My husband and I (Late 30s) would like to visit Japan next year around October for about 2 weeks and are in the early stages of planning our trip. I want to make sure that what we would like to do/see is reasonable for the time that we’re there. We are okay with places that might be overly touristy since it’s our first time, and we enjoy video games, anime, museums, and nature. Here’s a rough draft of what we are thinking about doing so far:

Day 1: Travel

Fly in to KIX, take the Haruka express train to Tennoji station and check into a hotel nearby. Maybe walk around Tennoji park if we have a little time.

Day 2: Osaka - Castle

Visit the castle and spend a good part of the day exploring the area. Then head back down to Tennoji and visit the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts (if it’s open) and then try and visit Shin Sekai/Tsutenkaku tower later in the evening when it’s all lit up.

Day 3: Osaka - Exploring the city (Namba/Umeda)

Visit Namba Yasaka shrine to see the giant lion’s head, then explore Namba for a bit as we make our way over towards Denden town. Then we’ll go up to Hozen-ji Temple and Dotonbori. I don’t think we’ll spend too much time there as we’re not really into the nightlife/party scene. 

After that we’ll head up to the Umeda area to explore for a bit and visit the Nintendo Store/Pokemon Center Osaka, then make our way over to the Umeda Sky building and see if we can get up to the observation deck.  

Day 4: Osaka - Port Area/Leave for Kyoto

Check out of the hotel. Go to the port and explore the Tempozan Market Place/Park. Spend some time at the Kaiyukan Aquarium, then take the train to Kyoto. (I would like to try and take the Kyo-train Garaku, but it seems to only operate on weekends)

Arrive at Kyoto-kawaramachi station and check in at a hotel nearby. Visit the Nishiki Market and  Nintendo/Pokemon Kyoto stores.

Day 5: Kyoto - Arashiyama/Kiyomizu-dera 

Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest/ Kimono Forest/ Arashiyama Monkey park and spend the morning/afternoon there. For the evening, we can go to Kiyomizu-dera for sunset, then explore Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka and make our way to Yasaka Shrine/Gion 

Day 6: Kyoto - Fushimi Inari/ Uji?

Go to Fushimi Inari in the morning. I don’t think we’re in enough shape to go all the way to the summit, but I heard that going to Mitsutsuji and back down from there is a good alternative. We’d like to visit the Nintendo Museum in Uji if we are able to get tickets, but if we can’t I’m not sure if we just go explore Uji or somewhere else. We’re not big into matcha and that seems to be what Uji is known for.

Day 7: Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji /Imperial Palace/Nijo castle

Go up to Kinkaku-ji, then visit the maple garden at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and do the Tatami Experience Workshop at Yamada Tatami Shop. Next we visit the imperial palace, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and Nijo Castle. 

*Day 8: Leave Kyoto - I don’t know if we should go to Tokyo directly, or stay over for one night somewhere in between along the shinkansen route. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Day 9: Tokyo - Ueno Park/Senso-ji

We’ll stay at a hotel near Ueno and visit the park and museums in the area, then visit Senso-ji in the evening when it is lit up.

Day 10: Tokyo - Akihabara/Imperial Palace

We’ll spend some time in Akihabara, then go down and visit the Imperial Palace.

Day 11: Tokyo - Shibuya/Harajuku

We’ll go to Shinjuku in the morning and visit the Hachiko statue, then explore for awhile and make our way to the Nintendo/Pokemon stores. After that we’ll go to Harajuku to visit Yoyogi park and Meiji Jingu.

Day 12: We’ll take a day trip - thinking about visiting Enoshima/Kamakura.

Day 13: Travel Home

Hello - first time traveler to Japan (Tokyo specifically) from the United States. Looking for some advice/feedback on my trip itinerary (mainly - does it make sense? Is it too much or too little to do in the allotted timeframe? Is my hotel in a fun/interesting area?)

Background: male, traveling to Tokyo in Feb/March for the Tokyo marathon. Things I’m primarily interested in as a tourist: food, nature/historical sights, and shopping (anime/games). My main focus of the trip is the marathon but of course while there, would love to do some sight seeing too.

Planned itinerary:

Monday Feb 24: leave the United States

Tuesday Feb 25: arrive in Tokyo late afternoon. Check in to hotel (near Marunouchi). Relax in the evening.

Wednesday Feb 26: imperial palace tour, team labs, Pokemon cafe, dinner at a street market somewhere TBD

Thursday Feb 27: day trip via bullet train to Mt Fuji, Hakone, Lake Ashi

Friday Feb 28: Shinjuku national garden, Meiji shrine, Akihabara, Nakamise shopping street

Saturday March 1: marathon expo and mainly just relaxing at the hotel/resting the legs.

Sunday March 2: Tokyo marathon

Monday March 3: recovery day and mostly a free day to do any other last minute touring/sightseeing

Tuesday March 4: fly home

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and feedback!

Hi all! My friend and I will be going to Japan for 17 days at the beginning of April, and I’m attempting to get a rough itinerary (because I’m sure I’ll tweak things more between now and then…), but I am well past the point of going insane looking at all my lists and nothing is making sense anymore, so I wanted to get some opinions! 

A few notes: I’m disabled, so almost everything comes with the caveat of “do I have the energy for this” - there’s very few things on the list (the theme parks, Gundams, and seeing Tokyo Tower at some point) that I am dead set on doing. I'm taking a cane (that I've used as a makeshift stool at Disneyland (California)), so I'm not too worried about standing. I've already started "training" for the amount of walking I know we're going to do, so hopefully my treadmill time helps a bit...

Our hotel reservations are the only things set in stone at this point, so we’re still fairly flexible for day-to-day activities.

Okay, I just deleted some rambles and over-thinking (oops haha), so here’s the plan so far, with some questions at the end:

D1: Arrival

• Land at Haneda 3:30ish, forward luggage to Kyoto
• Check in to hostel (near Skytree)
• Senso-ji - explore grounds at night (if energy)
• If lots of energy - Tokyo Tower :) 
• Stay up till at least 8pm!

D2:  Nara & Kyoto (Home base: Kyoto, near Kyoto Station)

• Travel to Nara
• Nara Park
• Todai-ji
• Wander Nara for a few hours
• Return to Kyoto, check into accommodations
• Quick clothes shopping trip (Uniqlo/GU)

D3: Kyoto

• Early wake up
• Fushimi Inari
• Kiyomizu-dera and surroundings
• Yasaka shrine
• Wander Higashiyama
• Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, if energy (or zombie)
  • Alt - an arcade?

D4: Kyoto

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Tenryu-ji
• Togetsukyo Bridge & lunch
• Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
• Sagano Scenic Railway
• Kinkaku-ji, if time and energy

D5: Kyoto & Osaka

• Nijo Castle - 10am tour
  • Is this worth it if we are planning on seeing Himeji? Or nix this, and spend the time in Osaka?
• Nintendo Museum (If we get tickets)
• Train to Osaka
• Gundams at Grand Front Osaka
• Osaka Aquarium
• Tempozan Ferris Wheel, if energy

D6: Himeji + Osaka

• Himeji Castle - 10am English tour
  • I know it's a distance, but my mom told me that I absolutely have to go!
• Osaka Castle grounds
• Namba Yasaka shrine
• DenDen town / Wander
  • Is this worth it if we are going to Akihabara and Ikebukuro? We mostly like older anime (late 90s-mid aughts) so I know our favorites will be harder to find stuff for

D7: Osaka / USJ

• Universal Studios Japan :)
  • Will get express passes - do we still need to arrive early?

D8: Osaka * (Question at end)

• Send luggage forward?
• Train to Osaka
• America-mura & Shinsaibashi
• Pokemon Cafe at some point
• Dotonbori
• Tombori River Cruise
  • Is this worth it? I thought it'd be a nice way to see things without having to walk quite as much (or fight the crowds!)
• Train to Nagoya?

D9: Nagoya

• Ghibli Park
• Train to Tokyo after

D10: Tokyo (home base: Asakusa)

• Meiji Jingu
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (maybe?)
• Explore Shinjuku
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory
• Explore Nichome

D11: Tokyo

• Explore Harajuku
  • Sailor Moon store :)
• Explore Shibuya
  • Scramble (from above)
  • Hachiko statue (from a distance lol - is that even possible? It's definitely not a priority!)

D12: Tokyo

• Senso-ji temple & surroundings
• Unicorn Gundam statue
• Gundam Base Tokyo
  • I don’t have the dexterity for model kits anymore - is there other Gundam stuff? I mostly care about Wing and SEED/SEED Destiny, but I plan on watching a few more series before the trip.
• TeamLabs Borderless
• Tokyo Tower from the ground (if we haven’t gone)
• Tokyo Skytree
• Character Street??

D13: Tokyo

• Akihabara
• Ikebukuro

D14: Kamakura **

• Rent bike by Kamakura station
• Hokokuji temple
• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
• Sasuke Inari shrine
• Kamakura Daibutsu
• Bike to Enoshima
• Shonan monorail and return to Tokyo
• Check in to new hotel (and maybe become one with the hot tub)

D15: Disneyland

D16: DisneySea

D17: Finale 🙁

• Ikspiari in the morning
• Back to the airport we go… 🙁

* Our biggest question - when should we forward our luggage? We originally planned on taking just a backpack each to Nagoya, but now I’m not sure if we should stay in Kyoto one more night and take an early train, or get a hotel in Nagoya and just leave Osaka late. Or, we send the bulk of our luggage forward, and keep one carry on suitcase for the day’s shopping, which we can then use for our Ghibli park purchases? I don’t know - this is where I ran into a wall (and a three day migraine!) and decided I needed help 😅

** I know Kamakura would be worth it, but should we go, or should we spend that day in Tokyo? I want to try to go to the Ghibli museum, but I know it's hard to get tickets for so I'd be satisfied with just the park.

I am a regular visitor to Japan, but most of my trips are usually work + 1/2 day free affairs. I am planning to visit again purely for leisure between the 27th Dec to 5th Jan. Would there be any items here you would specifically remove? Would there be any attraction you would specifically recommend?

My parameters are as follows:

1. I am a massive railway/train fan, so a lot of this trip is built around famous train routes/shopping for train models.
2. I have visited Hiroshima and Nara twice already, and Kyoto thrice for extended periods. Thus I am making Kyoto a low priority. I am also deprioritising Nikko, since I spent 4 days there in April.
3. All items are open to suggestion, but I would particularly value feedback in areas noted in Bold.

27th Dec 25 Day 1 Osaka

Morning: Land at Kansai Airport, drop bags at hotel in Namba.

Morning/Afternoon (High priority) Visit Osaka Castle (which will be closed after 28th), Osaka Museum of History, Fujita Art Museum.

Evening: Shopping around Nipponbashi

Food: Requesting food recommendations near Osaka Station. Dinner at Kuromon.

28th Dec 25 Day 3 Osaka

Morning: Sumiyoshi Taisha, Shitennoji Temple.

Afternoon: Requesting Recommendations for afternoon activity.

Food: Requesting recommendation for Lunch

Evening: Shopping around Nipponbashi

29th Dec 26 Day 3 Nagoya

Travel: Local Train to Shin-Osaka and Tokaido HSR to Nagoya

Morning: Drop Bag at Hotel next to Station, head to JR Central Miseum (SCMAGLEV and Railway Park).

