From Narita Airport, allow roughly 2½–3 hours to reach your APA Hotel, including immigration, baggage collection, and the train journey. The Keisei Skyliner toward Ueno is usually the quickest option for central Tokyo; from Haneda Airport, the Keikyu Line is generally simplest, taking about 30–45 minutes depending on the hotel’s exact location. Leave the airport with an IC card such as Suica or PASMO if available, and keep your passport handy for hotel check-in. After dropping your bags, take a short break—your first evening will be much more enjoyable without rushing straight into sightseeing.
Head to Tokyo Skytree in Sumida for the late-afternoon light and an excellent first look at Tokyo’s scale. From central Tokyo, allow approximately 30–45 minutes by train, and reserve a timed ticket for the Tembo Deck or Tembo Galleria if you want to go up; same-day availability can be limited, especially around sunset. Plan about 1½ hours here, then wander through Tokyo Solamachi, the shopping and dining complex at the tower’s base. It is an easy place for a first casual meal, with options generally costing ¥1,000–2,500 per person.
Afterward, take the short train or taxi ride toward Kappabashi Dougu Street in Asakusa. The street is atmospheric in the evening, but many specialist kitchenware shops close around 5–6 PM, so treat this as a brief walk for the illuminated storefronts rather than expecting every shop to be open. Finish with dinner at Asakusa Yokocho, where you can sample approachable Japanese dishes and drinks in a lively food-hall setting; budget around ¥2,000–4,000 per person. Since this is your arrival night, return to the APA Hotel afterward rather than adding another stop, and keep some flexibility in case airport formalities or jet lag delay the start.
Start at Tsukiji Outer Market around 8:00–8:30 AM, when the food stalls are lively but before the narrow lanes become most crowded. Give yourself about two hours for grilled seafood, tamagoyaki, fruit, and a casual breakfast; bring cash, since some small vendors still prefer it, and eat beside the stall rather than walking while eating. The market’s individual businesses keep different hours and may close once sold out, so arriving early is more reliable than aiming for a particular shop. From Tsukiji Outer Market, walk about 10–15 minutes to Hamarikyu Gardens.
Spend late morning in Hamarikyu Gardens, an especially pleasant pause after the market noise. The garden generally opens around 9:00 AM, with admission roughly ¥300; allow 1–1½ hours for the ponds, bridges, and tidal seawater garden. If you want tea, the teahouse is a good place to slow down, though service can be limited outside its regular daytime hours. Exit toward Shiodome and take the Yurikamome one stop or walk approximately 15 minutes toward Ginza.
Have a relaxed afternoon at GINZA SIX, where the striking atrium, contemporary retail, cafés, and rooftop garden give you an easy indoor option if the November air is chilly. Most shops are typically open about 10:30 AM–8:30 PM, while restaurants keep later hours; allow around 1½ hours, and check the rooftop access on arrival because hours can vary. From there, walk roughly five minutes to Itoya Ginza on Chuo-dori. Even if you are not buying anything, browse the floors for Japanese paper goods, pens, notebooks, and gift wrapping; the main store generally runs from late morning into the evening, but individual floors can vary.
For dinner, walk about 8–10 minutes to Ginza Kagari, known for rich chicken-paitan ramen rather than a sprawling menu. Budget approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person and expect a queue, particularly around 6:00–7:30 PM; arriving a little before the dinner rush is your best chance of keeping the evening easy. The restaurant’s exact hours and queue arrangements can change, so check its current listing that day. After dinner, Ginza is ideal for an unhurried stroll around Yurakucho and the illuminated department-store facades before returning to your APA Hotel by subway or taxi.
From your APA Hotel, head to Meiji Jingu by train toward Harajuku or Meiji-jingumae; allow about 30–45 minutes door to door, depending on the hotel branch. Arrive around 8:00 AM, when the wooded approach is especially peaceful and before the larger tour groups arrive. Set aside roughly 1½ hours for the gravel paths, shrine buildings, sake-barrel displays, and seasonal foliage. Entry to the grounds is free; wear comfortable shoes, as the walk from the station and through the forest is longer than it first appears.
Continue on foot to Takeshita Street, about 10–15 minutes away. The compact shopping street is best explored late morning, when its crepe stands, character-goods shops, vintage clothing stores, and colorful snack counters are open. Allow an hour, but expect slow progress once the crowds build. For a quick treat, try a freshly made crepe or a cheese-filled snack rather than planning a full sit-down meal here; keep bags close in the busiest stretches.
