Japan Holiday

日本旅行

Kyoto & Tokyo · 8–21 November 2026

Mandeep · Tom · Jai
🗓️ counting down to Japan…

Trip Overview

Two weeks across Kyoto and Tokyo. Everyone meets in Tokyo on Sun 8 Nov, then the plan runs south to Kyoto and back.

November 2026
Tap a date to open that day’s itinerary
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8Land Tokyo
22Land UK
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Kyoto Tokyo Flights / arrival
Sun 8 Nov
Jai arrives Haneda 10:25 AM. Mandeep & Tom (A&C) arrive Narita 7:00 PM. Everyone stays in Tokyo overnight.
Mon 9 Nov
Travel to Kyoto (Shinkansen from Tokyo ~12pm). Drop luggage south, explore Fushimi & Gion.
9–12 Nov
Kyoto — south & Gion, Arashiyama & NW temples, Fushimi summit & Higashiyama upper, central.
12–19 Nov
Tokyo & onward exploring.
Fri 20 Nov
Jai departs Haneda 13:15 → London Heathrow 19:10.
Sat 21 Nov
Mandeep & Tom depart Narita 19:30 → Shanghai → London Gatwick (arr. Sun 22, 6:55).
At a glance
🛬 Arrive
Sunday 8 November — Tokyo
Jai lands Haneda mid-morning; Mandeep & Tom land Narita in the evening. First night together in Tokyo.
⛩️ Kyoto
Mon 9 – Thu 12 November
4 packed days: temples, bamboo grove, torii gates, Gion nightlife.
🗼 Tokyo
Thu 12 – Sat 21 November
Return to Tokyo for the second half of the trip.
🛫 Home
20th (Jai) & 21st (Mandeep & Tom)
Staggered departures from Haneda and Narita.
Accommodation (booked — Tokyo still provisional)
🗼 Tokyo
Arrival night · Sun 8 – Mon 9 Nov · Hotel House Lee
2 Chome-11-7 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0073, Japan.
⛩️ Kyoto
Mon 9 – Thu 12 Nov · Airbnb
4-chōme-432-6 Gojōbashihigashi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0846, Japan. Right by Kiyomizu-Gojo Station (Keihan Main Line) — ~10 min walk to Kiyomizu-dera, ~15 min to Gion.
🗼 Tokyo
Main stay · Thu 12 – Sat 21 Nov · name TBC
2-Chome-2-11 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan. Provisional — not yet re-verified against a live listing.

Flights & Logistics ✈️

Full routing for both parties, plus the key handover dates.

Flight details
Mandeep & Tom 2 people · Narita
OutboundSat 7 Nov · LHR 17:40 → PEK 11:25 (arr. Sun 8 Nov)
LayoverSun 8 Nov · PEK 11:25 → NRT 19:00
ArrivesNRT (Narita) · Sun 8 Nov, 19:00
ReturnSat 21 Nov · NRT 19:30 → PVG 22:15 · then Sun 22 Nov · PVG 2:25 → LGW 6:55
Arrive late evening Sun 8th into Narita.
Jai 1 person · Haneda
OutboundSat 7 Nov · LHR 11:45 (direct)
TransferDirect flight
ArrivesHND (Haneda) · Sun 8 Nov, 10:25
ReturnFri 20 Nov · HND 13:15 → LHR 19:10
Arrives ~9 hours before Mandeep & Tom on Sunday.
Key dates
Sun 8 Nov
Jai arrives Haneda 10:25 AM. Mandeep & Tom arrive Narita 7:00 PM. All stay in Tokyo overnight.
Mon 9 Nov
Shinkansen Tokyo → Kyoto ~12pm. Drop luggage south.
Fri 20 Nov
Jai leaves (Haneda).
Sat 21 Nov
Mandeep & Tom leave (Narita).

