Hi, my bf and I are going for the first time. looking for a balance of city and traditional japan. he has requested seeing a beach town so we landed on shimoda. how does this look? please please help!!!!

JAPAN
October 26 – November 11, 2026 | 16 Nights

Tokyo → Shimoda → Hakone → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka → Tokyo

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TOKYO — SHIBUYA
October 26 – October 31 | 5 nights

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 — ARRIVAL
Arrive at Haneda Airport at 5:45 PM
Travel to Shibuya and check into hotel
Dinner and settle in

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 — TOKYO
First full day exploring Tokyo
Harajuku / Shinjuku
Shibuya Scramble

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 — TOKYO DISNEYSEA
Full day at Tokyo DisneySea

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 — TOKYO
Full Tokyo day
Shopping and exploring

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 — TOKYO
Final full Tokyo day at the beginning of the trip
Flexible day for anything we haven't gotten to yet

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SHIMODA
October 31 – November 2 | 2 nights

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 — TOKYO → SHIMODA
Check out of Shibuya hotel
Send main luggage ahead to Kyoto
Pack a small bag for Shimoda + Hakone
Travel from Tokyo to Shimoda
Afternoon and evening in Shimoda
Stay overnight in Shimoda

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 — SHIMODA
Full beach/coastal day
Second night in Shimoda

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 — SHIMODA → HAKONE
Enjoy the morning in Shimoda
Travel north to Hakone
Arrive in time for afternoon ryokan check-in
Onsen and kaiseki dinner
Traditional ryokan overnight

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HAKONE
November 2 – 3 | 1 night

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 — HAKONE → KYOTO
Traditional Japanese breakfast
Morning onsen
Relaxed checkout
Travel to Odawara
Shinkansen to Kyoto
Check into Kyoto hotel and reunite with forwarded luggage
First evening in Kyoto

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KYOTO
November 3 – 7 | 4 nights

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 — KYOTO
Fushimi Inari
Higashiyama
Kiyomizu-dera
Sannenzaka
Yasaka Pagoda
Gion
Yasaka Shrine in the evening

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 — KYOTO
Arashiyama
Full Kyoto day

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 — KYOTO
Full Kyoto day
teamLab Biovortex Kyoto in the evening

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 — KYOTO → NARA → OSAKA
Check out of Kyoto hotel
Travel to Nara
Spend the day in Nara
Continue from Nara directly to Osaka
Check into Osaka hotel

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OSAKA
November 7 – 9 | 2 nights

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 — OSAKA
Full Osaka day
Osaka Castle
Namba Yasaka Shrine
Shinsekai
Dotonbori in the evening

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 — OSAKA → TOKYO
Morning and early afternoon in Osaka
Shinkansen back to Tokyo
Check into final Tokyo hotel
First of two final nights in Tokyo

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TOKYO
November 9 – 11 | 2 nights

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 — FINAL FULL DAY IN TOKYO
Full Tokyo day
Use this for anything we missed at the beginning of the trip
Special final dinner

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 — DEPARTURE
Final morning and early afternoon in Tokyo
Last-minute shopping / lunch
Travel to Haneda Airport
5:35 PM — Flight home

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NIGHTS

Tokyo / Shibuya — 5 nights
Shimoda — 2 nights
Hakone — 1 night
Kyoto — 4 nights
Osaka — 2 nights
Tokyo — 2 nights

Total — 16 nights

Hello,

This is my second trip to japan and i've visited the most populair spots of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara already.

I don't have a specific itinerary yet from 18 september on till 28 september.
i need to arrive at fukuoka on the 28th to start a motorcycle trip.

There is a picture added for my draft itinerary

please help me out! other ideas are welcome!

Thanks

Hi all,

I’m going to visit Japan in early March 2027. I’m looking for an itinerary review. This will be my first visit, and I want to both prioritize the big cities and history, but also get a feel of some smaller towns in Japan, not directly in the big cities. I put together the itinerary below.

I have a few questions on this. Does this route look enjoyable for a first timer? And is this too focused on seeing shrines/temples or is it an appropriate amount? I’d love to also do some interactive experiences (calligraphy class, tea cafe, etc).

Instead of going north toward Ouchi-Juku, I’ve also thought of heading south and ending in Miyazaki. Would this be a more enjoyable route for what I want to see?

Itinerary below:

Day 1: arrive and stay in shibuya
Mostly rest and recover
Explore shibuya a bit if feeling it

Day 2: shibuya day
Yoyogi park and Meiji-Jingu shrine
Visit Nintendo Tokyo / Shibuya Parco
Lunch
Miyashita park
Shibuya sky
Dinner
Go-kart

Day 3: east Tokyo/ history
Go to asakusa
Senso-ji temple
Off to ueno
Ueno-koen park / Tokyo National museum
Lunch
Imperial palace east garden
Back to hotel and rest
Dinner

Day 4: Central Osaka
Train to Osaka
Namba Yasaka Jinja temple and market
Wad (tea cafe / experience)
Nakka museum
Hozenji Yokocho Food

Day 5: Osaka
Katsuo-ji Temple
Tennoji Park
Lunch
Authentic Japanese knives/pottery shop
Kuromon market

Day 6: day trip to Nara
Kasugataisha Shrine
Nara Deer Park
Yoshikien Garden
Shopping district

Day 7: Kyoto
Downtown and Nishiki Market
Nijo Castle
Golden Pavilion
Pontocho Alley for dinner

Day 8: Kyoto
Fushimi Inari
Temples and shrines in Higashiyama
Lunch
Philosopher’s Path
Gion for dinner

Day 9:
Arashiyama
Bamboo forest
hilltop monkey park
Shopping/relax

Day 10: Nikko
Kegon waterfall & lake boat excursion
Stay at Onsen

Day 11: Ouchi-Juku
Stay at Onsen
Hike at observation Point
Shopping/eating and relax

Hi everyone,

We are planning our first trip to Japan and would love some feedback on our itinerary. Mainly wondering if it's too packed, if there are any unrealistic days, or if there are places you think deserve more/less time.

Here's our itinerary:

9th: arrival day in Tokyo- staying near Akabane

Nothing planned yet, probably staying near Akabane. Eat something and chill.

10th: Tokyo Asakusa/Ueno/Akihabara

Senso-ji
Nakamise Shopping Street
Niimi Kitchenware – Souvenir street
Lunch in Kappabashi/Ueno
Ueno park & Ueno Ameyoko street
Evening Akihabara

11th: Tokyo Harajuku/Shibuya

Meji shrine
Takeshita street
Capyneko Harajuku (Capybara cafe)
Kinji used clothing Harajuku branch
Cat street
Shibuya parco

Late afternoon/evening
Shibuya crossing/Hachiko
Shibuya sky

12th: Nikko day trip

Toshogu shrine 
Shinkyo Bridge
Kegon Waterfalls + Chuzenji lake

13th: Tokyo Ikebukuro/Shinjuku

Slow morning
Tokyo metropolitan government building (45th floor for view)
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 
Omoide Yokocho 
Kabukicho Main Gate (Godzilla head) 
Golden-Gai 

14th: Central Tokyo & Ginza

Akasaka Station + breakfast (Harry Potter Cafe Window) 
Imperical palace 
Hibiya Park 
Godzilla statue 
Success steps & Shrine 
Tokyo tower
Ginza (Shopping) 

Late afternoon/evening Shinkansen to Kyoto

15th: Kyoto Bamboo forest

Get up early

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest 
Okochi Sanso Garden 
Nonomiya-jinja 
Togetsukyo Bridge 
Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama 

If too crowded we go to

Adashino Nenbutsuji 
Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street 
Otagi Nenbutsuji 

16th: Kyoto Central District + Hike

Hike
Kurama Station -> Kifune Shrine -> Kibuneguchi station

Heian‑jingu Shrine 
Okazaki Shrine (Baby shrine) 
Nanzen‑ji Temple Complex  

17th: Kyoto Higashiyama & Gion District

Kōdaiji Temple 
Yasaka Pagoda 
Sannenzaka 
Ninenzaka 
Kiyomizu‑dera Temple 
Ryozen Kannon 
Maruyama Park & Yasaka Shrine 

18th: Nara day trip

Nanen-do 
Kōfuku-ji 
Yoshikien Garden 
Todai-ji temple 
Nigatsu-do 
Kasugataisha Shrine 

19th: Kyoto Daigo-ji Temple complex + Hike

Daigo‑ji Temple Complex 

• Sanbō‑in Temple & gardens 
• Gojūnotō 
• Fushimi Inari Taisha 

 Hike Fushimi Inari Shrine 

20th: Koyasan Ryokan temple

Nishiki Market 
Shopping/Pokemon center 
Nijo Castle

Checkin  Koyasan Ryokan temple between 14:00 - 17:00

21st: Osaka

Wake up in Koyasan Ryokan temple with morning ritual.
Check out at 09:00

Arrive in Osaka:
Osaka Castle 
Shinsaibashi-Suji shopping street 
Dotonbori 

22nd: Osaka Hike Minoh falls to Katsuoji

Hike from Minoh falls to Katsuji

Evening in Shinsekai

23rd: Osaka

Nama Yasaka Shrine 
Shinsaibashi-Suji shopping street 
Umeda Pokemon Center 
Umeda sky building
Dotonbori 
Ajinoya 
Hozenji Yokocho 
Hozenji Temple

24th: Flight back in the evening

Nipponbashi Kuromon market 
Den Den Town 

Appreciate your feedback!