Walk or take the Tokyo Metro from Meiji-jingumae toward 表参道 (Omote-sando), then continue a few minutes to the Nezu Museum in Aoyama. The trip takes roughly 15–20 minutes, and the museum is a good counterpoint to Harajuku’s energy: allow two hours for its Japanese and East Asian art collection and beautifully landscaped garden. Check the museum’s current opening schedule before leaving, since it commonly closes on Mondays and may have exhibition-specific hours. Admission is generally around ¥1,500–2,000, and the garden is worth saving for the end of your visit.
From Nezu Museum, walk about 25 minutes or take a short taxi ride to Shibuya Sky. Aim to arrive 20–30 minutes before your reserved sunset slot for security and elevator queues. Timed admission should be booked in advance through the official website; sunset tickets often sell out, and rooftop access can close temporarily in strong wind or rain. Plan about 1½ hours for the open-air observation deck and indoor levels, with views across Shibuya and central Tokyo. Afterward, walk roughly 10 minutes to Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka for dinner. The conveyor-belt sushi restaurant uses tablet ordering and is quick and casual; budget approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person, though a queue is common at peak dinner time.
Start at Imperial Palace East Gardens around 9:00 AM. From most APA Hotel branches in central Tokyo, allow 30–45 minutes by subway or JR, plus a short walk; the most convenient entrances are usually Otemachi Gate or Hirakawamon Gate. Spend about 90 minutes among the former Edo Castle stone walls, gardens, and seasonal foliage. Admission is free, but check the Imperial Household Agency closure calendar before setting out—regular closures and special palace events can affect access. The gardens may also close in poor weather, so keep your morning flexible.
Walk toward the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Station Building afterward, about 15–20 minutes through Marunouchi. Give yourself 45 minutes to admire the restored red-brick façade and photograph it from Marunouchi Plaza; the best wide view is from the plaza facing the station. For lunch, stay nearby rather than crossing town: the basement food halls at Daimaru Tokyo or the restaurants around Marunouchi Nakadori offer everything from sushi and soba to more relaxed café meals, generally ¥1,000–2,500.
After lunch, visit the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum for roughly 90 minutes. It is only a short walk from Tokyo Station, near Marunouchi Nakadori, and is particularly good for a quieter cultural break after the palace grounds. Because exhibitions and opening days change, verify the current program and ticket availability before going; allow extra time if you plan to use the museum shop or café. From there, take the subway or a taxi to teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills—roughly 15–25 minutes depending on the connection and traffic. Your timed ticket is essential, and arriving 15–20 minutes early is wise; the experience takes about two hours, with dim rooms, uneven floors, and plenty of walking.
Finish with dinner at Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu, a lively izakaya known for its atmospheric interior and grilled dishes. From Azabudai Hills, allow about 15–20 minutes by taxi, or roughly 25–35 minutes by subway and walking. Expect around ¥4,000–7,000 per person, and reserve ahead if possible, especially on a Saturday evening. After dinner, return to your APA Hotel by taxi for convenience, or use the nearest subway station; a taxi is often worth it late in the evening if your hotel is outside central Tokyo.
Leave your APA Hotel around 7:15–7:30 AM and make your way to Tokyo Station for the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura. The direct train takes about 55–60 minutes, but allow roughly 1–1½ hours door to door for reaching the platform and possible weekend crowds. No reservation is normally needed; an IC card works, and the fare is about ¥950 each way. Start at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura’s most important shrine, around 9:00 AM. Walk up the broad approach from the station and allow about an hour for the main grounds, ponds, and shrine buildings. November foliage should be beginning to show, though the shrine will be busier than on a weekday.
From the shrine, walk down Komachi-dori Street, allowing about 1½ hours to browse the small shops and snack stalls. It is an easy place to try Kamakura specialties such as shirasu, sweet bean pastries, and freshly made rice crackers, but avoid filling up entirely on samples. For lunch, look for a small set-meal or shirasu restaurant just off the main street, where queues are usually shorter than at the most photographed storefronts. Keep some cash available, and remember that the pedestrian street can become very congested around midday.
Take the Enoden from Kamakura Station to Hase—about five minutes, plus waiting and walking—and visit Hasedera first. Allow around 1½ hours for the temple gardens, hillside paths, and views toward the bay; there are stairs, so comfortable shoes help. Continue on foot for roughly 10 minutes to the Kamakura Daibutsu, the enormous bronze Buddha at Kotoku-in. About 45 minutes is enough to see the statue and grounds, with a small additional charge if the interior is open. The temple typically closes in the late afternoon, so keep this order rather than delaying the Buddha until evening.
