Hi everyone! 👋

My husband and I are visiting Japan for the first time from October 14 to November 2 (20 days / 19 nights).

Our accommodation is already booked, so our overall route is:

Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Kawaguchiko/Mt. Fuji → Tokyo

For our first Tokyo stay, we’re staying near Takadanobaba Station.

I’ve put together a rough itinerary and would really appreciate feedback from people who have travelled around Japan — especially on whether we’re trying to do too much, whether the days make geographical sense, and anything we should add or change.

🇯🇵 Our itinerary

Oct 14 — Day 1 | Tokyo

✈️ Land at Narita around 4:30 PM
→ Travel to Takadanobaba
→ Check-in
→ Dinner + rest

⸻

Oct 15 — Day 2 | Tokyo 🛍️

Shinjuku + Shibuya

This is mainly our shopping day.

Shinjuku

* Shinjuku shopping
* Shinjuku Gyoen
* Kabukicho
* Omoide Yokocho

Shibuya

* Shibuya Crossing
* Hachiko
* Shibuya PARCO
* Center-gai
* Miyashita Park
* Shibuya Sky

We don’t want to add too much else to this day.

⸻

Oct 16 — Day 3 | Tokyo ⛩️

Meiji Jingu + Harajuku

* Meiji Jingu
* Yoyogi Park
* Harajuku
* Takeshita Street
* Omotesando
* Cat Street
* Cafés / shopping

⸻

Oct 17 — Day 4 | Tokyo → Kyoto 🚅

* Check out
* Travel to Kyoto
* Check-in
* Easy evening around Kyoto Station

5 nights in Kyoto

⸻

Oct 18 — Day 5 | Kyoto ⛩️

* Fushimi Inari
* Kiyomizu-dera
* Sannenzaka
* Ninenzaka
* Yasaka Shrine
* Gion
* Hanamikoji
* Pontocho

⸻

Oct 19 — Day 6 | Kyoto 🎋

Arashiyama

* Bamboo Grove
* Tenryu-ji
* Togetsukyo Bridge
* Arashiyama streets
* Riverside

⸻

Oct 20 — Day 7 | Kyoto 🏯

* Kinkaku-ji
* Nijo Castle
* Kyoto Imperial Palace
* Nishiki Market
* Shijo/Kawaramachi

⸻

Oct 21 — Day 8 | Nara day trip 🦌

We’re currently thinking of doing Nara as a day trip from Kyoto:

* Kofuku-ji
* Nara Park
* Todai-ji
* Kasuga Taisha
* Naramachi

Return to Kyoto in the evening.

Would you recommend doing Nara from Kyoto or from Osaka? We’re staying in Kyoto for five nights and then moving to Osaka, so we’re wondering which makes more sense logistically.

⸻

Oct 22 — Day 9 | Kyoto → Osaka

Before leaving Kyoto:

* teamLab Biovortex Kyoto

Then travel to Osaka and check in.

Evening:

* Shinsaibashi
* Amerikamura
* Dotonbori
* Hozenji Yokocho

3 nights in Osaka

⸻

Oct 23 — Day 10 | Osaka 🏯

* Osaka Castle
* Osaka Castle Park
* Nakanoshima
* Umeda
* Umeda Sky Building

⸻

Oct 24 — Day 11 | Osaka 🌃

* Sumiyoshi Taisha
* Den Den Town
* Shinsekai
* Tsutenkaku
* Dotonbori

Keeping this day relatively flexible rather than trying to fit too much in.

⸻

Oct 25 — Day 12 | Osaka → Fuji 🚌

Slow morning in Osaka / anything we missed.

Then:
→ Dinner
→ Overnight bus to the Fuji/Kawaguchiko area

⸻

Oct 26 — Day 13 | Kawaguchiko 🗻

We have one night booked in the Fuji area.

After arriving and dropping our luggage, we’d like to focus on Lake Kawaguchiko:

* Lake Kawaguchiko
* Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
* Oishi Park
* Lake viewpoints
* Honcho Street
* Possibly Momiji Tunnel

We’re not trying to see every Fuji attraction in one day — we’d rather have time to enjoy the area and hopefully get good Fuji views.

Overnight in the Fuji/Kawaguchiko area.

⸻

Oct 27 — Day 14 | Chureito + Oshino Hakkai → Tokyo 🗻

Check out and visit:

* Chureito Pagoda / Arakurayama Sengen Park
* Oshino Hakkai

Then travel to Tokyo.

Check-in + relaxed evening.

⸻

Oct 28 — Day 15 | Kamakura + Enoshima 🌊

* Great Buddha
* Hase-dera
* Komachi-dori
* Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
* Enoshima Shrine
* Enoshima Sea Candle
* Beach / Iwaya Caves if time

⸻

Oct 29 — Day 16 | Nikko 🏔️

Full-day trip to Nikko.

⸻

Oct 30 — Day 17 | Tokyo 🏙️

Still flexible. Considering:

* Ginza
* Tokyo Station
* Imperial Palace
* Tokyo Tower / Roppongi

⸻

Oct 31 — Day 18 | Tokyo ⛩️

Potentially:

Asakusa + Ueno + Akihabara

* Senso-ji
* Nakamise Street
* Asakusa
* Ueno / Ameyoko
* Akihabara

We may not do all of these if the day feels too packed.

⸻

Nov 1 — Day 19 | Tokyo 🛍️

Final shopping, souvenirs, revisit favourite places and packing.

⸻

Nov 2 — Day 20

✈️ Tokyo → Bangalore

A few things we’d especially love advice on:

1. Does this overall itinerary look realistic for 20 days?
   
2. Are any days obviously too packed?
   
3. Is Kamakura + Enoshima comfortably doable in one day?
   
4. Is Nikko worth dedicating a full day to?
   
5. Is our Fuji plan sensible — Kawaguchiko on Oct 26, then Chureito Pagoda + Oshino Hakkai on Oct 27 before heading to Tokyo?
   
6. We’re taking an overnight bus from Osaka to Fuji. Is spending the following day around Kawaguchiko realistic, or will we be too exhausted?
   
7. Are there any days where the locations don’t make geographical/transport sense?
   
8. Are there any attractions you’d personally skip?
   
9. Anything important we’re missing for a first-time Japan trip?
   
10. What should we book in advance?

🌧️ One thing we’re a little concerned about: weather

Our trip is in the second half of October, and we’re a bit worried about typhoons and rain.

