Japan 2011

14 days, 2 sisters, 1 awesome itinerary Monday, Day 1 Departing

Evening Depart from NYC. Pop a sleeping pill, chased by green tea. Arrive to Tokyo 14 hours later.

Tuesday, Day 2 Arriving

Night Arrive to Tokyo! (Did we really just lose 24 hours?!) Head to hotel and go to sleep!

Wednesday, Day 3 Shinjuku

8:00 am East Shinjuku is a legacy to the 60s, being Tokyos Bohemian Quarter. Following the walking tour guide in the Eyewitness Travel Book, well visit the following sites: Shinjuku Gyoen (national garden), Takashimaya Times Square (15 story department store), Hanazono Shrine, and ethnic dinner in the Shin-Okubo area.

Thursday, Day 4 Ueno Park and Tokyo National Museum and Yanaka Cemetery
8:00 am Ueno Park is a landmark of Japanese cultural history, featuring temples, museums, a zoo, and lotus pond. We will begin the morning strolling through the park, stopping for a picnic lunch below the cherry trees. Following the exploration of the park, we will head to the Tokyo National Museum, which contains the most important collection of Japanese art and archeology in the world. Finally, we will complete the day by heading to Yamaka Cemetery, which is now home to literati, actors, and statesmen.

Friday, Day 5 Senso-ji Temple and river cruise down the Sumida River
8:00 am We will begin the day at the Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple site in Tokyo and the capitals spiritual epicenter, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. Following a stroll through the grounds, we will then head to the Azumbashi Bridge for a river cruise down the Sumida River through Tokyo.

Saturday, Day 6 Edo-Tokyo Museum and Imperial Palace Grounds

8:00 am Beginning at the Edo-Tokyo Museum, which charts the history of Edo and Tokyo, we will take an audio tour through the museum. Next, we will head over to the Imperial Palace Grounds, which is part forbidden city and part public park. Noted as the top Tokyo site to see by Eyewitness Travel.

Sunday, Day 7 Hot Springs

8:00 am Today we will head to one of the traditional Japanese Hot Springs Onsen to relax for the day.

Monday, Day 8 Kyoto

8:00 am We will jump on the bullet train and head to Kyoto, where we will check into our hotel. After getting settled, we will take the Night Walk Through The Floating World 2 hour walking tour as detailed by Lonely Planet, seeing sites such as the Yasaka-jinja shrine, Tatsumi Shrine, and views of the evening geishas in Pontocho.

Tuesday, Day 9 Southern Higashiyama

8:00 am Embarking the day with the Hills, Temples and Lands in Southern Higashiyama Walking Tour from Lonely Planet. This 4 hour tour will take us to many famous temples, gardens, shrines, a bamboo forest, and even a tea house.

Wednesday, Day 10 Rock Garden

8:00 am Following the Wallpaper City Guide book, we will attempt to see the best of the city, including Sanjusangendo, Japans longest wooden building, followed by the dry rock garden of Ryoanji, with a traditional vegetarian lunch at the tatami style restaurant.

Thursday, Day 11 Loose Ends

8:00 am After checking out of the hotel, we will do anything else in Kyoto we wish to see...shopping, museums, etc. We will then board the train and head to Gifu.

Friday, Day 12 Mt. Kinka and Gifu Castle

8:00 am We will take Mt. Kinka Ropeway from Gifu Park to the top of Mt. Kinka. At the top, we will go to Squirrel Village and play with the squirrels. We will go to Gifu Castle in the evening, which is open until 10pm.

Saturday, Day 13 Nagara River Hot Springs

8:00 am Located at the foot of Mt. Kinka, we will spend the day relaxing and enjoying the hot springs.

Sunday, Day 14 Last Day

8:00 am Finish up any last minute sight-seeing, and gure out how to get back to the Airport in time for my ight back to NYC! Leave my sister in Gifu to teach English for a year! GOOD LUCK!

Monday, Day 15 NYC

Morning Arrive into NYC!