日本: One Week Japan Itinerary

The past few posts have mentioned that my mom came to visit me here in Japan. We filled her 7 day visit with as many uniquely Japanese experiences as possible, not just centered on Tokyo. As usual, I've decided to share our itinerary, in case anyone else has 7 days to blow in Japan.

This by no means covers everything. It's 7 days. You can cover a decent amount of ground in that, but you're not going to become one of the locals ;)

Day	Activity
Friday	Arrival in Tokyo at the Hotel Niwa in Suidobashi.
Saturday	Walk around the Edo Museum and through Yokoamicho Park on the way to Asakusa. Visit Sensoji Temple and do some serious souvenir shopping on Nakamise Street. Meet up with a friend in Akihabara Electric Town and have dinner at an Izakaya (bar/restaurant). Play video games at game centers.
Sunday	Visit the Yasakuni Shrine and look at the Ikebana (flower arrangements) on show. More souvenir shopping at Yasakuni Shrine's Sunday flea market. Walk through the Tokyo Imperial Gardens and get stuck in a miniature dust storm. Eat at a Thai restaurant in Harajuku, which is crowded with overdressed people and Western shops.
Monday	Cat Cafe in Shinjuku. Tea Ceremony at Hotel Okura near all the embassies. Fail at finding conveyor belt sushi in Roppongi. Buy fancy bento boxes near the train station for dinner and take a Shinkansen (super high speed train) to Nara. Stay at Hotel Chez Moi.
Tuesday	Wander around Nara, seeing the sites. Attend the Omizutori festival in the evening. Fire. Lots of fire.
Wednesday	Sleep-in then Sumo tournament near Osaka Namba. Wander around Dotonbori Dori before getting dinner at a ramen shop.
Thursday	Borrow a free English guide in Kyoto and see Kinkakuji, a kimono show, Kiyomizu Temple, and Nijo Castle.
Friday	Spend a lot of time getting to Osaka's domestic Itami Airport and then return home.