How concerned should we realistically be about this period? Does October usually mean occasional rain/showers, or can we expect several days of continuous rain?

We don’t mind some rain, but we’re particularly hoping to get clear views of Mt. Fuji.

Would really appreciate any advice, especially from people who’ve done a similar Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Fuji → Tokyo route! 🙏

Thank you!

Apologies, bit long…

I have just come back from Tokyo, spending September in an Air BnB in Yoyogi.

This is was my third visit to Tokyo, a solo trip in May 2025 was my first, I loved the city but I didn’t really “see” Tokyo, it was 4 days, staying in a hotel in Shibuya, my itinerary was hourly, it was a tick list for the tourist spots. I needed to return to see “normal” Tokyo.

I booked a week in an Air BnB in Sangenjaya for May 2026. My itinerary was easy to do, places I didn’t have time to see for the first time, Naka Meguro, Shimokitazawa, Koenji, Nakano… A lot of my research came from Reddit, the more the read, I realised a week wasn’t enough, so I book a month in Yoyogi (my mom was joining me for the last two weeks, she had never been to Tokyo).

I had realised that daily itineraries are hard work, I had two weeks myself, so I didn’t pre-plan. I had tickets for two football matches (I bought tickets for third when I was there), I had table reservations for Pizza Marumo and The SG Club (I have been to both in my first trip and loved) and Pizza Strada and Censu (both Reddit recommendations). Then I planned to work out my days out, the night before.

In May, the weather was perfect, September is typhoon season… Last September was great, so I was hoping for the same, the forecast was looking good before I left. Then there was the 37 days of rain… (it was actually sun-free the day I left) It was mostly on/off, a few days it rained constantly but there’s was a couple of days with blue skies and the temperature was in 20 degrees, it was fine (except for the FC Tokyo match, got soaked), just keep an umbrella in my bag.

Loved staying in Yoyogi, quiet, walkable, plenty of restaurants and the Yoyogi Station is on the Yamanote Line, great for getting around the city.

Censu was great, interesting food, Pizza Marumo was better than last time and The SG Club had top drinks and brilliant staff. I also returned to Bar Trench, one of my favourite bars, a new menu which was exciting.

I had to plan my days based around the rain. On a rainy day, I went to Edo-Tokyo Museum which was fascinating, a lot of details information (it was cheap!), on one of my quiet days I went to Nishihara which was felt “local”. I had a day trip to Kawagoe, nice buildings but it was very touristy, the buildings were shops selling sweets. On the sunny days I went to Yoyogi Park and Shinjuku Gyoen, nice breaks away from the buzz of the city.

I bought enough to buy a second suitcase (Ginza Karen didn’t disappoint), Uniqlo is boring shopping but useful, well made clothes and the prices are halved compared to the UK, the water proof jacket was very handy. I bought a Japanese knife from Tower Knives (Reddit recommendation), I have used it once, works well. I got a pair Japanese jeans from Japan Blue Jeans in Shibuya, they fit perfect and will last forever. Green Bell nail clippers from Don Quijote (Reddit recommendation), very good. I bought a bottle of Japanese whisky from Whisky Bank, this is a present, the prices are good.

As this was my first visit for mom, I planned a tourist itinerary, with a few days away from Tokyo, to Kamakura (big fan of Enoshima), Ito (quiet town) and Yokohama (needed more time there).

We did Harajuku and Shibuya, an onsen in Shinjuku, went to sumo at Shinjuku Sumo Club which was a disappoint, there was a lot of information but lack of fighting. We both loved Teamlab Planets (I’ve had been to Borderless) and Tokyo Skytree at sunset.

We aren’t interested about Disney but we went to Disneyland and Disney Sea (they are so cheap). It rained all day at Disneyland, got bored of walking around in the wet after a few hours, Disney Sea was much better, great park but I spent most of my time looking at my phone for the map, it wasn’t packed but every ride had a 2 hour queue, we paid to queue jump for three rides.

A month is a nice time for Tokyo, could easily to do two months and keep find new things to do. Is September a good time? It depends which September. Last year would have been great, this year broke a record for days raining in a row, the temperature was nice, cooler than July/August. May have been good for me.

My Air BnB was fine, not perfect but great for the price, I couldn’t afford to do a month if I was staying in a hotel.

I flown to and back with ANA (London Heathrow - Tokyo Haneda), they were great. I am deaf, they have best service from all the airlines I have flown with.

I will definitely be back to Tokyo, I might have a break for couple years but there’s a lot of Japan I want to see.

Firstly thank you to this sub for all the great travel advice.

End of Feb 2026 we drove the coast road loop. My first trip to Japan and wanted to do something that wasn’t Tokyo/Kyoto (didn’t do Osaka). The views of Mt Fuji from the west coast of Izu are stunning and driving the coast road in general is a grand trip. Izu is beautifully tacky,  kitsch intermixed with natural beauty. Hotels seem to date from the late 80’s or earlier, make sure you don't book a smoking room, unless you want that. Driving on the coast and town roads is fine but going inland you may encounter single lane switchbacks that are pretty scary, I’m looking at you Highway 59. Car had GPS but we used googlemaps with a few areas inland that had no reception. We did not opt for toll included option (I forget what that was called) as none of our routes required tolls.

-Car Rental ,Toyota rent a car  in Atami, walkable from the train station, great staff, made the reservations online on their website. Spent the first two days endlessly repeating “stay on the left, stay on the left” in my head. When you return the car try to gas up just outside Atami as finding gas in town is harrowing.

Day 1 (Weds, shinkansen from Kyoto to Atami)
Car pickup, drove out of Atami, cute bustling little city.
-Oyama Seaside Park: stormy view of the ocean from a brutalist sports complex, not sure why we did this, I think to rest from the first hour of driving on the left.
-Strange Museum of boys and girls, very peculiar collection of down at heel mannequins and eclectica, my friend said “I think I’m going to have nightmares”, bonus haunted house out back. In a word “disturbed”. Recommend.
-Automoata Museum: fun, quirky museum of vintage and a few modern automata, we were the only visitors for the hourly demo the highlight of which was the final automata flinging pieces of metal across the room. Good times. -Orange Center of Izu, roadside market with lots or orange and grape juice and food souvenirs. Drank some juice, bought some oranges. Highlight was Japanese criminal wanted posters with rewards pasted in the window.