Afternoon/Evening: Higashiyama Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and Tower

Food: Requesting recommendations for Lunch/Dinner

30th Dec 26 Day 4 Nagoya-Odawara

Morning/Afternoon: Nagashima Spa Land

Travel: Tokaido HSR (ideally 1730 or 1930) to Odawara

Food: Requesting recommendation in Odawara

31th Dec 26 Day 5 Hakone

Travel: Hakone Tozan Train to Gora (Hakone)

Morning: Owakudani, Hakone Pirate Ship Tōgendai Port, Hakone-en Aquarium, Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine

Afternoon: Gora Park, Hakone Museum of Art, Hakone Open Air Museum

Evening: Relax at Hotel

Food: Local in Hakone for Lunch, Near Odawara Station Dinner

1st Jan Day 6 Tokyo
Travel: 0825 Romance Car to Shinjuku, then local train to Hotel in Ueno.

Morning: Ueno Museums.

Afternoon: Model/Model Train Shopping in Akihabara.

Food: Requesting recommendations in Ueno

2nd Jan Day 7 Shimoda

Travel: 0710 Local Train to Shinagawa, then Regular Odoriko train to Shimoda (arriving 1000).

Morning/Afternoon: Ryosenji / Perry, Shimoda Park, Shimoda Floating Aquarium, Shimoda Ropeway

Evening: Saphir Odoriko back to Tokyo Station, local train back to Ueno.

Food: Requesting Recommendation in Shimoda for Lunch

3rd Jan Day 8

0758 Train to FujiQ Highland arriving 1023

Morning/Early Afternoon: FujiQ Highland

Afternoon: I dont think I can spend 6 hours at FujiQ Highland. Does anyone here have recommendation for something to do within walking distance of FujiQ Highland that can be done in 3-4h? I am strongly considering Kawaguchiko bus but I am not sure we have the time.

Evening: Arrive FujiQ Station at 1900 latest (Trains drop off sharply after 1930) in Ueno by 2200

Food: Requesting Recommendation in Kawaguchiko

4th Jan Day 9 Tokyo

Morning: Museum/Zoo/Aquarium Crawl?

Afternoon/Evening: Shopping gifts/Models/Model Trains in Akihabara

Note: My Day 9 plan is still fluid and I would appreciate recommendations.

5th Jan Day 10

0600 Narita Express to Narita Airport

0900 Flight to Bkk

Hi folks,

Thanks in advance for your assistance. I am currently in Noboribetsu onsen town and have a train to Tokyo later today.

I was walking on some ice earlier today and slipped and used my hand to break my fall. My wrist hurt after the injury, but it didn't seem so bad as I had full range of motion, there was not consistent pain, and it didn't seem broken or super swollen. After about 10 hours or so, the pain got worse and it's now consistently painful at about a 2-3, with spikes up to 5-6 when I move it in directions it doesnt like. There is some swelling, but it's very minor.

Here are my thoughts and plan so far.

1. Get my large luggage item shipped to my Tokyo hotel so I don't have to deal with it in transit.

2. Try to find a wrist brace at a nearby pharmacy before my train or make one myself with some ace bandage and a splint.

3. Go to a clinic in Tokyo to get it looked at and x-rayed to make sure I'm in the clear with no fractures and get the doctor's advice.

In the meantime, I will try to use the wrist as little as possible and ice it. I would really hate to adjust my trip since I just got to Japan and am planning to be here til the 30th, but if it's serious I will adjust my flight and leave early.

A couple of questions for folks.

It seems best to wait until I'm in Tokyo to get treatment as there's much more flexibility for English speakers. I could go back to Sapporo but then I forfeit my shinkansen tickets. Would you agree?

What clinics do you recommend for X-rays and getting my wrist looked at in Tokyo? I am staying in Shinjuku and my train stops at Tokyo station. There's a clinic in Tokyo station but not sure how good it is.

Any thoughts, feedback, general advice, or word of encouragement are appreciated!

Could you review this itinerary for a first-time traveler to Japan during the last week of March? Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you!

Mar 29
Day 1: 8AM - Tokyo

• Meiji Jingu
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
• Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Day 2: Tokyo

• Senso-ji Temple
• teamLab Planets
• Tokyo Tower
• Shibuya Sky

Day 3: Tokyo

• Lake Kawaguchi
• Arakurayama Sengen Park

Day 4: Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Toji Temple

Day 5: Kyoto

• Kinkaku-ji
• Kiyomizu-dera
• Streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
• Philosopher’s Path

Day 6: Kyoto

• Todai-ji & Nara Park

Day 7: Kyoto to Nagoya via Ise

• Kotai Jingu

Day 8-9: Nagoya/Suzuka

• F1 Race

Day 10: Departure from Nagoya

Hello! Me and my 2 friends are going to Japan during early February till mid February 2025 from 3rd till 16th.

We're planning to cover Tohoku since we heard that it is pretty magical to experience winter there! It will be my 3rd time heading to Japan, while my 2 friends are heading there for the 1st time. All of us have not yet obtained our driver licenses, so driving is not an option ;-(

I am wondering if any improvements could be made, as I felt this might be a little tight and a lot of traveling is involved. I have not yet tracked the distance with pins on Google Maps yet... I am quite overwhelmed as I am planning this trip for my friends, as this will be a memorable experience for us.

I am also wondering if there are any recommendations along the way during our visit, such as attractions and tourist hidden gems! I have booked all accommodations and air tickets so far, so it can't be changed. (Yes I have managed to book Ginzan Onsen during winter peak period :o)

Yes, we're planning to get JR East Pass and Hakone Pass.

Thanks in advance for this who helped!

Day 1-2: Kansai to Osaka

Day 1: Arrive at Kansai International Airport at about 4pm, and travel to Osaka Namba Area by train / bus. Head to our accommodation to check in first, and unpack. Once done, explore around the Shinsaibasuji district, visit Don Quijote or Amerika-mura. Head to Dotonburi area to try street food and go shopping. Have dinner at Ichiran Ramen.

Day 2: Visit Osaka Castle early in the morning. Go to Nipponbashi Denden Town for anime stuff. Afterwards, Head to Kuromon Ichiba Market to have lunch around the area. Can head back to the hotel to rest for a while or explore other places ownself. In the evening, have dinner at Ajinoya Hon Ten, go bar hopping around and visit Shinsekai.

Day 3-4: Osaka to Kyoto

Day 3: Day trip to Kyoto. Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine in the morning. Head to Kiyomizu-dera, and explore the junctions around Ninnenzaka, Sannenzaka and Higashiyama District (Yasaka Shrine). Go to Gion and have lunch at Okutan, a famous Yudofu restaurant that requires reservation. Head to Kifune Shrine to explore the forested mountains. Reach Gion Karyo for Kaiseki dinner to end the day.

Day 4: Day trip to Kyoto. Go to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest for a nice slow-paced walk, and head to Tenryu-ji after that. Eat lunch at Taisho Hanana, famous for their sashimi and located 30m away from the bamboo forest. Visit the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) area and Ryoanji Temple for its zen garden. Have dinner at Warajiya, a 200-year old restaurant famous for their Unagi Zousui.

Day 5: Head to Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN in the morning. Wander around Tempozan Harbor Village, can consider taking the ferris wheel. Have lunch at Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho area. Do some shopping around the area if needed. This can be a free day, so can go back hotel to rest or explore other areas ownself. Dinner can be convenience store food.

Day 6-7: Osaka to Aomori

Day 6: Go to Aomori via domestic flight at Itami Airport. Have Nokke-don at Aomori Gyosai Center (Furukawa Fish Market). Head to A-FACTORY to try Aomori apple-themed goods. Visit the Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information Center ASPAM to shop for local delicacies or souvenir shops. Have dinner at 酒肴旬 三ッ石。

Day 7: Head to Hirosaki. Walk around Hirosaki Park and admire the atmosphere/environment. Visit the nearby Tsugaru-han Neputa Village for a Neputa experience and enjoy the crafts workshop. Stop by Saishoin Temple for a peaceful walk and learn about history. In the late afternoon, take the Tsugaru Railway line for the Winter Stove Train experience. Stop by the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival at night.

Day 8-9: Aomori to Akita

Day 8: Head to Akita by Hirosaki > Shin-Aomori > Morioka > Tazawako. Visit Nyuto Onsen to check in first. Rest of the day can be spent inside ryokan, or visiting nearby facilities.

Day 9: Explore Kakunodate for its well-preserved samurai district. Then, head to Akita Castle Ruins. Go to Lake Tazawa for walking and exploring the surrounding area. Afterwards, head to Gozanoishi Shrine for a picturesque view of the sea.

Day 10: Akita to Yamagata

Day 10: Travel to Ginzan Onsen and check into the ryokan for 1 night. Explore the surroundings and shop around. Eat food around the area and take pictures. This can be a free day, since the area is quite small.

Visit public baths Shiroganeyu and Omokageyu. Visit Warashiyu Foot Spa for a complimentary foot soak. Explore Shirogane-no-Taki Falls and Shirogane Park. Explore Haikara-san Street for food such as the curry bread and Nogawa Tofu Shop, and Izu-no-Hana for soba.

Day 11-13: Yamagata to Tokyo

Day 11: Travel to Tokyo from Yamagata Station. Explore Shibuya Crossing and Center Gai for lunch and more shopping/photos at Harajuku Street. Afterwards, head to Shibuya Sky for a panoramic view of the city. Head to Shinjuku to visit Golden Gai for dinner and entertainment.

Day 12: Head to Hakone for a day trip. Explore Lake Ashinoko for the sightseeing boat ride as well as Owakudani. Visit Amazake Tea House for some snacks and tea. Head to Hakone Shrine for a nice change of pace and end off the day with onsen soak at Tenzan Onsen and have dinner around the area before heading back to our accommodation.

Day 13: Visit Akihabara for electronics and anime merchandise shopping, you can also try maid cafe experience. Explore Asakusa, and have lunch at MISOJYU. Stop by Senso-ji Temple for yukata experience and Nakamise Shopping Street for last minute shopping. Also, head to teamLab Planets for a fun experience and have omakase dinner.

Day 14: Tokyo to Narita

Day 14: Check out of Airbnb. Have lunch nearby and do necessary shopping if needed. Travel to Narita Airport via JR Narita Express.

Hello! I am planning my long-awaited trip to Japan in October visiting both the Golden route and some other places, culminating in 9 days in Tokyo & area. This is what I have planned for the first 4 weeks of the trip, suggestions welcome:

02/10/2025 (Thursday): Arrival in Osaka

• Afternoon: Arrive in Osaka, settle in.
• Evening: Walking around, depending on the state I arrive in

Overnight: Osaka.

03/10/2025 (Friday): Osaka

• Morning: Osaka Castle, Osaka Museum of History.
• Afternoon: Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku Tower, and Kuromon Market.
• Evening: Pro-Wrestling show, Dottonbori

Overnight: Osaka.

04/10/2025 (Saturday): Osaka

• Morning: Umeda Sky Building (city views).
• Afternoon: Explore Tennoji Park and Shitenno-ji Temple.
• Evening: Amemura (American Village), live rock / metal show

Overnight: Osaka.

05/10/2025 (Sunday): Osaka → Hiroshima

• Morning: Travel to Hiroshima.
• Afternoon: Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome.
• Evening: Okonomimura

Overnight: Hiroshima.

06/10/2025 (Monday): Hiroshima → Itsukushima

• Morning: Ferry to Itsukushima, Itsukushima Shrine
• Afternoon: Hike to Mount Misen.
• Evening: Itsukushima sunset

Overnight: Itsukushima.

07/10/2025 (Tuesday): Itsukushima→ Hiroshima

• Morning: Itsukushima sunrise
• Afternoon: Ferry back to Hiroshima; Hiroshima Castle.
• Evening: Local izakayas in Hiroshima.

Overnight: Hiroshima.

08/10/2025 (Wednesday): Hiroshima → Himeji → Kobe

• Morning: Stop at Himeji – Visit Himeji Castle.
• Afternoon: Travel to Kobe, Kobe Earthquake museum
• Evening: Mount Maya night view

Overnight: Kobe.