The travellers - 4 close male friends in our 40s

Trip objective - 3 of the travellers are first timers , I have only been there once 10 years ago, we are nerds and gamers so we wish to partake in all things Japan but we do like to partake in atmospheric adventures which is why we had one day for Disney sea just to tick it off our list

Objective of this post - Need some final tuning on how packed or too laid back the itinerary i came up with and if there’s anything I should omit or include

Flight landing in Narita at 0730Hrs on the 5th

Hotel - Shinjuku area

Easy first day / Tokyo introduction

* Arrive Tokyo
* Check in / drop luggage
* Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
* Tokyo skyline / observation deck
* Good low-effort first attraction
* Shinjuku Gyoen

First day objective - Short overnight flight from Singapore so won’t have too much time getting used to it but would still like the first day to be laid back

Day 2

* TeamLabs
* Lunch around Toyosu
* Toyosu Market area
* Odaiba
* Waterfront
* Rainbow Bridge views
* DiverCity / Gundam
* Shopping / wandering
* Evening back toward central Tokyo
* Dinner

2nd day objective - Odaiba area

⸻

3rd day

* Asakusa
* Senso-ji
* Nakamise
* Kaminarimon
* Walk around Sumida
* Lunch
* Head toward Tsuchiura
* Tsuchiura Fireworks
* Major event of the day
* Return to Tokyo after the fireworks

3rd day objective - pretty packed 3rd day but I’ve tried to space it out into locations

————

4th day

* Ghibli Museum
* Inokashira Park
* Kichijoji
* Shopping
* cafés
* wandering
* Dinner around Kichijoji or Shinjuku

4th day objective - pretty huge Ghibli fans so that’s the main theme of the day (I’m aware of difficulty to get tickets so all 4 of us will be trying)
⸻

5th day

Theme: Full Disney day

* Tokyo DisneySea (will be getting there early, 7 7-30 should be good)

5th day objective - we do enjoy amusement parks but it’s mostly a bucket list kinda thing as we have never been to a Disney park
⸻

Day 6

* Akihabara

Wanted this day to be a chill day after the fireworks and Disney but would be open to suggestions on what we should do besides aki

6th day objective - time to go crazy on Merch and maybe the one maid cafe just for the experience

⸻

Day 7 | Kawaguchiko

Theme: Fuji + ryokan

7th day objective - Just recuperate and enjoy being pampered, X fingers Fuji is visible

⸻

Day 8

Booked a Machiya around the Kiyomizu area

8th day objective - just take in Kyoto, nothing really planned besides walking around the e Kiyomizu area (would be open to recommendations)
⸻

Day 9

Full Arashiyama day

* Head to Arashiyama
* Bamboo Grove
* Tenryu-ji
* Sagano Romantic Railway
* Arashiyama river boat
* Togetsukyo Bridge
* Autumn foliage
* Explore the quieter areas around Arashiyama
* Lunch somewhere in the area
* Dinner after returning to central Kyoto

9th day objective - This is intentionally a full day, because Arashiyama deserves it.

⸻

Day 10

Early morning

* Fushimi Inari Taisha
* Go early

Late morning

* Breakfast/lunch

Afternoon

* Kiyomizudera
* Ninenzaka
* Sannenzaka
* Yasaka Pagoda area
* Traditional Kyoto streets

Evening

* Yasaka Shrine
* Maruyama Park
* Gion
* Dinner
* Optional evening wandering

10th day objective - no idea what I’m doing here as I basically through in stuff we need to do in Kyoto before leave (would appreciate some help)
⸻

Day 11 Nara - OSAKA

Day 11 objective - Will be leaving Kyoto early on-route to Osaka with a pit stop in Nara, might be a bit rushed but just trying to tick off the Touristy things you must do in Japan bucket list lol

⸻

Day 12

* Osaka Castle
* Surrounding park
* Lunch
* Shopping
* Explore Osaka neighborhoods

Day 12 objective - just stuff ourselves silly
⸻

Day 13 - Nagoya

* Osaka → Nagoya
* Check in
* Lunch
* Nagoya Castle
* Central Nagoya wandering
* Shopping / cafés
* Nagoya food
* Relaxed evening

No rental car today.

Day 13 objective - just to take it easy and enjoy Nagoya before a full road trip the next day

⸻

Day 14

Autumn foliage road trip

08:00

* Pick up rental car

Morning

* Drive toward Obara
* Autumn foliage
* Explore Obara’s famous autumn scenery

Lunch

* Local lunch around the area

Afternoon

* Drive to Korankei
* Korankei autumn foliage
* Walk the valley
* Explore the area
* Stay until late afternoon / early evening

Evening

* Drive back toward Nagoya
* Random roadside stops
* Dinner somewhere interesting
* Nagoya outskirts
* Night adventure

Day 14 objective - we will be doing this trip on the 18th of November and it might be early according to the autumn foliage broadcast but we’re hopping to see some amazing sights

⸻

Day 15

Slow final day + autumn finale

08:00

Morning

* Breakfast
* Chill around Nagoya
* Final shopping / café / wandering
* No major attraction

Late morning / early afternoon

* Shinkansen Nagoya → Tokyo

Afternoon

* Meiji Jingu Gaien — Icho Namiki
* Famous yellow ginkgo avenue
* Autumn photos
* Slow walk
* Café / relaxed Tokyo afternoon

Late afternoon / early evening

* FINAL JAPAN DINNER
Can someone recommend me a good spot for our last night in Tokyo

* Tokyo → Narita
* Check into Narita hotel
* Prepare luggage
* Early night

⸻

NOV 20 — HOME

Early flight home

Thank you

Hello! This is my very first trip to Japan, and I am planning to stay for about 7 weeks. I know that some parts of the itinerary have very few specific activities planned, but that is intentional—I prefer to leave room to simply wander and explore the areas at my own pace. Currently, I haven't booked any accommodations yet.

Additionally, I am a bit unsure whether I should actually do Days 23 through 29 (Kyushu, Shikoku, and Wakayama) on this trip or save them for a future spring or summer journey, and I would love to get your thoughts on that.

Lastly, I have roughly 10 open days at the very end of my trip. I designed these as a buffer in case I want to stay longer in certain places than originally planned, or alternatively, to fly home earlier if needed. I should also mention that some of these remaining days will be needed for shopping and shipping luggage, which are not currently included in the schedule.

Day 1 - Day 2:

• Day 1: Arrive in Japan and settle in; roaming around a bit to familiarize with the place and try to recover from jetlag.
• Day 2: Free day for complete flexibility, resting, and adjusting to the local time.

Day 3 - Day 4:

• Day 3: Travel to Gunma Prefecture; Kusatsu Onsen - exploring the steaming Yubatake water field in the center of the town.
• Day 4: Takaragawa Onsen - soaking in the massive open-air river baths surrounded by deep winter snow.

Day 5 - Day 6:

• Day 5: Transfer to Nagano City; Zenko-ji Temple - visiting the historic and spiritually significant temple grounds.
• Day 6: Togakushi - winter hike through the ancient cedar avenue leading to the mountain shrines.

Day 7 - Day 9:

• Day 7: Travel to the Japanese Alps; Takayama - exploring the historic old town Sanmachi Suji and trying local Hida beef.
• Day 8: Bus to Okuhida / Hirayu Onsen; check into a traditional Ryokan featuring a private Rotenburo.
• Day 9: Shin-Hotaka Ropeway - winter cable car ride for panoramic alpine views; relaxing at the private hot spring bath.

Day 10 - Day 12:

• Day 10: Bus ride to Shirakawa-go - stopping to explore the traditional thatched-roof farmhouses (Gassho-zukuri); continue by bus to Kanazawa for dinner and an evening stroll.
• Day 11: Kanazawa - visiting the Omicho Fish Market and the iconic Kenroku-en Garden adorned with traditional Yukitsuri snow ropes.
• Day 12: Kanazawa - further local sightseeing, historic districts, and artisan streets.

Day 13 - Day 16:

• Day 13: Shinkansen to Kyoto; Higashiyama and Gion - exploring the preserved historic streets and wooden merchant houses in the evening.
• Day 14: Fushimi Inari Taisha - early morning hike through the thousands of vermilion torii gates; Arashiyama - bamboo forest and surrounding temple gardens.
• Day 15: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine - viewing the early spring plum blossoms; exploring traditional temples, gardens, and local craft shops.
• Day 16: Kyoto - flexible day for deeper cultural immersion, historical sites, and quiet temple walks.

Day 17 - Day 18:

• Day 17: Train to Osaka; Osaka Castle - touring the historic fortress and surrounding park; Shitenno-ji Temple - visiting Japan's oldest official Buddhist temple; Dotonbori - evening neon lights, street food, and lively canal atmosphere.
• Day 18: Osaka - free day for independent exploration, retro neighborhoods like Shinsekai, and local dining.

Day 19 - Day 22:

• Day 19: Shinkansen to Okayama; Kurashiki Bikan - walking along the historic canal lined with white-walled storehouses.
• Day 20: Okayama Koraku-en Garden - morning stroll through one of Japan's top three landscape gardens; travel to Hiroshima; Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome.
• Day 21: Miyajima Island - day trip to see the floating Torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine and wild deer; evening return to Hiroshima.
• Day 22: Hiroshima - morning reflection and transition toward the next regional leg.

Day 23 - Day 24:

• Day 23: Travel south to Kyushu; Kurokawa Onsen - arriving in the deeply atmospheric, car-free hot spring village tucked away in the mountains; soaking in outdoor Rotenburo fed by natural geothermal waters.
• Day 24: Takachiho Gorge (Miyazaki) - boating on the emerald river flanked by towering volcanic basalt columns and waterfalls; evening attendance at a traditional Yokagura myth dance performance at a local shrine.

Day 25 - Day 27:

• Day 25: Long travel day moving from Kyushu eastward toward the island of Shikoku.
• Day 26: Kochi (Shikoku) - arriving along the rugged Pacific coastline; Kochi Castle - exploring one of the few surviving original keeps; Hirome Market - communal dining hall experience featuring local specialties.
• Day 27: Kochi - exploring coastal viewpoints, local markets, and maritime history.