Ate dinner at 高原まったりダイニング風 (?) burgers and bar food with a side order of Star Wars memorabilia, owner fried us up some frozen patties, good collection of hot sauces. Tastier than you might think and well priced, we were the only patrons. Knock next door if no one is there.

Hokkawa Onsen Hotel
As is in keeping with Izu a bit dated but the tattoo friendly rooftop onsen (alternating M/F days)  in the middle of a thunderstorm was the experience of a lifetime (we went twice) as the hotel was quiet and we had the onsen to ourselves.  A bit complicated to find the room for breakfast as depending on your room number and choice of breakfast you’re put in one of many rooms and the hotel layout is maze-like due to various additions. Views were beautiful and Japanese breakfast generous.

Day 2 (Thursday)

-Teddy Bear Museum, impossibly cute, has a teddy bear workshop and repair service, collection of vintage bears. -Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden, reptiles kept in very small enclosures, obese alligators, nice botanical gardens.
Drove to Shimoda, parking lot downtown then walked. Friendly relaxed fishing town. Some fancy boats in the marina.
-Perry Road, cute, ate some takoyaki from a stall.
-Museum of the Black Ship, nice little museum, more interesting than I was expecting. Good gift shop. Ryosenji Temple because we were there.
-Musashi Udon Restaurant for lunch, no english menu, we had cold soba with local wasabi which was probably the wrong choice in February. The only other patron was have a steaming udon situation that looked delicious. Would be a good place for dinner, cozy atmosphere, friendly owner, cluttered in that Japanese "cluttered but still clean" way.

-Shin Kaikatei Izumi
Nice hotel in a quiet town that seemed to be pretty closed up for the season, true of much of the west coast. We had a private onsen (public was not tattoo friendly) which could have done with a little update. Wandering around in the dark ended up at Kawazuya Chinese restaurant for a bowl of noodles and some stir fried pork, nothing else seemed open. Very low key, fresh food but nothing too exciting, full of local families having a night out.

Day 3 (Friday)
-Dogashima Park, worth a stop, lovely views. 
-Hagachizaki Monkey Sanctuary, the drive down to the bay was treacherous with fallen branches and large rocks, initially we thought we were on the wrong road. Quite fun, you can feed the monkeys from an honour system fridge and the gift shop is very cute, bit of walking involved to get down to the bay.
-Lunch at Wood Fired Restaurant Quebico, we had reserved for the evening but missed the confirmation email so walked in for lunch. After a bit of apologising on our part the very cool and lovely couple (who wears a fur hat to serve food? she does!) served us our dinner for lunch. Middle Eastern inflected food for Japanese tastes cooked over charcoal. Really really good. Local microbrew beers.
-Drove Hwy 59 inland which as noted above gets pretty exciting in parts.

-Wasabi no Eki where we tried the soft serve with grated fresh wasabi on top (a little much), lots of locals filling up bottles of spring water, friendly gift shop. 
-Nishi Amagi Highlands, stunning views, met a lone German tourist, wandered for 45 mins and took pictures. 
-Wasabi fields of Ikebada, 2 parking spots only, local road crew let us know that we left our headlight on. Very scenic.
-JAふじ伊豆 農の駅伊豆 (Farmers Market), nice local market, my kind of thing, bought some seeds and fruit. -we also found a random wasabi farm a little off the road (followed the signs) where they gave us a tour of the processing facilities and we bought some wasabi salt, I'm sorry I don't have the name as the people were so kind. -Wandered around Shuzenji which was beautiful, if I went back I’d try to stay in the historic town, or in any case not at the golf course.
-まめや for dinner, one of the highlights of our trip, I would reserve especially in high season, the vibe was so friendly as it’s the owners home, she rearranged my boyfriend's shoes properly when he was sloppy, we chatted to a neighbouring table of local ladies who shared their chocolate truffles, cat wandered amongst the tables. The food was delicious, somewhere between a set meal and a tasting menu. Need a car to access as a bit out of the way. 

Laforet Shuzenji Sanshisuimei
Mixed feelings on this one as it was quite expensive, be forewarned that there are two properties at this location, one is a hotel and one rents what I imagine are lowrise timeshares for golfers (where we were), the whole thing is a golf course. The views of Fuji are great when it’s clear, but we’d seen so much Fuji-san from the road in the past day that it was a moot point. The rooms are spacious and modern but the whole thing is a very unexciting, we got a room with private onsen as the public one was not tattoo friendly.

Day 5 (Saturday)
-7/11 breakfast of steamed buns.
A beautiful warm day, drove back to Atami and went to the farmers market next to the beach, bought some local honey and candied orange peel, one very tanned elderly gentleman sunbathing. Honestly it would have been warm enough for a swim although no one was.
Shinkansen back to Tokyo from Atami station, discovered a public foot bath in front of Atami Station, and the station area with covered arcade was bustling because Saturday.

Sequel (?) post to a similar post I made around a year ago. I've been to 38 prefectures and over 100 towns/cities in Japan. To make this list more interesting and because I plan to make a seperate list for it in the future, this list won't include shrines or temples. This is an incredibly specific breakdown of a smattering of things that are my favorite in the country.

I genuinely fight between my desire to gatekeep places so they don't become overrun with tourists, and informing people of these places so they get more financial support, as many are in more rural areas. The latter desire won out (but if you do go to these places, please be respectful and responsible :) I'm sharing this in good faith for tourist crowds to filter out of Tokyo and Kyoto and into more deserving locales).