09/10/2025 (Thursday): Kobe → Kyoto

• Morning: Travel to Kyoto.
• Afternoon: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Tofuku-ji Temple.
• Evening: Gion District and Hanamikoji Street.

Overnight: Kyoto.

10/10/2025 (Friday): Kyoto

• Morning: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji Temple.
• Afternoon: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge.
• Evening: Nishiki Market, Pontocho Alley.

Overnight: Kyoto.

11/10/2025 (Saturday): Kyoto → Nara → Iga

• Morning: Travel to Nara –Todai-ji Temple and Nara Park.
• Afternoon: Travel to Iga.
• Evening: Exploring Iga

Overnight: Iga.

12/10/2025 (Sunday): Iga

• Morning: Ninja Museum of Igaryu, Ueno Castle.
• Afternoon: Exploring Iga.
• Overnight: Iga.

13/10/2025 (Monday): Iga → Gifu

• Morning: Travel to Gifu.
• Afternoon: Ukai fishing on the Nagara River.
• Evening: Gifu’s old town.

Overnight: Gifu.

14/10/2025 (Tuesday): Gifu → Takayama → Gifu

• Morning: Miyagawa Morning Market & Takayama
• Afternoon: Takayama Jinya
• Evening: Return to Gifu.

Overnight: Gifu.

15/10/2025 (Wednesday): Gifu → Fujikawaguchiko

• Morning: Travel via Shin-Fuji to Fujikawaguchiko.
• Afternoon: Enjoy Lake Kawaguchi views, Chureito Pagoda.
• Evening: Ryokan visit.

Overnight: Fujikawaguchiko.

16/10/2025 (Thursday): Fujikawaguchiko

• Morning: Explore Aokigahara Forest (guided tour recommended).
• Afternoon: Visit Oishi Park and enjoy lakeside views.
• Evening: Fujikawaguchiko.

Overnight: Fujikawaguchiko.

17/10/2025 (Friday): Fujikawaguchiko → Tokyo

• Morning: Travel to Tokyo.
• Afternoon: Shibuya – Scramble Crossing, Shibuya Sky.
• Evening: Shinjuku Golden Gai.

Overnight: Tokyo.

18/10/2025 (Saturday): Tokyo → Mito

• Morning: Travel to Mito.
• Afternoon: Kairakuen Garden, Kodokan historical site. J2 league match (?)
• Evening: Stroll Senba Lake.

Overnight: Mito.

19/10/2025 (Sunday): Mito

• Morning: Local market or explore Kasama Inari Shrine. J2 league match (?)
• Afternoon: Sake brewery tour?

Overnight: Mito.

20/10/2025 (Monday): Mito → Sendai (Scenic Route via Iwaki)

• Morning: Early train to Sendai via the scenic Joban Line.
• Afternoon: Arrive in Sendai, visit Sendai Castle Ruins.
• Evening: Exploring Sendai nightlife

Overnight: Sendai.

21/10/2025 (Tuesday): Sendai

• Morning: Day trip to Yamadera (temple hike).
• Afternoon: Visit Matsushima Bay for scenic islands.
• Evening: Return to Sendai.

Overnight: Sendai.

22/10/2025 (Wednesday): Sendai → Morioka

• Morning: Travel to Morioka.
• Afternoon: Explore Morioka Castle Park, Morioka Station area, Iwate Museum of Art, Hoonji Temple.
• Evening: Exploring Morioka.

Overnight: Morioka.

23/10/2025 (Thursday): Morioka

• Morning: Iwate local day trip
• Afternoon: Morioka night life

Overnight: Morioka.

24/10/2025 (Friday): Morioka → Aomori

• Morning: Travel to Aomori.
• Afternoon: Nebuta Warasse Museum, A-Factory Market.
• Evening: Explore the Aomori waterfront.

Overnight: Aomori.

25/10/2025 (Saturday): Aomori

• Morning: Hirosaki day trip.
• Afternoon: Return and explore Furukawa Fish Market.
• Evening: Relax in Aomori.

Overnight: Aomori.

26/10/2025 (Sunday): Aomori → Tokyo

• Morning: Travel to Tokyo.

Any suggestions welcome. Mito is there because that is also my nickname and I want to go see their J2 league football team play.

Hello everyone, Classic itinerary check for a first time Japan trip in January for 2 male friends, both 30 from the states. We're both history nerds and foodies (not trying to break the bank). Suggestions welcome! We are doing two walking tours in Tokyo. Do y'all reccommend food tours?

1. Saturday, January 11

• Land at 2:55 PM
• Go to Hostel
• Evening Open - Explore neighborhood

2. Sunday, January 12: Tokyo

• 9:30 - 12: Harajuku Meiji Shrine Walking Tour (Free) (includes Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Dori, Ometesando, Olympic Stadium)
• Teamlabs x Galaxy – super cool art installation
• Walk to Shibuya Crossing
• Hachiko Dog Statue
• Explore Shibuya
• Back to hostel to freshen up before night out
• Evening in Shinjuku - Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai

3. Monday, January 13: Tokyo

• 10:00 -12 PM: Asakusa Free Walking Tour (includes Kaminari-man, Sky Tree/Golden XXX, Fives Stories Pagoda, Nakamise (shopping street), Denpoin Street, Senso-Ji Temple
• Visit Skytree (need to book tickets)
• Ueno Park
• National Museum
• Explore Akhibara
• Sometime Jazz Club - (famous Tokyo Jazz Club) - first set starts at 7

4. Tuesday, January 14: Tokyo

• Morning: Imperial Palace, Yasukuni-jinja Shrine/Museum
• Afternoon Sumo Tournament (NOTE: Depending on timing, lets get Tonkatsu (fried pork) at Tonkatsu Hasegawa, bib gourmand (Michelin). Its in the same Neighborood as Sumo. Can do it either before or after)
• Evening in Akhibara/Asakusa

5. Wednesday, January 15: Tokyo

• Tsukiji Outer Market
• Teamlab Planets - Need to book
• Leave rest of the day open for any activities we missed (suggestions welcome)

6. Thursday, January 16: Tokyo – Hakone – Kyoto

• Train to Hakone
• Hakone loop (following this general itinerary https://trulytokyo.com/hakone-day-trip-itinerary/)
• Day pass to onsen with remaining time
• Train to Kyoto

7. Friday, January 17: Kyoto (Early Morning Start)

• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
• Arashiyama Park Kameyama Area
• Arabica Kyoto Arashiyama - famous coffee shop
• Explore Arashiyama Temples and Neighborhood
• Otagi Nenbutsu-Ji (Temple)
• Gioji (Temple)
• Lunch in Arashiyama
• Train to Ryoan-ji rock garden in Kyoto
• Kinkaku-ji – golden pavilion
• Gion District (night)

8. Saturday, January 18: Kyoto (Early Morning Start)

• Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Kyoto Railway Museum
• Nishiki Market (check out Aritsugu Nishiki Market - famous knife shop)
• Nijo Castle
• Tea Ceremony (https://mai-ko.com/ - need to book)
• Dinner: Pontocho Alley
• Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi – good gyoza

9. Sunday, January 19: Kyoto

• Higashiyama (walk from hotel to various temples/shrines/spots to see, ending with Philosophers Path)
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Kodaiji Temple
• Yasaka Shrine
• Yasaka Pagoda
• Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka - shopping streets
• Nanzen-Ji
• Heian Temple
• Philosopher’s Path

10. Monday, January 20: Kyoto – Nara – Osaka

• Early morning train to Nara (multiple train every hour, about an hour trip)
• Drop off luggage in train lockers on arrival
• Kofuku-ji Temple
• Todai-ji Temple
• Nara Deer Park and Mt. Wakakusa
• Kasuga-Taisha
• 3000 Stone Lanterns
• Higashimuki Shopping Street (Check out Nakatanidou (traditional mochi place, made on site))
• Train to Osaka

11. Tuesday, January 21: Osaka

• Osaka Castle
• Osaka Museum of History
• Dotonburi
• Shinkensai

12. Wednesday, January 22: Osaka - Himeji - Kobe - Hiroshima

• Early Morning train to Himeji Castle (30 minutes)
• Afternoon train to Kobe
• Nada Sake District
• Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway
• Steak Dinner
• Train to Hiroshima

13. Thursday, January 23: Hiroshima

• Peace Park/A-bomb memorial
• Peace museum
• Miyajima Island

14. Friday, January 24: Hiroshima - Tokyo

Off the top I want to apologize if this is all over the place! I'm excited for the trip but there's just a ton of things to do and it's overwhelming haha.

Second, thank you to everyone who has posted itineraries (and made suggestions on them) throughout the subreddit. I borrowed ideas liberally.

Trip dates: Feb 13th - Feb 25th 2025

I have an Airbnb in Ota-ku for the duration of the stay, so one big thing is to use that as a hub rather than staying in multiple hotels during the stay. It's located on Kinema Street with a sub 10 min walk to the Keikyu-Kamata Line.

I'm open to any and all suggestions on changes. I tried not to crowd things too much, while also keeping things to similar areas for ease of travel. Anything noted in bold is very close to a "must see/visit" for me. I also really want to check out any plum blossom areas I can, though I'm not beholden to going to any particular one unless there is something extra unique associated with that particular area.

There's an extra/free day in there that can be used for whatever helps smooth things out for the trip. I'm also open to rearranging the days for visits, so long as it doesn't impact going to any festival, etc.

Thank you for any and all feedback!

Day 0 (Flight Departure @ 6a local time) - Thursday | 2/13

Day 1 (Arrival @ 3p local time) - Friday | 2/14

Ota-ku (near Airbnb)

• ^(local food/hangout/adjust to jetlag)

Day 2 - Saturday | 2/15

Akihabara - https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3003.html

• ^(Cafe Eorzea)
• ^(Monster Hunter Cafe)
• ^(Plum Blossoms - Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, 1 Chome-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004, Japan @ 10a)
• ^(2k540 Aki Oka -) ^(https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g14134274-d2312003-Reviews-2k540_AKI_OKA_ARTIZAN-Ueno_Taito_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html)
• ^(Little BSD)
• ^(Kanda Shrine)
• ^(Izakaya)
• ^(Hanabusa Shrine -) ^(https://tokyobling.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/the-hidden-shrine-of-akihabara-hanabusa-shrine/)
• ^(Shopping?)