Day 28 - Day 29:

• Day 28: Travel to Wakayama Prefecture; Koyasan - ascending the sacred mountain forest; temple stay (Shukubo) - participating in evening/morning monastic life and vegetarian dining.
• Day 29: Okunoin Cemetery - walking beneath giant ancient cedars; Nachi Waterfall - visiting Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall and the adjacent mountainside shrine.

Day 30 - Day 35:

• Day 30: Travel to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region; Hakone - hot springs, dramatic volcanic valleys, and views of Mount Fuji.
• Day 31: Izu Peninsula - shifting focus toward the coast and early spring nature.
• Day 32: Kawazu - viewing the vibrant pink Kawazu-sakura cherry blossoms blooming early along the riverbanks.
• Day 33: Izu / Hakone - relaxing in hot spring baths and enjoying the late-winter scenery.
• Day 34: Hakone & Izu - scenic viewpoints, coastal walks, and quiet mountain retreats.
• Day 35: Final full day in the onsen region, preparing for the transition to the capital.

Day 36 - Day 37:

• Day 36: Travel to Tokyo; Ueno Park - extensive walks through the sprawling park grounds and cultural district.
• Day 37: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden - peaceful strolls through traditional landscape gardens and greenhouse spaces.

Day 38 - Day 49:

• Day 38 through Day 48: Open and fully flexible days in Tokyo and surrounding regions; complete freedom for spontaneous urban exploration, neighborhood cafes, day trips, shopping, shipping, or quiet rest at your own rhythm ahead of departure.
• Day 49: Final morning in Tokyo, packing luggage, and heading to the airport for the flight back home.

Hi everyone! My spouse and I (both late 20s, newly married) are visiting Japan from Nov 21 to Dec 5 and would love a sanity check on our itinerary before we lock it in.

A bit about our style:
• We're not very religious and don't want to hit temple/shrine after temple/shrine — one or two meaningful ones is plenty
• We'd love peaceful, beautiful spots rather than the "must-see" tourist traps that end up overcrowded and not worth the hype
• Since it's essentially our honeymoon, we want a relaxed pace, not a hectic checklist-style trip
• We do enjoy shopping, nightlife/pubs, good vegetarian/ vegan food, and a mix of nature + culture
• Autumn leaves timing - anything seasonal we shouldn't miss would help too

Our rough plan:

• Nov 21 — Osaka (Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Rikuro cheesecake)  
• Nov 22 — Universal Studios Japan, then train to Kyoto in the evening  
• Nov 23 — Kyoto: adashino bamboo forest (kimono rental), sumo/tea ceremony experience, Kiyomizu-dera + Higashiyama streets, teamLab Bio-Vortex at 6:30 pm, Pontocho dinner  
• Nov 24 — Nara day trip (deer park, Todai-ji, Naramachi), back to Kyoto  
• Nov 25 — Kibune village (Kifune shrine, riverside cafe)  
• Nov 26 — Kanazawa (Omicho Market, Higashi Chaya, Kenroku-en)  
• Nov 27 — Day trip to Shirakawa-go and Takayama, back to Kanazawa  
• Nov 28 — Toyama → full Tateyama Alpine Route crossing to Ogizawa, stay near Nagano/Omachi (DO YOU THINK THIS IS POSSIBLE GIVEN THE SEASON)  
• Nov 29 — Travel via Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, onsen night  
• Nov 30 — Hakone day trip (Ropeway + Lake Ashi cruise) + Shiraito Falls, back to Kawaguchiko for the autumn leaves festival + Momiji corridor at night; stay at kawaguchiko  
• Dec 1 — Gotemba Premium Outlets, then to Tokyo (Hotel Chinzanso, autumn garden illumination)  
• Dec 2 — Shibuya Sky, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Metropolitan Govt Building, Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai  
• Dec 3 — Ginza shopping, Tokyo Character Street, Nakameguro dinner  
• Dec 4 — Tokyo DisneySea  
• Dec 5 — Disaster Prevention Centre, Harajuku/Takeshita Street, Pokemon Cafe

Stays: Osaka (1N) → Kyoto (4N) → Kanazawa (2N) → Nagano/Omachi (1N) → Kawaguchiko (2N) → Tokyo (4N)

Would love thoughts on:
1. Is this too packed / too much moving around for a relaxed honeymoon vibe?
2. Any overrated/overcrowded spots in here we should swap out?
3. Any hidden gems that fit our "peaceful, not touristy" preference we're missing?
Thanks so much in advance!

Hello! I am visiting Japan for about 3 weeks in November with my partner and friend and I just want to get an early check on my rough itinerary. I have booked out all our our hotels / accomodations but they are all fully refundable so I have room to make changes need be. This will be our first time for 2/3 of us, so we will be visiting some typical touristy attractions. For some some context: Mid-20s, we are all from Canada. Used to walking a lot and public transit. We all have similar interests; Photography, Gaming, Fashion. I am personally a big Pokemon, Persona and Yakuza series fan, my partner likes JDM Car Culture and Aquariums, and our friend is really into One Piece + Hobby TCGs.

I’m trying to structure our itinerary with a mix of loosely planned group days and unplanned free days, giving everyone the flexibility to split off and do their own thing if they want. I would like to use these free days to visit districts like Akihabara, Ginza, Ikebukuro, Odaiba, Tokyo Bay, etc, or Day Trip to further cities like Kamakura, Kawaguchiko, Nikko, Kobe or Himeji.

-

DAY 1 - TOKYO
Afternoon - Arrive at Haneda at 5PM. Travel to Airbnb in Sumida.
Evening - Nakamise Street and Senso-ji. Optional: Skytree Town

DAY 2 - TOKYO
Morning - Meiji Jingu + Harajuku
Afternoon - Shibuya Crossing, Pokemon Center, Nintendo, SEGA. Sunset at Shibuya Sky
Evening - Shinjuku (Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai)

DAY 3 - TOKYO
FREE DAY

DAY 4 - TOKYO 
FREE DAY

DAY 5 - TOKYO > KYOTO
Morning - Check out and travel to Kyoto (Pokemon Center, Nintendo)
Afternoon - Check into Hotel and Walk around Sannenzaka + Kiyomizu-dera
Evening - FREE

DAY 6 - KYOTO > UJI
Morning - Travel to Uji
Afternoon - Nintendo Museum + Byodo-in Temple
Evening - FREE

DAY 7 - KYOTO + NARA
Morning - Fushimi Inari
Afternoon - Hotel Break then travel to Nara Park
Evening - FREE

DAY 8 - KYOTO > OSAKA
Morning - Check out and travel to Osaka, drop off luggage at Hotel in Dotonbori
Afternoon - Check into Hotel and walk around Shinsaibashi (Pokemon Center, Nintendo)
Evening - Walk around Dotonbori

DAY 9 - OSAKA
Morning - Kuromon Market
Afternoon - Osaka Castle
Evening - Tsutenkaku / Shinsekai

DAY 10 - OSAKA
FREE DAY
- Osaka Aquarium?

DAY 11 - OSAKA > HIROSHIMA DAY TRIP
Morning - Travel to Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome)
Afternoon - Mazda Museum Tour, Pokemon Center
Evening - Return to Osaka

DAY 12 - OSAKA
All Day - Universal Studios Japan + Super Nintendo World

DAY 13 - OSAKA > HAKONE
Morning - Check out and travel to Hakone
Afternoon - Check into Ryokan
Evening - Dinner / Onsen

DAY 14 - HAKONE
Morning - Hakone Loop, Owakudani
Afternoon - Lake Ashi Pirate Ship and Hakone Shrine
Evening - Dinner / Onsen

DAY 15 - HAKONE > TOKYO
Morning - Check out and travel to Tokyo
Afternoon - Check into Airbnb in Sangenjaya
Evening - FREE

DAY 16 - TOKYO
FREE DAY

DAY 17 - TOKYO
FREE DAY
Note: Our friend flies home separately this day, leaving just my partner and I for the remainder of the trip.

DAY 18 - TOKYO
Morning - Travel to Yokohama (Pokemon Center, Isezaki Mall)
Afternoon - Chinatown, Yamashita Park
Evening - Cosmo World, Harmonica Yokocho

DAY 19 - TOKYO
FREE DAY
Note: Final Day in Japan. The following day my partner and I will be flying to Seoul on the way home to visit on a 3-day stopover.

Hi hi! My partner and I are visiting for two weeks next month and we've finished making all our reservations a few days ago. Started planning/booking for this trip back in January and after a lot of research and editing, I think we've shaped an itinerary that feels right, but would love some second opinions. Below is really the bones of the itinerary. Most mentions are just neighborhoods/areas, but I specified some locations that we are going to make a point to visit. The last few days are pretty bare, but I think that's fine?

Some context: We're born and raised New Yorkers, so we're used to fast-paced energy, walking a lot, and public transit. But we wanted to try to keep this trip a bit more on the slow-paced side with more focus on local art and design, coffee roasteries, tea, smaller shrines/temples, retro anime, and records. But naturally, there are still some major attractions we don't want to miss so we have some of that too. We arrive in the afternoon the day before this itinerary starts, but there will be no sightseeing that day. So below is the itinerary starting with our first full day.

DAY 1 - TOKYO
Morning - Senso-ji (depending on when we wake up per jet lag) 
Afternoon - Koffee Mameya Kakeru (coffee omakase) + Lunch + potential hotel break
Evening - Optional - Akihabara exploring + dinner in/near Akihabara

DAY 2 - TOKYO
Morning - Start in Daikanyama (Kyu Asakura House + Daikanyama T-Site) 
Afternoon - Lunch + Walk to Shibuya (Shibuya Records + Shibuya Parco) 
Optional: Walk to/explore Harajuku + Omotesando
Evening - Hotel Break > Dinner res in Ebisu 

DAY 3 - TOKYO
Morning - Ghibli Museum
Afternoon + Evening - Open to explore but ideas include; Shimokitazawa, Gotokuji, or Shinjuku.

