Full reference document. For the day-by-day quick view, return to the itinerary →
Hotels & Accommodation
Three hotels are booked. Hakone is the only open decision — only needed if going with Plan B (overnight). Choose one.
Hotel · Tokyo
Tokyu Stay Tsukiji
4-11-5 Tsukiji, Chuo City · Hibiya Line
In-room washer/dryer · Balcony facing market
⭐ 4.1 (658 reviews) · Walk to Ginza 15 min
↗ Maps
11–15 Jun · 4 nights · Booked
Hotel · Tokyo
Hotel Sardonyx Ueno
6-6-7 Ueno, Taito City · Near Ueno Station
Budget-friendly · Breakfast included
⭐ 4.2 (1,711 reviews)
↗ Maps
16–17 Jun · 1 night · Booked · Buffer between Hakone/Tokyo and Kyoto
Hotel · Kyoto
ALA Hotel Kyoto
518 Shiokojich, Shimogyo Ward · Near Kyoto Station
Spa on 10F · Deep bathtub · Great breakfast
⭐ 4.4 (656 reviews)
↗ Maps
17–19 Jun · 2 nights · Booked
Hakone — Decide One (Plan B only · 15–16 Jun)
Only needed for Plan B. Plan A does Hakone as a day trip — no hotel required. If going Plan B, book soon; Hakone weekends sell out 60–90 days ahead.
Ryokan
Hakone Suimeisou Recommended
702 Yumoto, Hakone · 3 min walk from station
Tatami rooms · Private onsen baths · Kaiseki dinner included
River view · ⭐ 4.1 (748 reviews)
Indoor + outdoor + private baths. Best value traditional ryokan. Closest to loop circuit start — no extra travel needed.
↗ Maps
Pick this first. Station proximity + kaiseki included + private onsen = best overall package.
Guesthouse
Onsen Guesthouse Tsutaya
240-1 Sokokura, Hakone · Bus 15 min to loop circuit
4 onsen baths incl. outdoor · More remote setting
⭐ 4.7 (386 reviews) · Budget-friendly
Higher rated but adds ~30 min each way to the day. Better if budget is the priority or Suimeisou is fully booked.
↗ Maps
Fallback if Suimeisou unavailable. Stunning setting, just less convenient for the loop schedule.
Itinerary — All Three Plans
Three plan variants for Days 5–7. All other days (1–4, 8–9) are identical across all plans. Plan 0 is the original design (kept for reference). Plans A and B reflect the new flow with an Ueno base on Day 5.
Plan 0 — Original
Hakone Early, Tokyo Return
Hakone Jun 15–16 · Tokyo Ueno Jun 16–17 · Kyoto Jun 17. The original design — returns to Tokyo after Hakone.
Plan A — New Hakone
Ueno Base, Hakone Direct
Ueno Jun 15–16 · Hakone Jun 16–17 (Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka, ~835 MYR) · Kyoto Jun 17 ~12:30.
Plan B — Fujikawaguchiko
Ueno Base, Fuji Direct
Ueno Jun 15–16 · Fujikawaguchiko Jun 16–17 (Hotel Mystays Fuji Onsen Resort, ~519 MYR, saves RM 316) · Kyoto Jun 17 ~14:15 (2.5h later arrival).