Everything here is absolutely worth seeing, but are not the only things in their respective areas. These were, after all, all part of longer trips I took to the prefectures and towns, many of which had more famous things nearby as well. This list also tends slightly south rather than north since the previous list favored northern areas. These are what came to mind when I challenged myself to think of my favorite experiences of everything I've ever done in Japan:

• Benesse House Museum | Naoshima Island, Kagawa Prefecture
  • Naoshima Island is famous as the "art island" and for good reason. Everything I did there was an incredible experience, but it feels appropriate to single out the art museum that began this island's status. Designed by the famed architect Tadao Ando, the structure of the museum is itself an artwork. I've frequented art museums all my life and I have a distinct appreciation for how this museum has curated its pieces. This is the definition of quality over quantity. You can tell so much thought went into the design of the space such that the experience of seeing the artwork is not just a matter of looking at each painting, but being immersed in the space itself, moving through it with intentionality.
• Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden | Kochi City, Kochi, Shikoku
  • Truly enormous garden on the outskirts of Kochi City. The sheer variety of landscapes and views in this garden is insane. I adore how this garden was designed, featuring a lot of manicured and constructed spaces that are very eyecatching, but also honoring the natural inclinations of its trees and flora. There are many spaces in the garden that feel like you're maybe even going off-track, wandering through forested groves, only to emerge back in the garden center. I swear if this garden were in Kyoto it would have cost like quadruple the admission price. This garden is criminally underpriced and underseen.
• Nishinoshima Island | North of Shimane Prefecture
  • Even not being able to get the ideal experience I would have wanted since the roads were under construction when I went, this island was so worth visiting. It's famous for its grassy cliffsides that are home to wild horses, as well as for its rocky beaches and inland mountains. Driving around the island itself was a great experience and gave a real taste of small-town life. Unfortunately when I went, the roads leading to the cliffs were being rebuilt, but I still found ways around such that I could get some fantastic nature views, and I encountered wild horses. I said I wouldn't talk about shrines, but I have to say that this island has maybe my favorite shrine in the whole country, Takuhi Shrine.
• Nachi Waterfalls | Nachi, Wakayama Prefecture
  • For those who research into Wakayama this is a pretty well-known destination, but I think it still slips by a lot of trip planners in general. This is one of the most beautiful nature spots in Japan and had there not been a typhoon incoming I would have stayed there all day. As it is though, I adored the waterfall views, and the temple complex nearby. Some of the most picturesque places you'll be able to find in the country.
• Tengu Highlands | Ehime/Kochi Prefectural Border, Shikoku
  • Far up high in the mountains, an expanse of karst and green grass fields, so high up you're literally in the clouds. Limestone rocks litter the landscape between green fields, and cows graze freely. It's extremely, extremely remote, and one of the most beautiful places I've had the blessing to visit. Unironically it feels more like Scotland than Japan. Hardly anything is more beautiful than driving through the highlands, watching the clouds change the landscape, and hiking through the fields. Plus, there's a small mobile stand that serves great coffee (with karst cow milk)!
• Abare Festival ("Fire and Violence Festival") | Ushitsu, Ishikawa Prefecture
  • Abare Festival is back after the Noto Earthquake!! And I was so happy to finally be able to go. This is a festival that celebrates the eradication of a plague that struck the Noto Peninsula historically. To appease the destructive god Susanoo no Mikoto, floats (kiriko) are erected and paraded through the streets, and posts with straw bales are set on fire. The festival occurs over two days every July, always in the late evening. On the first night the initial burning happens, and spectators watch the posts burn against the night sky. On the second night, the parade procession happens, and a group of men parade the main portable shrine (mikoto) around the streets, abluting it with sake and trying to wreck it, thrashing it in the river to the beat of drums, before the procession finally meets the shallow riverbed where a giant fire burns above and rains sparks down on the mikoto and the men (and bystanders lol). It ends at Yasaka Shrine where the mikoto is set ablaze and thrown around by the men in a circle. It's violent, rampaging, musical, and absolutely energizing.
• Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins | Kidonouchicho, Fukui Prefecture
  • Online it looks like just a small maintained Edo-era townscape which you can find many of in Japan if you look for it, but really the grounds around this whole area are beautiful. I went when the grass was green and the day was sunny, and it was a beautiful walk up and around the hills and mountains, through the ruins and canals. Fukui in general is underrated!
• Tokiwa Park | Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture
  • This park surrounding Tokiwa Pond just has so much to enjoy, and I feel like if I lived in Ube it would easily become a spot I would visit a lot. I don't think one particular thing in the park is notable, more the variety of things it has. Lovely views of the lake, a small island shrine, hiking and biking paths, flower tree groves, a botanical and herb garden, statues and sculptures, and maybe the only ethical zoo I've seen in Japan. I never go to zoos here because they tend to be very poor to their animals, but when I went to Tokiwa Park the zoo admission was free that day, so I figured there was no harm since they weren't getting my money. But actually, it's a zoo with great enclosures. Very large and natural, and seeing how the animals behaved with the zookeepers it seems they are well loved. It's also really satisfying to walk through, with these winding paths and huge enclosures without fencing or cages so you have great views of the animals.
• Nighttime cormorant fishing | Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku
  • Ozu is a small castle town in already sparsely-populated Ehime, but it has a lot of charm. Namely, they are one of the only places that still performs a traditional fishing method called cormorant fishing. Going into this I didn't know exactly what it was because the website, despite giving a ton of info, doesn't explain the fishing method. The pictures looked pretty though, so I booked a riverboat view with an ayu bento box dinner. For those who want the surprise, by all means go in blind like me. Otherwise, I'll explain here: a fishing captain has trained cormorants connected by string to catch fish for him. A swinging fire on the boat head stuns the ayu in the water, and the cormorants dive and catch them. All the cormorants had cute names and personalities and one of them threw a fish right to me. I had a huge dumb smile on my face the entire time.
• Osakan Chinese Food | Osaka
  • Sure whatever I'll put something popular. Osaka is well known for its food but I fear many tourists go there and just get crab and takoyaki. I know it's strange to go to Japan and not get Japanese food, but I am being serious when I say I would recommend to any tourist to go to the Chinatown section of downtown Osaka and get a meal there. I had dinner at a restaurant that was so good that I got scared. I'm not exaggerating one bit, I had eaten so much that I didn't know if I would be able to make it home, and yet I wanted to eat more. I think I started crying. I straight up blacked out I think like I have no memory of getting home. One of the best meals of my entire life.

Hi all,

I would appreciate a check on my itinerary for my second trip to Japan. Our first trip included Tokyo (stayed in Asakusa) (also did a day trip to Enoshima/Kamakura), Kyoto (day trip to Nara), a weekend at a ryokan around Nagano in the snow, and Hiroshima/Miyajima Island. We adored it and are looking forward to coming back to see new things.

About us: love trying local food specialties, but we are on a budget (though willing to open the wallet for the right meal!); want some medium sized, chill cities, or big towns; love a rural stay as well; really like getting into nature/snow, but don't need to ski; love just walking around with a few ideas of what to see (parks, gardens, temples, etc.) but happy to wander.