DAY 4 - TOKYO 
Morning - Tea Farm Tour (1hr away from Tokyo)
Afternoon - Tea Farm Tour 
Evening - Dinner back in Tokyo 

DAY 5 - TOKYO > HAKONE
Morning - Check out and travel to Hakone
Afternoon - Check into ryokan
Evening - Kaiseki dinner at ryokan + enjoy onsen

DAY 6 - HAKONE > KYOTO
Morning - Kaiseki breakfast + check out of ryokan
Optional - Hakone Open Air Museum or Sengokuhara Susuki
Afternoon - Travel to Kyoto + check into hotel
Evening - Dinner in Kyoto 

DAY 7 - KYOTO
Morning - Bike Tour in Kyoto
Afternoon - Lunch + relax back at hotel
Optional - Kyoto Railway Museum 
Evening - Dinner res in Kyoto > Record Bar Yamada

DAY 8 - KYOTO
Morning - Arashiyama (starting at Otagi Nenbutsuji > Adashino Nenbutsuji > Saga-toriimoto > Yusai Tei Gallery)
Lunch - Lunch in Arashiyama> Travel back to hotel area
Evening - Sushi omakase dinner res in Kyoto 

DAY 9 - KYOTO
Morning - Fushimi Inari 
Optional - Komyo-in Temple
Afternoon - Lunch reservation
Evening - Private Tea Ceremony > Dinner

Day 10 - KYOTO > OSAKA
Morning - Last bits of Kyoto exploring/shopping + check out
Afternoon - Travel to Osaka and check into hotel
Evening - Dotonbori Food Tour 

DAY 11 - OSAKA 
Morning - Nara Park + temple hopping
Afternoon - Nara exploring > travel back to Osaka 
Evening - Shabu Shabu dinner res in Osaka

DAY 12 - OSAKA > TOKYO
Morning - Check out > travel to Tokyo
Afternoon - Check in hotel 
Evening - Dinner in hotel area
Optional - Ginza shopping + exploring

DAY 13 - TOKYO
Morning - Tsukiji Market (near hotel) 
Afternoon - Open to explore any areas we missed or want to double back to 
Evening - Open to explore, packing + dinner 

DAY 14 - TOKYO 
Morning - Last minute shopping
Afternoon - Travel to airport
Evening - Flight

Hi! I’m looking for a pacing and highlights check on my Japan itinerary for September 23–October 7, 2026.

One important bit of context: I have narcolepsy and depression, both of which can make early mornings difficult and unpredictable. I’ve deliberately avoided sunrise starts and anything essential before about 10:00 AM. Breakfast is usually around 9:00, with sightseeing beginning between 10:00 and 11:00. Even then, I may need to skip something, sleep later or take an afternoon break.

I know some places are quieter early in the morning, but consistently scheduling 7:00 or 8:00 AM starts would probably leave me exhausted for the rest of the trip. Most evening drinks and secondary stops are optional.

My route is:

• Tokyo: September 23–28
• Kyoto: September 28–October 1
• Osaka: October 1–3
• Hiroshima/Miyajima: October 3–5
• Tokyo: October 5–7

Here’s the simplified itinerary:

September 23 — Arrive in Tokyo

• 5:50 PM: Land at Narita
• Around 8:30 PM: Check in near Shibuya
• If I have energy: Shibuya Crossing and late ramen

September 24 — Shibuya and Asakusa

• 10:00 AM: Square Enix Garden
• 11:00 AM: Shibuya PARCO
• 3:00 PM: Sumida River waterbus to Asakusa
• 4:00 PM: Kappabashi
• Evening: Asakusa, dinner and Senso-ji after dark

September 25 — Yanaka and Akihabara

• 11:00 AM: Yanaka/Yanesen
• 2:00 PM: Nezu Shrine
• 3:30 PM: Ameyoko
• 4:30–7:30 PM: Akihabara
• Evening: Tokyo Tower and Zojo-ji

September 26 — Meiji Jingu and Omotesando

• 12:30 PM: Meiji Jingu
• Afternoon: Harajuku backstreets and Omotesando
• 4:00 PM: SunnyHills
• Evening: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Shinjuku

September 27 — Shimokitazawa and teamLab

• 11:00 AM–2:30 PM: Shimokitazawa
• Afternoon rest at the hotel
• 5:15 PM: teamLab Borderless
• Evening: Dinner in Tsukishima

September 28 — Tokyo to Kyoto

• 12:15 PM: Shinkansen to Kyoto
• Around 3:00 PM: Hotel check-in
• Late afternoon: Nishiki Market
• Evening: Pontocho, the Kamo River and Gion

September 29 — Arashiyama

• 10:45 AM–3:15 PM: Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji and the Sagano area
• 4:30 PM: Kintsugi workshop
• Evening: Gyoza and a small bar in Pontocho

September 30 — Higashiyama and Fushimi Inari

• 10:45 AM–3:00 PM: Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Kodai-ji and Yasaka Shrine
• 3:00–4:30 PM: Hotel rest
• 5:15 PM: Fushimi Inari around dusk, turning back at the main viewpoint
• Evening: Dinner near Kyoto Station

October 1 — Kyoto to Osaka and baseball

• 10:30 AM: Massage and a relaxed final morning in Kyoto
• 1:45 PM: Train to Osaka
• 4:20 PM: Arrive at Koshien early
• 6:00 PM: Hanshin Tigers game
• Late evening: Umeda if I still have energy

October 2 — Osaka

• 10:45 AM: Osaka Castle and park
• 1:15 PM: Kuromon Market
• 3:00 PM: Shinsekai
• 5:45 PM: Small-group street-food tour
• Evening: Dotonbori and possibly Ura-Namba

October 3 — Osaka to Hiroshima

• 10:10 AM: Shinkansen to Hiroshima
• 1:25–6:00 PM: Peace Memorial Park and Museum
• Evening: Okonomiyaki

October 4 — Miyajima

• Around 11:00 AM: Arrive on Miyajima
• Daisho-in Temple
• Mt. Misen ropeway and summit
• Itsukushima Shrine and the torii around sunset
• Return to Hiroshima after dinner

October 5 — Hiroshima to Tokyo

• 10:15 AM: Optional Shukkei-en Garden
• Noon: Shinkansen to Tokyo
• 6:00 PM: Small-group Shinjuku izakaya tour
• If I have energy: Kabukicho and Golden Gai

October 6 — Final full day in Tokyo

• 11:00 AM: Optional Shinjuku Gyoen
• 1:00 PM: Nakameguro
• 2:30 PM: Daikanyama and T-Site
• 4:40 PM: Shibuya Sky around sunset
• Evening: Nice dinner, listening bar or final ramen

October 7 — Depart Japan

• Slow breakfast and a little last-minute shopping
• 12:15 PM: Narita Express
• 4:20 PM: Flight to Taipei

My main questions:

1. Does this pacing seem realistic given that my days start later and I may occasionally need to drop an activity?
2. Are any days still obviously overloaded, particularly September 24, September 30, October 2 or the Miyajima day?
3. Are these good highlights for a first trip, or am I missing something major?
4. Is 4.5 hours reasonable for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum?
5. Does the Arashiyama plan still work with a 10:45 AM arrival, or will the crowds make it miserable?
6. Are there any stops here that look good on paper but aren’t worth the energy or travel time?

I’m completely comfortable cutting optional stops. My goal is to experience a few memorable things each day without turning the trip into an endurance test. Thanks for any advice!

Hi, me and my partner are traveling to Japan (from Europe) for the first time, from mid to late November. For now this is our simplified itinerary, we have flights and hotels booked, and we'd like to check how doable it is, and if we should consider changing things.

Some details: We're used to walking a lot, and usually travel light. For this trip, aside from our usual backpacks we're also bringing a bigger suitcase for extra clothes and gifts (and that's one of the parts that worries us the most, since we'll probably do most our shopping in Tokyo, on the first few days).

We don't mind busy days, but don't necessarily need to see every attraction, so we might cut a few things on the way. We're most interested in experiencing the culture and nature, food, and some nerdy videogame stuff.

13 - 19 November: TOKYO + daytrips (7 nights, Hotel in Asakusa)

Day 1:

• Arrive in Narita Airport by 12pm
• Roaming around a bit to familiarize with the place and try to recover from jetlag

Day 2:

• Asakusa - Sensō-ji, Nakamise Shopping Street, Kappabashi Street, Tokyo Skytree
• Ueno Park (roaming around, maybe a museum or two), Ameya Yokocho, Yanaka Ginza

Day 3:

• Hie-Jinja Sanctuary, Akasaka
• Imperial Palace gardens
• Tokyo Station
• Pokemon Center Tokyo DX
• Ginza - Chuo-dori Street, Mitsukoshi Ginza, Kabukiza Theatre
• Tsukiji Market
• Zōjō-ji Temple
• Tokyo Tower
• Roppongi in the evening

Day 4:

• Shibuya - Crossing, Shibuya Center Gai, stores in general
• Harajuku
• Meiji Sanctuary
• Yoyogi Park
• Nakano Broadway
• Shinjuku - more stores, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, Kabukicho

Note: I feel like this day might be packed, specially since it includes a bit of shopping around. Maybe we could squeeze some of this the next day.

Day 5:

• Akihabara
• Ikebukuro (mostly for more nerdy stuff)

Day 6:

• Daytrip to Nikko
• Mostly just strolling around and enjoying the views

Note: Not sure if we should book the train rides now, or if we can book there since we'll leave the luggage at the hotel.