Return toward Kamakura Station and, if you are ready for dinner, stop at Matsubara-an for soba before catching the train back to Tokyo. Budget approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person; allow time for a possible queue. Take the JR Yokosuka Line back to Tokyo Station and allow 1–1½ hours overall to return to your hotel. Aim to leave Kamakura around 5:30–6:00 PM, since weekend trains and the station can be crowded, especially after sunset.
Check out of your APA Hotel early enough to reach Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station by about 7:30 AM. Allow 45–60 minutes from the hotel for local transit, finding the correct Shinkansen gate, and buying breakfast or drinks for the train; keep your luggage compact, as station platforms and Kyoto’s buses can be awkward with large bags. The reserved Nozomi ride is about 2 hours 15 minutes, but door to door—including checkout, station access, arrival, and getting to your Kyoto accommodation—plan on roughly 4–5 hours. If the weather is clear, a right-side window seat heading west gives you the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji.
After dropping bags at your Kyoto hotel or using luggage storage at Kyoto Station, head to Nishiki Market by subway or taxi. From Karasuma-Oike, it is roughly a 10-minute walk; from Kyoto Station, a taxi is often simpler with luggage, usually around 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Spend about 90 minutes grazing through the covered arcade: try yuba, Kyoto pickles, sesame sweets, grilled seafood, and fresh dashimaki tamago. It is generally liveliest from late morning into the afternoon, though individual stalls keep their own hours; avoid blocking the narrow passage while eating, since many vendors expect you to finish beside the stall.
Walk or take a short taxi ride north to Nijō Castle, allowing around 15–20 minutes from Nishiki Market. Give yourself roughly two hours for Ninomaru Palace, its famous “nightingale floors,” and the gardens. Standard admission is commonly around ¥1,300, with additional charges for special exhibitions or palace access; confirm the official schedule before leaving, particularly because holiday opening arrangements and last entry can vary. The castle grounds are spacious, so comfortable shoes matter, and photography restrictions apply inside parts of the palace.
From Nijō Castle, take a taxi or walk approximately 20 minutes to Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. A relaxed hour here is a good way to slow the pace after the castle: stroll beneath the broad avenues and explore the quieter edges around the Imperial Palace area. The garden grounds are free and generally open throughout the day, though the palace buildings themselves require separate timing and, in some cases, advance arrangements.
Finish at Honke Owariya, one of Kyoto’s classic soba restaurants, a short walk south of Kyoto Gyoen. Allow about an hour and budget ¥2,000–4,000 per person; the seasonal vegetable tempura with soba is a dependable choice. It is a popular, traditional spot with limited seating, so arrive before the main dinner rush and verify holiday hours on the day—Kyoto restaurants sometimes close earlier or take unscheduled breaks. After dinner, return by subway or taxi rather than adding another attraction; the first travel day is better kept gentle, especially if you still need to complete hotel check-in.
Start early at Kiyomizu-dera, ideally arriving around 8:00 AM. From central Kyoto, take a bus or taxi toward Gojozaka; the final uphill walk takes about 10–15 minutes, and a taxi is worthwhile if you want to save energy. Allow roughly two hours for the temple, including the main stage, the wooded paths, and seasonal views over Higashiyama. Admission is generally around ¥500, though temple hours and fees can change; check the official site before leaving. November foliage can make this one of Kyoto’s busiest areas, so arriving early matters.
Walk downhill through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka late in the morning, allowing about 90 minutes for the preserved lanes, small craft shops, and snack stops. The streets are atmospheric but uneven and often congested, so comfortable shoes are essential. For a light meal, look for a set lunch or soba around Yasaka-no-To rather than stopping at the first crowded café; keep in mind that many smaller shops accept cash only.
Continue north into Gion for Kennin-ji, Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple, and spend about an hour with its quiet gardens and famous ink paintings, including the dramatic twin-dragon ceiling. Admission is usually around ¥600, with opening hours commonly beginning at 10:00 AM, but confirm before setting out because temple schedules can vary. From Kennin-ji, it is an easy 10-minute walk to Yasaka Shrine. Spend about 45 minutes there, especially around the lantern-lined central precinct; it is free to enter and remains accessible beyond the main daytime sightseeing hours. Leave some unhurried time afterward to wander Gion’s narrower side streets respectfully—avoid photographing geisha or maiko without permission.