Kyoto 京都 · 4 days

Grouped by neighbourhood to minimise transit. Day 2 is the heavy-walking day — expect 15,000+ steps. Full sourcing for every venue below is in the Kyoto_Itinerary_Sources file.

Tap a day to open it, tap any stop for its map and a backup option if you're not up for it.

9
Mon · Fushimi
10
Tue · Arashiyama
11
Wed · Higashiyama
12
Thu · Central + depart
Day 1 · Mon 9 Nov Arrive Kyoto — Fushimi & Southern Higashiyama›
~12:0030 min 🧳 Drop luggage — Kyoto Station ›
Drop bags at the Airbnb — 4-chōme-432-6 Gojōbashihigashi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0846 (message host ahead) — or Crosta Kyoto at station (¥1000/bag delivery, drop off by 2pm). Coin lockers: ¥700 large, Hachijo Exit.
🚄 Shinkansen from Tokyo ~12pm
Not up for it? Skip the Crosta delivery (needs drop-off by 2pm) and just use the station coin lockers instead — no advance planning needed.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
12:30 pm45 min Kyoto Ramen Koji / 京都拉麺小路 (lunch) ›
10th floor of Kyoto Station — 8 regional ramen shops (Sapporo, Hakata, Kyoto shoyu and more). Buy a ticket from the vending machine outside your pick. Zero-detour lunch on arrival day.
📍 Kyoto Station, 10F
Not up for it? Kyoto Station's Isetan department store basement food hall (opposite side of the station) has bento and other quick options with zero extra transit.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
1:30 pm~2 hrs Fushimi Inari Taisha — lower loop ›
Iconic thousand red torii gates. Do the lower loop up to the Yotsutsuji viewpoint today; save the full summit hike for Day 3 when you're over jet lag. Open 24hrs, free entry.
📍 JR Nara Line, Kyoto Stn → Inari, 5 min (local trains only)
Not up for it? Just walk the first few hundred metres of torii gates up to Okusha and turn back — that's the classic photo, no need to push on to Yotsutsuji if legs are tired from the flight.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
4:00 pm~1.5 hrs Kiyomizu-dera + Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka ›
¥500 admission, open till 18:00 — easy timing after Fushimi Inari. Wander the old sloped streets below the temple for matcha sweets shops.
📍 Keihan: Fushimi-Inari → Gion-Shijo, ~15 min direct 🍵 Matcha sweets shops on Sannenzaka
Not up for it? Rainy or templed-out already? Kyoto National Museum is right next door and fully covered.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Eve Check in · Dinner & explore Gion ›
Settle into the Airbnb, then wander Gion for dinner and nightlife.
🦆 Gion Duck Noodles — duck tsukemen, 4.5★ Tripadvisor (queue likely) 🍸 L'Escamoteur (magic-show cocktails) or Bee's Knees (Asia's 50 Best Bars #76, walk-in only)
Not up for it? Big queue at Gion Duck Noodles? Gion Tanto's okonomiyaki counter nearby always has a line too, but it moves fast.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Day 2 · Tue 10 Nov Arashiyama & NW Kyoto›
09:4530 min %Arabica Arashiyama (coffee) ›
Arabica's global flagship store (8am–6pm), riverside just upstream of Togetsu-kyo Bridge. Allow ~45 min door to door from the Airbnb (leave ~09:00).
☕ %Arabica Kyoto Arashiyama
Not up for it? Queue too long? Skip it and walk straight up to Tenryu-ji.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
10:151 hr Tenryu-ji Sogenchi Garden → Bamboo Grove ›
¥500 garden-only, 8:30–17:00. One of Kyoto's finest Zen gardens — leave by the north gate and turn left, straight into the Bamboo Grove. The grove is busy by late morning; it's a short (~400 m) path, so walk it anyway.
🍲 ~11:15 lunch: Sagano / ゆどうふ 嵯峨野 (yudofu, opens 11:00, no reservations — arrive straight from the grove)
Not up for it? Another garden feeling repetitive? The hall's veranda view covers the highlight in about 10 minutes without the full walk-through.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
13:001 hr Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) / 金閣寺 ›
¥500, 9:00–17:00. The gold-leaf temple reflected in its pond — one of Kyoto's signature sights.
📍 Northwest Kyoto
Not up for it? Short on energy? The viewing path alone is a 20-minute loop — you don't need long here to get the classic view.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
14:3045 min Ryoan-ji / 龍安寺 ›
¥600, 8:00–17:00. Famous Zen rock garden. 18-min walk (or 5-min bus) from Kinkaku-ji.