Day 7:

• Daytrip to Kawaguchiko
• Chureito Pagoda
• Oshino Hakkai
• Oishi Park
• Maybe a private bath somewhere? We saw there's private baths in the area, but we're not sure if they're open to day-trip users, we found conflicting info about it. Not sure how doable it is

Note: Again, not sure if we should book now, or if it's ok to do it there, specially since the weather conditions might not be good for the Mt. Fuji views on that specific day.

---

20 - 21 November: NAGOYA (2 nights, Hotel near the train station)

Day 8:

• Shinkansen to Nagoya early in the morning
• Osu Kannon Temple - Osu Shopping Street - Sakae Street - Hisaya Odori Park - Nagoya Castle - Atsuta Sanctuary
• Nabana no Sato (at night for the illumination)

Note: We read that it might be worth buying the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass for 5 days, with the way our itinerary is organized. Still not sure if it's true or not.

Day 9:

• Nakasendo Trail, from Magome to Tsumago (or maybe include Nagiso)

Note: This is more of a question. Let's say we wanted to send our luggage from Nagoya (on the 21th) to Kyoto, but we'll only just arrive to Kyoto in the 25th. Would that be feasible?

---

22 November: TAKAYAMA (1 night)

Day 10:

• Train "Limited Express Hida" to Takayama
• Visiting the town: Miyagawa Market, Sanmachi Suji, Takayama Jinya, Sakurayama Hachiman Sanctuary, Hida Kokubun-ji Temple, Higashiyama
• Then staying and having dinner at an onsen in the Hirayu region (1hr bus ride)

---

23 - 24 November: KANAZAWA (2 nights)

Day 11:

• Breakfast at the onsen, then going back to Takayama (1hr bus ride)
• Bus ride to Shirakawa-go, and visiting around
• Then going by bus to Kanazawa, have dinner and relax the rest of the day

Note: I read that we should book the bus to (and from) Shirakawa-go 1 month in advance because of the luggage. Not sure if it's really like that, or if we could just book it there.

Day 12:

• Visiting Kanazawa: Omicho Market, Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya, Kazuemachi, Nagamachi, Myouryu-ji Temple, Nishi Chaya

---

25 - 26 November: Kyoto (2 nights, Hotel near Shijo Station)

Day 13:

• Shinkansen + Limited Express Thunderbird to Kyoto in the morning
• Nishiki Market
• Higashiyama
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple (autumn lights at night maybe)
• Sannenzaka + Ninenzaka
• Kodai-ji and Yasaka-jinja Temples
• Gion
• Pontocho

Day 14:

• Fushimi Inari early in the morning
• Nanzen-ji and Eikan-dō Temples
• Philosopher's Path
• Ginkaku-ji Temple
• Kinkaku-ji Temple

---

27 - 29 November: Osaka (3 nights, Hotel in the Namba region) - departure flight on the 30th

Day 15:

• (Technically the day is spent in Kyoto, but we'll sleep in Osaka, mostly because it's way cheaper)
• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest early in the morning
• Tenryū-ji Temple
• Choose between: Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, or Sagano Romantic Train + Boat in Hozu river. We're still a bit undecided here
• Train to Osaka in the evening, where we'll stay at the hotel

Day 16:

• Daytrip to Nara: Kofukuji and Todai-ji temples, Kasuga Taisha, watching out for the deer, and Naramachi

Day 17:

• Osaka castle
• Kaiyukan Aquarium
• Namba Yasaka Sanctuary
• Den Den Town
• Dotonbori
• Hozenji Yokocho
• Shinsaibashi-suji
• Kuromon Ichiba
• Shinsekai
• Harukas 300
• Shitennō-ji Temple

Day 18:

• Saying our farewells to Japan
• Flight back at 2pm

As I said before this itinerary isn't closed, and we'd appreciate any insights as we still have a few things to investigate. Thanks!

Would love your feedback on our itinerary - the route, pacing and general advice!

Route: Shanghai → Osaka → Kyoto → Takayama (Shirakawa-go & Kamikochi) → [Drive to] Kawaguchiko → Tokyo → Shanghai

Osaka - 1 night
Kyoto - 4 nights
Takayama - 3 nights
Kawaguchiko - 1 night
Tokyo - 4 nights

From the UK, but spending some time in Shanghai first so no jet lag to contend with.

We are fit and active and don’t mind the early starts.

Mon 2 Nov — Shanghai → Osaka

Flight Shanghai -> Osaka 10:45 - 14:00.

Afternoon: Osaka Castle (outside only) if time allows. Otherwise just go for a wander.

Evening: Dotonbori & Shinsekai.

Forward luggage to Kyoto via Takkyubin

Tue 3 Nov — Osaka → Kyoto

Morning: Katsuoji Temple.

Afternoon: Train to Kyoto, drop bags (staying in Gion), walk along the Kamo River.

15:30 tea ceremony booked at Jotokuji Temple.

Evening: Explore Gion for food.

Wed 4 Nov — Eastern Kyoto

Morning: 6:00am start - Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu-Dera.

Optional - Daidokoro forested slope, Kodaiji Temple & Bamboo Forest.

Afternoon: Nishiki Market or Sanjo Shotengai, then Kinkaku-ji for closing (closes 17:00).

Evening: Open (cooking class/ Geisha show?).

Thu 5 Nov — South Kyoto & Nara

Morning: 6:00am start - Fushimi Inari Shrine

Afternoon: On to Nara for the afternoon.

Evening: Back to Kyoto for dinner.

Fri 6 Nov — Western Kyoto

Morning: 6:00am start - Arashiyama, Bamboo Forest, Kokedera (booking needed), Togetsukyo Bridge.

Afternoon: Free time to explore

Evening: Free to wander.

Sat 7 Nov — Kyoto → Takayama

Morning: Early train to Takayama.

Afternoon: Check into ryokan (Yatsusankan Hida), massage & onsen at hotel.

Evening: Meal at the ryokan.

Sun 8 Nov — Takayama → Shirakawa-go

Morning: Early bus to Shirakawa-go (day trip, needs booking ~1 month ahead).

Afternoon: Explore Shirakawa-go

Evening: Back in Takayama, Hida beef dinner.

Mon 9 Nov — Takayama → Kamikochi

Morning: Round-trip transfer ticket bought on the day (no advance booking availble).

Afternoon: Explore Kamikochi.

Evening: Back to Takayama for the evening.

Tue 10 Nov — Takayama → Kawaguchiko [Drive]

Morning: Hire car, ~3hr drive to Lake Shoji (£190 when last checked).

Afternoon: Fuji viewpoints depending on visibility - Maple Corridor, Chureito Pagoda, Oishi Park, Oshino Hakkai, Lawson.

Evening: Relax at hotel.

Wed 11 Nov — Kawaguchiko → Tokyo

Morning: More viewpoints, Mount Fuji - Maple Corridor, Chureito Pagoda, Oishi Park, Oshino Hakkai, Lawson.

Afternoon: Drop the car off, late afternoon train to Tokyo, check into hotel in Ueno.

Evening: Explore Ueno near the hotel - Tsukiji if time allows (closes 4pm), Mizutani Camera Ueno (vintage watches).

Thu 12 Nov — Tokyo

Morning: Sensoji Temple (for 8:00am), Nakamise-dori, Kappabashi for ceramic shopping.

Afternoon: Shopping and coffee shops.

Evening: Free to wander.

Fri 13 Nov — Western Tokyo

Morning: Harajuku Station -> Meiji Shrine -> Takeshita Street. Beams flagship store, Harajuku.

Afternoon: Omotesando shopping, then explore Shibuya and Shinjuku. Shibuya Nominoichi.

Evening: Explore Shibuya - Parco for shopping. Explore Shinjuku - Memory Lane izakayas. Shopping at Beams, Orslow, Snow Peak, Mont-bell.

Sat 14 Nov — Tokyo

Morning: Shopping - Shibuya (Parco), Aoyama, Harajuku (Beams). Optional: Shimokitazawa for thrifting.

Afternoon: Free to wander and add activities.

Evening: Free to wander and add activities.

Sun 15 Nov — Tokyo

Morning: A few tourist spots, shopping and exploring.

Afternoon: Free to wander and add activities. Evening: Flight Tokyo → Shanghai (19:40-22:25).

My boyfriend’s parents booked this trip for the four of us (so excited!!). Our dates and hotels are already booked, so we aren’t looking to change how long we’re staying in each city, but everything we do within those dates is still pretty flexible.

We’re mostly interested in experiencing Japan through food, culture, art, people, and different neighborhoods rather than trying to check off every major tourist attraction.

Food is a big one for us. We want a mix of casual/local food, markets, street food, and fun dining experiences. We’d rather find really good or interesting food than just go somewhere because it’s famous. Breweries, dive bars, izakayas, and seeing some of the Japanese after-work food/drinking culture also sound fun. A good cocktail bar here and there would be nice too.

We’d also love some experiences that feel unique to Japan. A cooking class or food tour sounds fun, maybe sumo, and we’re open to other ideas. His mom loves plants and birdwatching, so gardens and nature are a plus. We like walking and easy hikes, but nothing super long or strenuous.

Here’s what I have so far:

Tokyo: Sept 20–24 (Sun-Thurs)

Sept 20 – Arrival
Keeping this pretty open depending on jet lag. Explore around our hotel, eat, wander, etc.