Have dinner at Gion Karyo, allowing about 1½ hours for its seasonal Kyoto-style course meal. Expect approximately ¥8,000–15,000 per person, depending on the menu and drinks, and reserve ahead; same-day availability is not reliable during Kyoto’s autumn high season. Arrive a little early rather than rushing from Yasaka Shrine, and ask your hotel to confirm the reservation and cancellation policy. After dinner, return by taxi or local train depending on your hotel’s location—taxis are convenient in Gion, but traffic can be slow, so allow extra time.
Leave your Kyoto hotel around 7:00 AM for Fushimi Inari Taisha. Take the JR Nara Line to Inari Station—the shrine entrance is immediately outside—or use Keihan to Fushimi-Inari Station. The lower shrine is accessible at any hour, and arriving early is the best way to experience the famous torii without the thickest crowds. Allow about 2½ hours: walk through the first dense tunnel of gates, then continue uphill to at least Yotsutsuji intersection for the city view. The complete mountain circuit takes considerably longer, so turn back when you have had enough. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water; there are relatively few places to buy refreshments once you climb higher.
Continue through the neighborhood to the Fushimi Sake District, about 10–15 minutes by train or a short taxi ride depending on where you finish the trail. Spend roughly 1½ hours around Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum and the brewery-lined streets near the Horikawa and Uji rivers. Museum admission is generally modest, and tasting-room hours vary, so check the current schedule before relying on a particular brewery. Have a light lunch here—look for a set meal or soba near Fushimi-Momoyama Station—rather than making the sake tastings your only food.
Take the Keihan Line from Fushimi-Momoyama toward Shichijō, then walk about 10 minutes to Sanjūsangen-dō. Allow an hour inside for the extraordinary hall of 1,001 Kannon statues; photography is not permitted in the main interior, and quiet behavior is expected. Admission is usually around ¥600. Afterward, walk a few minutes to the Kyoto National Museum for approximately two hours. Confirm the current exhibition and closure day on the official website before going, since galleries and special exhibitions change and some facilities close on a regular weekday. If you need a break, the museum café is convenient; otherwise, take a short rest in the surrounding Higashiyama streets before dinner.
Head to Kichi Kichi Omurice in Kawaramachi by bus or taxi; from the museum, a taxi is often simplest in the evening and usually takes around 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. This is a small, theatrical restaurant, so do not assume you can walk in and eat immediately—reservations or same-day booking may be required, and seating times can be limited. Budget roughly ¥2,000–4,000 per person, and check the restaurant’s current booking instructions and opening hours before setting out. After dinner, wander along Kiyamachi or the nearby Pontocho lanes, keeping the evening unhurried rather than adding another major sight.
Check out in Kyoto early enough to leave around 8:30 AM, allowing 1½–2 hours door to door for the JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid to Osaka Station, the walk to your hotel, and luggage drop-off. The train itself takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly ¥580; trains are frequent, so advance reservations are normally unnecessary. Once bags are secured, take the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line to Tanimachi 4-chome for Osaka Castle. Spend around two hours exploring the spacious grounds and entering the castle museum tower; the tower is generally open from 9:00 AM, with admission around ¥1,200, though check the official schedule before setting out.
Walk about 10 minutes from Osaka Castle to the Osaka Museum of History, an excellent early-afternoon stop that is often calmer than the castle tower. Allow roughly 90 minutes for the chronological exhibits, especially the upper-floor views toward the castle. Admission is typically around ¥600, and the museum is generally closed on Tuesdays, so Thursday is a convenient day to visit. For lunch, use the museum café or grab something around Tanimachi 4-chome before heading toward Nippombashi; a subway ride via Sakaisuji-Hommachi takes roughly 20 minutes. Arrive at Kuromon Ichiba Market in the late afternoon for a relaxed 1½-hour wander through the covered arcade, sampling grilled seafood, wagyu skewers, fruit, and takoyaki. Many stalls close by late afternoon or early evening, so do not push this stop too late.
From Kuromon Ichiba Market, it is about a 10-minute walk west to Dotonbori. The canal promenade is most atmospheric after dark, when the neon signs come on; wander along Ebisu-bashi and the Dotonbori riverside, but expect dense crowds and occasional queues. Finish with okonomiyaki at Mizuno, one of the neighborhood’s longtime favorites. Budget approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person, and expect a wait at dinner—put your name down early if possible, then use the surrounding lanes for a short stroll while you wait. Afterward, your Osaka hotel should be easy to reach from Namba Station by subway or on foot, depending on its exact location.