📍 Northwest Kyoto
Not up for it? This is the most skippable stop of the day — if you've already done Tenryu-ji's garden this morning, feel free to head straight to dinner instead.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
18:0021:00 Dinner / nightlife — Pontocho, Central Kyoto ›
Head back to the centre for dinner and drinks along the lantern-lit alley.
🍢 Pontocho Alley (various yakitori/kappo counters) 🍸 Bar Rocking Chair (machiya cocktail bar) or Nokishita711 Book ahead — 4 seats/sitting
Not up for it? Didn't book Nokishita711 weeks ahead (it's reservation-only)? Bar Rocking Chair is walk-in friendly on the same stretch.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Day 3 · Wed 11 Nov Fushimi summit, Higashiyama Upper & Gion›
09:302 hrs Fushimi Inari — full hike to the summit ›
The deeper version this time. The lower gates are busy by mid-morning, but crowds thin out fast above the Yotsutsuji viewpoint where Day 1's loop stopped.
Not up for it? Not up for a 2-hour summit hike? Just re-walk the lower loop from Day 1 instead, or skip straight to brunch.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
11:301 hr Vermillion Cafe (brunch) ›
Espresso bar tucked right by the shrine; listed hours vary (roughly 9am to 3–5pm), and 11:30 is inside all of them. Praised for coffee quality and avocado/poached-egg toast; blankets provided for outdoor seating.
☕ Vermillion Cafe
Not up for it? If it's full, any of the small coffee stalls along the Fushimi Inari approach road cover the same coffee-and-a-snack basics.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
13:0045 min Kenninji Temple / 建仁寺 ›
¥800, opens 10:00, last entry 16:30 — comfortably fits here. Kyoto's oldest Zen temple; the Twin Dragons ceiling painting (108 tatami mats) is the highlight.
📍 Keihan: Fushimi-Inari → Gion-Shijo, ~15 min direct
Not up for it? Temple fatigue setting in? The Twin Dragons ceiling is the only must-see — a 15-minute look is enough if you're pressed for energy.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
14:1545 min Shogunzuka Seiryuden / 将軍塚青龍殿 ›
¥600, 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). A short taxi from Chion-in/Higashiyama — arguably the best panoramic view over Kyoto, and far less crowded than Kiyomizu-dera's platform.
Not up for it? Don't fancy the taxi out? The standard Kiyomizu-dera viewing platform from Day 1 covers similar ground if you didn't linger there.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Eve Dinner — Gion ›
Kichi Kichi's tableside omurice theatre by Chef Motokichi Yukimura is the headline pick — only 14 seats, so it needs an early reservation.
🍳 Kichi Kichi Omurice Book weeks ahead — 14 seats 🦆 Fallback: Gion Duck Noodles or Gion Tanto (okonomiyaki, walk-in queue)
Not up for it? No reservation at Kichi Kichi (it books out weeks ahead)? Fall back to Gion Duck Noodles again, or Gion Tanto's always-busy okonomiyaki counter.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Day 4 · Thu 12 Nov Central Kyoto & Departure›
10:001.25 hrs Nishiki Market / 錦市場 ›
"Kyoto's Kitchen" — many individual stalls close Sundays/Wednesdays, so Thursday works well. A 10:00 arrival still beats the late-morning crowds.
🍢 Street food stalls
Not up for it? Feels like one market too many? A slow hotel breakfast plus the coffee stop next door is a fine lighter substitute on a travel-day morning.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
11:1530 min Ogawa Coffee / 小川珈琲 ›
Kyoto's own roastery, founded 1952 — one of the city's three historic coffee houses. Sakaimachi Nishiki branch, a minute from the market, 7:00–20:00.
🔁 Optional swap: Kyoto Int'l Manga Museum (open Thu, ¥900) instead of lingering at the market — needs ~1.5 hrs, so only if you're trimming something else
Not up for it? Swap this stretch for the Kyoto International Manga Museum (¥900, open Thursdays) if someone would rather sit and browse — just needs ~1.5 hrs, so only if trimming Nishiki Market short.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
12:001 hr 🚄 Head to Kyoto Station — Shinkansen to Tokyo ›
Keep this morning genuinely light — it's a travel day, and Day 2 already used up the trip's heavy-walking budget.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps

