Thoughts on our March 25 to April 4 trip. The itinerary is already really solid. These are the tweaks I'd make so we get the best parts without spending every day running between train stations.
Along the way: Nagoya Railway Museum on March 29 • Shirakawa-go on March 31
Kanazawa was just a typo in the original itinerary. The confirmed KOKO HOTEL Premier Kanazawa Korinbo reservation is Wednesday, March 31 to Friday, April 2 (check-in from 3 PM, checkout before 11 AM). That lines up perfectly with Takayama checkout March 31 and the return to Tokyo April 2.
Tokyo → Nagoya → railway museum → Nagoya → Takayama is doable, but the museum is an additional ~25-minute train ride each way from Nagoya Station. I'd prioritize the earlier afternoon Hida train and avoid treating this like a leisurely museum day.
The 40th anniversary exhibition runs through April 4 at Tokyo National Museum. It requires a date-specific morning or afternoon ticket. Friday, April 2 after arriving might be best if the train timing works; otherwise Saturday, April 3. Official exhibition details.
The 2027 league schedule has Giants vs. Dragons on Sunday, March 28. That's probably our best baseball option, with Yanaka/Nezu as the excellent no-baseball alternative. We can decide once game tickets and start times are clearer.
Keep the arrival evening light. Check in, eat, explore Omoide Yokocho or the nearby streets, and see how jet lag treats us. Park Hyatt or the government-building views are bonuses, not obligations.
I'd group Meiji Jingu and Harajuku first, then Shibuya PARCO and the gaming stores. End with LOST or Shinjuku nightlife depending on energy. PARCO's stores normally open at 10 AM, so 9:30 is more for lining up than shopping.
If we get Giants tickets, awesome. Otherwise I love the Yanaka Ginza, cemetery, Hebimichi, and Nezu Shrine loop. If the blossoms are good, Shinjuku Gyoen is another strong contender. I'd skip the extra Odaiba bus loop on this day.
Give the SCMAGLEV museum a dedicated 2–3 hours, plus the Aonami Line trip there and back. Ideally catch the earlier afternoon Hida service to reach Takayama before the evening gets too late. Eat Hida beef when we arrive.
Start at Miyagawa Morning Market, then Sanmachi Suji, breweries, historic houses, and maybe the Showa-kan. The festival floats and Higashiyama walk are optional depending on how much wandering we feel like doing. I'd really like some unstructured time here.
Love this stop between cities. The bus route may be easier than renting a car if we're sticking to the main village. If we want Suganuma, Ainokura, or coastal detours, then a driver starts making more sense. Kanazawa seafood or a walk through Higashi Chaya sounds like a good evening.
Morning Kenroku-en and castle, lunch at Omicho Market, then Nagamachi in the afternoon. We can visit Higashi Chaya later, but I'd check any actual teahouse hours before assuming they're open in the evening.
I'd choose between a relaxed kimono photoshoot and an early Tokyo arrival. If the timing works, this is my preferred day for the Final Fantasy exhibition. Otherwise, check into Asakusa and have an easy Senso-ji evening.
Akihabara deserves a decent chunk of time for retro game stores and browsing. Eorzea Café needs planning if we want to go. We can also catch the FF exhibit today if Friday doesn't work. I'd book the tattoo rather than leave it to chance, and avoid packing all three into a rushed day.
Maybe a little shopping or breakfast, but leave a healthy buffer for Haneda. Our flight is at 3:15 PM. Your parents fly home the following day, so they can keep exploring after we leave.
Not more mandatory stops! Just some good options to swap in if we have the time or decide to split up for a while. Photos are reference images, not previews of what things will look like in March 2027.
A fun alternative to Akihabara, with Mandarake shops, manga, older toys, collectible oddities and Japanese pop-culture stuff. Great for a separate afternoon, but we don't need to cram it into April 3.
Photo: Japan With Love, illustrative reference. Photo source
I'd promote this from optional to a high priority if the blossoms cooperate. It's close to our first Tokyo hotel and the park is open during the special spring season. Some busy sakura dates may require advance entry arrangements.
Photo: Trip to Japan, illustrative spring reference. Photo source
We already have Akihabara on the itinerary, but I'd budget real browsing time. Japanese Mega Drive, Saturn, PlayStation and old game soundtracks are the rabbit hole. Super Potato, BEEP and Retro Game Camp are a good starting point.
Photo: Marco Togni, illustrative store reference. Photo sourceIf baseball doesn't work out on March 28, the cat-neighborhood day is still a great choice. Old-fashioned shopping streets, cafés, the cemetery and Nezu Shrine are a lovely contrast to Shibuya and Shinjuku. Official Tokyo neighborhood walking guide ↗ · Yanaka Ginza map ↗
Separate adventures: We can do our own thing for part of a day and regroup for dinner. Luggage: Let's explore forwarding the big bags and carrying smaller bags through Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Confirm delivery timing with the hotels.
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Schedules, ticket availability, cherry blossoms, restaurant hours, and transportation options can change. Confirm before making nonrefundable plans.
