Dinkwads Abroad

We try to structure our days and cluster things in similar areas together to minimize travel time between activities. This helps us fit more into our day and not feel so rushed getting to and from each thing – because if you’re on limited PTO, you have to figure out how to make the most of your time! If you’re wondering how to do that on your trip to Japan and South Korea, look no further! Here’s a day by day breakdown of what we did each day. This is just a high level view – if you’d like more details on where we ate, drank, or what we did, check out my other Japan and South Korea blog posts!

Day 1 – Tokyo

We landed in Narita at around 3:30 PM and immediately made our way to Ueno to check into our hotel! After that, it was a chill afternoon of just wandering Ameyoko Street and Ueno Park until it was time to grab a bite. Here’s a list of what we did that first day!

1. Check into Hotel Sardonyx Ueno.
2. Walked to Ueno Park. Explored a few hours.
3. Walked to Ameyoko Street and wandered and shopped for a bit.
4. Ate dinner at a yakitori restaurant at Ameyoko Street.
5. Walked to Akihabara Electric Town to do some anime shopping.
6. Walked to Hitachino Brewing Lab for a nightcap.

Day 2 – Tokyo

We woke up way earlier than planned due to jet lag, so took advantage of the time to go explore Ueno when it was completely quiet! Here’s all we did day two:

1. Walked to Ueno Park to collect goshuin stamps from shrines and temples.
2. Walked to Akihabara station and got a pastry from Vie de France.
3. Free walking tour of Akihabara and Ueno.
4. Walked to lunch at Uncle Joe & explored Ameyoko Street.
5. Took a train to Tokyo Tower and took in the sights.
6. Took a train to beer and dinner at Ginza Lion Beer Hall.

Day 3 – Tokyo

Asakusa, beer, and a Shinjuku tour!

1. Took a train to Senso-Ji Temple & surrounding temples.
2. Walked to Mokuhankan Woodblock Print Shop to shop woodblock prints.
3. Walked to Kumihimo Kiryudo for souvenirs.
4. Walked to Tokyo Curry Pan for curry bread.
5. Walked to Kagetsudo Kaminarimon for melon pan with ice cream.
6. Walked to Asahi Brewery for lunch and beer.
7. Took a train to Hitachino Brewing Lab.
8. Took a train to Shinjuku After Dark Tour (Tacchan, Ryouma, Bar Lonely).

Day 4 – Tokyo

Flea markets, anime shopping, ramen, beer, and sushi!

1. Took a train to Hanazano Shrine and flea market.
2. Took a train to Nakano Broadway for anime shopping.
3. Walked to Nakano Beer Kobo for beer and snacks.
4. Walked to Nakano Kuni-Chan Ramen for ramen.
5. Hit a wall and had to take a train back to the hotel to nap! But the original plan was to thrift shop at Shimokitazawa.
6. Took a train to O by Oslo Brewing for beer.
7. Walked to Sushi Labo for omakase sushi.

Day 5 – Tokyo

Last day in Tokyo! We were going to go see Mt. Fuji, but it was being shy, so we hung out in Tokyo instead!

• Walked to Truffle Mini for pastries.
• Walked to Shi-Ten for coffee and matcha.
• Walked back to Ameyoko Market for souvenirs at Don Quijote.
• Walked to Aki Oka to shop for artisan crafts.
• Walked to Kappa Sushi for conveyor belt sushi.
• Walked to Ghibli store and beer at Noodle House Laundry in Tokyo Station.
• Took a train to Miyazaki Clock (need to time it right to see the show).
• Walked to WCB The Room for beers.
• Took a train to Shibuya Wagyu Yakiniku for dinner over Shibuya Scramble.
• Took a train to the Cat billboard in Shinjuku.
• Walked to a nightcap at Tacchan in Omoide Yokocho.

Day 6 – Shibu Onsen

Train and bus to Shibu Onsen, hike, beer and sake tastings, and stamp rallies!

1. Took a train to Monkey Park near Shibu Onsen.
2. Hiked to Monkey Park (the monkeys weren’t out that day).
3. Had beer and snacks on hike down at Enzo Cafe.
4. Enjoyed a beer and sake tasting at Tamamura Honten.
5. Checked in and ate kaiseki dinner at Kanaguya.
6. Soaked our soar feet at the foot bath.
7. Collected stamps from the stamp rally at the different public baths.
8. Soaked in a private bath in Kanaguya.

Day 7 – Shima Onsen

Buses and trains to Shima Onsen, then just primarily exploring our hotel! Since we pretty much only spent time on our hotel grounds here, I won’t share a map of where we went.

1. Combination of buses and trains to Shima Onsen.
2. Checked into Sekizenkan.
3. Watched a dance and festival in front of the hotel.
4. Explored Sekizenkan hotel (hot springs, Miyazaki art and signature, etc).
5. Kaiseki dinner at Sekizenkan.
6. Private bath in our hotel room.

Day 8 – Spending time with family

Day 8 we just traveled to my brother’s house and spent time with the family, so there’s nothing specific to share here!

