⚡ Before You Go — Essentials
🌸 Golden Week (Apr 29 – May 5)
You're visiting during Japan's biggest holiday week. Showa Day (Apr 29) kicks it off. Expect crowds at popular spots — we've planned around this with early starts and quieter alternatives. Public transport runs normally but trains will be busier.
🥬 Vegetarian Dining
Japan's Buddhist shojin ryori tradition means excellent vegetarian cuisine exists — but it's not always obvious. We've selected restaurants with clear vegetarian menus. Helpful phrase: "Watashi wa bejitarian desu" (I am vegetarian). Watch for hidden dashi (fish stock) in soups — the places we've chosen are safe.
🚆 Getting Around
Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card at the airport for seamless train/bus travel. A 72-hour Tokyo Metro pass (¥1,500/~$10) is excellent value. For the Kamakura day trip, use JR trains from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station (~1 hour). Ashikaga is ~90 min by train.
✈️ Jet Lag Strategy
Flying from Europe means you'll be 7-8 hours ahead. Day 1 is intentionally light — arrive, settle in, gentle evening walk. Resist napping past 3pm, get morning sunlight, and you'll adjust by Day 2.
Arrival & Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens
Arrive in Tokyo, drop your bags, and ease into Japan with a peaceful afternoon at Shinjuku Gyoen — one of Tokyo's most beautiful gardens. No rushing today. Let the jet lag settle with greenery, fresh air, and a gentle evening stroll through Shinjuku's atmospheric backstreets.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
One of Tokyo's finest gardens spanning 58 hectares with Japanese, English, and French landscape styles. In late April, the last cherry blossoms mingle with fresh green foliage and blooming azaleas. A perfect antidote to a long flight — find a bench by the pond, breathe, and let Tokyo reveal itself slowly.
Shinjuku Backstreets & Golden Gai
As evening falls, wander through the neon-lit alleyways of Shinjuku. Peek into Golden Gai — a maze of 200+ tiny bars, each seating 5-8 people, crammed into six narrow alleys. You don't need to drink; just walking through is an experience. Then stroll through Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) for the atmospheric smoky alley vibes.
Kamakura: Temples, Great Buddha & Seaside Zen
Escape Tokyo for a day in Kamakura — Japan's ancient coastal capital. It's Showa Day (Golden Week holiday), so we're starting early to beat crowds. Visit the iconic Great Buddha, the stunning Hase-dera Temple with its ocean-view gardens, and the serene bamboo groves of Hokoku-ji. A vegetarian shojin ryori lunch completes this spiritual day trip.
Kōtoku-in: The Great Buddha (Daibutsu)
The 13-metre bronze Buddha has been sitting in open air since a tsunami washed away his temple hall in 1498. Arriving early (8am opening) means you'll have this iconic statue almost to yourselves. You can even step inside the hollow bronze statue for ¥50.
Hase-dera Temple
Just a 5-minute walk from the Great Buddha, Hase-dera is Kamakura's most beautiful temple. The hillside gardens overlook the Pacific Ocean, and the 9-metre golden Kannon statue is breathtaking. The cave of Benten and the jizo statues garden are hauntingly beautiful. In late April, fresh greenery and azaleas frame every view.
Hōkoku-ji Temple (Bamboo Temple)
Known as the "Bamboo Temple," Hōkoku-ji hides a serene grove of over 2,000 towering moso bamboo behind its modest entrance. Sit in the tea house within the grove, sip matcha (¥600), and listen to the wind rustling through the bamboo. One of the most peaceful spots in all of Japan.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine
Kamakura's most important shrine, reached via a grand approach flanked by cherry trees and lotus ponds. The hilltop main hall offers views over the entire city down to the sea. The shrine was founded in 1063 and served as the center of the Kamakura shogunate.
teamLab Borderless, Ueno Park & Asakusa
Today is your immersive art and culture day. Morning at teamLab Borderless — the world's most extraordinary digital art museum. Afternoon wandering through Ueno Park's temples and museums, then evening in atmospheric Asakusa with the lit-up Sensō-ji Temple and Tokyo SkyTree views.
teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills)
A museum without a map — artworks flow out of rooms, merge with each other, and respond to your presence. Flowers bloom at your feet, waterfalls cascade across walls, and you become part of the art. The new Azabudai Hills location (reopened 2024) is even more stunning than the original. Allow 2-3 hours to fully immerse.
Ueno Park & Temples
Tokyo's cultural heart — a sprawling park housing world-class museums, ancient temples, and a beautiful shinobazu pond with lotus flowers. Stroll past the Tōshō-gū Shrine (golden Edo-era shrine), visit Kiyomizu Kannon-dō (modeled after Kyoto's famous temple), and simply enjoy the park atmosphere with locals.
Sensō-ji Temple & Nakamise-dōri
Tokyo's oldest temple (founded 645 AD) is spectacular at dusk when the crowds thin and the enormous red lanterns glow. Walk through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), browse the Nakamise-dōri shopping street for traditional snacks and souvenirs, and soak in the atmosphere of old Edo Tokyo.
Tokyo SkyTree View
At 634 metres, SkyTree is the world's tallest tower. From Asakusa, it's a beautiful 15-minute walk across the Sumida River — the tower glowing against the night sky is unforgettable. If you want to go up, the observation deck offers 360° views of Tokyo. On clear days, Mt Fuji is visible to the west.
Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Wisteria Wonderland
A day of contrasts — begin in the sacred forest of Meiji Shrine, wander through Harajuku's creative energy, then choose your afternoon: either a half-day trip to Ashikaga Flower Park for wisteria in peak bloom, or a relaxed exploration of Shibuya and Yoyogi Park. Both options are magical.
Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū)
Walk through the towering torii gate into a 70-hectare forest that feels a world away from the city. This shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, is Tokyo's most important Shinto sanctuary. The forest was planted by volunteers in 1920 — now 100,000 trees create a canopy of peaceful green.
Yoyogi Park
Adjacent to Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park is where Tokyoites come to breathe. On weekends and holidays, you'll find musicians, dancers, picnickers, and dog walkers. Spread a blanket under the trees and people-watch — this is authentic Tokyo leisure.
Harajuku & Takeshita Street
Step from the tranquil shrine directly into Harajuku's creative chaos. Takeshita-dōri is a narrow lane packed with quirky fashion shops, crêpe stands, and kawaii culture. Cat Street (one block over) is more refined — vintage shops, designer boutiques, and excellent cafés.
🌸 Ashikaga Flower Park — Great Wisteria Festival
A magical half-day trip to see one of Japan's most spectacular sights: cascading wisteria in full bloom. The park's 150-year-old Great Wisteria tree covers 1,000 square metres in a canopy of purple, pink, white, and golden flowers. Late April is peak season — the timing could not be better. The evening illumination is especially breathtaking.
Morning Calm & Farewell Tokyo
Your final morning before flying onward to Australia. Keep it simple and savour these last hours — a peaceful temple visit, a final Japanese breakfast, and some last-minute souvenir shopping. No rushing.
Early Morning at Sensō-ji (Revisit)
If you're up early (jet lag might help!), revisit Sensō-ji before the crowds arrive. At 6-7am, the temple grounds are nearly empty and bathed in soft morning light. Watch the monks' morning rituals, hear the temple bells, and say goodbye to Tokyo the way you arrived — gently.
Nakamise-dōri & Souvenir Shopping
The shops on Nakamise-dōri open around 9-10am. Pick up last souvenirs — traditional fans, chopsticks, tenugui cloths, Japanese sweets, and matcha snacks make perfect gifts. Everything is compact and packable.
💰 Budget Breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per couple) | ¥6,000–10,000/night (hostel/capsule) | ¥15,000–30,000/night | ¥50,000–100,000/night |
| Meals (for two) | ¥3,000–5,000/day | ¥6,000–12,000/day | ¥15,000–30,000/day |
| Transport | ¥1,000–2,000/day (IC card) | ¥2,000–4,000/day | ¥5,000–10,000/day (taxi/private) |
| Activities | ¥1,000–2,000/day | ¥3,000–6,000/day | ¥8,000–15,000/day |
| 5-Day Total (couple) | ¥80,000–130,000 ($550–900) | ¥180,000–300,000 ($1,200–2,000) | ¥400,000+ ($2,700+) |
✈️ Getting There
- Narita Airport: Narita Express (NEX) to Shinjuku/Tokyo (~90 min, ¥3,250) or budget Keisei Access Express (~70 min, ¥1,270)
- Haneda Airport: closer to central Tokyo — Keikyu Line to Shinagawa (~20 min, ¥300)
- Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card at the airport immediately — works on all trains, buses, and many shops
- Consider a 72-hour Tokyo Metro pass (¥1,500) for excellent value
🏨 Where to Stay
- Shinjuku area — central, great transport hub, close to Gyoen. Recommended: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku
- Asakusa — traditional atmosphere, near Sensō-ji & SkyTree. Recommended: Wired Hotel Asakusa, Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa
- Budget: consider a ryokan (traditional inn) for at least one night — the experience of tatami rooms and onsen is unforgettable
- Book well ahead for Golden Week — hotels fill up fast
🌡️ Weather
- Late April/early May: 15–22°C (59–72°F) — ideal walking weather
- Occasional spring rain — pack a compact umbrella
- Layering is key: warm midday, cool mornings and evenings
- UV is moderate — sunscreen for full outdoor days
💳 Money
- Japan is increasingly cashless but still carry ¥10,000–20,000 cash for small shops and temples
- IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) work at convenience stores, vending machines, and many restaurants
- Tipping is not customary in Japan — in fact it can be considered rude
- 7-Eleven and Lawson ATMs accept international cards
📱 Connectivity & Tips
- Rent a pocket WiFi at the airport or buy an eSIM (Ubigi, Airalo) before arriving
- Download Google Maps offline and HappyCow app for finding vegetarian restaurants
- Konbini (convenience stores) are a lifesaver: 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart have onigiri, edamame, and inari sushi — all vegetarian
- Learn basic phrases: Sumimasen (excuse me), Arigatou gozaimasu (thank you), Oishii (delicious)
🎫 Book Ahead (Essential)
- teamLab Borderless — book tickets online ASAP, sells out during Golden Week
- Ghibli Museum (if you go) — advance reservation only, tickets release monthly via Lawson Ticket or JTB for overseas visitors. Extremely limited during Golden Week — book 2+ months ahead
- Bon restaurant — book 2-4 weeks ahead for this beloved shojin ryori experience
- Ashikaga Flower Park — no reservation needed but buy train tickets early