14 day itinerary for Japan

Itinerary

Japan is a fantastic destination, especially for anime and manga lovers, and there’s so much delicious food to enjoy. Here’s a fun-filled 14-day itinerary that balances your interests in anime, manga, food, and must-visit places. Let’s dive in!

## Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

• Morning: Arrive at Narita or Haneda Airport. Check into your hotel in Shinjuku or Shibuya.
• Afternoon: Explore Shibuya. Don’t miss the iconic Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue.
• Evening: Dinner at an izakaya (Japanese pub) in Shinjuku. Try some yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and sake!

## Day 2: Akihabara & Ueno

• Morning: Head to Akihabara, the mecca for anime and manga. Visit stores like Animate, Mandarake, and the Gundam Café.
• Afternoon: Grab lunch at a themed café (like a maid café or a cat café). Then, stroll through Ueno Park and visit the Tokyo National Museum.
• Evening: Dinner at a ramen shop in Ueno. Try the local specialty!

## Day 3: Harajuku & Shinjuku

• Morning: Explore Harajuku. Visit Takeshita Street for quirky shops and crepes.
• Afternoon: Check out the Meiji Shrine, a peaceful escape from the bustling city.
• Evening: Head back to Shinjuku for a night out. Explore Golden Gai, a collection of tiny bars, and enjoy some drinks!

## Day 4: Day Trip to Nikko

• All ## Day: Take a day trip to Nikko (about 2 hours from Tokyo). Visit the stunning Toshogu Shrine and enjoy the beautiful nature. Don’t forget to try yuba (tofu skin) for lunch!
• Evening: Return to Tokyo and relax at your hotel.

## Day 5: Kyoto

• Morning: Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto (about 2.5 hours). Check into your hotel.
• Afternoon: Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and stroll through its beautiful gardens.
• Evening: Dinner at a traditional kaiseki restaurant. Experience the multi-course meal!

## Day 6: Kyoto Temples & Gion

• Morning: Explore Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its thousands of red torii gates.
• Afternoon: Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple and enjoy the view of the city.
• Evening: Head to Gion, the geisha district. Enjoy dinner and keep an eye out for geisha!

## Day 7: Nara Day Trip

• All ## Day: Take a short train ride to Nara. Visit Todai-ji Temple and Nara Park, where you can feed the friendly deer.
• Evening: Return to Kyoto for dinner. Try some local specialties like yudofu (tofu hot pot).

## Day 8: Osaka

• Morning: Travel to Osaka (about 15 minutes from Kyoto). Check into your hotel.
• Afternoon: Explore Dotonbori, famous for its neon lights and street food. Try takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes).
• Evening: Visit the Umeda Sky Building for stunning views of the city.

## Day 9: Universal Studios Japan

• All ## Day: Spend the day at Universal Studios Japan! Don’t miss the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the attractions based on popular anime.
• Evening: Enjoy dinner at a themed restaurant in Universal City Walk.

## Day 10: Hiroshima & Miyajima

• Morning: Take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima (about 1.5 hours). Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
• Afternoon: Take a ferry to Miyajima Island to see the famous floating torii gate.
• Evening: Try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki for dinner before heading back to Osaka.

## Day 11: Back to Tokyo

• Morning: Return to Tokyo via Shinkansen. Check into your hotel.
• Afternoon: Visit Nakano Broadway, a treasure trove for anime and manga merchandise.
• Evening: Dinner in Nakano. Try some sushi or a local izakaya.

## Day 12: Odaiba & TeamLab Borderless

• Morning: Head to Odaiba, a futuristic island. Visit the teamLab Borderless digital art museum.
• Afternoon: Explore DiverCity Tokyo Plaza and see the giant Gundam statue.
• Evening: Enjoy dinner at a themed restaurant in Odaiba, like the Robot Restaurant.

## Day 13: Yokohama Day Trip

• All ## Day: Take a train to Yokohama (about 30 minutes). Visit the Cup Noodles Museum and the beautiful Minato Mirai area.
• Evening: Try some ramen at the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum before heading back to Tokyo.

## Day 14: Last Day in Tokyo

• Morning: Last-minute shopping in Shibuya or Harajuku. Pick up souvenirs and manga!
• Afternoon: Visit the Tokyo Skytree for panoramic views of the city.
• Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a nice restaurant. Celebrate your trip with some delicious sushi or a teppanyaki experience!

Departure

• Head to the airport for your flight home, filled with amazing memories and maybe a few new manga to read on the way!

This itinerary is packed with fun, food, and all things anime and manga! Enjoy your trip, and don’t forget to take lots of photos! 🌸✨