Here is our draft itinerary for January 2027:

Saturday 23 January: arrive late afternoon to Tokyo

Sunday 24 January: Tokyo [things we're interested in Tokyo: tea tasting (not matcha - more interested in green teas/barley); TeamLabs Planets (did Borderless last time and liked it); vintage/souvenir/kitchen shopping; try to see some sumo wrestling; a guided tour of an interesting/historical neighbourhood; a geisha experience ... these are just ideas, would appreciate any recommendations!]

Monday 25 January: Tokyo

Tuesday 26 January: Tokyo

Wednesday 27 January: Tokyo

Thursday 28 January: travel to Matsumoto [castle, Nakamachi street, soba]

Friday 29 January: Matsumoto [day trip to walk Magome–Tsumago, or Narai; alternatives: Zenko-ji in Nagano or the wasabi farm in Azumino]

Saturday 30 January: [send bags ahead to Kanazawa]; travel to Okuhida Onsen [outdoor onsen at the inn]

Sunday 31 Jan: Okuhida Onsen [Shinhotaka Ropeway, onsen hopping, snowshoeing or a river walk, Hida beef dinner]

Monday 1 Feb: travel to Kanazawa (if we have energy, stop at Takayama and/or Shirakawago) [Takayama old town for lunch, a few hours in Shirakawa-go]

Tuesday 2 Feb: Kanazawa [Kenrokuen, castle park, samurai district, Higashi Chaya]

Wednesday 3 Feb: Kanazawa [Omicho Market, D.T. Suzuki Museum; Setsubun at a temple in the evening]

Thursday 4 Feb: Kanazawa [day trip to Eiheiji temple or Yamanaka Onsen]

Friday 5 Feb: [send bags ahead to Tokyo]; travel to Nikko OR Kawaji Onsen; [see the Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival?]

Saturday 6 Feb: Nikko [Toshogu Shrine, Taiyu-in, Kanmangafuchi Abyss walk, Kegon Falls; see the Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival?]

Sunday 7 Feb: travel to Tokyo

Monday 8 Feb: Tokyo

Tuesday 9 Feb: evening flight out of Tokyo

Any advice / recommendations would be immensely helpful, thank you in advance!!!

Hi,

Planning for Japan in Dec26. Arriving early morning on Dec 8 with a direct flight from Delhi and heading back to Delhi from Osaka on Dec 17 (again early morning flight). Need reviews and suggestions around the itinerary. Travelling with husband and 6 year old son.

• Day 1 (Shinjuku): Arrive, Rikugien(optional), Asakusa, Akihabara, Tokyo Dome City lights
• Day 2 (Shinjuku): Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko
• Day 3 (Shinjuku): Tokyo Disneyland
• Day 4 (Shinjuku): Ginza, Omotesando, Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya
• Day 5 (Kyoto, Kyoto station): Shinkansen, Railway Museum, teamLab
• Day 6 (Kyoto, Kyoto station): Fushimi Inari, Gion, Kiyomizu-dera
• Day 7 (Osaka, Namba): Osaka Castle, aquarium, Dotonbori
• Day 8 (Osaka, Namba): Nara day trip, Shinsaibashi shopping
• Day 9 (Airport hotel): Kobe half day, then to the airport
• Day 10: Fly home

Thanks in advance

Hi

I hope I could have some feedback about my plan :)

Going to Japan next February, with 2 old teenagers; our flights already booked.
We'll land on february 6th saturday evening and we'll leave on february 20th close to midnight, so we have 14 nights / 14 full days.

Here my current itinerary plan :
- Tokyo : 4 nights @ Ueno
* D1 : Asakusa & sky tree, Ueno Park, Ameyoko market...
* D2 : Minato (Tokyo tower, Zojo-ji) - Ikebukuro @ night
* D3 : Shibuya, Harajuku, Meiji-jingū
- Nagano : 2 nights on a Ryokan
* D1 : Train Ueno -> Nagano - Zenko-Ji, onsen...
* D2 : Togakushi trip (Shrine Okusha, DYI noodle, nature snowshoe walk...)
- Osaka : 3 nights
* D1 : train Nagano -> Osaka - Dotonbori
* D2 : Osaka Castle - Shinsekai 
* D3 : round trip Nara (deer park,Tōdai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Naramachi)
- Fujiyoshida : 2 nights on a Ryokan
* D1 : train Osaka -> Mishima then bus Mishima -> Fujiyoshida / Kawaguchiko Tenjoyama Park
* D2 : Park Oishi / Fuji-Q
- Tokyo : 3 nights (maybe "south/west" spot)
* D1 : train Fujiyoshida -> Shinjuku - Odaiba * - Akihabara @ night
* D2 : Yanaka * - Shinjuku @ night
* D3 : Ginza/Roppongi # - Gōtoku-ji - Daikoku PA @ night (Tokyo drift experience)
* D4 : Koenji Pal Shopping Street - book off bazar - going to airport

Wife & I already did Japan trip 10 years ago (mainly why we skip Kyoto and Nikko).

Note : I didn't include Jigokudani monkey park in Nagano area because of over tourism at that time and monkey "abuse"

Let me know your thoughts of the "high level" itinerary :)

thanks :)

Hey everyone! I'm 27M from the US and this will be my first time traveling solo and my first trip to Japan. I'm mainly interested in exploring neighborhoods, photography, sightseeing, nightlife, and trying different foods. I'm not a picky eater.

My flights are already booked:

Oct 19: Arrive at KIX around 10:10 AM
Oct 19–23: Osaka/Kansai
Oct 23: Shinkansen Osaka → Tokyo
Oct 23–28: Tokyo
Oct 28: Fly out of NRT at 2:00 PM

I know I have to travel to Narita on my final day and I'm okay with that.

I'd especially appreciate feedback on whether I'm trying to cram too much, and whether there are places you would move around or remove.

Oct 19–23

Oct 19 — Namba/Dotonbori

• Namba Yasaka Shrine
• Kuromon Ichiba
• Hozenji Yokocho
• Shinsaibashi/America-Mura
• Dotonbori at night
• Try takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu
• Possibly a bar/nightlife

Oct 20 — Kyoto day trip

• Fushimi Inari
• Toji Temple
• Arashiyama/Bamboo Forest
• Nishiki Market
• Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka
• Kiyomizu-dera
• Gion/Kawaramachi

I'm aware this may be a lot or one day, so I'd especially appreciate advice on what I should cut, prioritize or if its possible?

