8 Days in Japan

8 days in Japan Timeline DAY 01 India to Tokyo Depart from India India (BOM)/(DEL) — Tokyo Narita (NRT) Duration: 7h 15min Arrive in Tokyo DAY 02 Tokyo 10:00am Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 11:30am 11 Naitōmachi, Shinjuku City, Tōkyō-to 160-0014, Japan Phone: +81 3-3350-0151 Wednesday open hours: 9am - 4:30pm Originally constructed for the private residence of "daimyo" (feudal lord) Naito in the Edo period, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden has served as a public park under the Ministry of the Environment since its reconstruction after World War II. Tour the park to see its three main sections: a traditional Japanese garden dotted with ponds intercepted by islands and bridges; a symmetrically planned French garden; and an English garden with sweeping lawns and cherry blossom trees. Stop by the greenhouse to inspect the permanent and special exhibits of tropical howers. Drive: 13min » 12:00pm Meiji Jingu Shrine 1:30pm 1-1 Yoyogikamizonochō, Shibuya City, Tōkyō-to 151-8557, Japan Phone: +81 3-3379-5511 Wednesday open hours: 5am - 6pm Pay your respects to the deihed Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, at Meiji Jingu Shrine, a Shinto shrine surrounded by a forested area crisscrossed with peaceful walking paths. At the temple itself, visitors give offerings, buy amulets and charms, and rehect on and write out their wishes. Walk through the treasure house to see belongings of the emperor and empress, and visit the museum annex next door, which hosts temporary exhibitions. Note that photography is not permitted within the temple’s halls. Drive: 14min » 2:00pm Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings 3:00pm 2-chōme-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tōkyō-to 163-8001, Japan Phone: +81 3-5321-1111 Wednesday open hours: 8:30am - 5pm Catch sweeping views of the city from one of the two public observation decks at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings. Completed in 1990, the postmodern building designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange references a Gothic cathedral. Inside, the governing bodies for the entire Tokyo metropolitan area have their headquarters. At 202 m (663 ft), the building's observation decks each contain a cafe and souvenir shop. One of them stays open late, providing glittering views of the skyline on clear nights. Drive: 16min » 3:30pm Tokyo Tower 5:00pm 4-chōme-2-8 Shibakōen, Minato City, Tōkyō-to 105-0011, Japan Phone: +81 3-3433-5111 Wednesday open hours: 9am - 11pm Symbolic of Japan’s economic rebirth after World War II, Tokyo Tower stands proudly at a height of 333 m (1,092.5 ft), dehning the Tokyo skyline with its orange and white stripes. This lattice steel tower, modeled on the Eiffel Tower, holds a communications tower and two observation decks. Reach the decks by elevator or by climbing the 600 stairs to take in a view of the city below. Directly beneath the tower, visit the four-story building that houses restaurants, souvenir shops, and an indoor amusement park. Drive: 17min » 5:30pm Owl cafe Akiba Fukurou 6:00pm 67 Kanda Neribeicho | Akiba Fukurou Bldg. 1F, Chiyoda 101-0022, Tokyo Prefecture Phone: +81 3-6206-4095 Wednesday open hours: 12pm - 6pm There's an unusual friend waiting to hang out with you over at Owl cafe Akiba Fukurou. Yes, owls of various shapes and sizes perch patiently here, ready to be held and petted. Much like Tokyo's popular cat cafes, in which the every day stresses of city life melt away in the company of a friendly creature, here you'll get an hour-long session with a room full of owls. As ambient mood music plays away from the neon lit, busy streets, you can move from owl to owl, aquainting yourself with the various breeds, and interacting with them in this novel establishment. Be aware that the owls may sometimes make a mess on you (which the staff will do their best to clean up), so consider wearing something you don't mind getting a little dirty. DAY 03 10:00am Odaiba 4:00pm Daiba, Daiba, Minato 135-0091, Tokyo Prefecture Roam the streets and malls of Odaiba, a popular Tokyo entertainment and shopping district situated on an artihcial island. Created in 1850, the island has experienced a revival in the late 20th century, becoming a prominent hotspot for shopping and leisure activities. Wander among tall skyscrapers and eclectic modern buildings, browse countless shops, or check out numerous dining options there. For a more laid-back outing, take a relaxing stroll on the beach boardwalk or have a picnic in the park. Drive: 22min » 4:30pm Senso-ji Temple 6:00pm 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito 111-0032, Tokyo Prefecture Phone: +81 3-3842-0181 Completed in 645 CE, Senso-ji Temple holds the status of being the oldest temple in Tokyo. The temple grounds contain an independent Buddhist temple and a Shinto shrine. Enter through the imposing Thunder Gate and walk the shopping street, lined