddle.
Sep 16 (Wed) - Dawn island, bullet east, evening in Ginza
Wake up on the island for the torii before the day-trippers arrive, then ferry + shinkansen the long way back to Tokyo (a ~4 hr bullet ride, but budget ~5.5-6 hrs door-to-door with the ferry, local trains and transfers). Check into your final Kamata base to drop the bag first, then double back for a relaxed Ginza wander and dinner. Forward big luggage Miyajima/Hiroshima → Kamata hotel so you roam bag-free.
Ryokan breakfast, a regional ekiben on the long ride east, then oysters & a relaxed Ginza dinner. Badges: Tabelog · reservation · budget (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k / ¥¥¥ 5k+ pp).
Before the ferries bring crowds
The floating torii and free-roaming deer almost to yourself, a quiet second look at Itsukushima Shrine, then check out of Mizuhasou and forward the bags.
Nozomi shinkansen ~4 hrs
Grab an ekiben and settle in — it's a long, scenic ride east. Reserve seats.
Mid-afternoon. Hop the Keihin-Tohoku line straight down to Kamata to drop your bag and check in first before doubling back for the evening.
Your final base Sep 16-18 (2 nights)
Check in, meet your forwarded luggage, and drop the overnight bag so you can roam free tonight. (In a hurry? Tokyo Station coin lockers are the no-backtrack alternative.)
Uniqlo flagship, Itoya stationery, depachika gifts — plus Ginza Six, the district's flagship mall: browse the striking Tsutaya Books flagship (6F, spiral art-book staircase) and the rooftop garden. On the way, a quick pre-dinner stop at Belon Oyster Walk-in for a half-dozen fresh oysters and a glass of something cold — (exact branch & Tabelog rating not yet verified) — then a quick, superb chicken-paitan ramen at Ginza Kagari to close out the night. Head back to Kamata (~25 min) to sleep whenever you're ready.
Blue sightseeing · red food · grey transit · pins match the timeline
Sep 17 (Thu) - Full theme-park day (easy from Kamata)
A full theme-park day at the one-of-a-kind, nautical-themed DisneySea (adults love it). ~50 min door to gate from Kamata. Arrive before opening.
Eat early before you go, then graze themed park snacks all day. Budget badges only (¥ <1.5k / ¥¥ 1.5-5k pp).
Before park opening
Keihin-Tohoku line → Tokyo Station (~20 min).
Change to the Keiyo Line to Maihama (~15 min), then the Disney Resort Line monorail.
Highlights: Fantasy Springs (Frozen/Tangled/Peter Pan), Journey to the Center of the Earth, Tower of Terror, Soaring, and the harbor shows. Grab churros and the famous gyoza dog. Stay for the nighttime water spectacular, then the easy ride back to Kamata.
Sep 18 (Fri) - Early-ish start to Narita
Home time. Kamata → Narita is ~95-110 min, so plan the morning around your flight. Mata ne!
Morning
JR/Keikyu to central Tokyo, then Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner. For an evening flight you get a relaxed-ish morning; for a midday flight, head out early.
Return WiFi, spend your remaining IC balance, and keep tax-free receipts handy for immigration.
Hand-picked sights, food, and one big event that sit close to your home bases and aren't already in the day-by-day. Every name is a direct Google Maps link. Perfect for filling a spare morning or swapping in on a flex day.
Immersive roaming digital art (no water rooms) at Azabudai Hills near Roppongi - ~20 min from Kanda. An optional add-on if you want a teamLab experience on a free evening; books out weeks ahead.
The classic red-and-white icon, ~20 min from the hotel - lovely lit up at night.
Rotating modern-art shows and a wraparound observation deck over the skyline. Nightlife district next door.
Free, serene former castle grounds and moats in the dead center of the city - a quick Yamanote hop (or walk from Tokyo Station).
A gorgeous bayside Edo garden with a teahouse on a pond, skyscrapers behind. Reachable by river boat too.
Elegant art museum in Omotesando with a hidden, tranquil strolling garden - a stylish rainy-day pick.
Century-old sukiyaki/shabu-shabu house - a great splurge wagyu dinner when you're in Asakusa on Day 2.
Japan's oldest amusement park (1853), tucked behind Senso-ji - charmingly retro if you want more Asakusa time.
Working samurai-drama film set + Edo town, ninja shows, cosplay. Straight up the Randen tram from your door.
A hall of 1,001 golden Kannon statues - jaw-dropping and far quieter than the big-name temples.
Kyoto's oldest Zen temple, edge of Gion - famous twin-dragon ceiling and serene gardens.
Steam locomotives to shinkansen, a real turntable and roundhouse - a fun half-day, great for train fans.
Cool northern mountain valley - riverside kawadoko dining and a shrine-to-temple forest hike.
Green-onion ramen finished with a literal fireball at your table. Pure dinner theatre.