Plan 0 Original — Hakone Early, Tokyo Return
| Day |
Focus |
Key Moments |
Stay |
| 5Mon Jun 15 |
Tokyo → Hakone |
10:00Romance Car Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto (~85 min)
12:00Hatsuhana Soba must
13:00Check in Hakone Suimeisou
14:00Hakone Circuit: Tozan Railway → Owakudani → Lake Ashi
20:00Evening onsen
|
Hakone Suimeisou |
| 6Tue Jun 16 |
Hakone → Tokyo Ueno |
08:00Morning onsen, check out
12:00Romance Car → Shinjuku
14:30Check in Hotel Sardonyx Ueno
15:00Sensoji / Ameyoko / Akihabara / Nakiryu
|
Sardonyx Ueno |
| 7Wed Jun 17 |
Tokyo → Kyoto |
09:30Shinkansen Ueno → Kyoto (~2h 15min, ~RM 395)
12:00Check in ALA Hotel Kyoto
14:30Sanjusangendo must
16:00Gion District
17:45Pontocho Alley dinner must
|
ALA Kyoto |
Plan A New Hakone — Ueno Base, Direct to Hakone
| Day |
Focus |
Key Moments |
Stay |
| 5Mon Jun 15 |
Ueno Base Day |
09:00Toyosu Fish Market must — weekday, tuna zone open
12:00Check in Hotel Sardonyx Ueno
13:00Akihabara — Mandarake, E-earphone
17:00Nakiryu tantanmen must — queue by 17:00
19:30Ameyoko market walk
|
Sardonyx Ueno |
| 6Tue Jun 16 |
Ueno → Hakone |
09:00Forward bags to Kyoto (Yamato, ~RM 60)
10:00Romance Car Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto (~85 min, ~RM 69)
12:00Hatsuhana Soba must
13:00Check in Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka (~835 MYR)
14:00Hakone Circuit: Tozan Railway → Owakudani → Lake Ashi
20:00Evening onsen
|
Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka |
| 7Wed Jun 17 |
Hakone → Kyoto |
08:00Morning onsen, check out
10:30Romance Car → Odawara · Shinkansen → Kyoto (~2h, ~RM 350–380)
12:30Arrive Kyoto · Check in ALA Hotel Kyoto
14:30Sanjusangendo must
16:00Gion District · Pontocho dinner 17:45
|
ALA Kyoto |
Plan B Fuji — Ueno Base, Fujikawaguchiko
| Day |
Focus |
Key Moments |
Stay |
| 5Mon Jun 15 |
Ueno Base Day |
09:00Toyosu Fish Market must — weekday, tuna zone open
12:00Check in Hotel Sardonyx Ueno
13:00Akihabara — Mandarake, E-earphone
17:00Nakiryu tantanmen must — queue by 17:00
19:30Ameyoko market walk
|
Sardonyx Ueno |
| 6Tue Jun 16 |
Ueno → Fuji |
09:00Forward bags to Kyoto (Yamato, ~RM 60)
10:00Highway bus Shinjuku → Kawaguchiko (~2h, ~RM 35)
12:00Arrive · local soba lunch near lake
13:00Check in Hotel Mystays Fuji Onsen Resort (~519 MYR)
14:00Chureito Pagoda must — 398 steps, iconic Fuji view
16:00Kachi-Kachi Yama Ropeway — Mt. Tenjo panorama
17:30Oishi Park — June herb festival, Fuji backdrop
20:00Evening onsen with Fuji view
|
Hotel Mystays Fuji |
| 7Wed Jun 17 |
Fuji → Kyoto |
08:00Check out Hotel Mystays
09:00Bus Kawaguchiko → Shinjuku (~2h) · Shinkansen → Kyoto (~2h 15min, ~RM 395)
14:15Arrive Kyoto · Check in ALA Hotel Kyoto
15:00Gion District walk (Sanjusangendo → Day 8 early morning instead)
17:45Pontocho Alley dinner must
|
ALA Kyoto |
Tokyo — All Places
Consolidated from Benny's Excel (Nov 2024 trip), mustgos.md, and both trip plan PDFs.
Temples & Shrines
Temple
Senso-ji Temple Must
Asakusa's iconic temple · Nakamise shopping street leading up · Best early morning or evening · Free entry to grounds
↗ Maps
Parks & Nature
Park
Ueno Park Must
June: hydrangeas in bloom · Museums, zoo, shrines inside · 5am–11pm · Free entry
↗ Maps
Markets
Market
Tsukiji Outer Market
Tourist but genuinely good food stalls · Go morning · Famous for sushi, tamagoyaki · Hotel is steps away
↗ Maps
Closes ~1pm. Worth a morning walk — hotel is right there.
Market
Toyosu Fish Market
Modern successor to inner Tsukiji · Tuna auction 5am · Closed Wed & Sun · Seafood restaurants inside
↗ Maps
Benny: Tsukiji better for tourists. Toyosu only worth it for the 5am auction.