with about 90 food and souvenir shops and dating back to the early 18th century, up to the main hall. The temple complex, including the main hall, contains buildings both historic and reconstructed since World War II. Don’t miss the hve-story pagoda and the garden and pond surrounding the "Demboin" (high priest’s residence). Tokyo to Kanazawa 6:30pm Depart from Tokyo Tokyo — Kanazawa Duration: 2h 30min 9:00pm Arrive in Kanazawa DAY 04 Kanazawa D C 10:00am Kanazawa Castle 11:30am Japan, 〒920-0937 Ishikawa-ken, Kanazawa-shi, Marunouchi, 1−1−番1号 Phone: +81 76-234-3800 Friday open hours: 9am - 4:30pm With its gardens, impressive walls, and carefully considered architectural features, Kanazawa Castle tells the story of the "daimyo" (regional lords) who lived in and ruled from its grounds. The castle complex features a stone watchtower, a massive warehouse, an ornate gate, and expansive landscaped gardens. Look up to see the castle's whitish roof tiles, which are made of lead and were allegedly melted into bullets in times of siege. Placards and signposts scattered around the grounds offer viewers more information in English and Japanese. Drive: 2min » 12:00pm Kenrokuen Garden 1:30pm 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa 920-0937, Ishikawa Prefecture Phone: +81 76-234-3800 Explore the natural scenery and nooks and crannies in Kenrokuen Garden, a sprawling park that once served as the outer gardens of Kanazawa Castle. Ponds, bridges, and teahouses punctuate the grounds, full of blossoming trees and walking trails. Look for Japan's oldest fountain, which operates via natural water pressure, and for Flying Geese Bridge, made of eleven individual stones that mimic geese hying in formation. A pedestrian way outside the garden's paid entrance is lined with picturesque shops and restaurants. Drive: 2min » 2:00pm Ishikawa Prefectural Museum for Traditional Products and Crafts 3:00pm 1-1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa-ken 920-0936, Japan Phone: +81 76-262-2020 3:00pm Seisonkaku Villa 3:30pm 1-2 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa-ken 920-0936, Japan Phone: +81 76-221-0580 Friday open hours: 9am - 5pm Drive: 10min » Higashichaya Old Town 4:00pm 4:30pm 1 Higashiyama, Kanazawa 920-0831, Ishikawa Prefecture Phone: +81 76-220-2194 Step back in time to an age of samurais and geishas at Higashichaya Old Town, one of the nation's most intact and best-preserved fortihed towns. Explore the historic district, dating from the Edo period, and marvel at its network of narrow streets lined with low, wood-paneled buildings. You'll pass small stores, cafes, and several historic teahouses that have stood there for centuries. Be sure to get off the main street to delve into the maze of back alleys crisscrossing the area. Drive: 8min » Omicho Market 5:00pm 6:00pm 50 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa 920-0905, Ishikawa Prefecture Phone: +81 76-231-1462 Peruse the day's seafood catch along with the locals at Omicho Market, a large venue selling fresh food in Kanazawa. Established in the mid-18th century, the market serves up produce, meat, hsh, and howers. Vendors will serve you samples of their wares in front of their stands, and the restaurants inside the market get especially busy around noon. Join the crowds to try the regional specialty, a rice bowl topped with Kanazawa seafood. Kanazawa to Kyoto 6:30pm Depart from Kanazawa Kanazawa — Kyoto Duration: 2h 30min 9:00pm Arrive in Kyoto DAY 05 Kyoto 10:00am Heian Shrine 11:00am 97 Okazaki Nishitennocho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8341, Kyoto Prefecture Phone: +81 75-761-0221 Saturday open hours: 6am - 5pm Noted for its scarlet tori gates, Heian Shrine remains one of the most important Shinto sites in Kyoto. Built in 1895 to celebrate the city’s 1,100th anniversary, and relatively new in comparison to similar religious sites, the shrine was designed to resemble a smaller replica of the original Heian Palace. Step into the complex through the large, vividly colored gate, and explore its picturesque grounds. Roam the courtyards and Chinese-style buildings, or, for a small fee, enter the gardens that encircle a large pond, and stroll along stone paths lined by weeping cherry trees and maples. Drive: 15min » 11:30am Kiyomizu-dera Temple 2:30pm 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama, Kyoto 605-0862, Kyoto Prefecture Phone: +81 75-551-1234 Have your wishes granted at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, an independent Buddhist temple and World Heritage Site dating back to 1633. Constructed during the Heian period, the main temple and its famous stage were built without using nails. From the stage, look out onto the treetops below and the view of Kyoto in the distance. In the temple complex, drink from the three streams of the Otowa waterfall, whose waters are believed to have wish-granting powers.

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