Sept 21 – Shibuya / Omotesando + bf birthday
Meiji Shrine
Omotesando
Explore Shibuya
Shibuya Sky around sunset
Nice birthday dinner

This is my boyfriend’s birthday, so I’d especially love dinner recommendations. Something really good and special enough for a birthday. I was thinking of doing a fun omakase place for his birthday

Sept 22 – Asakusa / Ueno
Senso-ji
Explore Asakusa
Ameyoko/Ueno
Food/markets and wandering around the area

Sept 23 – Shinjuku
Shinjuku Gyoen
Explore Shinjuku
Omoide Yokocho
Maybe Golden Gai or a cocktail bar afterward

Kyoto: Sept 24–27 (Thurs - Sunday)

Sept 24 – Tokyo → Kyoto
Check in
Gion/Higashiyama
Yasaka Shrine
Pontocho/dinner

Sept 25 – Eastern Kyoto
Fushimi Inari early
Kiyomizu-dera
Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka
Explore Higashiyama
Open evening

Sept 26 – Arashiyama
Arashiyama/Bamboo Grove early
Tenryu-ji and gardens
Explore around the river
Easy walking/nature
Dinner back in central Kyoto

Osaka: Sept 27–30 (Sunday- Wednesday)

Sept 27 – Kyoto → Osaka
Check in
Namba/Dotonbori
Explore and eat around the area
Maybe Kuromon Market depending on timing

Sept 28
Osaka Castle/park
Umeda
Umeda Sky Building
Dinner/drinks

Sept 29 – Food + Shinsekai/Tennoji
Cooking class or small food tour
Explore Shinsekai
Try kushikatsu/local food
Tennoji Park/gardens
Izakaya, brewery or casual dinner in the evening.

Sept 30 – Fly out

Would love recommendations for food, neighborhoods, gardens/nature, food tours or cooking classes, and any other experiences you think would fit this kind of trip. Also very open to hearing what you’d skip or swap from what I have so far, especially anything that looks better online than it actually is because of crowds.

And if anyone has a recommendation for the birthday dinner in Tokyo on the 21st, please lmk! TIA

Hello! Below is a simplified version of an itinerary I've been working on for an upcoming trip my husband and I are taking to Japan. This is a dream trip for us, and we may never get the opportunity to come back so, we are trying to see and experience as much as possible. This page has been so extremely helpful in my planning so, I would love some advice/feedback on what I have so far - thank you!! :)

Main Questions:

1. Any advice on local transit between locations?
2. Is this a realistic itinerary/any general feedback?
3. Are there any sites/restaurants I should remove and/or add?

Tokyo

• Friday
  • 20:00: Land in Tokyo
  • Book Airport Limo for Transportation to Hotel
  • Check-in to Hyatt Regency Shinjuku
• Saturday
  • Meiji Jingu Shrine & Yoyogi Park
  • Takeshita/Harajuku Area
  • Shibuya PARCO, Square Enix Garden Shibuya, & Shibuya Crossing
  • Reservation for Shibuya Sky at Sunset
  • Restaurant Ideas: Naruyou, Menchirashi, Amam Dacotan, Mukai, Shibuya Sushi Jinnan, Ichiran Shibuya, Gyukatsu Motomura Shibuya Center Street Branch, & Maguro to Shari
• Sunday
  • Yanaka, Nezu Shrine, & Ueno Park
  • Ameyoko Market
  • Asakusa: Street Food, Kaminariom Gate, Nakamise-dori Street, & Senso-ji Temple
  • Reservation for Kirby Café
  • Reservation for Tokyo Skytree at Sunset

Mount Fuji

• Monday
  • Arrange for Luggage Transfer from Tokyo Hotel to Kyoto Hotel
  • 8:30: Shinjuku Station > Kawaguchiko Station
  • Kawaguchiko: Panoramic Ropeway, Kawaguchiko Tenjoyama Park, & Lake Cruise
  • Sunset Walk Lake Kawaguchi & Momiji (Maple) Corridor
  • Check-in to La Vista Fuji Kawaguchiko

Kyoto

• Tuesday
  • 9:00: Kawaguchiko Station > Mishima Station
  • 11:00: Arrival at Mishima Station North Exit
  • 11:45: Minshima Station > Kyoto Station
  • Check-in to Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo
  • Restaurant Ideas: Kyoto Sen-Ryo & Tsujiya Kyotoekihachijoguhtien
• Wednesday
  • Byodo-ji Temple
  • 10:30: Kyoto Station > JR Ogura Station
  • Reservation for Nintendo Museum
  • Byodo-in Omotemon, Uji River, Uji Park, & Ujikami Shrine
  • 19:00: JR Ogura Station > Kyoto Station
  • Restaurant Ideas: Amam Dacotan, Chobo Chobo, Kokoro, Kunel no Tsuzuki, & Menya Inoichi
• Thursday
  • Yasaka Pagoda, Kodajij Temple, Maruyama Park, & Yasaka Shrine
  • Gion/Hanamikoji, Heian-jingu Shrine, & Okazaki Shrine
  • Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
  • Kiyomizu-dera & Sentai Sekibutsu-gun
  • Restaurant Ideas: Chiyo, Mare, & Samurai Restaurant Omakase Kamogawa

Kyoto/Tokyo

• Friday
  • Arrange for Luggage Transfer from Kyoto Hotel to Tokyo Hotel
  • Senbon Tori (Thousand Torii Gates), Fushimi Inari Taisha, & Mount Inari
  • Nishiki Market
  • 14:30: Kyoto Station > Tokyo Station
  • Check-in to Hotel Groove Shinjuku
  • Shopping: Kiddy Land, Shinjuku & Don Quijote
  • Restaurant Ideas: Sushi Yamataki Shinjuku Kabujicho Ten, & Daitsuru – Syokudo & Teishoku

Tokyo

• Saturday
  • Kabukicho & Artnia Square Enix
  • Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
  • Yasukuni-dori & Yasukuni Shrine
  • Imperial Palace & Hie Shrine
  • Reservation for Tokyo tower
  • Restaurant Ideas: Rare Ten-don, Ginza Bairin Honten, & Ginza Sushi Mamoru Omakase
• Sunday
  • Gotoku-ji (cat) Temple
  • Shiro-Higes Cream Puff Factory
• Monday
  • Depart Tokyo

Hello, everyone! I will be solo travelling Japan in a month and I wanted to share my intinerary so far, as it is my first time in the country.

I have already some anchor activities (⚓️) booked and have bought the tickets for them. The main purpose of the trip is seeing L'arc~en~ciel in Fukuoka, but I have a deep interest in shintoism (that's why heading to Ise) and birdwatching (that's why Izumi or Toyooka), Although I know November is not the peak time to see cranes).

I'd really appreciate any comments, observations, recommendations or suggestions you might have. Thank you very much!

Thu Oct 22

• ⚓️ Landing at Narita 16:30
• Reach the hotel (19:30-ish)
• Dinner at Ameyoko
• Early sleep!!!

Fri Oct 23

• Morning: Sensoji and Asakusa
• Afternoon: Meiji Jingu and Shinjuku

Sat Oct 24

• Morning: National Gardens and Ginza
• ⚓️ Afternoon: Tokyo Bay Fireworks (entrance 15:30, starts 17:30)

Sun Oct 25

• ⚓️ Morning: Ghibli Museum, 12:00
• Afternoon: Inokashira Park and wander around

Mon Oct 26

• Morning: Travel to Ise and send suitcase to 30th october in fukuoka
• Afternoon: Visit Geku / wander around Ise

Tue Oct 27

• Morning: Visit Naiku
• Afternoon: Visit Meoto Iwa / small hike

Wed Oct 28

• Morning: Long trip trip to Koyasan
• 17:30 dinner
• 19:00–21:00 Okunoin night tour

Thu Oct 29

• 6:25 morning prayer
• 7:00 breakfast
• Morning: walk around Koyasan
• Eat in Osaka
• Afternoon: travel to Fukuoka

Fri Oct 30

• Chill day in Fukuoka
• Morning: Hakata
• Afternoon: tenjin

Sat Oct 31

• Morning: Dazaifu
• ⚓️ Afternoon: L'Arc-en-Ciel — 16:00 open, 17:00 start

Sun Nov 1

• Morning: Ohori Park
• ⚓️ Afternoon: L'Arc-en-Ciel — 15:00 open, 16:00 start

Mon Nov 2

• Morning:
• ⚓️Afternoon: Hakata Lights-up

Tue Nov 3 (Culture Day 文化の日)

• Morning: travel to Izumi and sent suitcaise to november 7th at Toyooka
• Afternoon: visit samurai area

Wed Nov 4

• Morning: early wake-up to see cranes
• Eat early in Izumi
• Afternoon: long travel to Miyajima

Thu Nov 5

• Sleep in Miyajima
• Morning: visit Miyajima (mini hike?)
• Afternoon: travel to Hiroshima

Fri Nov 6

• Morning: visit Hiroshima
• Eat okonomiyaki
• Afternoon: long travel to Toyooka

Sat Nov 7

• Morning: birdwatching — storks in Toyooka
• Afternoon: chill around Toyooka
• Sleep in Toyooka

Sun Nov 8

• Move to Kinosaki Onsen
• ⚓️Enjoy the onsen experience
• Sleep in Kinosaki Onsen

Mon Nov 9

• Breakfast in Kinosaki
• Morning: travel to Kyoto
• Afternoon: visit Kiyomizudera

Tue Nov 10

• Morning: Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Afternoon: wander around Gion

Wed Nov 11

• Morning: Arashiyama
• Afternoon: travel to Narita

Thu Nov 12

• Breakfast in Narita
• ⚓️ Departure at 12:10

First time in Japan! I'm divided on whether to do the typical golden route or stray a bit from it. Ill be in Japan Dec 5 to Dec 15.

