Advice on 9 day trip to Japan

Hi Guys,

I've just booked a trip for 9 days leaving this weekend. So far we have the following planned:

Day 1 - we arrive at Tokyo in the evening - any advice on something relaxing we can do in the evening?

Day 2 - Take a trip to Ginza and explore the shoppping district. Not sure who long this will take? Any suggestions what to do in the evening? Could we fit in a trip to the Imperial Palace? What time do the shops shut? Maybe we could shop afterwards.

Day 3 - We're thinking DisneySea - I know it's not true Japan but it'll be fun nonetheless. We'll be travelling in from Shiodome Station - any advice on how to get there?

Day 4 - Again we're thinking Disneyland but we may give this a miss...so any suggestions?

Day 5 - Any suggestions?

Day 6 - OSAKA - we're planning on getting an early Bullet Train to Osaka and spend the day there. Check in at the hotel then maybe visit Osaka Castle. Is that do able? What time does the Castle shut?

Day 7 - We're planning on visiting Universal Studios - I'm bad I know.

Day 8 - We were thinking of visiting Shitennoji Temple. How long does this take? Any suggestions on what to do in Osaka in the evening?

Day 9 - Back to Tokyo - get bullet train back to Toyko and spend day there. Any suggestions on what to see? Any must see?

Day 10 - Back home to UK

Any advice anyone can give me will be much appreciated. Any recommended resturants, places to eat in general. I am so looking forward to this trip, it was planned a bit last minute.

Thanks :o)

Could we fit in a trip to the Imperial Palace?

Obviously time spent shopping differs tremendously between individual, but if you have an entire day, you have to be an extreme shopper in order not to find the time to fit in a trip to the nearby palace.

What time do the shops shut?

Typical business hours are mentioned on the following page:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3005.html

Day 3 - We're thinking DisneySea - I know it's not true Japan but it'll be fun nonetheless.

It is as truly Japanese as it gets.

We'll be travelling in from Shiodome Station - any advice on how to get there?

I would take the Oedo Line from Shiodome to Tsukishima, then the Yurakucho Line to Shin-Kiba and then the JR Keiyo Line to Maihama. About 30 minutes in total:
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/

OSAKA - we're planning on getting an early Bullet Train to Osaka and spend the day there. Check in at the hotel then maybe visit Osaka Castle. Is that do able? What time does the Castle shut?

Of course it is doable. The train ride to Osaka takes only about 3-4 hours. About Osaka Castle and opening hours:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4000.html

We were thinking of visiting Shitennoji Temple. How long does this take?

10-45 minutes viewing time.

Thank you for your reply Uji.

Any tips on what's a must see in either Tokyo or Osaka? I've read the website but there is too much choice. :o)

Umeda Sky Garden & Metropolitan Gov Observatory are great place to go.

Umeda Sky Building
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4002.html

Metropolitan Government Office
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html

I recommend to consider the ratings and your personal interests in order to filter out the sights of interest:

Tokyo:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html

Osaka:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2157.html

I have just got back from my trip and I had an amazing time. Japan is somewhere I have always wanted to go and it certainly didn't disappoint. Thanks to those who replied to my thread and also to those who have contributed to this forum.