Street
Yanaka Ginza
Old-Tokyo shopping street · Cat-themed shops · Best before shops open (morning atmosphere) · Near Ueno
↗ Maps
Neighbourhoods & Districts
District
Shibuya Must
Crossing · Parco shopping · Shibuya Sky observation deck · Shopping day hub
↗ Maps
District
Shinjuku Must
Golden Gai · Omoide Yokocho · Washin Optical (eyewear) · Kabukicho · Shopping & nightlife hub
↗ Maps
District
Harajuku / Omotesando
Takeshita Street · Luxury brand boulevard · Onitsuka Tiger · atmos/KicksLab · Glänta ring workshop
↗ Maps
District
Asakusa
Traditional district · Senso-ji · Nakamise-Dori · Craft shops · Steps from Tokyu Stay Tsukiji
↗ Maps
District
Ginza
Luxury shopping · Ginza Itoya (stationery) · Ginza Loft · Tsujita ramen · Evening stroll from hotel
↗ Maps
Day Trip
Kamakura Day 2
Great Buddha · Hokokuji Bamboo Temple · Tsurugaoka Shrine · Go before 11am to beat buses
↗ Maps
~75 min from Shinjuku. Scheduled Jun 12.
Shopping Spots
Shopping
Nakano Broadway Must
3F: JACKROAD vintage watches (Rolex, Omega, Seiko) · Anime & collector items · 10am–8pm
↗ Maps
Shopping
Ginza Itoya Must
Premium stationery, pens, notebooks · Can post cards internationally from store · 10am–8pm (Sun –7pm)
↗ Maps
Shopping
Ginza Loft
Gifts, stationery, books, watches · 5 floors · 11am–9pm (Sun –8pm)
↗ Maps
Experience
Glänta Omotesando
Custom ring-making workshop · ⭐ 5.0 · Book in advance · 11am–7pm daily
↗ Maps
Great unique activity if travelling with a partner.
Night Alley
Omoide Yokocho
Tiny yakitori stalls · Beer + skewers · Next to Shinjuku Station · Best after 7pm
↗ Maps
Hakone — All Places
The Hakone Loop is a classic circuit done in sequence. The Hakone Free Pass covers all transport.
Loop order: Hakone-Yumoto → Tozan Railway → Gora → Cable Car (Sounzan) → Ropeway over Owakudani → Lake Ashi pirate ship cruise → Moto-Hakone → Bus back
Volcanic
Owakudani Must
Active volcanic valley · Steam vents · Kuro-tamago black eggs · Views of Mt. Fuji (20–30% in June) · 9am–4:20pm
↗ Maps
Lake
Lake Ashi Must
Pirate ship cruise · Views of Mt. Fuji on clear days · 30 min cruise · Classic Hakone highlight
↗ Maps
Ropeway
Hakone Ropeway
Sounzan to Togendai over Owakudani · Stunning aerial views · Covered by Hakone Free Pass
↗ Maps
Restaurant
Hatsuhana Soba Honten
Famous soba in Hakone-Yumoto · River view seating · 10am–7pm (closed Wed) · Get there early
↗ Maps
Plan B: Jun 16 morning (Tue) — confirm it's open before the stroll.
Kyoto — All Places
2-night stay. Priority: Sanjusangendo (Jun 17 arrival), Kifune/Kurama full day (Jun 18), Uji en route to airport (Jun 19 morning). Arashiyama deprioritised.
Temples & Shrines
Temple
Sanjusangendo Must · Day 7
1,001 life-size Kannon statues · Japan's longest wooden hall · ⭐ 4.7 · 9am–4pm · RM 18
↗ Maps
Preferred over Kiyomizudera — less crowded, more extraordinary.