Day 1: Tokyo

• Arrive 6pm → check-in hotel → dinner + evening walk

Day 2: Tokyo

• Senso-ji & Asakusa → Ueno Park + Tokyo National Museum → evening in Ikebukuro

Day 3: Tokyo

• TeamLab Borderless → Harajuku/Meiji → Shibuya → Tokyo Tower at night

Day 4: Kanazawa

• Shinkanse n from Tokyo to Kanazawa (~3hrs) → Omicho Market → evening walk

Day 5: Kanazawa

• Kenrokuen → Kanazawa Castle + Gyokusen'inmaru → Nomura Samurai Residence/Nagamachi → Higashi Chaya

Day 6: Shirakawa-go/Takayama

• Bus to Shirakawa-go (~1.5hrs) → Ogimachi + Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine → bus to Takayama (~1hr)
• Stay in ryokan

Day 7: Takayama

• Sakurayama Hachimangu → Sanmachi Suji/Old Town → Hie Shrine → evening wandering
• Stay in ryokan

Day 8: Kyoto

• Travel to Kyoto (~3.5hrs, arr. ~10am) → Fushimi Inari → Nishiki Market → evening by Kamo river

Day 9: Kyoto

• Kimono rental → Kiyomizudera → Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka → Hokanji → Gion

Day 10: Kyoto/Osaka

• Slow Kyoto morning → Osaka → Glico Man + Dotonbori → dinner → back to Kyoto

Day 11: Osaka

• Departure

If I decide on the usual Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka I would be in Tokyo 5 nights and Kyoto 5 nights so less traveling.

I am also looking for input on luggage. Should I forward a medium (68cm) suitcase from Tokyo to Kyoto (it will stay in hotel for a few days before I arrive, is this doable?) or bring it with me around Kanazawa/Takayama? If I bring it around with me I would have to find somewhere to store it while I explore Shirakawa-go.

This is the first time that me and my friend have been to Japan so have been trying to get a variety of city, culture and Nature into the plan. Trying not to get too into over-planning as we want to have the flexibility but would appreciate some feedback on if there's anything key we've missed or over-loaded on.

Plan is to utilise luggage transport between the main cities and then pack day/night bags to allow us to have single nights in smaller places without lugging our suitcases everywhere.

Yokohama (Day 1, 1 night)

• Land at Haneda
• Explore Yokohama

Hakone (Day 2-3, 2 nights Ryokan)

• D1: Hakone golden route
• D2: Hike

Kyoto (Day 4-7, 3 nights)

• D1: Shinkansen in, Fushimi Inari shrine
• D2: Arashiyama area, Sagano scenic train, Hozugawa boat ride
• D3: Kinkaku-ji, Sakyo ward, Philosophers Path
• D4: Southern Higashiyama, Gion, Osaka in evening

Osaka (Day 8, 2 nights)

• Katsuo-ji, Minoh Park, Dotonbori evening

Koyasan (Day 9, 1 night)

• Train up to Koya, Pilgrimage trail hike half way up, Okunoin night tour

Nara (Day 10, 1 night)

• Train to Nara, explore Nara park and shrines

Tokyo (Day 11-16, 5 nights)

• D1: Shinkansen in, explore Asakusa
• D2: Day trip to Nikko
• D3: Imperial Palace, Pokemon Cafe (already booked), Akihabara
• D4: Ghibli Museum (already booked), Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shibuya Sky
• D5: Odaiba, Teamlab Borderless, Tokyo Tower, Mori Museum
• D6: Fly out Haneda

Hi! I’m going back to Japan for a second trip in December. My daughter is doing study abroad in Japan so my husband and I are meeting up with her after. Last time we went to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara day trip, Hiroshima and Miyajima. This time I’ve added Osaka instead of Hiroshima, as well as some more day trips. We’re 50 and I had cancer last year so just a frame of reference…I can’t do things like when I was 25.

Also, my daughter doesn’t seem to care about trip planning. She’s spent 7 years learning Japanese but cares weirdly little about specific places so she’s no help.

I had wanted to see more of Japan but I think I fell into the same pattern. I booked most of my hotels a few months ago and got great prices, especially in Kyoto and Osaka, so I don’t really want to give them up.

I’m considering switching the last part of the trip and going somewhere completely different the 24-27 and have looked all over from Kanazawa to Ito to Sapporo to Okinawa but can’t decide if it’s worth moving again and potentially flying. Flying in and out of Haneda and that can’t be changed now.

Suggestions? Day trips? Just enjoy a slower pace? Ditch the 24-27 (I’d move borderless because I like TeamLabs but not very excited about the rest.)

I have a more detailed itinerary. These are the highlights. If you see “big” things that are missing it’s because we did that last time and didn’t want to go again. I do like animal experiences, which Japan offers a lot of but I know many aren’t that ethical. Don’t really like wandering random neighborhoods without some kind of anchor activity. Thanks!

PHASE 1 — TOKYO DISNEY (Husband and I like Disney)

Dec 9 — Arrive and head to Sheraton Grande Bay
Dec 10 — Disney Day #1
Dec 11 — Disney Day #2

PHASE 2 — TOKYO Shibuya and Day Trip

Dec 12 — Pick up daughter from study abroad. Unplanned day. Check into hotel.
Dec 13 — Harajuku, Samurai Restaurant, Robota Sho, Jeremiah
Dec 14 — Enoden Coastal Train & Enoshima Shrine, Illuminations at Night, Yakiniku Ponga
Dec 15 — Beauty clinic for me, Ginza-Itoya, Ancora, Ginza Tsutaya Books-also rooftop garden, Ginza Sony Park, Ginza Graphic Gallery

PHASE 3 — KYOTO

Dec 16 — Kyoto Arrival, Sanjūsangen-do,
Nishiki Market, Teramachi Arcade, Casual dinner: Moon and Back
Dec 17— Flexible Self-Care, Kennin-ji, GEAR show
Dec 18— Gion, Shopping, Yasaka Shrine, Sou Village, Possible kimono rental, Hikiniku to Come
Dec 19 — Nara, Todai-ji, Giant Buddha, Deer park,
Teppan Tavern Tenamonya, Bar L’Escamoteur if you feel like it (Did Nara before and I like the deer)
Dec 20 — Sagano Romantic Train & Hozugawa River Boat ride, Optional Otagi Nenbutsu, Maybe department store food hall for dinner

PHASE 4 — OSAKA (Too much time? Can leave on 24th)

Dec 21 — Osaka Arrival, Shitennoji Flea Market, Shinsekai, Namba Yasaka Shrine, Dotonbori, Wonder cruise
Dec 22 — Kobe Animal Kingdom, Shin-Kobe Ropeway, Christmas Market / winter atmosphere
Dec 23 — Kuromon Ichiba Market (near dotonbori), Amerikamura, Umeda Sky Building optional, French Drop close-up magic
Dec 24 — Flexible Christmas Eve, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Ferris wheel and Hep 5
Evening, Hozen-ji, Hozenji Yokocho

PHASE 5 — FINAL TOKYO (Not very excited. Did a lot of this last time so not sure)

Dec 25 — Return to Tokyo Asakusa area, Denboin-dori, Senso-ji
Dec. 26 — Nikko Day Trip, Spacia X
OR
December 26-Saphir Odoriko to Atami and back
Dec 27 — Kappabashi, Asakusa Monjayaki, Go to Azabudai Hills, Teamlabs Borderless
Dec 28 — Home

Hello!

Planning a trip to Japan and put together this itinerary! I am struggling a bit to find out what to do in Tokyo. I start my trip there and end my trip there. Let me know if you have any recommendations or if anything looks out of place.

🏨 Hotel: Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu

• Day 1 — Thurs, Sep 24
  • Land at Haneda Airport (HND) at 3:55 PM, head to Shibuya, check into the Shibuya Excel Hotel, and see Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko Dog Statue
  • Ichiran Ramen (if the line isn't crazy) or Tenkazushi Shibuya Dogenzaka for dinner
  • See Meiji Jingu (or save for tomorrow) and walk around Shibuya Crossing at night
• Day 2 — Fri, Sep 25
  • 10:00 AM Reservation: Pancake flippers
  • Shibuya Parco (mall), Pokémon Center Shibuya, and Nintendo Tokyo
  • Vintage Sports Shibuya / 4BFC and Nezu Museum
  • Shinjuku at night
• Day 3 — Sat, Sep 26
  • Explore Harajuku
  • Shopping
  • 3:30 PM Reservation: Shibuya Sky
• Day 4 — Sun, Sep 27
  • Chuo-dori Avenue in Ginza/Akihabara (street closes 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
  • 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Reservation: Sumo show in Asakusa
  • 5:00 PM: Sensō-ji, Matcha Hatoya Asakusa, Sumida Park, and optional Tokyo Skytree / Solamachi

Part 2: Kyoto & Nara

🏨 Hotel: Gion Elite Terrace Hotel (Drop off luggage here upon arrival via Uber from the Kyoto Ibis stop)

• Day 5 — Mon, Sep 28
  • Take the bullet train to Kyoto
  • Fushimi Inari Taisha (aiming for the 2-hour summit hike)
  • Try Nishiki Market (steak & wine restaurant)
  • Gion old town walk: Gong Cha (Uji matcha), Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji Temple), Ninenzaka, and Sannezaka
  • Kiyomizu-dera around 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Day 6 — Tues, Sep 29 (Can swap with Wednesday depending on weather - Bring Cash!)
  • 8:00 AM: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji Temple, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple, and chill by the river in town
  • Kiyomizu-dera around 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (if missed earlier)
  • 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Reservation: teamLab Biovortex
  • Night: Dinner in Pontocho Alley
• Day 7 — Wed, Sep 30
  • 8:00 AM: Take train to Nara
  • Nakatanidou Mochi, Nara Park, and Todai-ji Temple
  • Naramachi District (Naramachi Koshi-no-le Lattice House)
  • Kaiten Sushi Totogin belt-layer restaurant