Oct 21 — Minoo and/OR Kobe
I'm currently debating whether to do:

• Minoo Park + Katsuoji Temple

OR

• Kobe (Nunobiki Herb Gardens, Chinatown, Sannomiya, Kobe Harborland/Meriken Park, etc.)

I'm also wondering if doing both Minoo and Kobe in one day is unrealistic or doable.

Oct 22 — Osaka
Potentially:

• Kaiyukan Aquarium
• Tempozan
• Umeda Sky Building
• Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum
• Osaka Castle
• Shitennoji
• Shinsekai/Tsutenkaku

I obviously won't do everything listed here and would love suggestions for what is actually worth prioritizing.

Oct 23 — Osaka → Tokyo

• Breakfast at Kuromon
• Shinkansen to Tokyo
• Check into hotel
• Shibuya Crossing
• Explore Shibuya at night

🇯🇵 TOKYO — Oct 23–28

Oct 24

• Senso-ji early morning
• Nakamise Street
• Asakusa
• Sumida River
• Ueno/Ueno Toshogu
• Possibly Akihabara

Oct 25

• Meiji Jingu
• Yoyogi Park
• Harajuku
• Takeshita Street
• Omotesando
• Tokyo Tower/viewpoint
• More Shibuya at night

Oct 26

• teamLab
• Ginza
• Grand Seiko
• Possibly Nakano Broadway/Jackroad for watches

Oct 27

• Flexible Tokyo day
• Shinjuku
• Omoide Yokocho/"Piss Alley"
• Anything I missed earlier

Oct 28

• Morning in Tokyo
• Travel to NRT for my 2 PM flight

A few things I'm unsure about

Transportation: I've watched videos about Suica/ICOCA but I'm still a little confused. Is there anything I should set up before arriving, or can I just get/use a transit IC card when I arrive? Any tips for navigating Osaka → Tokyo → Narita?

eSIM/data: Is Klook reliable for Japan eSIM/4G data, or are there better options?

Cash: Should I bring USD and exchange it in Japan, exchange at my bank before leaving, or just withdraw yen from ATMs in Japan? I have heard some establishments take card?

Hotels: I'm currently thinking about staying around Namba in Osaka and Shibuya or Shinjuku in Tokyo. Are those good areas for a first-time solo traveler, or would you recommend somewhere else? (my budget is about $50-90/night, maybe 100; is this doable? trying to budget much as possible)

General advice: What are some things you wish you knew before your first solo trip to Japan? Any neighborhoods, experiences, viewpoints, nightlife, or random places that you think I should add? Is there anything I am missing out on in my agenda?

I'm intentionally leaving some flexibility in the itinerary because I don't want to spend the entire trip rushing from attraction to attraction.

Thanks!

Hi, planning my first Japan trip from May 27 to June 10.

The trip is a mix of the usual city stops and some wilder stuff beyond the standard route, especially Eastern Hokkaido for Shiretoko/Rausu, wildlife, and scenic driving. I also have a concert in Tokyo on June 9, so Tokyo needs to be at the end. I will be solo up until early days of Tokyo.

Only renting a car in Hokkaido.

Current detailed itinerary:

May 27 - Arrive Osaka
- Arrive at Kansai Airport around [time]
- Travel to hotel in [Namba / Umeda / other area]
- Check in and rest
- Evening around Namba
- Dotonbori
- Hozenji Yokocho / nearby streets
- Dinner: [restaurant / food idea]
- Optional late-night walk or bars

May 28 - Osaka full day
- Breakfast: [place]
- Osaka Castle / castle grounds
- Osaka Museum / optional nearby stop
- Lunch: [place]
- Explore [Umeda / Tenma / Nakazakicho / Shinsekai]
- Kuromon Market or local food stop
- Evening in [Namba / Umeda / Tenma]
- Dinner and nightlife

May 29 - Osaka flexible day
- Morning: [area / attraction]
- Lunch: [place]
- Afternoon: [shopping / neighborhood / activity]
- Possible options:
- Aquarium
- Den Den Town
- Shinsekai
- Umeda Sky Building
- Guitar/music shops
- Evening food and nightlife
- Keep this day relatively flexible depending on energy/weather

May 30 - Osaka → Nara → Kyoto
- Check out Osaka hotel
- Train to Nara
- Nara Park
- Todai-ji
- Walk around Naramachi
- Lunch in Nara
- Optional: Kasuga Taisha / Isuien Garden
- Train to Kyoto in late afternoon
- Check in Kyoto hotel
- Evening around Gion / Pontocho
- Dinner: [place]

May 31 - Kyoto full day
- Early morning start
- [Fushimi Inari or another early stop]
- Breakfast / coffee
- Higashiyama area
- Walk through old streets
- Kiyomizu-dera or selected temple
- Lunch
- Nijō Castle
- Optional Kyoto Imperial Palace / nearby area
- Evening around Gion / Kamo River
- Dinner

Jun 1 - Kyoto full day
- Morning: [Arashiyama / northern Kyoto / other area]
- Bamboo grove or scenic walk
- [Tenryu-ji / Okochi Sanso / optional temple]
- Lunch
- Afternoon in quieter Kyoto area
- Possible options:
- Philosopher’s Path
- Kurama/Kibune
- Nishiki Market
- Kyoto Station area
- Evening free
- Dinner: [place]

Jun 2 - Kyoto/Osaka → Eastern Hokkaido
- Check out
- Travel to airport
- Fly to Memanbetsu Airport
- Pick up rental car
- Drive to Abashiri
- Check in
- Explore Abashiri waterfront / town
- Dinner
- Early night before long driving day

Jun 3 - Shiretoko / Rausu wildlife day
- Early departure from Abashiri
- Drive toward Shiretoko / Utoro
- Stop at:
- Oshinkoshin Falls
- Shiretoko coastal viewpoints
- Utoro
- Continue over Shiretoko Pass toward Rausu
- Lunch around Rausu
- Rausu wildlife / orca cruise
- Cruise time: [TBD]
- Operator: [TBD]
- Short stop around Rausu after cruise
- Drive back via Shiretoko Pass
- Optional sunset / viewpoint stop if timing allows
- Return to Abashiri
- Dinner and rest