Tokyo 東京 · 8 days + departures

Base is Shinjuku/Kabukicho, so every day leans on the Yamanote Line to cut transit. Day 4 (Asakusa + Akihabara until late) is the heavy-walking day. Full sourcing for every venue below is in the Tokyo_Itinerary_Sources file.

Tap a day to open it, tap any stop for its map and a backup option if you're not up for it.

12
Thu · arrive
13
Fri · Shibuya
14
Sat · Tsukiji
15
Sun · Asakusa
16
Mon · Hakone
17
Tue · Shimokita
18
Wed · Shinjuku
19
Thu · teamLab
20
Fri · Jai leaves ✈️
21
Sat · M&T leave ✈️
Day 1 · Thu 12 Nov Arrive from Kyoto — Shinjuku home turf›
Late PM~2.5 hrs 🚄 Shinkansen Kyoto → Tokyo → drop bags in Shinjuku ›
~2h15 on the Nozomi to Tokyo Station, then ~15 min to Shinjuku (JR Chuo Rapid or Yamanote). Drop bags at the apartment — 2-Chome-2-11 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021 (provisional) — then a first orientation walk through Kabukicho past the Godzilla head.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Eve Dinner + first night out — Omoide Yokocho ›
Ease in on home turf — everything tonight is on foot from the apartment. Trains stop ~00:30, so you walk home.
🍢 Omoide Yokocho ("Memory Lane") — tiny yakitori/motsu counters, no reservations 🍸 Optional: Golden Gai — start at Albatross (foreigner-friendly, ¥500 cover w/ snack)
Not up for it? Want to stay dry or keep it low-key? The restaurant floors inside Shinjuku Station (Lumine/NEWoMan) are a covered, no-fuss first dinner.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Day 2 · Fri 13 Nov Shibuya, Harajuku & Meiji Jingu›
10:001.25 hrs Meiji Jingu / 明治神宮 ›
Free. Opens at sunrise (~06:20 in Nov), closes ~16:20. Tokyo's grandest shrine in a forest of 100,000 donated trees — mornings are the calmest time on the gravel approaches.
📍 Shinjuku → Harajuku, 2 stops / ~4 min on the Yamanote
Not up for it? Short on energy? Yoyogi Park right next door gives similar forest calm with a lot less walking.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
11:151.75 hrs Takeshita-dori + Cat Street (Harajuku) ›
Takeshita's teen-fashion gauntlet, then the calmer, better Ura-Harajuku back lanes for streetwear and vintage.
🍜 Lunch: Fuunji (Yoyogi) — chicken-niboshi tsukemen, queue by noon, large size free; before 11:00 or after 14:00
Not up for it? Not in the mood for shopping streets? Head to Shibuya early instead and use the spare time at Shibuya Sky.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
14:302 hrs Shibuya Scramble + Hachiko + Shibuya Sky ›
Shibuya Sky rooftop (229 m): ¥2,700 before 15:00 / ¥3,400 from 15:00, open 10:00–22:30, last entry 21:20. Book a ~15:30–16:00 slot for daylight → sunset → city lights in one visit.
📍 Timed-entry — book online, slots sell out
Not up for it? If the rooftop deck is weather-closed (or you'd rather save the ¥2,700+), Shibuya Parco's Nintendo/Pokémon/Jump flagship stores and Miyashita Park are covered alternatives close by.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Eve Dinner + drinks — Nonbei Yokocho ›
Tiny two-storey bars/yakitori counters beside the Shibuya train tracks — a smaller, more local Golden Gai.
🍢 Nonbei Yokocho ("Drunkard's Alley") 🍸 Nightcap: The SG Club (Asia's 50 Best; casual "Guzzle" floor is walk-in friendly)
Not up for it? Nonbei Yokocho is tiny and fills up fast — if there's no room, the bigger izakaya chains around Shibuya Center Gai are a 5-minute walk away.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Day 3 · Sat 14 Nov Tsukiji, Ginza & Tokyo Station›