Start at Sumiyoshi Taisha, ideally around 8:30–9:00 AM, before the shrine grounds become busy. From central Osaka, take the Nankai Main Line to Sumiyoshi Taisha Station; the ride is usually about 10–20 minutes from the Namba area, followed by a short walk. Allow around 90 minutes to cross the distinctive arched bridge, see the bright vermilion shrine buildings, and wander through the wooded grounds. There is no admission fee, though small offerings are customary. Keep voices low around the worship areas, and note that some side facilities may open later than the shrine precinct itself.
Continue north to Shinsekai, traveling back toward Nankai Namba and then using the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Dobutsuen-mae, or take a short taxi if you prefer not to change trains. Allow roughly 30–40 minutes door to door. Spend about an hour wandering the retro streets around Tsutenkaku, where old-fashioned signs, game arcades, and kushikatsu restaurants give the neighborhood its distinctive atmosphere. The area is more enjoyable in daylight than late at night; watch your belongings in crowded lanes and avoid photographing people without permission.
Around midday, walk or take the Osaka Metro one stop from Dobutsuen-mae to Tennoji, then head to Abeno Harukas Observatory. The observatory occupies the upper floors of the Harukas complex, directly above Osaka-Abenobashi Station. Allow about 1½ hours, including the elevator queue and time on the glass-sided outdoor-style viewing deck. A same-day ticket is commonly around ¥2,000, but prices and availability can vary; reserving a timed entry in advance is wise, particularly for clear-weather afternoons. Before going up, you can pick up lunch in the department-store floors below—Harukas Dining has much more variety than the immediate station area.
In the late afternoon, take the Midosuji Line from Tennoji toward Umeda, then walk to Nakanoshima Park; allow about 25–35 minutes. This is a pleasant change of pace after the tower, with riverside paths, bridges, and formal gardens between Osaka’s business districts. Give yourself an hour to stroll toward the Nakanoshima Rose Garden area and pause at a café or riverside bench. November light fades fairly early, so arriving by roughly 3:30–4:00 PM gives you a better chance of seeing the park before dusk.
Return to Shinsekai for dinner at Kushikatsu Jan Jan, allowing approximately 30 minutes from Nakanoshima by subway. Plan on ¥2,000–4,000 per person for skewers, cabbage, and drinks; order gradually so the fried items arrive hot, and follow the restaurant’s no-double-dipping rule if shared sauce is provided. After dinner, the illuminated streets around Tsutenkaku are lively and atmospheric, but keep the evening relaxed—this has already been a full day of crossing Osaka, and your hotel will generally be 10–30 minutes away by subway depending on its exact location.
Leave Osaka early enough to board your planned train at around 7:00 AM from Shin-Osaka Station. With the journey from your hotel, station navigation, the roughly 1½-hour Shinkansen ride, luggage handling, and Hiroshima’s onward tram connection, expect about 3–4 hours door to door. Travel light if returning tonight; otherwise, use coin lockers at Hiroshima Station or arrange luggage storage before heading into the city.
From the station, take the Hiroshima Electric Railway toward the Peace Memorial area, or use a taxi if you want to protect time. Begin at Peace Memorial Park, allowing about 90 minutes to walk between the A-Bomb Dome, Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims, and Children’s Peace Monument. Keep the pace quiet and unhurried—the park is compact, but the memorials deserve more attention than a quick photo stop. Continue to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum for roughly two hours. Queues can be significant, so check the official ticketing arrangements in advance and allow extra time; the museum is emotionally intense, and many visitors find a short break afterward worthwhile.
After the museum, take the JR train from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi, then the ferry to Miyajima. The combined trip usually takes about an hour, and ferries run frequently, though weekend and holiday crowds can slow boarding. Check the day’s tide times before leaving Hiroshima: the Itsukushima Shrine torii is especially photogenic at high tide, while low tide lets you walk closer to it. Allow around three hours on the island for the shrine, waterfront lanes, and a little wandering—deer are common, so keep food tucked away and avoid feeding them.
For your planned snack, stop at Momijido Honten for freshly made age-momiji or classic momiji manju, usually a few hundred yen each. The main shopping streets can be crowded, so step onto the quieter side lanes around the shrine when you need a breather. Keep an eye on the ferry timetable and leave enough margin for the return crossing, especially if you plan to eat back in Hiroshima rather than on the island.