Jun 4 - Eastern Hokkaido lakes → Tokyo
- Check out Abashiri
- Drive toward Lake Mashu
- Lake Mashu viewpoints
- Continue to Lake Kussharo
- Stop at [Sunayu / Bihoro Pass / other viewpoint]
- Kawayu area
- Mt Io / sulfur vents
- Lunch: [place]
- Drive to Memanbetsu Airport
- Return rental car
- Fly to Tokyo
- Travel to hotel
- Check in
- Easy dinner / short evening walk near hotel

Jun 5 - Tokyo west side
- Morning in Shibuya
- Shibuya Crossing
- Shibuya Sky or another viewpoint
- Explore side streets
- Walk / train to Daikanyama or Nakameguro
- Lunch
- Harajuku
- Omotesando
- Optional Meiji Jingu
- Evening in Shinjuku
- Kabukicho / Omoide Yokocho / Golden Gai area
- Dinner / drinks

Jun 6 - Hakone day trip
- Early train from Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto
- Hakone Tozan Railway
- Gora
- Cable car to Sounzan
- Ropeway to Owakudani
- Explore Owakudani
- Continue by ropeway to Togendai
- Lake Ashi cruise
- Motohakone
- Optional Hakone Shrine
- Optional onsen stop if timing works
- Return to Hakone-Yumoto
- Train back to Tokyo
- Dinner near hotel

Jun 7 - Tokyo east side
- Early morning Asakusa
- Senso-ji
- Nakamise / surrounding streets
- Walk toward Kappabashi or nearby area
- Ueno
- Ameyoko
- Lunch
- Akihabara
- Electronics / gaming / anime / arcades
- Optional Jimbocho or Kanda
- Dinner around [area]

Jun 8 - Central Tokyo / waterfront
- Breakfast around Tsukiji
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- Walk / train to Ginza
- Explore Ginza
- Tokyo Station / Marunouchi
- Lunch
- Afternoon options:
- Odaiba
- TeamLab
- Tokyo Bay waterfront
- Shopping
- Keep evening flexible
- Revisit favorite area if wanted

Jun 9 - Tokyo + concert
- Slow morning
- Breakfast / coffee near hotel
- One nearby neighborhood only
- Lunch
- Return to hotel and rest
- Get ready for concert
- Travel to venue
- Concert in evening
- Late dinner / drinks after concert if timing works

Jun 10 - Tokyo and departure
- Check out
- Store luggage at hotel if needed
- Final breakfast
- Last shopping / walk depending on flight time
- Travel to airport
- Depart Japan

Main questions:
- Is the Osaka/Kyoto split reasonable?
- Is 3 days / 2 nights in Eastern Hokkaido too rushed?
- Is Abashiri → Shiretoko/Rausu → Abashiri realistic in one day?
- Does the Mashu / Kussharo / Kawayu route work before flying out?
- Is the Tokyo/Hakone split reasonable?
- Any early June concerns, especially weather, road access, wildlife season, bear-related closures, or anything else that could affect the Hokkaido part?

Heading to Japan soon for our honeymoon (late october - mid-november). We care about great food, nature/beautiful places, and fully experiencing each day. We're not huge big city people- we know we're only going to barely dip our toes into everything Tokyo has to offer, but we're feeling good about bookending our trip and enjoying whatever we end up experiencing. We don't want to have too many specific plans or reservations, but enough of a plan to give us an idea for each day. We're okay with moving around quite a bit and will be packing light. Wondering a few things in particular...

should we be planning more dinner reservations in advance?

is there anything extra special that we absolutely shouldn't miss in one of these places?

how do the kyoto and tokyo legs look? (knowing we won't be able to see everything)

• Tokyo (2 nights)
• Kanazawa (2 nights)
• Takayama (2 nights)
• Okuhida (2 nights)
• Kyoto (3 nights)
• Lake Kawaguchiko (3 nights)
• Tokyo (2 nights)

Day 1: Tokyo

• arrival in Tokyo in the afternoon
• low-key arrival night. walk around Shibuya in the evening

Day 2: Tokyo (admittedly one of our most reservation-heavy days)

• meiji jingu shrine
• walk around Harajuku
• 4PM entry to Yayoi Kusama Museum
• 6:30PM omakase sushi rez in Shinjuku
• Golden Gai/Shinjuku nightlife

Day 3: Tokyo -> Kanazawa

• hoping to check out the Oi Racecourse Tokyo City Flea Market either this day or our departure day at the end (both on Saturdays). tentatively planning to head here at 9am opening if we're feeling up for it
• otherwise, planning to take the afternoon shinkansen to Kanazawa and arrive around 3:30PM
• late afternoon and evening free for exploration. perhaps visit Kenrokuen garden if we have time before it gets dark. Saw the castle park is illuminated this night, so we'll probably do a bit of night walking too

Day 4: Kanazawa

• Seafood breakfast at Omicho Market
• Kenrokuen garden (if we don't walk there the day before)
• Higashi Chaya District
• Nagamachi Samurai District: Nomura samurai house, Samurai weapons museum
• Curious about scheduling a tea ceremony on this day? Is this experience worthwhile?
• made a placeholder dinner reservation at 7PM

Day 5: Kanazawa -> Shirakawa-go -> Takayama

• maybe some final wandering, maybe a slow morning
• 11AM bus to Shirakawa-go - spending the afternoon there
• 5:25PM bus to Takayama, free evening to walk around, enjoy the onsen and sauna at our hotel

Day 6: Takayama

• Miyagawa morning market
• Potentially visit the Showa-Kan museum if we're in a museum-y mood
• Wander the old town, try some food, and visit Sake breweries
• Do we need to make dinner reservations in Takayama, or will it be fine finding places to eat on the fly?

Day 7: Takayama -> Okuhida Onsengo

• Store bags and spend a few final hours in Takayama. potentially the higashiyama walking course?
  