Shrine
Kifune Shrine Must · Day 8
Mountain water shrine · June: kawadoko riverside dining · Water fortune omikuji · 6am–6pm · Hike start point
↗ Maps
Temple
Kurama-dera Temple Must · Day 8
Mountain temple via Kifune hike · 2–3hr trail · ⭐ 4.6 · 9am–4pm · RM 9
↗ Maps
Shrine
Yasaka Shrine (Gion) Must · Day 7
Open 24hr · End of Shijo-dori · Evening walk through Gion after Pontocho dinner · Free entry
↗ Maps
Shrine
Fushimi Inari Taisha Optional
Thousands of torii gates · Free · 24hr · Go 6:30am or 14:30–17:00 only
↗ Maps
If skipping Kurama hike on Day 8, this fits as the afternoon alternative (14:30–17:00 window).
Temple
Tenryu-ji (Arashiyama) Dropped
UNESCO · Stunning pond garden · 8:30am–5pm · RM 15 · Would need a dedicated Arashiyama half-day
↗ Maps
Cut due to 2-night Kyoto constraint. Ideal for a future Kyoto-only trip.
Neighbourhoods & Areas
District
Gion Must · Day 7
Historic geisha district · Evening lanterns 17:45–18:30 · Side streets less crowded · Walk after Yasaka Shrine
↗ Maps
Alley
Pontocho Alley Must · Day 7
Narrow dining alley · Arrive 17:45–18:30 for best lantern lighting · June: riverside platform restaurants open
↗ Maps
River
Kamo River
Evening walk or run path · Riverside stalls Jun–Sep · Calm local atmosphere · Near Gion / Pontocho
↗ Maps
Uji — Day 9 Morning (En Route to Osaka)
Temple
Byodoin Temple Must · Day 9
UNESCO · On 10-yen coin · 8:45am–5:30pm · RM 18 · Museum included · 17 min from Kyoto by train
↗ Maps
Café
Nakamura Tokichi Honten Must · Day 9
Best matcha parfait in Japan · Queue 1–2hrs · Take number, walk Byodoin, return · 10am–5:30pm
↗ Maps
Uji is 17 min south of Kyoto — routing to Osaka/KIX this way adds no extra travel.
Osaka — All Places
Pass-through afternoon on Jun 19. ~3 hours available before Nankai Express to KIX at 15:30.
District
Dotonbori Photos only
Neon lights, Glico man sign · Evening walk & photos · Do not eat here (tourist prices) · 5 min from Namba
↗ Maps
Market
Kuromon Ichiba Market Must
"Osaka's Kitchen" · Fresh seafood, wagyu, produce · 9am–6pm · Lunch stop on last day
↗ Maps
Shrine
Namba Yasaka Jinja Must
12m lion head stage · Unique and photogenic · 6:30am–5pm · Free · 10 min from Namba
↗ Maps
Shopping
Tenjinbashisuji Arcade
Japan's longest covered shopping arcade · Local goods · Final browse before airport
↗ Maps
Food & Restaurants Master List
Sourced from Benny's Excel (vetted by avid Japan traveller), mustgos.md, and both PDFs.
Tokyo
Ramen / Tsukemen
Tsujita Ginza Must
Thick dipping broth tsukemen · ⭐ 4.7 (3,761 reviews) · Queue worth it · 11am–10pm
↗ Maps
From mustgos.md: "must have"
Ramen
AFURI Ramen (Shibuya)
Yuzu shio ramen · Light and refreshing · Multiple branches, Shibuya preferred
↗ Maps
Ramen
Fuunji (Shinjuku) — Tsukemen
Benny's pick: rich dipping broth tsukemen · Queue early · Near Shinjuku station
↗ Maps
Ramen
Ramen Nagi — Golden Gai
Benny's pick: fish/sardine broth · Night ramen · In Golden Gai alley · Atmospheric
↗ Maps
Sushi
Tsukiji Sushicho (Main Store)
Benny's pick: fresh sushi from Tsukiji · Morning only · Queue · Hotel is steps away
↗ Maps
Breakfast
TRUFFLE & BREAD
Benny's pick: truffle breakfast sandwich · Near Asakusa area
↗ Maps
Yakitori
Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)
Tiny stalls · Yakitori + beer · Shinjuku · Best after 7pm · Very atmospheric
↗ Maps
Izakaya
Shimbashi Izakaya District
Salaryman izakayas · Affordable & authentic · Arrival night dinner · Near Ginza
↗ Maps
Michelin
Sosakumen Kobo Nakiryu
Benny's pick: Michelin-star tantanmen · Queue early for a slot · Near Ikebukuro
↗ Maps
Hakone
Soba
Hatsuhana Soba Honten
Famous Hakone soba with river view · Tempura soba · Get there early · Closed Wed
↗ Maps
Plan B: Jun 16 morning (Tue) — confirm open day before.