Day 3 - Sunday | 2/16

Hakone Day Trip - https://www.odakyu.jp/english/sightseeing/itineraries/hakone-1-day/https://www.odakyu.jp/english/feature/hakonefreepass/

• Grab snacks before/after

Day 4 - Monday | 2/17

Shibuya - https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html

• ^(Pokemon Center)
• ^(Shibuya Crossing)
• ^(Bellovisto -) ^(https://maps.app.goo.gl/oHbCjPwMdAHB8dqeA)
• ^(Shunsai -) ^(https://www.tokyuhotels.co.jp/shibuya-e/restaurant/shunsai/plan/117630/index.html)
• ^(Plum Blossoms - Saigoyama Park)
• ^(Tea -) ^(https://arigatojapan.co.jp/nanaya-aoyama-tokyo-matcha/)

Day 5 - Tuesday | 2/18

Koto City

• ^(Unicorn Gundam)
• ^(Small Worlds)
• ^(Teamlab Planets)
• ^(Skytree Gallery)
• ^(Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Museum -) ^(https://tokyocheapo.com/events/ukiyo-e-immersive-art-museum/)

Day 6 - Wednesday | 2/19

Free/Extra Day

Day 7 - Thursday | 2/20

Minato City

• ^(Plum Blossoms - Kyu Shiba Rikyu, Tokyo)
• ^(Teamlab Borderless MORI Building - Azabudai Hills)
• ^(Tokyo Tower)
• ^(Ebisu Garden Place Illumination and Christmas Market)
• ^(Ikinari Steak)
• ^(PST Higashi Azabu (Pizza Studio Tamaki Higashi Azabu))
• ^(Le Pain Quotidien Shiba Park)

Day 8 - Friday | 2/21

Taito City - https://en.japantravel.com/food/tokyo-taito

• ^(Samurai Festival - Ueno Park Fountain Square -) ^(https://samurai-fest.com/#samurai1)
• ^(Tokyo Imperial Palace)
• ^(Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo)
• ^(Cat Holiday Exhibition Winter 2025)
• ^(Ikinari Steak)
• ^(Ichiran Asakusa)
• ^(Gyoza Bar Keisuke)
• ^(Masudaen Green Tea Shop in Asakusa)
• ^(Kimono Rental -) ^(https://kyotokimonorental.com/en/shop/8#shop-detail)
• ^(Creative Museum Tokyo - Demon Slayer Exhibition and Pop-Up Café -) ^(https://tokyocheapo.com/events/demon-slayer-exhibition-pop-up-cafe/)
• ^(Tea -) ^(https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/saryo-tsujiri-daimaru-tokyo)

Day 9 - Saturday | 2/22

Akihabara - https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3003.html

• ^(Plum Blossoms (tour) - Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, 1 Chome-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004, Japan @ 10a)
• ^(Cafe revisits?)
• ^(Shopping!)
• ^(Don Quijote)

Day 10 - Sunday | 2/23

• Jindai Gardens - https://tokyocheapo.com/events/plum-blossom-festival-at-jindai-botanical-gardens/
• Chill day/Favorite revisits?

Day 11 (Flight Departure @ 4p local time) - Monday | 2/24

????

Day 12 (Return Home @ 2:30p local time) - Tuesday | 2/25

General Ideas/Other Areas of Interest!

Ikinari Steak (heard good things, don't care which location, but definitely want to visit)

Plum Blossoms - Mukōjima-Hyakkaen Garden Plum Festival

Plum Blossoms - Odawara Ume Matsuri, Odawara city

Plum Blossoms - Koubai Red Plum Blossom Festival, Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine

Cherry Blossoms - Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival - Nishihirabatake Park

Teamlab Nagai Botanical Garden - Osaka

Teamlab Ruins and Heritage - Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel, Takeo Hot Springs, Kyushu

gowithguide.com

Tokyo Skytree - https://restaurant.tokyo-skytree.jp/

SkyView restaurant - https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravelTips/s/zqaMb5lP9n

Shinjuku - https://global.restaurants-park.jp/en/restaurant/?id=63

Tonkatsu Hinata

More Tea Ideas - https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/euvwi6/beginners_guide_tea_and_wagashi_in_japan/

Me and my wife (mid 30s) are travelling to Japan. We know this won't be a relaxing holiday, but would like to perhaps have some days where it is not back to back. Main cities we want to cover are, Tokyo, Kyoto, See Mt Fuji, Osaka ( want to see Hiroshima and perhaps the deer Nara park.

Wouldn't also mind squeezing in Disneyland and maybe Super Mario World too. We have 14 nights in total. I have come up with something like this (not the final version yet) but thought let me get the ball rolling so we can then start booking hotels in the various cities.

Points to note:

1 - We fly from LHR to HND on 27th of March., arriving in HND at around 10am on the 28th.

2 - We fly back early on Saturday 12th April

3 - With regards to Sakura, we understand its random, so are willing to shift our days around within each city.

Many thanks

------------------------

Day 1-5: Tokyo with a Day Trip to Mt. Fuji

Day 1: Arrival & Shinjuku Gyoen Garden (March 28)

• Visit Shinjuku Gyoen Garden,
• Evening exploring Shinjuku

Day 2: Tokyo Disneyland (March 29)

• Full day at Tokyo Disneyland

Day 3: Day Trip to Mt. Fuji (March 30)

• Train to Kawaguchiko  (Fuji Five Lakes area.)
  • Visit Chureito Pagoda (view of Mt. Fuji with cherry blossoms).
  • Explore Lake Kawaguchiko
• Return to Tokyo in the evening.

Day 4: Chidorigafuchi & Imperial Palace (March 31)

• Walk along the Chidorigafuchi Moat (cherry blossom view)
• Imperial Palace East Gardens
• Evening in Shibuya

Day 5-9: Osaka & Day Trips

Day 5: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori (April 1)

• Take the bullet train to Osaka (2.5 hours).
• Visit Osaka Castle
• Evening head to Dotonbori

Day 6: Universal Studios Japan (April 2)

• Universal Studios Japan

Day 7: Hiroshima Day Trip (April 3)

• train to Hiroshima.
  • Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome
  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Day 8: Himeji Castle (April 4)

• Visit Himeji Castle,

Day 9: Nara & Travel to Kyoto (April 5)

• Visit Nara Deer Park
• Visit Todai-ji Temple (great Buddha statue.)
• Travel to Kyoto in the afternoon (14 minutes by bullet train).

Day 9-12: Kyoto

Day 10: Kinkaku-ji & Philosopher’s Path (April 6)

• Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji),
• Philosopher’s Path (cherry blossom view)
• evening in Gion

Day 11: Arashiyama & Torii Gates (April 7)

• Arashiyama in the morning to visit the Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple.
• Togetsukyo Bridge (cherry blossoms view)
• Visit the Vermilion Torii Gates

Day 12: Kyoto Free Morning & Return to Tokyo (April 8)

• Spend the morning exploring Kyoto further.
  • Nishiki Market
  • Fushimi Sake District
  • Take the bullet train back to Tokyo in the afternoon.

Day 13-15: Tokyo & Departure

Day 13: Evening in Tokyo (April 9)

• Return to Tokyo and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Day 14: Free Day in Tokyo (April 10)

• visit any missed spots or explore new ones. Options:
  • Odaiba (mix of futuristic attractions and waterfront views)
  • Asakusa to see Senso-ji Temple

Day 15: Final Day in Tokyo (April 11)

• day shopping in Ginza
• Shibuya Sky.

Day 16: Departure (April 12)

• Flight back home.

Hey guys! So I won a return flight ticket to Tokyo earlier this year and my brother and I are traveling to Tokyo > Kyoto > Nara > Osaka from the 18th of February until the 2nd of March 2025 and this is our first trip. I would like to check if my itinerary looks okay , or do I need to rearrange some things? I've done as much research as I could about each location and activity. I'm super excited and there is so much I would like to do there, and yet I'm unable to put everything in due to the fact that I can't really extend the stay for longer due to TnCs . Thanks for the feedback if any and sorry if my itinerary looks like hundreds of itineraries out there as I'm just the sort of person who want to see these on a first trip to Japan. Please and thanks!

• Day 1 (18th February 2025)

Arrive at Narita airport 3.40pm

Check in to Hearton Hotel Higashi Shinagawa 7pm

Get Dinner at Diver City and see the transformation of Life Sized Unicorn Gundam 7.30pm - 10pm

Head back to the Inn and sleep 10PM

• Day 2 (19th February 2025)

Have breakfast at the Hotel at 7AM

Leave for Akihabara by 8.30AM

AmiAmi 11AM

TAITO station 1.30PM

NIKKE Mega Store Tokyo 3PM

Dinner around Akihabara area 5pm

Head back to Hotel unless there is still more time 8PM

• Day 3 (20th February 2025)

Have breakfast at the Hotel at 7AM

Head to Sensoji Temple by 8.30AM

Tokyo Skytree 10AM

Lunch and free roam around the area until 7PM

• Day 4 (21st Febraury 2025)

Arrive at Toyosu Market and roam around the market area 7.30AM

Head to TeamLabs Borderless location and have lunch nearby 12PM

Enter TeamLabs Borderless 1.30PM

Have early dinner at Nodaiwa Azabu Iikura Honten ( Unagi ) 4PM

Tokyo Tower 5PM

Head to the Hotel unless there is more time 9.30PM

• Day 5 (22nd February 2025)

Have breakfast at the hotel early 7AM

Head to the Shibuya Scramble and Hachiko Statue 9AM

Sushi no Midori lunch in Shibuya 12PM

Explore the MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya 1.30PM

Pokemon Center Shibuya 3.30PM

Shibuya Sky 5PM

Dinner in Shibuya 7PM

Head back to the hotel 9.30PM

• Day 6 (23rd February 2025)

Have Breakfast at the hotel 7.30AM

Send luggage off using Yamato to Kyoto 8.30AM

Arrive at Suga Shrine 10AM

Lunch at Gyukatsu Motomura Shinjuku Main Store 12PM

Yoyogi Park / meet a friend who is staying in Tokyo 1PM

Have a local Izakaya dinner in Shinjuku 5PM

Roam around the Shinjuku area after dinner 6PM

Go back to the hotel and rest for the next day 10PM

• Day 7 (24th February 2025)

Have breakfast at the hotel 7am

Check Out by 8am

Head to Tokyo station by 9am

Be on the Shinkansen and depart for Kyoto 10.30AM

Arrive at Kyoto Station around 12.30PM

Check in to REF Kyoto Hachijoguuchi by Vessel Hotels 12.45PM

Head to the Pokemon Center Kyoto 1.30PM

Go to Fushimi Inari Taisha and explore 3PM

Rest for the day 6PM

• Day 8 (25th February 2025)

Breakfast 6AM

Head to Arashiyama bamboo forest 7AM

Kinkaku-ji Temple 9AM

Have lunch, and if there is time, check out the Starbucks Nineizaka Yasaka Chaya 11AM

Kiyomizu-dera Temple 12.30PM

Free roam around Kyoto 2.30PM

Heack back to the hotel 8PM

• Day 9 (26th February 2025)

Early Breakfast 6.30AM

Send luggage using Yamato to Osaka 7AM

Check out of the REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi by Vessel Hotels 8AM

Go to Nara 9AM

Check in to the Asukasou Hotel (Ryokan) 10AM

Free roam around Nara Deer Park 10.30AM

Nakantanidou 11AM

Be back at the ryokan for dinner and onsen 7PM

Rest for the day

• Day 10 (27th February 2025)

Breakfast at the Ryokan 8AM

Check out of the Ryokan and got o Osaka 9AM

Check in to Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba 10.30AM

Wander around the hotel area

Dotonbori 5PM

Rest for the day

• Day 11 (28th February 2025)

Universal Studios Japan (bought the express passes so no need to worry about entry to SNW) 10AM

Head back to hotel and pack bags (part 1) 9PM

• Day 12 (1st March 2025)

Breakfast at inn 8AM

Osaka Castle 10AM

Lunch 12PM

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 2PM

Head back to inn and pack bags (part2) 6PM

• Day 13 (2nd March 2025)

Breakfast at the inn 6AM

Check out early and head to Itami Airport for transit flight to Haneda Airport 7AM

Flight 11AM

Hang around Haneda garden while waiting for midnight flight 12PM

Fly back home 12.05AM

I’ll be in Kyoto for 2 days 25th-26th December, staying in Central Kyoto near Gion

Day 1 Osaka —> Kyoto early morning Arashiyama area + 1.5-2 hours hours Hozugawa river boat ride Kinkakuji (can skip) Evening- Explore central Kyoto, walk around Kamo river

Day 2 Early morning Fushimi inari, 9:00 am Kimono rental and walk around Sanneizaka, Nineizaka and Kiyomizudera, Tenjuan (must) evening and dinner in Gion

Day 3 Leave for Osaka early morning Katsuoji etc.

