01
Asakusa & Senso-ji
Tokyo's oldest temple (645 AD). Through the giant red Kaminarimon lantern, down Nakamise street, to the main hall.
Stop 04 · Base · 6 nights
Quick facts
Six nights in Tokyo as our final base: a few days in the city itself, plus day trips to Mt Fuji at Kawaguchiko and to Nikko for peak foliage. The biggest city we will see, and where we fly home from.
Hotels and ryokan we are considering. We will lock in and book together.
Seeded from what we already wrote. We will add, cut and reorder.
Tokyo's oldest temple (645 AD). Through the giant red Kaminarimon lantern, down Nakamise street, to the main hall.
The contrast of Tokyo in one day: sacred forest at Meiji, kawaii chaos at Harajuku, the busiest crossing on Earth at Shibuya.
Hundreds of stalls selling Japan's best seafood: tamagoyaki, fresh tuna sushi, knife shops. Get there by 8am.
Golden Gai's tiny six-seat bars, Omoide Yokocho's yakitori smoke, the Kabukicho neon. Tokyo nightlife distilled.
The loyal Akita, right by the Scramble Crossing at the Hachiko exit. Quick group photo; pairs with the samurai street shoot below.
More →Best match for the YouTube samurai dress-up: real armour, studio or a street shoot past Hachiko and the crossing. Send me the actual video and I will confirm it is this one.
More →No tournament in October, but you can watch a stable train. Book an English-guided viewing; strict etiquette, about a 7am start. Confirm 2 to 3 weeks ahead, as stables travel during the autumn tour.
More →The Yamanashi whisky tour: at Kobuchizawa on the Chuo line between Tsumago and Tokyo, so doable as a stop on that leg (not from the Fuji side). Tours book about 2 to 3 months ahead and can be a lottery, so lock it in early.
More →Authentic local places we want to eat, and room for more.
Breakfast sushi from fish bought metres away that morning. Better than Sushi Dai for a group: more seats, shorter wait. Go before 7am.
More →The Kerala breakfast you meant: a retired couple serving authentic Keralan meals in limited sittings. Often closed Tue to Thu; go early and phone ahead. Verify the 2026 days.
More →The biryani specialist you wanted: one timed seating, about 10 seats, mutton biryani. Sells out; book well ahead (six fills the counter).
More →Showa-era 'Memory Lane': smoky charcoal yakitori and beer in tiny counters. Go early, split into 2s and 3s.
More →Stand at the counter, the chef hands you each piece, from about ¥100. How time-poor Tokyoites eat sushi. Tiny, so split the group.
More →Sumo hotpot in the sumo district, pairs with watching morning practice. Phone to confirm it is trading, then reserve for six.
More →The highland milk spot you meant: soft serve, milkshakes and a 'milk flight' to sample milks from different Hokkaido farms. A tiny shop right by Senso-ji, so it pairs with the Asakusa day.
More →A loose plan, editable as we book things.
In from Tsumago through Nagoya, drop bags, Asakusa and Senso-ji in the evening.
Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya crossing and Shibuya Sky at dusk.
Early Fuji Excursion to Kawaguchiko, Chureito and the lake, back to Tokyo for dinner.
Tsukiji breakfast, Ginza or teamLab, an afternoon to wander and shop.
Early out for peak foliage, shrines and the crater lake, Shinjuku night on return.
Final morning near Haneda, then the early flights home on 20 October.