09:302 hrs Tsukiji Outer Market / 築地場外市場 ›
460+ stalls. A 09:30 arrival catches the tail of the best 08:00–10:00 window — half the top stalls sell out by ~11:00, so hit your must-tries first. Closed Sundays & scattered Wednesdays, so Saturday is the safe call. Graze across stalls: tamagoyaki, uni, grilled seafood, standing sushi.
🍣 Breakfast-grazing across the market
Not up for it? Missed the early window or stalls already sold out? Toyosu Market (Day 8) covers similar fresh-seafood ground later in the trip.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
11:002 hrs Ginza — flagship stores ›
~15-min walk from Tsukiji. Ginza Six, the Uniqlo & Muji flagships (Muji has a bakery), the Itoya stationery megastore.
🌳 Optional: Imperial Palace East Gardens (free, open Sat — closed Mon & Fri)
Not up for it? Not a shopping crowd? Skip straight to the free Imperial Palace East Gardens for green space instead (open today, closed Mon & Fri).
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
13:001.5 hrs Tokyo Station Marunouchi ›
The restored 1914 red-brick facade, then the basement Character Street / Ramen Street if you're peckish.
Not up for it? Feet done for the day? Skip Character Street and just photograph the red-brick facade from Marunouchi Square — five minutes, no queue.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Eve Cocktails — Ginza ›
Do an early casual bite in Ginza first, then a quiet drink at Bar Lupin. Bring cash and ID.
🍸 Bar Lupin — Ginza basement bar open since 1928, dim and old-school Walk-in · cash only · bring ID · no shorts/sandals
Not up for it? Lupin full or closed (it shuts Sun & Mon, 23:30 close)? Try Ginza Music Bar (from 19:00, no cover) nearby instead.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Day 4 · Sun 15 Nov Asakusa & Akihabara day-into-night — heavy-walking day›
09:302 hrs Senso-ji / 浅草寺 + Nakamise-dori ›
Free; grounds 24h, main hall 06:30–17:00. Enter via the Kaminarimon giant lantern; arriving ~09:30 keeps you ahead of the late-morning crush.
🍲 Lunch: Asakusa Imahan Honten (Kokusai-dori) — century-old sukiyaki house; lunch 11:30–14:30, open every day. Arrive at 11:30 opening — lunch can end early when the queue is long.
Not up for it? Imahan queue too long? Graze the snack stalls along Nakamise-dori instead and save the sit-down meal for Tonkatsu Marugo tonight.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
13:001.5 hrs Tech & cameras — Yodobashi-Akiba ›
Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba (1 min from the Showa-dori exit, 09:30–22:00, tax-free): cameras, PC/tech, games, watches (Seiko, Grand Seiko, Citizen, G-Shock), toys & LEGO. Chuo-dori outside is car-free Sun 13:00–17:00 (Oct–Mar).
📍 Asakusa → Ueno ~5 min (Ginza Line); Ueno → Akihabara 3 min (Yamanote)
Not up for it? Ueno/Ameyoko was dropped from this day to give Akihabara the time — Ameyoko is 3 min away on the Yamanote if you want to swap it in.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
14:302.25 hrs PC parts, electronics & cameras ›
Tsukumo eX. (4-4-1 Sotokanda, black building on Chuo-dori, PC parts basement–6F, listed 10:00–22:00 daily). Dospara Akihabara (Rock 2 Bldg, 3-11-2 Sotokanda, listed 11:00–20:00). Kitamura Used Purchase Center (4-5-5 Sotokanda, used cameras/lenses & film bodies, listed 10:30–19:30). Optional: Radio Center (1-14-2 Sotokanda, electronic components under the tracks, listed 10:00–19:00; some shops may be shut Sundays) and Thanko Raremono Shop (4-6-3 Sotokanda, USB gadgets, listed Sun 11:00–19:00).
