1)
Figure out what
do YOU want to see?
I usually do this by finding out what are the top tourist
destinations & then adjust it to what I like. Then I look for off the beaten
path (museums, animals, shopping, shows, experiences & food)
I develop an A-list (must do’s), a B-list for if there’s
time and I’m ready to be flexible based on weather. (Okay I also have a C &
D-list but I’m a bit special with my anxiety of missing something.)
2)
Get your phone
a SIM card at the airport or look into ways of getting WIFI (portable devices).
It makes getting around easier (Google maps tells you not only driving directions
but which trains & buses)
3)
Figure out if
you need the train pass getting it while you’re in your country is cheaper. If
a 21 day pass for JR Line (includes most of where our travels take us is $750
if I were to purchase separate tix in Japan it would be 3x the cost.)
4)
Timing: Only plan
for 4-6 hours of planned activities for each day because things happen when you
are traveling. You may find a wonderful something and you want time to explore
or experience the unexpected. This way you can get lost and enjoy without
rushing. Those are some of the best experiences. Plus down time keeps you sane
so you can remain stable and rested for you can truly have a lovely time.
5)
Shit happens.
It SUCKS! You’ve paid a lot of money for the vacation and you want to enjoy
every second of it. Unfortunately, life happens and all you can do is make the
best of it and find the joy in the unexpected and if nothing else your misery
will make a great story. (While it’s happening, I envision the creative way I will
explain the fuckery.)
6)
Being prepared
for some of the what if’s can help avoid some of the downsides. Find out what
they are ahead of time. (Ex. I knew Cambodia’s sun would be brutal from 1130 to
330… we arranged are exploring to pre-dawn and were having breakfast by 1030am,
spent lovely afternoons in bed or swimming in a shaded pool and would go out at
330 until twilight. It was rather magical.)
7)
Getting your
ass out of bed. There’s a reason it’s crowded by late morning that’s when
everyone does things… get up and get there early. You’re experience will be so
much richer. BTW you’re already jetlag so use it to your advance.
8)
Find happiness
in the experience
9) Download google translate and make a basic list of words to practice (please, thank you, hello, where's the bathroom, excuse me) and make a favorite list of words of other things related to food, medical, clothing, questions, etc.
10) Make sure to have a taxi card of the hotel.
11) Have copies of your passport and leave one with a friend who can fax it if need be.
12) Use basic safety: money in two places, lock your valuables in a safe at the hotel, etc.
This is my itinerary. We've been 2x to Japan before for business trips with long weekends but this is the 1st time we're going for 21 days for just pleasure!
Tokyo:
Staying right
in Ikebujuro (Staying for 8 days & back for a day at the very end of the
trip) Centurion Hotel Ikebujuro
*Animate &
Otome Road (Yaoi Central)
*Ikebujuro
District
*Tsukiji Fish
Market
*The Pokemon
Center
*Harajuku
District (*Takeshita- cosplay & boutique Takeshita distinct btw Meiji-dori &
Harajuka on Sundays)
*The Robot
Restaurant: (http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/pc/?lng=en)
*Japanese Folk
Crafts Museum
* Tokyo
National Museum (maybe if time)
*Purkura (print club
funny photo shots)
*Japanese
Sword Museum
*Shinjuku= neon lights
*Shibuya
Scramble = crosswalk
of 3,000 people every light
Cafes :
*The Butler’s
Café = Ikebukuro Boys Love Academy (in Japanese 池袋男子BL学園Ikebukuro
Danshi BL Gakuen or even shorter called Ike-Gaku)
*The Owl Café
*Akiba Fukurou
Owl Cafe
*Ikebukuro
Cafe
*Cafe Baron
*Tori no Iru
Cafe
*The Vampire
Café
PENIS FESTIVAL
1.5 days
(Hotel within
walking distance of the festival... we'll be there extremely early cause I
don't want them to run out of penises... you know you've got to be careful of
such things! LOL)
Karatsu:
Yuri On Ice 2 days
Scott found a
chef who LOVES Yuri on Ice who hopefully we'll get reservations at his
restaurant (this is our one big expensive meal... this fan has a Michelin
Star!!! Which I find fantastic and crazy because he gives you baskets of
plushies to decorate your placemat with LOLOL)
We have an
actual guide to ensure we find all the places they show in the anime (shopping
arcade, the onsen, restaurants, etc.)
The town is on
the beach so that should be relaxing & there's this weird creepy black tree
forest right next to our hotel that we want to see. (Who knew… I did cause I
stalked the hell out of the location.
Kyoto:
6 days
*Kyoto Handicraft Center
*Arashiyama (Bamboo
forest) & Iwatayama Monkey Park (on Mt. Arashiyama) near Otagi
Nenbutsuji Temple
*Kiyomizu-dera (Temple
on the Mountain) (6a-6p) ((Lit in evenings during cherry blossom)
*Sanjusangen-do (Temple 1001
life-sized Goddess Kannon statues)
*Kinkaku-ji
*Gion
*Philosopher’s
Path
Nishiki Market (food hall)
Aritsugu=knife shop & Zohiko=lacquer ware
Higashi
Honganji (whimsical
dragon fountains) (maybe)
Kyoto
International Museum (maybe)
Eating:
*Pontocho
Alley for dinners
*Kaboku
Tearoom
Side trip to
Nara for the deer park & temples
Osaka:
1 day &
overnight
Dotonbori: neon
nightlife
Osaka Castle
Back to Tokyo
for the final evening.
At the time of this post hopefully we'll be returning from an amazing trip or I'll have lots of terrible stories to tell in creative ways.
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