9 Days, 8 Nights in Tokyo | An Unforgettable Journey Through Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, Enoshima, Food, and Shopping
Our recent Tokyo trip was an incredibly fulfilling and unforgettable 9-day, 8-night independent adventure. Before taking off, we booked our flights and hotels via the Trip.com app, which made the entire process a breeze. Simply by entering our departure city, destination, dates, and number of guests on our phones, we were able to instantly compare flight times, airlines, hotel locations, rates, and guest reviews. Once booked, all our flight tickets, hotel addresses, check-in dates, and confirmation details were safely stored in the app. This meant no fumbling with paper printouts and gave us the peace of mind to double-check our itinerary anytime. Our packed itinerary covered downtown Tokyo, Odaiba, Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, Hakone, Kamakura, Enoshima, Kisarazu Outlet, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and the Tokyo Skytree.
Day 1, we flew from Shenzhen to Tokyo Haneda Airport. Since we arrived at night, we took a pre-arranged private transfer straight to the Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel. Despite the late hour, the hotel's comfortable ambiance, polite staff, complimentary drinks, and public bath were a welcome sight. After a long day of traveling, soaking in the public bath was incredibly relaxing and set a perfect tone for the rest of the trip.
Day 2, we spent the day exploring Odaiba. After breakfast near our hotel, we headed to Joypolis and DiverCity Tokyo Plaza. Odaiba is fantastic for entertainment and shopping, boasting spacious areas, diverse malls, and numerous attractions. Joypolis was buzzing with exciting games and immersive experiences, while DiverCity offered an array of shops and eateries where we could stroll and soak up Tokyo's urban vibe. We wrapped up the day with dinner near our hotel and another relaxing soak in the public bath—a laid-back yet highly satisfying day.
Day 3, we started our self-driving adventure to Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. We checked out of the Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel and picked up our rental car in Toyosu. Driving from Tokyo to Fuji-Q Highland allowed us to enjoy the shifting landscapes from the bustling city to the serene suburbs. By noon, we checked into Lake Villa Kawaguchiko. Compared to central Tokyo, the Kawaguchiko area is peaceful with crisp, fresh air, instantly putting us in full vacation mode.
Day 4 was a day I was eagerly anticipating as we focused on Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. Post-breakfast, our first stop was the famous Lawson convenience store in front of Kawaguchiko Station. Snapping photos of Mount Fuji framed right behind the store felt quintessentially Japanese. We then visited the Hikawa Clock Shop, where the charming streetscape seamlessly blended with the distant Mount Fuji.
Originally, we had planned to visit the Mount Fuji 5th Station Observation Deck, but bad weather forced a road closure, so we had to cancel. Though slightly disappointed, we made the most of our time by strolling around Lake Kawaguchi, capturing photos, and soaking in the majestic views of the mountain and lake. For lunch, we tried the famous local dish, Houtou Fudou. The piping-hot, thick udon noodles and local cuisine were the perfect comfort food for Yamanashi's cool weather. After a free afternoon, we picked up some groceries and cooked dinner together at our accommodation. Sharing the workload made for a cozy and fun evening.
Day 5, we left Kawaguchiko behind and drove towards Hakone, Kamakura, and Enoshima. Along the way, we stopped at the Taikanzan Observation Deck. The winding mountain roads offered breathtaking panoramic views under the clear skies. Next up was Kamakurakokomae Station, famous for its seaside railway crossing featured in Slam Dunk—an absolute must-visit photo spot. In the afternoon, we parked near Enoshima and explored the island, strolling down Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise Dori. With its stunning ocean views, quaint boutiques, and tasty street food, it was a joy to wander around. Come evening, we drove to Kawasaki and checked into the Richmond Hotel Premier Musashikosugi. Its prime location was ideal for our upcoming adventures.
Day 6, after checking out in the morning, we hit the road to Kisarazu Outlet. The mall is massive, offering an extensive selection of brands ranging from fashion and footwear to sporting goods and homeware. Thanks to our pre-planned itinerary on the app, we shopped at a leisurely pace without watching the clock. In the evening, we drove back to Ikebukuro, checked into Daiichi Inn Ikebukuro, and returned our rental car in Takadanobaba. Dinner was a pre-booked feast at Mo-Mo-Paradise Ikebukuro, where we indulged in an all-you-can-eat beef hot pot. Both the shabu-shabu and sukiyaki were phenomenal, providing the perfect end to our shopping spree.
Day 7, we dedicated the day to the Shinjuku and Tokyo Station areas. After a hotel breakfast, we dove into the bustling streets of Shinjuku. Packed with massive department stores, drugstores, electronic retailers, and endless dining options, it’s the ultimate spot to experience Tokyo’s vibrant energy. For lunch, we enjoyed a premium sukiyaki meal at the pre-booked Sukiyaki Juniten. The elegant atmosphere and top-tier food quality made it one of the most memorable meals of the trip. The afternoon was spent picking up souvenirs and daily essentials around Shinjuku—a simple yet fantastic shopping experience.
Day 8, our agenda focused on Ikebukuro and the Tokyo Skytree. After a quiet morning near the hotel, we headed to Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi. The area is brimming with shops and restaurants, making it ideal for souvenir hunting. Lunch was at the famous Jojoen (which we booked in advance), where we savored mouth-watering yakiniku while taking in the spectacular high-rise city views. We spent the rest of the day leisurely shopping at Solamachi, picking up a few final gifts and knick-knacks. The relaxed pace was the perfect way to wind down our trip.
Day 9 was our return day. We checked out of Daiichi Inn Ikebukuro in the morning and took a private transfer to Haneda Airport. After breezing through check-in, we boarded our flight back to Shenzhen, wrapping up an incredible Tokyo getaway.
Looking back on this 9-day, 8-night journey, the itinerary was wonderfully diverse. We experienced the vibrant pulse of downtown Tokyo, the fun-filled attractions of Odaiba, the natural splendor of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, the scenic mountain passes of Hakone, the coastal charm of Kamakura and Enoshima, the shopping thrills at Kisarazu Outlet, and countless incredible meals. Best of all, using a travel app to book our flights and hotels streamlined everything. Having all our information centralized and easily accessible on the go saved us so much hassle. Whether checking a hotel address, confirming a date, or verifying a flight time, it was all crystal clear. This independent Tokyo trip not only gave us unforgettable memories but also proved that solid preparation and handy travel tools can truly make any journey smoother, more relaxing, and completely stress-free.