Day 9 – Ghibli Park

No step by step for Day 9 because we spent the whole time at Ghibli Park! Be sure to check back for my full blog on our day living as Miyazaki characters!

Days 10 & 11 – Time with Family

I spent time just with my brother’s family, hanging out in their neighborhood. We didn’t go anywhere or do anything special, so nothing to note or map!

Day 12 – Kyoto

Kurama to Kibune hike, Green Temple, rooftop dinner

1. My sister-in-law drove us to Eiden Mototanaka station in Kyoto. Took the train up to Kurama.
2. Hiked to Kibune.
3. Katusdon and katsu curry at Kifune Kyoshiyo.
4. Bus and train to Saihoji Temple to enjoy the serenity.
5. My sister-in-law drove us to our AirBNB and we checked in.
6. Shopped handmade gifts at Hakuchikudo.
7. Shopped anime goods at Lashinbang.
8. Had rooftop yakiniku and unlimited drinks at Tendan Rooftop Kamogawa Sky BBQ Garden

Day 13 – Kyoto

Temples, bamboo forests, and hikes!

1. Woke up early and walked to Kiyomizu-dara for great views.
2. Walked to Hokan-Ji Temple and Yasaka Pagoda for classic Kyoto sights.
3. Coffee at Gion Coffee.
4. Walked to Ryozen Kannon Temple to see the huge Buddha.
5. Walked to Kodaji Temple to see the bamboo forest.
6. Train to Fushimi Inari and hiked to peak.
7. Train to Nishiki Market for some local shopping.
8. Bought a kitchen knife at Kikuichimonji Cutlery.
9. Walked to Stand Umineko Koto Craft Beer Stand and had some beers.
10. Walked to Sushi Roman and had sushi and duck for dinner.
11. Walked to Kyoto Beer Lab for a few beers.
12. Walked to Yamaneko Craft Beer for a final night cap.
13. Went back to the AirBNB because it was POURING!

Day 14 – Kyoto & Osaka

More temples and shrines, a bullet train, and a boat ride!

1. Walked to Kennin-ji Temple to see the amazing dragon painting.
2. Got luggage and walked to Gion Shijo train station. Bullet train to Osaka.
3. Checked into Dormy Inn Premium NAMBA.
4. Walked around Dotonbori to see all the amazing 3D signs.
5. Walked to Namba Yasaka Shrine to see the dragon head.
6. Walked to the meeting point and did a quick Dotonbori Boat Ride to view the lights from the river.
7. Walked around Namba.
8. Ate an amazing dinner at Pork Chuka Osaka.

Day 15 – Seoul

Trains and planes and hanoks!

1. Took a train to the airport, flight to Seoul, and then a train and bus to the bottom of Bukchon Hanok Village. Then walked up to our hanok stay to check in.
2. Walked to Kiwa Taproom for a few beers and seafood pancakes.
3. Walked around Ikseon-dong Hanok Village.
4. Walked to Changgyeonggung Palace and watched a light show.
5. Walked back to Ikseon-dong and ate fried chicken and drank beer at 3.14.
6. Walked to Art Monster for a night cap.

Day 16 – Seoul

Palaces, pastries, and purchases!

1. Walked to Gyeongbokgung Palace and watched the changing of the guards. Then walked at a market along the palace walls.
2. Walked along Cheonggyecheon Stream for a peaceful stroll in the heart of the city.
3. Walked to Soha Salt Pond Ikseon-dong for salt bread and coffees.
4. Walked to Changdeokgung Palace to explore the labyrinthian palace.
5. Walked to Ssamziegil mall and shopped handmade goods.
6. Bought a handmade Korean mask at Talbang Mask Shop.
7. Dinner at a tent restaurant near Jongno 3 station.
8. Took a train to Itaewon Izakaya Momo’s Strange Adventure for drinks.
9. Bus back to Bukchon Hanok Village.

Day 17 – Seoul

Tunnels, shopping, street food!

1. Coffee and matcha at Layered Cafe.
2. Train to Dongmyo Flea Market to shop the local goods.
3. Train and walking to find Sinchon Graffiti Tunnel that’s in all kinds of K-dramas.
4. Walked to Ale Crew and had a beer.
5. Walked to Slice for a sandwich.
6. Walked to AK Plaza to shop.
7. Went to Hongdae for more shopping at Olive Young and a bookstore while Beau got a tattoo.
8. Had some beers at Art Monster.
9. Ate fried chicken, hotteok, and marshmallow ice cream from street vendors in Hongdae.
10. Walked to Seoul Brewery for a night cap.
11. Bus to Cheonggyecheon Stream to walk it at night and enjoy the city lights from below.
12. Walked back to Bukchon Hanok Village.

Day 18 – Seoul

Last day! N Seoul Tower and temples!

1. Bus to N Seoul Tower for panoramic views of the city and then hiked back down.
2. Bus to Jogyesa Temple to see the floral displays.
3. Walking through Bukchon Hanok Village.
4. Then bus to airport and flight home!

And there you go – that’s how we structured each day! Want to see more details about where we stayed, what we ate, what we did, and other tips and tricks? Check out my other blog posts about Japan and South Korea!