Any suggestions?? Day 2 is a bit too packed

My husband and I have been to Japan a few times, but this time we are taking my 15 year old brother-in-law for his first visit. The only guidance he gave us was anime, ramen, temples, and castles. His "must do" list was Making of Harry Potter, Imperial Palace, and Universal Osaka. For the 8 days we are planning 3 each in Tokyo and Osaka, and 2 in the Fuji area. Unfortunately we're on a bit of a tight schedule around his school leave. Travel time is mid-to-late April (19th-27th) on the 01:30-04:45 JAL New York to Haneda flight.

Saturday, April 19

• 0445 Land HND
• Baggage/Customs/Immigration and Luggage transfer to hotel
• Tsukiji Market
• Imperial Palace
• Pokemon Center DX
• Tokyo Tower
• Hotel (if late enough to check-in) and maybe nap
• TeamLab Planets
• Tokyo Toyosu Manyo
• Gundam Statue

Sunday, April 20

• Akihabara
• Ameyayogacho
• Nezu Shrine
• Senso-ji
• Tokyo Skytree

Monday, April 21

• Making of Harry Potter
• Godzilla Head Shinkuku
• Shinjuku Gyoen
• Meiji Jingu
• Takeshita
• Mugiwara
• Shibuya Crossing

Tuesday, April 22

• Send bags to Osaka
• Train to Odawara
• Pick up rental car
• Hakone Shrine
• Hakone Komagatake Ropeway to Mototsumiya Shrine
• Hiryu Falls
• Open Air Museum?
• Owakudani
• Hotel in Fuji Five Lakes

Wednesday, April 23

• Chureito Pagoda
• Narusawa Ice Cave
• Subaru 5th Station
• Hotel in Hakone

Thursday, April 24

• Drive back to Odawara Station and return rental car
• Shinkansen to Osaka
• Namba Yasaka Shrine
• Osaka Castle
• Osaka Aquarium
• Dotonbori

Friday, April 25

• Himeji Castle
• Kobe
• Nara if time allows

Saturday, April 26

• Universal Studios
• SpaWorld

Sunday, April 27

• Plane or Train to Haneda 
• 1630 Depart AA 168 HND to JFK

Hi everyone,

I'm planning my second trip to Japan and wanted to share my 20-day itinerary to get your feedback and suggestions. My first trip covered the Golden Triangle (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) and Hiroshima in two weeks,

One concern I have is Day 15, where I plan to visit both Kamakura and Enoshima in one day. Does that seem too packed? I’d love to hear any recommendations or tweaks to improve this itinerary, and whether the overall route looks feasible!

Itinerary Overview

• Day 0: Arrive in Tokyo (13:50). Relax at the hotel onsen, explore the neighborhood, and reunite with 7/11.
• Day 1 - Tokyo: Yanaka Ginza, Nezu Shrine, Yushima Shrine, Tokyo Daijingu, Yasukuni Shrine, Shibuya, dinner at Omoide Yokocho.
• Day 2-4 - Nagasendo Trail:
  • Day 2: Bullet train to Nakatsugawa → Bus to Magome → Hike to Tsumago (overnight).
  • Day 3: Hike to Nojiri → Train to Kiso-Fukushima (overnight).
  • Day 4: Train to Yabuhara → Hike over Torii Pass to Narai-juku (overnight).
• Day 5-6 - Matsumoto:
  • Day 5: Explore Matsumoto Castle, Art Museum, gym/bathhouse.
  • Day 6: Day trip to Kamikochi – Taisho Pond → Kappa Bridge → Myoujin-ike Course.
• Day 7 - Nagano: Togakushi Shrine hike (all 5 shrines) + Zenkoji Temple.
• Day 8-9 - Kanazawa:
  • Day 8: Nagamachi District, Oyama Shrine, Omicho Market.
  • Day 9: Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden.
• Day 10 - Shirakawago → Takayama: Bus to Shirakawago (half-day) → Takayama (overnight).
• Day 11 - Takayama: Takayama Jinya, Old Town, Higashiyama Temple Walk, Retro Museum, Hida Folk Village.
• Day 12-13 - Kyoto:
  • Day 12: Kifune Shrine, Kuramadera Temple, Kamigamo Shrine, Kenninji Temple.
  • Day 13: Day trip to Uji – Byodoin, Mimuroto-ji Temple → Return to Kyoto for Tōji Temple.
• Day 14 - Yokohama: 4-hour train to Yokohama. Explore Chinatown + Ramen Museum.
• Day 15 - Day trip Kamakura & Enoshima:
  • Day trip from Yokohama
  • Hokokuji Temple → Tsurugaoka Hachimangu → Hase Temple → Kamakura Daibutsu → Yuigahama Beach → Enoshima.
  • Concern: Is this too much for one day?
• Day 16-17 - Nikko:
  • Day 16: Nikkō Tōshogū, Rin’nōji Temple, Tamozawa Villa.
  • Day 17: Kegon Falls + Senjōgahara hiking course.
• Day 18 - Tokyo: Studio Ghibli Museum (if tickets allow), Jindaiji Temple, Inokashira Park.
• Day 19 - Hakone Day Trip: Open-Air Museum, Hakone Shrine, Ropeway to Mototsumiya Shrine.
• Day 20 - Tokyo: Final day in Tokyo (open to suggestions).

Specific Questions

1. Does Day 15 (Kamakura + Enoshima) feel too ambitious for one day? Should I split it or drop something?
2. Does the overall route seem well-paced, or are there areas where I could adjust?
3. Any additional recommendations for hikes, nature spots, or hidden gems along this route?

I'm finalizing my Kyoto itinerary and I need some advice as a travel newbie. I am aware that most places/restaurants will be closed during this peak season. I like collecting goshuin, but I'm not sure if this is too much or too little. I might even get tired of going to temples. If there are any recommendations or changes to diversify this itinerary, please let me know. (i.e. additional places to visit, eats, temples, gardens, New Year festivities). Thank you in advance.

12/31
Daifuku-ji -> Hozo-ji Temple -> Chion-in Temple (Joya-no-Kane) -> Yasaka Shrine (via Maruyama Park)

01/01
Hatsumode - Local shrines near Kyoto Station
Kodaiji Temple -> Kiyomizu-Dera Temple -> Toji Temple -> Tofuku-Ji -> Fushimi Inari Taisha

01/02
Ryoan-ji -> Kinkaku-ji -> Nijo Castle -> Ginkaku-ji -> Daigo-ji 

Day 1: December 28 (Saturday) - Travel to Tokyo • Morning: Take the Shinkansen from Hamamatsu to Tokyo (around 90 minutes). • Afternoon: • Check into a hotel in Shinjuku or Tokyo Station area. • Visit Asakusa to see Senso-ji Temple and stroll through Nakamise Street. • Evening: Explore the vibrant nightlife in Shinjuku or enjoy views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory. • Stay: Tokyo.

Day 2: December 29 (Sunday) - Explore Tokyo • Morning: Visit the serene Meiji Shrine and stroll through Yoyogi Park. • Afternoon: • Explore Harajuku’s Takeshita Street and nearby Omotesando for unique shops and cafes. • Visit Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko Statue. • Evening: Head to Roppongi Hills for stunning night views from the Tokyo City View Observation Deck. • Stay: Tokyo.

Day 3: December 30 (Monday) - Day Trip to Yokohama • Morning: Travel to Yokohama (40 minutes). • Explore the Minato Mirai area, including the Cup Noodles Museum or Yokohama Landmark Tower. • Afternoon: • Visit Yokohama Chinatown for lunch. • Walk along the waterfront at the Red Brick Warehouse. • Evening: Return to Tokyo and enjoy dinner in Ginza or Akihabara. • Stay: Tokyo.

Day 4: December 31 (Tuesday) - Travel to Kamakura • Morning: Take the train to Kamakura (about 1 hour). • Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and explore Komachi-dori Street for local snacks and souvenirs. • Afternoon: • Visit Hase-dera Temple and the Great Buddha (Kotoku-in). • Evening: • Experience hatsumode (New Year’s Eve prayer) at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine or a smaller local temple. • Enjoy a quiet New Year’s celebration in Kamakura. • Stay: Kamakura.

Day 5: January 1 (Wednesday) - New Year’s Day in Kamakura • Morning: • Continue exploring Kamakura’s temples, such as Kencho-ji or Engaku-ji. • Walk along Yuigahama Beach to enjoy the serene start of the year. • Afternoon: • Take a short hike along the Daibutsu Hiking Trail for scenic views. • Evening: Relax and enjoy dinner at a local Kamakura restaurant. • Stay: Kamakura.

Day 6: January 2 (Thursday) - Kamakura to Tokyo • Morning: Travel to Enoshima Island (30 minutes by train). • Explore Enoshima Shrine, the Iwaya Caves, and enjoy ocean views. • Afternoon: Return to Tokyo (about 1.5 hours). • Check into a hotel and spend your last evening in Odaiba, visiting attractions like teamLab Planets or enjoying the Tokyo Bay views. • Stay: Tokyo.

Day 7: January 3 (Friday) - Final Day in Tokyo • Morning: • Visit Akihabara or Ikebukuro for some shopping and anime culture. • Alternatively, explore the quieter Yanaka Ginza neighborhood for a traditional Tokyo vibe.

can u rate my trip to tokyo and kamakura? are there any places should i visit other than that?

Planning on spending roughly 2 weeks travelling from Nagasaki towards Tokyo. This is my 2nd visit to Japan and have already ticked off most of the big ticket items (see my report here).

• Day 1/2
  • Flight to Haneda
  • Lost Bar
• Day 3
  • Tokyo Skytree
  • Donguri Republic
  • Snack at Maison Landermaine Azabudai
  • Zojo-Ji Temple
  • Snack at Dandelion Chocolate
  • Komugi no Dorei - match ice cream bread
  • TOKYO SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM
  • Namara - ramen
  • Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
• Day 4
  • Fukagawa Edo Museum
  • Chacha Koubou Kiyosumi - fluffy pancakes
  • Tokyo Railway Museum
  • Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku
• Day 5
  • 10:00 Enoshima Shrine: Outer Shrine (Hetsunomiya) and the Middle Shrine (Nakatsunomiya)
  • 11:40 Samuel Cocking Garden and Sea Candle
  • 12:00 Lon Cafe
  • 12:45 Enoshima Daishi
  • 13:15 Enoshima-tei
  • 14:00 Inner Shrine (Okutsunomiya)
  • 14:20 Chigogafuchi and Iwaya Caves
  • 15:15 Ryuren Love Bell
  • Take Enoden Line to Kamakura
• Day 6 - Nagasaki
  • Flight to Nagasaki
  • Stay at Marriott
  • Atomic Bomb Museum
  • Go up Ropeway to Mount Inasayama
• Day 7 - Nagasaki
  • Shimabara Castle
  • Samurai Houses
  • Sakakibara Museum
  • Shimeiso
  • Kotoji Temple
  • Gokokuji Temple
• Day 8
  • Shinkansen to Hiroshioma. Ferry to Miyajima. Check-in Kinsuikan Miyajima
  • View Itsukushima Jinja late evening
• Day 9
  • View Itsukushima Jinja early morning
  • Take ropeway to Mount Misen and hike down
  • Return via ferry to mainland
  • Okayama Castle & Gardens
  • Check-in Hilton Osaka
• Day 10
  • Shinkansen to Kobe
  • Go up ropeway, hike down past Nunobiki Falls & Herb Garden
  • Kobe beef Ramen Yazawa
  • Himeji Castle
  • Return to Osaka
• Day 11
  • Train to Tama station
  • Umeda Sky Building
  • Osaka Museum of History
  • Dontonbori tour
• Day 12
  • Mount Koya day trip
• Day 13
  • Obubu Tea Farms tour
• Day 14
  • Take Romancecar to Hakone
  • Hakone Shrine
  • Tori Gate
  • Pirate Ship
  • Cable car to Owaku-dani Valley. Get black eggs.
  • Overnight in Hakone Kyuan
• Day 15
  • Explore Akihabara
  • Snack at Kurikoan
  • Snack at Cow Cow Kitchen
• Day 16 - free day in Tokyo (maybe Mt Tako or osawrara castle?)
• Day 17 - return flight

Hi travel buddies! :)

My travel group are seasoned Japan visitors (2 of us lived there for a number of years) and all of us have visited yearly or every 2 years for almost a decade, so the good news is we have conversational/JLPT speakers. None of us have ever been to Hokkaido except in the summer/Sapporo and were are doing a 6 day road trip around Hokkaido end of Feb 23-March 3. Wanted to get feedback on food places especially and if we are missing any crucial things on the list.