The iconic keep + moat and park. Your plan flagged it as a fit-it-in - here's the pin for a spare morning.
One of the world's best - whale sharks in a giant central tank. Pair with the Tempozan Ferris wheel.
The giant lion-head stage - one of Osaka's most striking, photogenic shrines. A short walk from Dotonbori.
Japan's tallest skyscraper observatory - sweeping views over the whole Kansai plain.
Osaka's answer to Akihabara - more anime, retro games, and Pokemon card hunting.
Beloved no-frills sushi with huge, cheap cuts on Tenjinbashisuji - locals queue for it.
Kamata is famous as a gyoza town - Nihao's crispy-wing gyoza is the local legend. Right by your hotel.
Big, atmospheric hilltop temple with a five-story pagoda, one stop from Kamata - and rarely any tourists.
Big onsen complex near Haneda with open-air baths and planes overhead - a great pre-departure soak.
Waterfront skyline, Cosmo Clock ferris wheel, and the giant moving Gundam nearby - ~20 min south.
Design your own custom cup noodle - genuinely fun, and a quirky Yokohama add-on.
A hidden green ravine walk inside Tokyo - shady, cool, and a lovely escape north of Kamata.
Waterfront mall famous for the giant Unicorn Gundam statue out front (it transforms on a schedule) and the Gundam Base Tokyo store inside - model-kit heaven. ~25 min from Kamata via Yurikamome/Rinkai Line - easy to pair with a Toyosu/teamLab evening if you want a shopping-centre day.
Direct booking links for the things that sell out or need timed tickets, plus approximate per-person prices in CAD (at ~Y108 = $1). Book the starred ones weeks ahead.
| Activity | Day | Approx / person | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shibuya Sky observation deck * | Day 4 · Sep 7 | ~$24 (Y2,600) | shibuya-scramble-square.com |
| Fuji Excursion reserved seat * | Day 5 · Sep 8 | ~$37 (Y4,000) | fujikyu-railway.jp |
| Mt. Fuji Kachi Kachi Ropeway | Day 5 · Sep 8 | ~$9 (Y1,000) | mtfujiropeway.jp |
| Kyoto kimono rental (optional) | Day 7 / 9 · Sep 10 / 12 | ~$32 (Y3,500) | kyoto.wargo.jp |
| Nijo Castle (gate) | Day 9 · Sep 12 | ~$12 (Y1,300) | nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp |
| Kyoto tea ceremony (optional) | Day 9 · Sep 12 | ~$28 (Y3,000) | mai-ko.com |
| Pokemon Cafe (reservation) * | Day 10 · Sep 13 | ~$23 (Y2,500 min) | reserve.pokemon-cafe.jp |
| Universal Studios Japan (optional) | Day 12 · Sep 15 (alt) | ~$80 + Express ~$72 (Y8,600 + Y7,800) | usj.co.jp |
| Himeji Castle (gate) | Day 12 · Sep 15 (alt) | ~$9 (Y1,000) | himejicastle.jp |
| Tokyo DisneySea 1-Day Passport * | Day 14 · Sep 17 | ~$82-101 (Y8,900-10,900) | tokyodisneyresort.jp |
Prices are ballpark for planning, not live quotes - confirm on each site. DisneySea/USJ tickets are dated and vary by day. CAD at ~Y108 = $1.
Every Reserve pick from the day-by-day Meal Picks, in one place. Popular counters book out 2-4 weeks ahead (kaiseki even earlier) and many don't take walk-ins. Easiest routes: your hotel concierge, TableCheck, Pocket Concierge (English), or the restaurant's own line / Tabelog reservation button.
| Restaurant | Day | Cuisine | Tabelog | Budget | Book via |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butagumi | Day 4 · Sep 7 | Tonkatsu | 3.71 | ¥¥ | Phone / concierge (lunch slot) |
| Kippōshi (walk-in, no booking) | Day 5 · Sep 8 | Ramen | 3.71 | ¥ | Walk-in — just queue |
| Gion Karyo (Day 7 3.7+ alt) | Day 7 · Sep 10 | Kaiseki | 3.72 | ¥¥¥ | TableCheck / concierge |
| Mishima-tei | Day 8 · Sep 11 | Wagyu sukiyaki | 3.63 | ¥¥¥ | Phone / concierge |
| Keiraku Yakiniku Yabu | Day 9 · Sep 12 | Yakiniku | Tabelog 3.56 | ¥¥¥ | Phone / concierge |
| Sushi Sōgorō (12 PM lunch) | Day 11 · Sep 14 | Sushi | — not yet verified | ¥¥ | Phone / concierge |
| Mizuhasou (ryokan dinner) | Day 12 · Sep 15 | Ryokan kaiseki | — incl. w/ stay | ¥¥¥ | Included when you book the room |
| DisneySea Fantasy Springs restaurant | Day 14 · Sep 17 | Park dining | — | ¥¥ | Tokyo Disney Resort app (day prior) |
These all return you to a bed you've already got booked.