Return to Hiroshima for Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki at Mitchan Sohonten, budgeting approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Expect a wait at peak dinner hours; if the main branch is full, ask staff about the nearest affiliated location rather than spending too long searching. After dinner, return to Hiroshima Station and take an evening Sanyo Shinkansen back to Shin-Osaka, allowing roughly 3–4 hours door to door including the walk from the restaurant, station access, and the final transfer to your Osaka hotel. This is a very full day: if the museum queue, ferry timing, or fatigue runs long, skip a leisurely dinner and take an earlier train rather than turning the return into a late-night arrival.
Leave Hiroshima around 8:00 AM, allowing roughly 4½–5 hours door to door for the Shinkansen, the transfer at Shin-Osaka, and reaching your APA Hotel in Tokyo. With luggage, the simplest plan is a reserved seat and a small station breakfast; keep valuables and one day’s essentials in a smaller bag so you are not wrestling with suitcases through Tokyo Station. After checking in or dropping luggage, head to Ueno—depending on your hotel branch, allow 30–45 minutes by JR or subway.
Begin with a relaxed walk through Ueno Park, allowing about an hour for the tree-lined paths and late-November foliage. The park is spacious, so this is a good chance to stretch your legs after the train rather than rush straight into a museum. Continue to the Tokyo National Museum for around 2½ hours, focusing on the Japanese Gallery and whichever special exhibitions are running. Check the official schedule before setting out: it is generally closed on Mondays, but exhibition hours and last admission vary, and some special exhibitions require advance tickets. Standard admission is typically around ¥1,000, with higher prices for special shows.
Walk about 10 minutes from the museum toward Ameyoko Shopping Street, the lively market strip beneath and beside the elevated JR tracks between Ueno Station and Okachimachi Station. Give yourself an hour to browse snack shops, seafood stalls, cosmetics, and small clothing stores; prices and quality vary, so compare a couple of vendors before buying. For dinner, finish at Tonkatsu Yamabe, known for crisp, generously portioned pork cutlets and affordable set meals of roughly ¥1,500–3,000. Expect a queue at peak dinner time, and plan on about an hour inside; if the wait is long, stay nearby rather than crossing town, since this neighborhood is particularly good for an easy first evening back in Tokyo.
Check out of your APA Hotel early and leave enough time to reach the airport comfortably. Before heading there, make Senso-ji your final Tokyo stop, arriving around 8:00 AM while Kaminarimon Gate and the temple grounds are still relatively calm. Allow about 90 minutes to walk through the gate, see the main hall, and explore the surrounding lanes. The temple grounds are free; small offerings are typically ¥100, and the main grounds can be visited at any hour, though individual shops and facilities open later.
Afterward, stroll along Nakamise-dori for about an hour. This is a good last chance for traditional souvenirs such as folding fans, tenugui towels, rice crackers, ningyoyaki cakes, and small crafts. Many shops open around 10:00 AM, so if you arrive earlier, enjoy the atmosphere first and return to the stalls as they open. Keep purchases compact and easy to carry, and avoid eating while walking—the nearby side streets are better for stopping with snacks.
Take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Asakusa Station toward Ueno, then continue by local transit or walk toward Yanaka Ginza; allow roughly 30–40 minutes door to door. Spend about 90 minutes wandering this nostalgic shopping street and the surrounding Yanaka lanes. Look for croquettes, senbei, pickles, small sweets, and neighborhood cafés rather than planning a formal meal. Since individual shops vary, treat this as a flexible stop and use it for a relaxed final taste of old-fashioned Tokyo.
Continue to Nezu Shrine, about 15–20 minutes away on foot or by local transit. Give yourself around an hour for the grounds, including the vermilion torii-lined hillside and the shrine’s quiet gardens. Entry to the shrine grounds is free; the garden area may have a small seasonal fee if open. Keep an eye on the clock here: for an international flight, plan to leave central Tokyo at least 3–4 hours before departure, then allow extra time to return to the hotel, collect luggage, and reach the airport.
Return to your APA Hotel only if your luggage is stored there and you have built in a generous buffer. From central Tokyo, Haneda Airport is usually about 30–60 minutes away by train, while Narita Airport commonly takes 75–110 minutes depending on the hotel location and route. Use the most direct rail option available from your branch—typically Keikyu or the Tokyo Monorail for Haneda, and the Keisei Skyliner or Narita Express for Narita. For an international departure, aim to be at the terminal around three hours beforehand, especially with checked luggage.
No packing list attached yet.