Not up for it? Short on time? Tsukumo eX. + Kitamura cover PC parts and cameras; skip Dospara and the optional stops. Check shop hours on the day.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
17:001.25 hrs Dinner — Tonkatsu Marugo (Akihabara) ›
Michelin Bib Gourmand tonkatsu; listed open Wed–Sun 11:30–15:00 & 17:00–21:00, last order ~20:00 (Sunday open). Always queues — be at the door by ~16:45.
🍽 Tonkatsu Marugo — thick-cut pork cutlet; done by ~18:15
Not up for it? Queue too long? Any izakaya or restaurant on the Chuo-dori side streets near the station works — but Marugo's last order is ~20:00, so don't leave it late.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
18:151.25 hrs Retro games & American comics ›
Super Potato (Kitabayashi Bldg 3F–5F, 1-11-2 Sotokanda; retro consoles Famicom → PS1, playable retro arcade on 5F; 10:00–20:00 weekends, some listings say 22:00). Then Toy & Comic Garimpeiro (KENT Bldg 1F, 6-10-12 Sotokanda, ~3 min from Suehirocho Stn): imported Marvel, DC & Star Wars figures/comics — listed 11:00–20:00 on one source, 13:00–20:00 on another. Optional spill-over: Mandarake Complex (3-11-12 Sotokanda, 12:00–20:00), Radio Kaikan (10:00–20:00, Uchuusen American figures).
Not up for it? Garimpeiro is the Marvel/DC priority — if Super Potato runs long, do Garimpeiro first. Check shop hours on the day.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
19:303 hrs Arcades — GiGO, HEY & more ›
Shops shut, arcades open to ~23:30. GiGO Akihabara 3 (1-11-11 Sotokanda, 7 floors, 10:00–23:30; 6F 'Retro G' = rare 80s/90s cabinets). HEY Akihabara (Taito's orange building, ~3 min from the Electric Town exit, 10:00–23:30; shooting games). Optional Silk Hat Akihabara (9 floors, crane/rhythm games, giant Gundam EXVS2 setup; listed 10:00–24:00, single source). Bring ¥100 coins.
📍 Akihabara → Shinjuku: JR Chuo-Sobu line, ~20 min — check the last train if you stay past 23:00
Not up for it? Not into arcades after a long day? Kanda Myojin shrine (7-min uphill walk) or head home early — nothing else is booked.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Day 5 · Mon 16 Nov Day trip — Hakone (onsen, Lake Ashi & Mt Fuji)›
~09:30~85 min Odakyu Romancecar — Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto ›
Direct limited express, ~3 departures an hour — aim for one around 09:30 (arrive Yumoto ~11:00). Reserve seats (right side, C/D, for Mt Fuji). Buy the Hakone Freepass digitally (EMot app / Klook) to skip the morning queue — it covers the whole loop.
🎟️ Reserve Romancecar seats + Freepass ahead
Not up for it? Missed booking a reserved seat? Odakyu also runs cheaper non-reserved trains to Odawara with a local connection to Hakone-Yumoto — slower, and no guaranteed Fuji-side seat.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Daythe loop Gora → Owakudani → Lake Ashi → Moto-Hakone ›
~11:00–15:30. Ropeway runs ~09:00–16:45 and the pirate ships until ~17:00 in November, so a late-morning start still fits — just don't linger past mid-afternoon. Mountain railway to Gora, cablecar to Sounzan, ropeway over the Owakudani volcanic valley (black eggs boiled in the hot springs), then a pirate-ship cruise across Lake Ashi to the Hakone Shrine lake torii. Peak autumn foliage in November.
🥚 Owakudani black eggs · soba around Gora/Yumoto