| From base | Trip | One-way | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanda | Mt. Fuji / Kawaguchiko (flex, weather) | ~2-3h | Sep 8 flex window (swap to any earlier Tokyo day). Chureito Pagoda, lake, day-use onsen. Kamakura is the all-weather fallback. |
| Kamata | Tokyo DisneySea | ~50m | Unique nautical park, Fantasy Springs, harbor shows |
| Osaka | Hiroshima + Miyajima (now an OVERNIGHT, Day 12-13) | ~1h25 | Peace Park by day, sleep by the floating torii - see the day-by-day |
| Osaka | Himeji Castle | ~40m | Most beautiful original castle in Japan |
| Kanda / Kamata | Kamakura | ~50m-1h | Great Buddha, coastal Enoden line (also the Fuji-day fallback) |
| Kyoto | Uji (built into Day 9) | ~20-35m | Japan's matcha capital — Byōō-in (¥10-coin temple) + a tea-shop spree (Nakamura Tokichi, Itoh Kyuemon, Tsuen Tea) |
| Kamata | Yokohama | ~20m | Chinatown, Minato Mirai, easy evening |
Experiences big enough that I'd genuinely shorten a booking to fit one in. Ranked by "wow ÷ hassle".
We've kept Fuji as a flexible day trip (Sep 8, swappable to any earlier Tokyo day) because September visibility is a gamble - smart. But if the forecast lines up beautifully, you could still turn it into a 1-night lakeside onsen ryokan stay on the fly (trade one Kanda night). Grab a free-cancellation rate so you can pull the trigger only when Fuji's actually out. Solid picks: Kozantei Ubuya, Kukuna, or budget-friendly Fuji Lake Hotel.
Only commit if the multi-day forecast is clear - otherwise the day trip is the low-risk play.
Sleep in a working Buddhist monastery (shukubo) on sacred Mt. Koya — monk-made vegetarian dinner, dawn prayers, the lantern-lit Okunoin cemetery at night. ~2 hrs from Osaka. Trade 1 Osaka night. Deeply peaceful, totally different from everything else.
Hassle: medium (mountain access). Payoff: soul-level. Book the temple months ahead.
Good news - this one's already in your plan: Hiroshima by day, then a night on Miyajima (Day 12-13) for the illuminated torii and deer after the crowds leave. If you'd rather sleep in Hiroshima city instead (livelier evening, then a relaxed Miyajima morning), that swap works too - just book the city hotel over the island ryokan.
You depart from Narita, and Kamata is on the opposite (south) side of Tokyo - a ~100 min airport run plus it's off-center for central nightlife. If your bookings are flexible, swapping your final 1-2 nights to Ueno, Tokyo Station, or Nippori (all on the direct Skyliner/Narita Express line) makes the departure painless and puts you closer to the evening action. Otherwise, keep Kamata and just budget the extra airport time.
Intercity legs with rough per-person fares. Costs assume point-to-point tickets; JR-Pass coverage is flagged. Prices in yen (approx.).
| Day / Date | Leg | Time | Est. cost / person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 · Sep 4 | Narita -> Kanda (Skyliner + Ginza) | ~75 min | Y2,780 (Access Exp. cheaper, ~Y1,500) |
| Day 5 · Sep 8 | FLEX: Fuji day trip (or Kamakura if cloudy) | ~2 hrs each way | ~Y8,000 RT (bus ~Y4,400 RT; Kamakura ~Y1,900) |
| Day 6 · Sep 9 | Tokyo -> Kyoto (Shinkansen) | ~2h15 | ~Y13,300 (JR Pass covers Hikari) + Y2,000/bag |
| Day 9 · Sep 12 | Full Kyoto day (local hops only) | in-city | ~Y800 (Suica; no backtrack now) |
| Day 10 · Sep 13 | Kyoto -> Nara -> Osaka (forward) | ~1h30 total | ~Y1,300 + Y2,000/bag forward |
| Day 12 · Sep 15 | Osaka -> Hiroshima -> Miyajima (overnight) | ~2h + ferry | ~Y11,000 + Y360 ferry (JR Pass covers rail) + Y2,000/bag to Kamata |
| Day 13 · Sep 16 | Miyajima -> Tokyo -> Kamata (ferry + local + Shinkansen) | ~5.5-6 hrs (door-to-door w/ transfers) | ~Y19,500 (JR Pass covers ferry, locals & Nozomi*/Hikari) |
| Day 14 · Sep 17 | Kamata -> Tokyo DisneySea (Maihama) | ~50 min | ~Y400 rail + park ~Y8,900-10,900 |
| Day 15 · Sep 18 | Kamata -> Narita (via Nippori Skyliner) | ~95-110 min | ~Y2,900 (N'EX ~Y3,000; leave ~4 hrs early) |