Trip Map, Sep 10 - Sep 20

Immigration and customs can take 1-2 hours, so treat all evening times as flexible and do not panic if you reach Kyoto closer to 8:30 PM.

If using a paper Narita Express ticket, insert the JR ticket into the transfer gate first, then tap the linked Digital Suica and take the printed Seat Information slip.

Keep dinner plans flexible.

If you still have energy after check-in, take the Kyoto Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Shijo Station, then walk about 10-15 minutes east toward Pontocho. Keep this optional because your arrival time is uncertain.

Walk about 2 minutes from Via Inn Prime Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi to Kyoto Station, take the JR Nara Line to Inari Station, and arrive by 7:30 AM to beat crowds and heat.

Allow about 45-60 minutes to choose the kimono, get dressed, and add hair styling if wanted. Optional: if you want to return the kimono in Gion instead of backtracking to Kiyomizu, arrange the paid different-store return to the Gion Shop by 1:00 PM. If selected, Okamoto transfers the clothes and belongings you changed out of to the Gion Shop for you.

The kimono shop is about a 1-minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera, so continue directly to the temple after changing.

Walk downhill directly from Kiyomizu-dera through the preserved Higashiyama streets while wearing the kimono.

Continue north on foot through Higashiyama toward Gion. Keep the afternoon relaxed and allow time for photos, breaks, and the kimono return window.

Use a taxi if tired.

Walk about 10 minutes from Saga-Arashiyama Station and arrive around 8:00 AM.

Some trains require a quick transfer at Yamato-Saidaiji; follow the platform signs for Nara. (Note: Riding a Kintetsu Limited Express requires purchasing an additional Limited Express ticket).

Large lockers can fill up on a Saturday; if full, ask station staff for the nearest available luggage-storage option.

Walk east from Kintetsu-Nara Station; the park begins roughly 10-15 minutes from the station.

Continue on foot through Nara Park to Todai-ji. Open 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM in September.

Aim for around 6:30-7:00 PM. From HOTEL AMANEK Osaka Namba, walk about 2 minutes to Nipponbashi Station, take the Osaka Metro Sennichimae Line one stop to Tanimachi 9-chome, transfer to the Tanimachi Line toward Dainichi for Sekime-Takadono Station, use Exit 5, then walk about 5 minutes to 4-8-10 Takadono, Asahi-ku.

After dinner, walk back to Sekime-Takadono Station, take the Tanimachi Line to Tanimachi 9-chome, transfer to the Sennichimae Line one stop to Nipponbashi Station, then walk to Dotonbori and see the Glico Sign at night.

Walk a few minutes from Dotonbori; keep it as the final nearby stop before returning to HOTEL AMANEK Osaka Namba.

Full-day activity; arrive before opening. Walk about 5 minutes from HOTEL AMANEK Osaka Namba to Osaka-Namba Station, take the Hanshin Namba Line to Nishikujo Station, transfer to the JR Yumesaki Line for Universal City Station, then walk to the park entrance. Use your pre-purchased dated Studio Pass and Universal Express Pass, and follow any attraction or area-entry time windows shown on the Express Pass.

From Universal City Station, take the JR Yumesaki Line to Nishikujo, transfer to the Osaka Loop Line to Shin-Imamiya, then walk to Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku.

Book Seat E in a standard car (or Seat D in a Green Car). Watch the left side of the train around the Mishima-Shin-Fuji section for Mount Fuji, weather permitting.

From Via Inn Shinjuku, walk about 3 minutes to Shinjuku-sanchome Station and take the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line directly to Shibuya Station, then exit toward Hachiko/Scramble Crossing.

Walk from Shibuya Scramble Crossing to Shibuya Scramble Square.

From Via Inn Shinjuku, walk west through Shinjuku for roughly 20 minutes; use a taxi if you prefer to save your legs.

Finish around Shinjuku San-chome near the hotel; walk back east from the Metropolitan Government Building area.

Allow plenty of time for the morning walk across Shinjuku and aim to reach the pickup area around 7:40-7:45 AM.

Be ready at Tokyo Mode Gakuen by 7:55 AM for pickup.

Follow the exact instructions from your tour operator for the tour and return journey.

Booked admission window: 10:30-11:00 AM. Aim to arrive around 10:15 AM so you have a small buffer before entry.

After teamLab, walk back to Shin-Toyosu Station, take the Yurikamome to Shimbashi, transfer to the Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusa, then walk to Senso-ji. Have lunch around Asakusa before or after the temple depending on timing.

Walk about 10-15 minutes west from Senso-ji toward Kappabashi.

If you visit Kappabashi, walk to Tawaramachi Station and take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Ueno Station. If you skip Kappabashi, take the Ginza Line directly from Asakusa to Ueno. Then walk to Ameyoko.

If you visit Ueno, take the JR Yamanote Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line one stop to Akihabara. If you skip Ueno, use the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Suehirocho from Asakusa or Tawaramachi. Visit while shops are still open.

If you visit Akihabara, take the JR Chuo-Sobu Line one stop to Asakusabashi, transfer to the Toei Asakusa Line to Oshiage, then walk to Tokyo Skytree. If you skip the Optional stops after Senso-ji, take the Toei Asakusa Line directly from Asakusa to Oshiage. Aim for late afternoon or evening for sunset or night views.

Arrive around 10:30 AM.

Walk about 8 minutes from Dorsett Kwun Tong to Kwun Tong MTR Station, then take the Kwun Tong Line directly to Wong Tai Sin.

Take the Kwun Tong Line from Wong Tai Sin to Diamond Hill and walk to the adjacent grounds.

Eat after finishing the garden and nunnery before continuing directly toward Tsim Sha Tsui.

Take the Tuen Ma Line directly from Diamond Hill Station to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station, then walk to the waterfront and continue along the promenade to view the Hong Kong skyline.

Walk west along the waterfront from the Avenue of Stars to the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier, then take the regular public ferry across Victoria Harbour to Central.

From Central Star Ferry Pier, walk about 20 minutes through Central to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus on Garden Road, or take a short taxi if tired. Ride the Peak Tram up if operating, then visit Sky Terrace 428.

Afterward, return by Peak Tram to Central. To get back to Dorsett Kwun Tong, take the MTR Tsuen Wan Line from Central to Mong Kok and transfer to the Kwun Tong Line for Kwun Tong Station.

Aim to reach the Tung Chung terminal around opening time. September 19 is the first scheduled operating day after the September 8-18 maintenance closure, so allow extra time for queues.

Explore Ngong Ping Village, visit the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, and avoid adding unnecessary stops.

Explore Central on foot after lunch; keep the route compact and continue toward the Mid-Levels Escalator rather than adding distant stops.

Use the Mid-Levels Escalator through Central/SoHo, then continue west on foot toward Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan.

Check in and drop off your checked luggage as early as practical. Kowloon Station's Cathay service operates from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Cathay allows in-town bag drop from 24 hours up to 90 minutes before scheduled departure during service hours. Use the same eligible payment method or Airport Express ticket later when entering the Airport Express platform.

Explore the busy streets, markets, shops, and surrounding neighbourhood.

Eat in Mong Kok before continuing toward Kowloon Station.

If you have spare time, continue to West Kowloon nearby for a final harbour view or relaxed break before returning to the station.

Aim to leave Kowloon Station with enough buffer to be at the airport well before your 7:00 PM flight.