I will be the driver as I have driven in Japan for extended periods + come from the Midwest where blizzards/snow are not an issue.

Day 1: Feb 23 Arrive in Tokyo (4pm)

• Stay in Hamamatsucho to catch the 1st Monorail to Haneda
• Maybe go to Parfaiteria Bel in Shinbuya/Shinjuku for late night treat

Day 2: Feb 24 (Travel Day)

• Monorail to Haneda - New Chitose Airport
•  Pick up AWD with snow tire vehicle from New Chitose Poplar (Toyota-rent-a-car)
•  Drive from Niseko Village from New Chitose Airport
• Check into hotel in Niseko
• Relax, possibly check out Bar Gyu?

Day 3: Feb 25 (Niseko Village)

• Breakfast at hotel
• Free day to explore! Any suggestions would be great!
• 12pm-2pm (2 people are going to Rakuichi/Soba man for soba man lunch)
• 2:30pm get fitted for snow gear for snowboarding lesson @ Rhythm Japan
• Dinner Tsubara/Tsubara

Day 4: February 26 (Snowboarding Lesson - Hell Valley/Noboribestu)

• Snowboarding lesson (3hr) 9:00-13:00 with Rhythm Japan @ family base
  • return gear, quick lunch
• 1:30pm-3:00pm Drive to Noboribetsu/Hell Valley
• Check out Jigokudani ONLY if there's time
• Check into Ryokan and eat food and onsen

Day 5: February 27 (Asahikawa/Sounkyo)

• Check out Ryokan
• Arrive to Asahikawa Zoo by 12pm
• See Penguin March :) Lunch suggestion?
• Leave Asahikawa by 4pm
• Arrive to Sounkyo by 5pm
• Eat dinner and relax (hotel provides breakfast and dinner)

Day 6: February 28 (Asahidake Snowshoeing)

• Meet guide at Higashikawa Roadside Station at 9am
• Go to Asahidake Ropeway and go on snowshoe tour
• Return to Sounkyo
• Sounkyo Ice Festival
• (hotel provides breakfast and dinner)

Day 7: March 1 (Travel Day)

• Drive back to New Chitose Airport and return car
• 4pm- New Chitose Airport to Haneda
• Stay in Asakusabashi

Day 8: March 2 (Last Day in Tokyo)

• Last-minute shopping
• Pokemon center Skytree (because I forgot to grab something last time!)
• Go see our favorite birds at Katori Cafe

Day 9: March 3 (Travel Day)

• Flight back 6pm- NRT to home country

Most of the hotels provide breakfast and the one's in Sounkyo and Noboribetsu provide dinner :)

Any feedback would be great, its low impact and easy going because of the snow factor and I dont want to push it too much!

Hello! Planning a trip for late February 2025 and trying to make sure I am not overbooking/dramatically underbooking any of the days, especially in Tokyo which for some reason seemed significantly harder for me to actually plan vs anything else. Also, if there's anything major for a couple first timers that you think absolutely has to be on the list over others, I'd love to hear about it. Thank you so much in advance!

Lastly, if we're not on the hunt for the most instagrammable/foodie levels of restaurant, do we have to think about booking anything ahead of time for food? We mostly just eat when we're hungry when we're traveling so it kinda just slots in wherever it slots in rather than planning ahead for it.

• Day 0 Sun. 2/16 - Arrival
  • Arrive at Haneda Airport
  • Train from Tokyo -> Kyoto
  • Hotel near Kyoto Station, aim to be there by 19:00 depending on customs
• Day 1 Mon. 2/17 - Uji + Nintendo
  • Ujigami Jinja
  • Kosho-ji Temple
  • Byodo-in 
  • Byodo-in Omotesando
  • Nintendo Museum 14:00
• Day 2 Tues. 2/18 - Nijo Castle, Suntory Yamazaki, Gion
  • Nijo Castle in the morning
  • Suntory Yamazaki Distillery Tour 11:30
  • Back to Hotel
  • Ippodo Tea Kyoto
  • Walk over to Gion area
  • Yasaka Shrine
  • Pontocho Park area
• Day 3 Wed. 2/19 - Fushimi Inari area, Jonangu Plum Festival
  • Fushimi Inari Hike EARLY
  • Tofuku-ji Temple
  • Jonangu Shrine Weeping Plum & Carnelia Festival
• Day 4 Thurs. 2/20 - Big walking day
  • Kiyomizu-dera EARLY
  • Walk through closed Sannenzaka area
  • Kodai-ji Temple
  • Heian Shrine
  • Philosopher’s Path
  • Ginkakujicho
  • Kitano-tenmangu Shrine Plum blossoms (Maybe move to Wednesday?)
• Day 5 Fri. 2/21 - TBD + Travel to Kumamoto
  • <Additional Kyoto in the morning, Arashiyama or Kinkaku-ji?>
  • Travel to Kumamoto via Shinkansen
  • Check in to Kumamoto Hotel
  • View Chopper Statue
  • View Luffy Statue
• Day 6 Sat. 2/22 - One Piece Statues > Kurokawa
  • Pickup Car
  • Drive to all remaining One Piece Statues
  • Arrive in Kurokawa Onsen
• Day 7 Sun. 2/23 - Kurokawa Relaxing
  • Kurokawa Onsen hopping, relax at ryokan
• Day 8 Mon. 2/24 - Mt. Aso area hiking, travel to Tokyo
  • Mt. Aso hikes based on weather conditions
  • Hotel near Shinjuku Station
  • Check out Omoide Yokocho/Golden Gai area for dinner and drinks if time + energy, else convenience store
• Day 9 Tues. 2/25 - Ueno area & Akihabara
  • Train to Ueno Park
  • Yushima Shrine 
  • Ameyoko Plaza
  • Over to Akihabara for shopping (Yusha Kobo Keyboard Shop, Retro arcades, various anime stores)
  • Hitachino Brew Lab
  • MONHAN SAKABA 
• Day 10 Wed. 2/26 - Kairakuen Plum Blossom Festival
  • Train to Mito, walk or cab to Kairakuen Garden
  • Mito Plum Festival
  • Train back to Tokyo
  • Maybe swap with Saturday?
• Day 11 Thurs. 2/27 - Experiences + Ginza
  • teamLab Borderless
  • Imperial Palace
  • Kabuki at Kabuki-za (maybe?)
  • Ginza Shopping (Itoya)
• Day 12 Fri. 2/28 - Asakusa, Skytree, Ikebukoro
  • Senso-Ji and surrounding area
  • Tokyo Skytree
  • Kirby Cafe
  • Train to Ikebukoro
  • Ikebukoro Wandering (Pokemon Center, animate)
• Day 13 Sat. 3/1 - Shinjuku & Shibuya 
  • Meiji Jingu
  • Yoyogi Park
  • Shibuya Parco
  • Shibuya Scramble/Hachiko
  • Shibuya Sky (mid day)
  • Maybe Nakano Broadway
  • Kabukicho
  • Maybe swap with Wednesday?
• Day 14 Sun. 3/2 - TBD + Departure
  • Most of the day available, fill in any misses?
  • Depart for Haneda airport at 17:00

Hey guys,

Next year me and my girlfriend (both around 25 yo) will do our 2nd japan trip. Last time we went just nine days and did tokyo and kyoto. On our next trip we want to see some more of japan and its nature out of the "classic big cities", but also visit Tokyo and Kyoto again. We try to keep it as cheap as possible because of the long time we are there, but still want to enjoy it. We like nature and hiking, but also shopping, museums, historic places and exploring neighborhoods. We plan with some Backup Days, if we need to chill or we are slower then expected.

General Questions:

Do you think this is a good order of stays?

How do you think about the stay at Hirayu Onsen? Can you recommend an other one?

Have you perhaps done a similar route and have any recommendations?

We consider if we should give Matsumoto one more day, because we fear it is to stressfull. But i guess there isnt that much to see.

Also we consider if we should do a stop at Nagoya between Magome and Tokyo for the Castle and Ghibli Park.

Day 1-3 Tokyo

23.09. Day 1 Tokyo

• Arriving at Haneda in the morning
• Fighting jetlag, acclimatize

24.09. Day 2 Tokyo

• Visit some acquaintances

25.09. Day 3 Tokyo

• Visiting some places from studying abroad (Chofu, University)

Day 4-6 Hiroshima

26.09. Day 4 Tokyo to Hiroshima travel time: around 5h

• Visit downtown and exploring the city

27.09. Day 5 Hiroshima

• Miyajima/Mt. Misen
• Maybe we choose to stay at Miyajima for the night

28.09. Day 6 Hiroshima

• Peace Park, Memorial Museum,
• Shukkein Garden, Castle

Day 7-10 Kyoto

29.09. Day 7 Hiroshima to Kyoto travel time: around 1h40min

• Kiyomizu-dera, Kokedera
• Imperial Palace    

30.09. Day 8 Kyoto

• Biketour

01.10. Day 9 Kyoto

• Mt. Kurama - Hiking
• Exploring north of Kyoto

02.10. Day 10 Kyoto

• We dont rly know what to do with this day. Maybe a Daytrip to Nara (already visited) - BackupDay

Day 11-13 Kanazawa

03.10. Day 11 Kyoto to Kanazawa travel time: around 2h

•  Nagamachi, Higashi Chaya

04.10. Day 12 Kanazawa

• Kenrokuen Garden, Nomura Residence, Myoryuji Temple
• Castle, Natadera Temple

05.10. Day 13 Kanazawa

• Maybe Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village - BackupDay

06.10. Day 14 Kanazawa to Shirakawa-Go to Takayama travel time: around 2h and 1h15min

• Stop in Shirakawa-Go (half day) and visit the open air museum

Day (14)15-16 Takayama

07.10. Day 15 Takayama

•  Morning Markets
• (Hida Folk Village)
• Oldtown, Sanmachi

08.10. Day 16 Takayama

• Limestone Cave - BackupDay

Day 17 Hirayu Onsen

09.10. Day 17 Takayama to Hirayu Onsen/Kamikochi travel time: around 1h

• Kamakochi Hiking
• Afternoon chillout in Onsen

Day 18-19 Matsumoto

10.10. Day 18 Hirayo Onsen to Matsumoto travel time: around 1h45min

• Castle, Nakamachi

11.10. Day 19 Matsumoto to Nojiri-Kiso travel time: around 2h

• Nawate

Day 20-21 Kiso (Nojiri)

12.10. Day 20 Kiso

•  Atera Valley - hiking or by bike

13.10. Day 21 Kiso to Tokyo travel time: around 5h

• Tsumago to Magome, hike Nakasendo

Day 22-29 Tokyo

14.10. Day 22 Tokyo

• National Museum, Ghibli Museum

15.10. Day 23 Tokyo

• Daytrip Yokohama

16.10. Day 24 Tokyo

• Shopping (Akihabara, Harajuku)