Kyoto / Uji
Seasonal
Kawadoko Riverside Dining — Kifune June only
June–September only: platforms above rushing river · Lunch RM 100–150 · Book well ahead · The standout June experience
↗ Maps
Scheduled Jun 18. Book before departure — fills up fast.
Matcha
Nakamura Tokichi Honten (Uji)
Best matcha parfait · Queue 1–2hrs but manageable · Take number, walk Byodoin, return · 10am–5:30pm
↗ Maps
Ramen
Ichijoji Ramen District
Local ramen neighbourhood, not touristy · Best as dinner after Kurama hike · Multiple shops
↗ Maps
Osaka
Kushikatsu
Ura Namba Kushikatsu District
Back-alley local spots · Not touristy Dotonbori · Skewers + beer · RM 70–100
↗ Maps
Osaka is a short afternoon stop — grab lunch here over Dotonbori.
Street Food
Okonomiyaki / Takoyaki
Osaka classics · Try at Kuromon market or local spots · Budget RM 35–60
↗ Maps
Benny's Chain Picks — Reliable Anytime
Cocoichibanya curry
Kura Sushi / Sushiro conveyor belt
Tendon Tenya tempura bowls
Yakiniku Like solo BBQ grill
Torikizoku yakitori skewers
Ichiran solo tonkotsu booths
Yoshinoya beef gyudon
MOS Burger Japanese-style burger
Practical Tips & Key Notes
From Benny's Trip (Nov 2024)
· Fuunji (Shinjuku) for tsukemen — queue but worth it
· Truffle & Bread for breakfast (Asakusa area)
· Michelin tantanmen at Nakiryu — queue early for a slot
· Torikizoku chain for budget yakitori — go-to for evenings
· Mandarake at Nakano: combine receipts for tax-free
· Porter Japan (bags) — Shibuya Parco flagship
· Hakone loop: Gora → Cable Car → Lake Boat is the confirmed sequence
Crowd Management
Fushimi Inari: 6:30am (empty) or 14:30–17:00 (tour buses leave)
Kamakura: Before 11am to beat tour buses
Gion / Pontocho: 17:45–18:30 for lantern lighting without dinner rush
Sanjusangendo: Manageable any time — much calmer than Kiyomizudera
Nakamura Tokichi: Open at 10am · take queue number, walk Byodoin, come back
Transport & Money
No JR Pass needed — individual tickets save ~RM 952 vs 7-day pass
Get ICOCA card at Narita airport on arrival (tap-on/tap-off for all trains & buses)
7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards with English interface
Cash daily float: ¥10,000–20,000 (RM 297–594)
No tipping — considered rude in Japan
Bring passport for tax-free shopping (~10% off)
June Weather
Rainy season: intermittent light rain, not continuous. Pack a waterproof jacket with hood + waterproof walking shoes.
Buy a quality umbrella in Japan (¥1,000–2,000 / RM 30–60).
Upsides: fewer tourists, lower prices, hydrangeas in bloom, Kawadoko riverside dining only opens in June.
Pre-Departure Checklist
- Decide Plan A or Plan B — then book Hakone hotel immediately if Plan B (Suimeisou fills fast)
- Book Kawadoko riverside dining in Kifune for Jun 18 — fills up well ahead
- Get travel insurance
- Notify bank of Japan travel
- Download offline Google Maps (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka)
- Arrange pocket WiFi or tourist SIM
- Prepare eyeglass prescription for Shinjuku optician day (Jun 13)
- Pack waterproof jacket & waterproof walking shoes
- Print or screenshot all hotel confirmations
- Withdraw RM 300 cash before flying
- Confirm Hatsuhana Soba is open on Tuesday (Jun 16) — Plan B only