Tokyo is a serious foodie city. I think that’s the best part about it. Google “best of” lists of any kind of Japanese food you can think of, you’ll find some amazing spots in Tokyo. Actually, I ate at a ramen place named Ippuden in Kyoto- long annoying wait but worth it. I’m not sure I’d call it mind blowing but I’m kind of spoiled for ramen on the west coast. You can click my user name and if you have time, scroll through my Japan trip report. I already want to return to Japan just because of the food. Mmm. If you like seafood, go to a sushi place in the Tokyo fish market, and google gyoza in Tokyo as well as shichirin. I went to two places on the same day- actually, I mistook the shichirin place for Kameido Gyoza Honten. But it was a happy mistake. And Kameido ruined me for all the local places serving Gyoza. Maybe for life.

I think this could be the other place:
https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restau...ameido-horumon

Weird, but such a cool experience. If you’re a meat eater, that is.

Agree that Osaka’s high point is its night life. Japan cities close up earlier than Americans are used to, so I really enjoyed an evening in Osaka. It’s very lively, very different from Kyoto. Kyoto shrines are fun to walk through at night because they’re so crowded during the day- and also, they’re beautiful or “exotic” lit up.

That Starbucks in Kyoto is cool but unbelievably crowded. After watching the video, I’m sad I didn’t get to see the upstairs, but it was a horrible wait. But it could be that it was the new big thing when I went. I didn’t realize it had just opened. Starbucks is nearly everywhere in Japan, and if there isn’t a ‘bucks, there’s a tully’s. They’ve got some really good specialty drinks that I wish they had in the states.

I wouldn’t stay in a capsule hotel. I tried one capsule kind of lodging. I thought I’d like it, I don’t enjoy big spaces, but it was a little to claustrophobic. It turns out that even budget hotels in Japan are very clean, and I would do a traditional Japanese futon style room before a capsule. They’re cheaper, and comfortable.

Have a great trip!

Marvelousmouse, thanks for your input! I will stick those recommendations into my spreadsheet, they sound great. I'll definitely check out your trip report too!

Your flight to Narita provides the best timing to a Ryokan in Hakone. You could get there around 17:00, just before Kaiseki dishes and an Onsen. After spending a relaxing night there, you could tackle Kyoto and Tokyo, then.

If you go directly to Kyoto, you would be there by 19:00. In that case, how about making a one-night break at Arima Onsen before you head back to Tokyo? You could enjoy a great night view of Osaka Bay from Mt Rokko nearby.

GoogleMaps works, but Tabelog has English pages to search Ramen restaurants and others.
https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=とん...3,2891&tbm=lcl
https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/rstLst/ramen/

I have shown you Tokyo maps for Tonkotsu Ramen, however, it is said that there are no authentic Tonkotsu Ramen shops in Tokyo. Tokyo Ramen is Shoyu Ramen (soy-sauce). In Tokyo, Tonkotsu means Shoyu-Tonkotsu.

I also care about three-night stays. Everyone has their own preferences. If you do not feel the site comfortable, three nights would be tough. Less risky travels are by one-night stays, but I believe many people choose two nights for a more relaxed pace. Three nights for a second visit.

Kyoto and Tokyo are just the standards. I would add some unbeaten places for the memory of a honeymoon.

Capsule hotels are generally cheap accommodation for a night and a bath. However, the one at Narita is a stylish one. It is not a bad choice
to select that.

So here is my night plan. If you find Kyoto is really interesting, you just leave Kyoto later on Tuesday. You may even able to do one more day in Kyoto on Thursday, by leaving Hakata early. If you find Hakata boring, you could leave for Tokyo early on Thursday. Or, you may even choose a day trip to Busan. There is a high-speed boat to Busan. Osaka could be done on the way. Two-night stays are rather flexible.

Sat: Hakone
Sun: Kyoto
Mon: Kyoto
Tue: Hakata
Wed: Hakata
Thu: Tokyo
Fri: Tokyo
Sat: Narita https://ninehours.co.jp/narita/

You could save time by exchanging Hakone with Atami, for example. Or, choose Kokura with Mt Sarakura for night views, instead of Hakata.

One more. Kyoto Aoi Matsuri Festival will be held on May 15. It is Tuesday in 2018.
https://www.kyokanko.or.jp/aoi/

Oh, good catch by LuisJp on the Aoi Matsuri! And May is also the time when you can see the Kamagawa Odori in Kyoto -- entrancing, IMO!
http://www.immortalgeisha.com/wiki/i...Kamogawa_Odori

Enjoy!

KamOgawa Odori - oops!

I am not interested in Kamogawa Odori, but it is scheduled in the period of 1 - 24 May 2018.
https://www.facebook.com/ponto.kamo.odori/

Interesting! I far preferred the Kamogawa Odori, but am glad that I also saw the Aoi Matsuri.

I am very glad that Fodorites have, and share, different perspectives. :-)

I have to say that u are a bit all over the place for the time u have.
In 1 week i would focus on Tokyo and Kyoto alone! I have been to Fukuoka and it is really nice, but the best part is to travel around Kyushu...

Go for Hakone that is nice...but for the rest i d stick with tokyo and kyoto....maybe add 1 day to Nara or 1 to Kamakura...

@ bussa17: I'm confused! For this thread, you say with 7.5 days, you would stick with Tokyo and Kyoto; on a different thread for someone planning about 9 days, you recommend traveling to multiple destinations. FWIW, I though 6 days insufficient for a first visit to Kyoto / Nara and 3 days more than enough for Tokyo -- but that's just my interests. I think the OP might want to decide what is of interest and plot opening times on a calendar. JMO.

I suppose that everyone has their idea of what a honeymoon should be but if I choose a capsule hotel I would never stop hearing about it for the rest of my life. I would keep it simple with just two hotels. Perhaps a Ryokan in Kyoto as a third if it is in your budget.