17.10. Day 25 Tokyo

• Daytrip Nikko or Kamakura

18.10. Day 26 Tokyo

• Exploring the town just by walking around

19.10. Day 27 Tokyo

• Daytrip Arakurayama Sengen Park

20.10. Day 28 Tokyo

• Shopping souvenirs & enjoying last day in Tokyo

21.10. Day 29 Tokyo

• Flight back from Narita

I have listed my tokyo 9 days itinerary as below: This is my first time to tokyo Do provide me some advise or suggestion for each day itinerary

Day 0: Arrival narita airport T1 at 2.30pm Assuming to arrival hotel at hamamatsucho around 5.45pm Check in Dinner at nearby Go to tokyo tower for night view

Day 1: Sensoji temple Nakamise street Sumida river Ameya yokocho lunch Ueno park Yanaka ginza Dinner at tokyo station

Day 2: Meiji shrine Takeshita street Miyashita park Shibuya parco Shibuya crossing/hachiko statue Shibuya sky Dinner at shibuya

Day 3: Gotokuji temple Shimokitazawa Kichijoji ( sunmall/harmonica yokocho/Inoshira park) Dinner at koenji

Day 4: Meguro river walk Azabu juban lunch Odaiba ( diver city/marine park/rainbow bridge)

Day 5: Fuji excursion to shimoyoshida Fujiyoshida ( Arakurayama sengen ) Kawakuchiko ( ropeway ) Express bus back to shinjuku for dinner

Day 6: Enoshima & kamakura day trip Enoshima ialand Kokomae station Hase temple Komachi-dori Street Dinner at osaki new city

Day 7: Kawagoe day trip Dinner at ikebukuro 60 dori

Day 8: Zojoji temple Teamlab borderless azabudai Roppongi area ( roppongi hill/tokyo city view/midtown ) Haneda airport .

Dear fellow JapanTravelers!

I'm headed to Japan on a solo trip this Summer (for the third time) and I've already seen most of the highlights in Tokyo and Kyoto in my previous trips. Looking to venture out a bit and explore some new places. I like to be always on the move, so I don't tend to stop for too long at any place. My plan is to fly down to Hiroshima first and make my way back to Tokyo where I'll end my trip.

Day 1: Tokyo to Hiroshima

• Afternoon arrival into Haneda
• Evening flight: Haneda to Hiroshima
• Easy dinner somewhere around hotel in Hiroshima

Day 2: Hiroshima

• Early start, take train from Hiroshima station to Miyajimaguchi station, then ferry to Miyajima island.
• Explore Miyajima: Itsukushima Jinja, Daisho-in, Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
• Travel back to Hiroshima city, explore Hiroshima castle, Peace Memorial
• Late lunch/Early dinner at Okonomimura before taking evening train to Onomichi

Day 3: Onomichi

• Do the Onomichi Temple Walk (2.5 kms total)
• Get lunch, breaks along the way
• Cat Alley (optional) before heading back to hotel near Onomichi station
• Dinner somewhere near hotel

Day 4: Okayama

• Travel from Onomichi to Okayama
• Explore Okayama Castle and Okayama-ken Gokoku Shrine
• Take train to Osaka, check-in at hotel
• Evening: Explore Shinsaibashisuji/Dotonbori, have a relaxed dinner

Day 4: Osaka

• Start at Osaka Castle. Go up to the observation deck of the castle for views over the city.
• Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
• Lunch at Kuromon market
• Nambaa Yasaka Jinja
• Evening train to Kanazawa
• Check-in at hotel in Kanazawa, dinner near hotel.

Day 5: Kanazawa

• Omicho Market
• Kanazawa Castle and Kanazawa Castle Park
• Kenroku-en Garden
• Lunch time in the Nagamachi Samurai District
• Nagamachi Samurai District
• Nomura-ke Samurai Residence

Day 6: Kanazawa

• Start with breakfast at Cafe Tamon Breakfast (Japanese Soufflé Pancakes)
• Hosenji Temple & Edge of Korai-Machi Ryokuchi Park
• Higashi Chaya District
• Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum
• Ninja Weapon Museum
• Take evening train to Nagoya
• Check-in at hotel in Nagoya, get dinner.

Day 7: Nagoya

• Nagoya Castle/Hommaru Palace
• Tokugawa Art Museum
• Tōgan-ji Temple
• Head over to Sakae district for shopping and dinner

Day 8: Nagoya

• Start the day by visiting the Atsuta Shrine
• In afternoon, head to Osu Kannon Temple. Explore shopping street, get lunch.
• Take train to visit Ise Grand Shrine (2 hr ride to Ise)
• Return to Nagoya, get dinner in Nagoya Station area

Day 9: Shizuoka

• Travel to Shizuoka in morning.
• Shopping at Surugaya flagship store - 10 min. walk from station (half day)
• Ootoshimioya Shrine, Shizuoka Sengen Shrine (5-min walk from each other)
• Head back to downtown area for food, shopping (Isetan, Parco), dinner

Day 10: Kamakura

• Early start: travel to Kamakura (try to arrive before 9am when temples open)
• Start the day by visiting Hokokuji temple and bamboo forest
• Short walk to Sugimoto (views of Mt. Fuji from top on a clear day)
• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine
• Get lunch before taking a train from Kamakura Station to Hase
• Hasedera temple
• Kotokuji temple - Great Buddha of Kamakura
• Relaxed dinner

Days 11: Tokyo

• Travel to Tokyo in morning. Drop bag at hotel in Asakusa
• Shinjuku shopping: Shinjuku Marui Men, Isetan Men's, Beams, Don Quijote, Hanazono Shrine
• Evening: Senso-ji/Nakamise-dori, Hoppi Street

Day 12: Tokyo

• Full day of Shopping (and eating) at Ginza: Isetan Mitsukoshi, Itoya, Loft, Muji, Uniqlo, Daiso, Hands, etc.
• Lunch at Yomoda Soba
• Ginza antenna stores: Cha Ginza Uogashimeicha Ginza, Ginza Nagano shop

Day 13: Tokyo

• Tokyo Station Gransta Marunouchi: Traveler's Factory store
• Oedo Antique Market at Tokyo International Forum (Third Sunday)
• Return to hotel in Asakusa to drop off any shopping, get lunch, rest (if needed)
• Akihabara - Kanda Myojin shrine, Yodobashi Camera, Retro Game Camp

Day 14: Tokyo

• Full day Kabuki show at Kabuki-za

Day 15: Tokyo

• Old Tokyo - Yanaka Ginza, Ueno Park - Yanaka Shopping Street
• Jiyugaoka: Grab a snack/drink at Cafe & Croissant Laboratorio, check out stores: Three Little Song Words, Watashi no Heya, Keyuca, Today's Special
• Hebikubo shrine

Day 16: Return flight from Haneda Airport

I would appreciate some feedback on our upcoming trip itinerary. Im going in the summer on a grad trip with a group of 6 friends. We plan to stay in Tokyo Kyoto Okinawa Osaka. I'm concerned that some days might be too packed, while others may not have enough planned. Additionally, I'm worried we might be missing out on important attractions or experiences. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! This is a rough sketch/guide of what we're doing.

Days 1–5: Tokyo

Day 1

• Land
• Take train into Tokyo
• Drop off luggage at hotel
• Grab food at 7/11 or local restaurant
• Sleep

Day 2

• Find breakfast nearby, probably quick bite at 7/11 or family mart
• Go to Tokyo Tower
• Visit the Zojoji Temple nearby
• Find food on the way back to the hotel
• Rest and go out for dinner at area nearby 

Day 3  

• Take a morning train to Shibuya
• Shibuya Scramble
• Shibuya Sky
• Go to Mag’s Park to get view of Shibuya crossing 
• Eat at local area
• Go shopping in Shibuya (Nintendo Tokyo, Uniqlo, Don Quijote)
• Meiji Shrine
• Go out to the night market (Tokyo Night Market - Yoyogi Park, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
• Take train back to hotel and relax as well as book Kyoto hotel for day 5/6 check in

Day 4

• Take train to Koto City 
• Get breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market
• Team Labs Planets
• Rest in Ueno Park
• Get lunch in surrounding area 
• Explore Asakusa/ shopping  
• In the evening Daikoku Car Meet
• Take train/uber/lyft back to hotel

Day 5 

• Take Train to Koganei 
• Studio Ghibli Museum
• Rest at Inokashira Park
• Find food around the area 
• Train to shinjuku
• Explore the area 
  • shopping/rest
  • Godzilla head  
• Visit golden Gai 
• Check-out and depart to Kyoto
• Check into kyoto hotel

Days 6-8: Kyoto

Day 6 

• Unpack in hotel and eat breakfast either nearby or 7/11
• Fushimi Inari-Taisha 
• Gion’s street 
  • Maybe depending on time Gion Matsuri summer festival  
• Get lunch and rest up in the area 
• Shop at Aeon Mall Kyoto Katsuragawa

Day 7

• Take a train to Arashiyama 
• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Rest 
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• Get lunch at in the area  
• Nidec Kyoto Tower
• Visit/ eat dinner at Nishiki Market

Day 8

• Visit Higashiyama Jisho-ji
• Heian Shrine
• Nanzen-ji
• Eat food around the area 
• Nintendo Museum
• explore/chill for the rest of the day  

Days 9-11: Okinawa

Day 9

• Check In hotel 
• Visit  村民の浜  beach 
• Relax and find food around the area 

Day 10 

• Snorkeling at Blue Cave
• Find food in the area 
• Visit Shurijō Castle
• Relax for the rest of day 

Day 11

•  Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
•  Checkout and fly to Osaka 

Days 12-14: Osaka

Day 12 

• Checkin to hotel 
• Quick breakfast at Shinsekai Market
• Tsūtenkaku
• Osaka Castle
• Tenmangu Shrine
• Get dinner around area explore for rest of the day 

Day 13 

•  Universals studio Japan (express pass)

Day 14

• Visit Sumiyoshi Taisha
• Get food in the area 
• ABENO HARUKAS
• Shop at Dotonbori
• Fly back home.

Hi Guys!

My wife and i tried to create a itinerary on our own as good as we could, but there are a few things open and i would love to have you experienced travellers to have a look over it. We are open to any recommendations/corrections/suggestions. Thank you in advance!