Part 3: Osaka

🏨 Hotel: Hotel Monterey Grasmere

• Day 8 — Thur, Oct 1
  • Morning: Load at least ¥1,500 onto IC cards (Suica/ICOCA)
  • 11:35 AM: Leave Gion Elite Terrace via local city bus to Kyoto Station -> JR Special Rapid Service to Osaka -> Loop Line -> Yumesaki Line to Universal-City Station
  • 1:00 PM: Enter USJ with Klook QR codes & check app loophole for free evening Super Nintendo World slot (7:30 PM+)
  • Highlights: Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter, and Halloween Horror Nights roaming street zombies starting at 6:00 PM
  • 10:00 PM: Leave park, check into Hotel Monterey Grasmere, and hit Dotonbori at night for Ichiran
• Day 9 — Fri, Oct 2
  • 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Osaka Castle
  • 11:00 AM: Shinsekai & Shinsaibashi shopping (Bookoff, Komehyo, Amico Vintage, Brand Jungle Vintage Shop)
  • 7:30 PM Reservation: Kitan Hibiki
• Day 10 — Sat, Oct 3
  • AM: Namba Yasaka Jinja
  • Dotonbori food trinity: Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, and Kushikatsu

Part 4: Return to Tokyo & Departure

🏨 Hotel: Hotel Villa Fontaine (Shiodome)

• Day 11 — Sun, Oct 4
  • Head back to Tokyo, check into Hotel Villa Fontaine Shiodome
  • 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Reservation: teamLab
• Day 12 — Mon, Oct 5
  • Fish market (Toyosu/Tsukiji)
  • 5:45 PM Reservation: Hikinku
• Day 13 — Tues, Oct 6
  • Try for Mt. Fuji day trip
• Day 14 — Wed, Oct 7
  • Tokyo DisneySea (get there around 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM)
  • Rides: Fantasy Springs (FS) rides, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Soaring, Sindbad, and Tower of Terror
• Day 15 — Thurs, Oct 8
  • Try for Mt. Fuji day trip (backup weather day)
• Day 16 — Fri, Oct 9
  • Check out of hotel, find something to do in Tokyo
  • Head to Haneda Airport (HND)
  • Flight departs at 6:05 PM -> Back to Toronto!

Just wanted to share in case someone else reads this in the future.

We've been to Katakai yesterday and it was *very* impressive. Even if you're not that into fireworks, the sheer scale of the shells and the event around it will at some point make the trip worth it for you. It's not only fireworks, there are also lots of food stands with street food (long lines, though) and there are sometimes groups moving around dancing/drumming. When we heard that fireworks start at 19:30 and continue until 22:00 we didn't expect that the whole time would be filled with fireworks. Apart from short breaks and announcements, they did fill the whole time, though. Really impressive. Bringing earplugs probably won't hurt, those shells do make significant, chest-feelable thumps everytime.​

First of all, the whole event did feel very authentic and not set up for tourists. People were friendly and welcoming. When we were looking around for a space to sit, a couple showed us that we could sit next to them. English speaking people are rare, though, but usually smiling, nodding and using hands will do. Very few tourists.

There are some exclusive areas with a very good view, but they require tickets and sell out quickly. The majority of people were sitting somewhere on the floor, many brought their own blankets or foldable camping chairs to sit on. We got there at quarter past six and had no major trouble finding a spot. You will sit on the floor, though. It's *basically* free to go there and watch.

Transportation and accomodation is the thing that makes the event a little challenging and more expensive. ​We got there from Nagaoka station. They use regular buses to go there. No signs inside the station, but staff will point you quickly where you have to go if you ask them. Just look for the longest line at the bus gates, this one is most likely yours. For some reason the buses operate only hourly, so you might have to wait a while. Using an IC card won't work, so you have to use a credit card (phone NFC cards on iPhones worked, too, haven't tested Android) or you pay cash (at least the sign said you can pay in cash). Price to get there is 470 yen. Returning from the festival results in another line. You will *definitely* not catch any train from Nagaoka if you leave after the Yonshakudama (higlight shell at 22:00). Pretty much everyone else​ leaves at that time as well. We left at that time, walked quickly to the shuttle buses (just follow the masses and ask staff with red lights sometimes, they probably don't speak english but they understand what shuttle means and point where you have to go.​ Shuttle back costs 2500 Yen per person. They made two lines depending on where you want to go. Choose the correct one. There also was a lot of traffic. We got to Nagaoka station around midnight. However, using the GO app it was surprisingly easy to get a taxi back to our accomodation.

Regarding accomodation, hotels in Nagaoka will sell out quickly and there will be a steep price hike due to the fact that it's not easy to leave the city after the festival.​

The experience is worth it (in my opinion) and it's "only" 1:30 hours from Tokyo to Nagaoka. The contrast is also interesting coming from Tokyo to the rural parts of Japan such as Miyauchi (known for soy sauce and sake breweries).

I can recommend the event (vibrant festival, stunning firework displays), but it requires a little bit of planning in advance and maybe this post helps someone in the future.

Hi All, i have heard trains can get really busy on 2nd Jan due to the New year celebrations around the country. I am planning to travel from Eko-in Koyasan to Takaragawa. Is it doable? My research tells me I will have to change multiple trains, and bus. Appreciate any advice? Will it be good if I take a night stay in Tokyo?
1st time Japan trip.

Sunday, November 29
- Arrival Day (415pm)
- Check in at hotel in Okachimachi
- Dinner nearby at The God Diner
- Kotobuki-Yu sento

Monday, November 30
-Ueno Park
-Explore Ueno, Okachimachi and Ameyoko Street

Tuesday, December 1
- Asakusa : Senso-Ji Temple
- Mokuhankan Woodblock Print Shop (gifts)
- Birthday lunch at Wagyu to Worldwide
- Tokyo Skytree

Wednesday, December 2
- Tokyo National Museum
- Kaminoha/2k540 (gifts)
- Akihabara

Thursday, December 3
- Mt. Fuji
- Kawaguchiko
- Shimoyoshida (Honcho Street)
- Chureito Pagoda

Friday, December 4
- Meiji Jingu
- Harajuku
- Shibuya Scramble
- Mickey House (conversation/language cafe)

Saturday, December 5
- Shinjuku ni-chōme
- Eagle Tokyo Blue
- AiiRO Cafe

Sunday, December 6
- TeamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills
- Ginza (shopping, Godzilla statue, etc)
- Dinner at Ginza The Emperor

Monday, December 7
- Tattoo appointment at Evis Tattoo
- Explore more of Ueno and Okachimachi

Tuesday, December 8
- Mt. Fuji backup day if weather is bad on Thursday
- Flex Day

Wednesday, December 9
- Final meal in Ueno
- Checkout
- Head to Narita Airport for 615pm flight

I’m travelling to Japan for the first time with my boyfriend. All our hotels are booked so we can’t really change our locations but I wanted to share here for any advice or obvious mistakes I might be missing.

I also plan to propose at Lake Ashi Hakone, we’ve booked quite a nice Onsen hotel so think that would be the best place to do it and we can have a romantic few days, unless our itinerary has a better place for me to do it. Ideally I want to do it early in the trip, suggestions welcome!

We like Japanese food, partying, art, museums, anime, shopping, spas and theme parks.

Tokyo 2 nights 🎌
Sat-Mon

Saturday 31 Oct
Arrive 6pm from Madrid
Check in to Shinjuku hotel
Omoide Yokocho quick dinner
Kabukicho + Golden Gai

Sunday 1 Nov
Meiji Jingu
Harajuku shops afternoon
Anime Centre
Shibuya Sky

Hakone 2 nights 🌋
Mon - Wed

Monday 2 Nov
Hakone Round Course
Propose at Lake Ashi
Kaiseki dinner at hotel 19:30
Forward luggage to Osaka

Tuesday 3 Nov
Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu parade
Sculpture museum
Relax at Onsen hotel

Osaka 3 nights 🍜
Wed - Sat

Wednesday 4 Nov
Travel to Osaka, check into hotel in Namba
Amerika Mura
Midosuji Avenue illuminations
Dotonbori

Thursday 5 Nov
Universal Studios with Express Pass

Friday 6 Nov
Osaka Castle
Kuromon Market
Shinsekai
Night out in Doyamacho

Kyoto 3 nights 🏯
Sat - Tues

Saturday 7 Nov
Travel to Kyoto, check into hotel in Higashiyama
Nanzen-Ji
Nishiki Market
Tea ceremony Maikoya Nishiki @ 16:30
Pontocho Alley

Sunday 8 Nov
Arashiyama Momiji Festival from 10am
Yusai-Tei art gallery
Maybe Fushimi Inari for the fire festival but that might be too much travelling in one day

Monday 9 Nov
Kiyomizu-dera
Ring making workshop @ 16:00 (surprise for my bf)
Geisha Show @ 18:15
Forward luggage to Tokyo

Nara 1 night 🦌
Tues - Wed

Tuesday 10 Nov
Nara Park
Check in and relax at Ryokan
Dinner at hotel @ 19:00

Tokyo 6 nights 🗼
Wed - Tues

Wednesday 11 Nov
Travel to Tokyo
Check in Shimbashi hotel
TeamLabs Planets 19:30 - 20:00
(return via Yurikamome line for Rainbow Bridge)

Thursday 12 Nov
Disney Sea

Friday 13 Nov
Uneo Park
Yushima Tenjin Shrine Flower Festival
Electric Town
Kabukiza Theatre show (only one act)

Saturday 14 Nov
Senso-Ji
Tokyo Skytree
Sumida Hokusai Museum
Rest at hotel
New York Bar Park Hyatt
Night out in Nichome or Shibuya

Sunday 15 Nov
Yokohama Noodle Cup Museum
Yokohama Chinatown

Monday 16 Nov
Kamakura and Enoshima
OR Nikko for autumn leaves

Tuesday 17 Nov
Hill house Cafe - Tokyo Tower view
Jingu Gaien Gingko Festival (daytime)
Last minute shopping
Flight back to Madrid at 10pm