Not up for it? If the ropeway is closed (high wind/volcanic gas does happen), the Freepass substitute buses cover the same route, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum (indoor, Picasso pavilion) is a solid all-weather anchor near Gora.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Late PM Onsen, then Romancecar back ›
Hakone Yuryo near Yumoto has private-rental baths (good for a group — sidesteps the no-visible-tattoos rule of public baths). Easy dinner near home after.
☔ Backup if the ropeway is wind/gas-closed: substitute buses + Hakone Open-Air Museum
Not up for it? Not fussed about an onsen? Skip straight to an early dinner near Hakone-Yumoto station before the Romancecar back.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Day 6 · Tue 17 Nov Shimokitazawa & Nakameguro — lighter, browse-paced›
10:303 hrs Shimokitazawa / 下北沢 ›
7 min from Shinjuku. Tokyo's indie/vintage capital — no chain stores on the main lanes. Chicago, Flamingo, New York Joe Exchange (vintage inside a former bathhouse). Graze the cafés/curry spots for lunch.
Not up for it? Vintage shopping not your thing today? Just spend the extra time in Nakameguro instead — no need to do both at full length.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
14:303 hrs Nakameguro / 中目黒 ›
The cool-but-calmer canal neighbourhood. Stroll the Meguro River promenade, design shops and galleries, and the multi-floor Starbucks Reserve Roastery flagship.
Not up for it? Rainy or not up for a riverside walk? The indoor multi-floor Starbucks Reserve Roastery alone covers the neighbourhood's main draw.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Eve Dinner + drinks ›
Nakameguro riverside izakaya/yakitori, then optionally back toward Shibuya, or a proper Golden Gai round now you know the lay of the land.
🍢 Nakameguro riverside izakaya 🍸 Golden Gai — Bar Plastic Model / Cambiare (English-friendly)
Not up for it? Not another late night? Skip Golden Gai and head straight back to Shinjuku for an early night — it isn't going anywhere.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Day 7 · Wed 18 Nov West Shinjuku, Shinjuku Gyoen & a big cocktail night›
10:001 hr Tokyo Metropolitan Gov Building — free observation decks ›
Nishi-Shinjuku, 202 m, free — a no-cost rival to the paid towers. Nightly "Tokyo Night & Light" projection show on the facade if you come back after dark.
Not up for it? Energy low? It's free and skippable — the nightly light show on the building's facade can be seen from outside without going up at all.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
11:002 hrs Shinjuku Gyoen / 新宿御苑 ›
¥500. Closed Mondays — open today. One of Tokyo's best gardens (Japanese/English/French sections), with autumn foliage in mid-to-late November. 10 min from the apartment.
🍜 Lunch: Shinjuku ramen — Ichiran Kabukicho (solo-booth tonkotsu) or any West-Exit shop
Not up for it? Not a garden day? The Metro Gov observation deck (previous stop) or extra time browsing Don Quijote covers the same slot.
🗺️ Open in Google Maps
Evethe crawl Cocktail crawl — Nishi-Shinjuku (all walkable from home) ›
All three are Sunday-closed, so a Wednesday works. Benfiddich & Zoetrope are tiny (9–15 seats) — arrive at opening with a group of three.
🥃 Bar Zoetrope — 300+ Japanese whiskies (from 17:00) 🌿 Bar Benfiddich — foraged-botanical cocktails, 9 seats (from 18:00) 🎷 Optional: New York Bar, Park Hyatt 52F Cover after 20:00 · smart dress
Not up for it? Benfiddich/Zoetrope are tiny (9–15 seats) and can turn away groups without warning — New York Bar at the Park Hyatt (cover charge, smart dress) is a reservation-friendly backup with guaranteed seating.