2nd February – 21st February

TOKYO (Feb 3^(rd) – Feb 15^(th))

Monday, Day 1 (arrival)

9:05 am Landing at Haneda Airport

-          Suica, e-Sim already preregistering on our Phones

-          Going to APA Hotel in Shibuya to leave our Baggage (Check in is a bit later)

-          Getting some snacks at a konbini and going to breakfast

-          Checking in and getting ready to explore the area

-          Going out eating and cooling down from the jetlag

Tuesday, Day 2

-          Going to Shibuya, getting Breakfast

-          Typical tourist things (Shibuya crossing, Hachiko…)

-          Thrifting and exploring the area (getting glasses done)

-          Shibuya sky sunset slot

-          If we have the energy, going to a bar and enjoying the Shibuya nighttime

Wednesday, Day 3

-          Ghibli Museum

-          Inokashira Park Zoo

-          Getting Donburi and a Burger at Village Vanguard Diner

-          Sunroad

Thursday, Day 4

-          Teamlab Borderless opening Spot

-          Sensoji temple

-          Exploring Asakusa and maybe Roppongi

-          Teamlab Planets in the evening

Friday, Day 5 (Kamakura Day Trip)

-          Kotoku-in Temple

-          Hasedera Temple

-          Komachi-dori Street

-          Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

-          Hokokuji Temple

-          Shichirigaharama Beach

Saturday, Day 6

-          Meiji jingu Shrine

-          Grab a coffee and have a walk at Shinjuku gyoen national garden

-          Exploring and thrifting Shinjuku till the evening to check out golden gai

Sunday, Day 7

-          Akihabara exploring

-          Animate, lashingbang, k-books, gigo

Monday, Day 8 (Daytrip to Kawagoe)

-          Kitain Temple

-          Kawageo Naritasan Temple

-          Kura no Machi

-          Kurazukuri Street

Tuesday, Day 9

-          Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio

Wednesday, Day 10 (Daytrip to Hakone)

-          Following this plan: https://www.odakyu.jp/english/sightseeing/itineraries/hakone-1-day/

Thursday, Day 11

-          Disney Sea Resort

-          Evening in Shibuya

Friday, Day 12

-          Jindaiji Temple

-          Nakano Broadway

-          Last big shopping tour through Shibuya (mega donki)

Saturday, Day 13

-          Shinkansen to Osaka

-          Airbnb near ashiharacho station

-          Exploring the area and making a little food tour through dontonbori

Sunday, Day 14

-          Namba shrine

-          Kuromon market

-          Osaka castle (plum grove)

-          Shittenno ji temple

-          Shinsekai (if its too cold shinsaibashi parco) and maybe tsutenkaku

Mondays, Day 15 (Daytrip to Kyoto)

-          Driving to Kyoto

-          Fushimi inari

-          Kiyomizu-dera

-          Nanzen-ji

-          Bar kohaku

Tuesday, Day 16

-          Osaka Suggestions needed!

-          Teamlab botanical garden

Wednesday, Day 17

-          Open, maybe a daytrip? Would love suggestions!

Thursday, Day 18

-          Universal Studios (Super Mario World)

Friday, Day 19

-          Back to Tokyo (final things doing)

hi guys, i have been mapping out our itr, putting spots strategically closer to each other as much as possible, can you check it out and give me a feedback where i can improve it, make it more efficient as we are travelling with my 4 yr old son.

* we'll bring a stroller to roam around, so yes either we go out before rush hr or after the rush hr

day 0

• 6:30 pm arrival to nrt
• 9pm hotel at asakusa

day 1 asakusa- shinjuku

• 7am - sensoji temple(10 min walk from hotel)
• 9-10 am - rick shaw tour around skytree
• 10-11 - nakamise dori street
• 11 -1pm- lunch
• 3pm -travel to shinjuku
• 4pm - visit hotel gracery
• 5pm taito station arcade
• 6pm alpen tokyo shoe shopping
• 7pm walk through omoide yokocho
• 8pm dinner at kanda tamago ken
• 9pm - 10 pm travel back to hotel

day 2

• disneyland

day 3 shibuya - harajuku

• 8-11 am - meiji jingu shrine
• 11-12 pm - walk through takeshita street at harajuku
• 12 - 2pm - to parco for anime stuffs (16 min train ride), lunch
• 2pm - 3 pm - taito station arcade
• 3- 4pm uobei for sushi
• 5-7 pm shibuya sky
• 7-9 pm - dinner
• 9 - 10 pm back to hotel

day 4 ginza to osaka

• 8am check out, travel to ginza (luggage sent via delivery service
• 9am - 12pm - walk/eat through tsukiji fish market
• 12- 1 pm just window shop at uniqlo
• 1- 4pm late lunch
• 4 pm travel to osaka via shinkansen
• 8 pm check in hotel at osaka

day 5 katsuoji temple

• 8am to 1pm - katsuoji temple
• just roam around dotonbori rest of the day

day 6 osaka city tour using osaka amazing pass

• 8am- 11 am - osaka castle + (osakajo boat cruise)
• 11am - 1 pm - quick stop at umeda sky and hep five ferris wheel,
• 1pm -4pm - late lunch anywhere near hotel so we can rest at the hotel til 4pm
• 4pm - 6pm tsutenkako tower
• 6- 7pm - tombori river cruise
• 8pm dinner

day 7 fushimi inari shrine

• 7 am - 12 pm - visit fushimi inari
• 12- 6pm - nara park
• 6-8 pm - back to dotonbori/hotel

day 8 universal studios

• chose this day just to avoid the weekend and monday rush

day 9 last day

• 9 am check out
• 10 - 2 pm quick visit to namba yasaka shrine and mipig cafe
• 4pm - travel to airport
• 7:55 pm flight back home

Hi guys,

I am planning a trip to Japan in the period 29 March - 14 April. It will be the first time I visit the country and my travel preference is not to plan too many activities ahead of time, so that I can have the opportunity to explore and experience the unexpected. I am also not into anime/manga, but very much into history and food.

With that said, below is my current plan and I would sincerely appreciate some feedback, as I am feeling overwhelmed.

Day 1: Tokyo

AM:

• Arrival at Haneda airport and transfer to hotel in Nippori
• Several free hours to recover from the 14-hour flight

PM:

• Explore Ueno, Nakamise, and Asakusa (plus Senso-Ji shrine), find a place to eat - those places are all near the hotel

Day 2: Tokyo

AM:

• Meiji Jingu shrine
• Shibuya crossing

PM:

• Walking to the Tokyo Tower and then the Skytree - I will try to book the Skytree for the sunset
• Tokyo Giants game, timing depending on when they are playing, my only chance to visit the Tokyo Dome during the travel period

Day 3: Nikko

• Take the Spacia X there
• Explore the shrines and the nature
• I will not rush to see all the waterfalls and other landmarks, the key being not rushing it and going at a pace I feel like at the time
• Free time in Tokyo in the evening

Day 4: Kamakura and Enoshima

• Kotoku-in and Sasuke-Inari shrine in Kamakura
• Walk around and explore Enoshima
• Free time in Tokyo in the evening

Day 5: Tokyo

AM:

• Nezu-Jinja Shrine - Tsutsuji Matsuri festival (blossoming of flowers)
• Susano-o Temple - because I have read about Susano-o
• Yanesen neighbourhood

PM:

• Izakaya tour with a group that starts with sake tasting and continues into the night

Day 6: Kyoto

AM:

• Arrival at the hotel

PM:

• Kiyomizudera temple to see the Seiryu-E festival, procession starting at 2pm
• Dinner in Gion (I will book a place in advance)

Day 7: Kyoto

AM:

• Higashiyama and some early lunch
• Miyako Odori geisha show either at 12:00 or 14:00

PM:

• Either Nijo Castle and central Kyoto exploraton; or
• Kibune and dinner there

Day 8: Kyoto

AM:

• Arashiyama bamboo forest
• Okochi Sanso Villa for some tea and the gardens
• Iwakayama monkey park

PM:

• Either Nijo Castle and central Kyoto exploraton; or
• Kibune and dinner there

Day 9: Nagoya

• Optional. Should I have it on the itinerary or perhaps book a ryokan/something else to relax a bit?

Day 10: Kyoto

AM:

• Fushimi Inari shrine
• Free time

PM:

• Tea ceremony and sweets making
• Free time

Day 11: Nara

Day 12: Osaka

AM:

• Arrival at the hotel

PM:

• Exploration and Dotonbori

Day 13: Himeji

• Himeji castle
• Kokoen garden
• Mount Shosha
• Free time in Osaka in the evening, focusing on food

Day 14: Kobe

• Visit the harbor and the gardens
• Go up the Nunobiki ropeway, eveA though I have a moderate fear of heights
• Visit the foreign merchants area
• Eat kobe beef

Day 15: Tokyo

AM:

• Arrive at the hotel
• TeamLab Borderless

PM:

• Owl cafe
• Ginza shopping

Day 16: Tokyo

AM:

• TeamLab Planets
• Snake cafe

PM:

• No clue

Day 17: Tokyo and Departure

My flight is in the evening. I will figure out somewhere to stow my luggage and go about the city.

Thank you!

Hi, me and My friends are planning to travel to Japan in March and have booked our tickets to Tokyo. We now need to work around what places to see and have built a draft itinerary. Can you advice if this is doable?

Day 1: Arrive at Tokyo Narita at around 4pm Checkin to hotel and explore the below places Shibuya crossing Hachiko statue Miyashita park

Day 2: explore Tokyo Meiji shrine Takeshita street Shinjuku Sensoji shrine Tokyo sky tree Shibuya sky

Day 3: day trip to Mt fuji

Day 4: Day trip to kamakura and Enoshima

Day 5: disney sea

Day 6: tokyo Imperial palace Harry potter studio Hijiribashi bridge

Day 7: cover any other places that we might have missed in tokyo and travel to kyoto by overnight train

Day 8: explore kyoto Fushimi inari Kiyomizu temple Yasaka pagoda Old town gion

Day 9: explore kyoto Golden pavilion Arashiyama bamboo grove Ryoan ji temple

Day 10: one day trip to Amanohashidate & Ine Bay

Day 11: travel back to Tokyo and catch the flight back home

Would really appreciate it, if somebody could suggest if these are places that can be covered and if there's anything else that I absolutely need to see

Thanks for all the help!!

Hi everyone!

TL;DR: Traveling to Japan from Feb 26 to Mar 14, 2025, and want to see sakura during our trip. Found Kawazu and Mt. Matsuda as options but can only realistically fit sakura viewing into the Tokyo leg (Mar 7-14). Looking for recommendations on early blooming spots in Tokyo or nearby. Any advice is appreciated!

My friends and I are planning a graduation trip to Japan from February 26th to March 14th, 2025, and we’ve already booked our air tickets. We know this isn’t the prime sakura season, but we’ve heard that there are some spots where early blossoms might still be visible during our trip.

Here’s our itinerary:

• Feb 26 - Mar 1: Osaka
• Mar 2 - Mar 3: Kyoto
• Mar 4 - Mar 6: Kanazawa
• Mar 7 - Mar 14: Tokyo

After some research, I came across two main places for early blossoms:

1. Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
2. Mt. Matsuda Herb Garden

However, I’m getting conflicting dates for the blooming period (most say early February to early March) and, unfortunately, our Osaka/Kyoto schedule is pretty packed, so we likely can’t make it to these spots during the first half of our trip.

This leaves us with our time in Tokyo (Mar 7-14) to try and catch some sakura. Does anyone have recommendations for places around Tokyo that might still have blossoms during this time? Or any suggestions for spots near Osaka/Kyoto that we could realistically fit in, even with a tight schedule?

We’d really love to experience the sights of sakura during this trip, even if it’s just the early-blooming varieties. Any advice or tips would be super appreciated!

Thanks in advance! 😊

I bought tickets for 10/21 - 11/8 landing in Osaka (ITM) and departing from Tokyo (Narita).

I choose this timeframe to see the autumn foliage in Nikko. But have some concerns with my itinerary.

1.) I feel like I don't have much time in Osaka itself. I'm thinking about adding an extra day. So it'd be 10/23 - 10/25 Osaka, 10/26-10/29 Kyoto, 10/31 Tokyo, 11/1-11/2 Nikko. However, my trip to Nikko would fall during the culture day weekend, which I'm trying to avoid due to congestion. If I move Nikko to 11/3 (Mon) -11/4 (Sun) how busy will it be?

2.) The main things I want to see in Nikko are the world heritage shrines, lake chuzenji, and Kirifuri highlands. I'm planning two days there but not sure where Kirifuri fits in. I will not have a car.

3.) I will be traveling alone. I'd like to stay at a ryokan with an onsen (doesnt need to be private) in Hakone. However it seems like this will be pretty expensive. Not sure if it is worth it. If I don't, I will probably just make Hakone a day trip. The only goal for Hakone is to do the loop without being too rushed. Is that feasible?

Appreciate any feedback!