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Day 8 · Thu 19 Nov teamLab Planets + Toyosu / Odaiba, last big night›
~10:00booked slot teamLab Planets TOKYO / チームラボプラネッツ (Toyosu) ›
Barefoot, wade-through digital-art rooms; open 08:30–22:00, last entry 60 min before close. You get wet to the knee — bring shorts/roll-up trousers. Expanded in 2026; runs to end of 2027.
🎟️ Timed tickets from ¥3,800, on sale ~late-Aug for Nov and SELL OUT — book first
Not up for it? No tickets left (they sell out back in August)? Toyosu Market's tuna-auction viewing decks right next door are a solid non-ticketed substitute for the morning slot.
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PM3 hrs Toyosu Market or Odaiba waterfront ›
Toyosu Market (tuna-auction viewing decks + fresh sushi) is a short walk, or hop the Yurikamome to Odaiba: the Unicorn Gundam statue at DiverCity and Rainbow Bridge views.
📍 teamLab is ~10 min from Shin-Toyosu on the Yurikamome; Odaiba chains off the same line
Not up for it? These are already an either/or choice — if Toyosu's market smells aren't your thing, just take the Yurikamome straight on to Odaiba's waterfront instead.
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Eve Final big night — Kabukicho ›
Last night all three together. Yakiniku/izakaya group dinner, a Golden Gai farewell round, karaoke (Karaoke Kan / Big Echo) or a Kabukicho club — blow it out; tomorrow Jai flies.
🎤 Karaoke / 🍸 Golden Gai / 🥩 yakiniku
Not up for it? Not up for a big blowout? An easy Kabukicho izakaya dinner and an early night works just as well as a send-off.
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Day 9 · Fri 20 Nov Jai flies home + a relaxed day for two›
~10:00✈️ Jai → Haneda (13:15 flight → London Heathrow 19:10) ›
Leave Shinjuku by ~10:00 — Toei/Keikyu via Shinagawa or the Airport Limousine bus from Shinjuku (~45–75 min). Sort checkout/bags the night before.
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DayMandeep & Tom Relaxed day for two — pick one ›
Option A: Yanaka / Yanesen old town — Nippori → Yanaka Ginza street food → Nezu Shrine's red-torii corridor → Sendagi. Low-key half-day, mostly walking.
Option B: Kamakura day trip — JR Yokosuka Line ~1 hr; the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in (enter for ¥50) + Hase-dera. Only if legs are fresh after Hakone.
Not up for it? Already an either/or — if Kamakura (Option B) feels like too much after Hakone, Yanaka (Option A) is the deliberately lower-key choice, mostly on foot.
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Eve Last night as a pair ›
An easy Kabukicho izakaya + a final Golden Gai round.
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Day 10 · Sat 21 Nov Departure (Mandeep & Tom)›
AM Light morning — last souvenirs ›
Don Quijote Kabukicho (24h, 2 min from home), a final coffee/ramen, anything the week missed within Shinjuku.
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~15:30✈️ 🚄 Narita Express → Narita (19:30 flight → Shanghai → London Gatwick) ›
N'EX direct from Shinjuku (~80 min) or Keisei via Nippori. Leave the apartment ~15:30–16:00 (~3.5 hrs before departure + the train). Pre-book the N'EX seat.
Not up for it? No N'EX seat booked? The cheaper Keisei route via Nippori covers the same journey without a reservation, just slower.
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