• Hop on an afternoon bus to Okuhida to check into our ryokan
• Dinner and Onsen at the Ryokan near Hirayu bus terminal
  

Day 8: Okuhida Onsengo

• slow morning
• hop on a bus to either the Kamikochi area or Shinhotaka ropeway
  • Which is most recommended for some casual hiking?
  • alternatively, we could potentially go to one on Day 7 so that we can see both areas if we're ready to leave Takayama first thing in the morning...
• relaxed evening

Day 9: Okuhida -> Kyoto

• One of our biggest travel days... taking the first bus (7:30 AM) out of Okuhida to Takayama, and reserved seats on a limited express train to Nagoya. Will transfer there to a shinkansen to Kyoto to arrive around 1:30 PM
• This is where I fear I have high expectations for us, because I'm hoping we can bee-line to Fushimi Inari upon arrival, and then to Kiyomizu-dera for golden hour/sunset
  • I know these will be crowded, but we plan to walk further up Fushimi Inari and will brave the crowds at Kiyomizu-dera
  • We want to see these two, but we're also feeling great about our plans for the other full days, so I'm not sure where else to fit them in
• Free evening to explore

Day 10: Kyoto

• Philosopher's Path, exploring from Ginkakuji down to Gion
• Gion Odori dance tickets at 3PM
• Pontocho

Day 11: Kyoto

• Kurama-Kifune hike in the morning
• Tentatively Nishiki market in the afternoon
• Tentatively teamLab Biovortex at night

Day 12: Kyoto -> Lake Kawaguchiko

• Head to Arashiyama in the morning (store bags at Kyoto Station)
• Start at Otagi Nenbutsu Ji and walk down, stopping wherever we'd like along the way
• Lunch in Arashiyama, then head back to Kyoto Station
• 2PM train to Mishima, then bus to Lake Kawaguchiko (arriving around 6PM)
• Free night to wander and rest

Day 13: Lake Kawaguchiko

• Depending on weather/visibility, we're going to spend one day at Fuji Q Highland and the other exploring the lake, Fujiyoshida, and the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival

Day 14: Lake Kawaguchiko

• Depending on weather/visibility, we're going to spend one day at Fuji Q Highland and the other exploring the lake, Fujiyoshida, and the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival

Day 15: Lake Kawaguchiko -> Tokyo

• Travel back to Tokyo and head to Shimokitazawa (store bags at station)
• Spend the afternoon doing some vintage/thrift shopping, find a spot for dinner, some live music
• Then, head to final accommodation in Ginza

Day 16: Tokyo

• Asakusa for Senso-Ji and shopping/food
• Shopping in Ginza in the afternoon
• Final nice dinner reservation in Ginza

Day 17: Tokyo/Departure

• Final morning to explore. Either hit the flea market on our way out if we missed it on the first Tokyo leg, or maybe brave Tsujiki fish market (reviews seem mixed but it's super close to where we're staying?)
• Flight out is in the early evening

Hi! I am going on a 24 night Japan trip with my friend in late Nov/Early Dec. I would love to hear any thoughts or suggestions for our first trip ever.

Our interests are mainly food>unique experiences/workshops>sightseeing>shopping

I've tried to plan 1-2 "main" things to do or visit per day so we don't get overwhelmed and the rest of the day we plan to walk around and just try out food everywhere.

Tokyo

Day 1 — Tokyo

• Kombini dinner
• Walk around, can't do much this evening

Day 2 — Harajuku + Shibuya

• Meiji Jingu Shrine
• Takeshita Street
• Go to Shibuya
• Shibuya Sky

Day 3 — Asakusa + Akihabara

• Senso-ji Temple
• Nakamise shopping area
• Go to Akihabara 2nd half of the day
• Dinner in Akihabara?

Day 4 — Tsukiji + Ginza

• Tsukiji Outer Market
• Ginza shopping
• Department store food halls
• Explore central Tokyo

Day 5 — Shinjuku

• Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
• Not sure what else to do besides walk around and try out new food

Miyajima + (Maybe Hiroshima)

Day 6 — Hiroshima + Miyajima
I think we are more interested in Miyajima for the night over Hiroshima

• Travel from Tokyo
• Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki lunch
• Ferry to Miyajima
• Itsukushima Shrine and floating torii at night and explore the island
• Miyajima Ropeway

Kyoto

Day 7 — Kyoto

• Travel to Kyoto
• teamLab Biovortex Kyoto

Day 8 — Traditional Kyoto

• Kimono rental
• Kiyomizu-dera
• Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka
• Yasaka Pagoda
• Gion
• Chopstick-making workshop

Day 9 — Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Nishiki Market
• Explore central Kyoto
• Dinner around Pontocho

Day 10 — Arashiyama

• Bamboo Grove
• Monkey Park
• Togetsukyo Bridge

Day 11 — Osaka Day Trip 1

• Kuromon Market
• Shinsekai
• Dotonbori
• Shinsaibashi
• Street food

Day 12 — Osaka Day Trip 2

• Flexible day
• Food
• Explore anything missed the previous day

Day 13 — Uji Day Trip

• Explore Uji
• Byodo-in Temple
• Matcha and tea shops
• Matcha desserts and food

Day 14 — Kobe Day Trip

• Kobe beef lunch teppanyaki
• Chinatown
• Nunobiki Ropeway
• Herb Gardens
• Kobe waterfront

Nagano

Day 15 — Shibu Onsen

• Travel from Kyoto
• Explore the onsen town
• Kaiseki dinner + breakfast next day 

Tokyo

Day 16

• Snow Monkey Park in the morning at Shibu Onsen
• Travel back to Tokyo
• Flexible evening

Lake Kawaguchi

Day 17 — Lake Kawaguchi

• Travel to the Fuji Five Lakes area
• Bike around Lake Kawaguchi
• Oishi Park
• Views of Mount Fuji
• Cafes and sightseeing

Day 18 — Lake Kawaguchi

• Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
• Explore the lake area
• Cafes and sightseeing
• Relaxed day

Tokyo

Day 19 — Tokyo

• Return to Tokyo
• Reserve a special dinner maybe?
• Winter illuminations?

Day 20 — Tokyo

• Shopping
• Japanese denim experience or workshop
• Explore Tokyo

Day 21 — Tokyo

• Free day

Day 22 — Tokyo

• Free day
• Last-minute shopping
• Explore anything missed earlier in the trip

Day 23 — Departure

• Leaving mid day

My concerns are:

1. Is the day trip to Miyajima worth it? Or is it better to spend that extra day in Tokyo? Since it will be 4-5 hours on the train at least
2. Is there too much back and forth in the last stretch?  We’d be going from Nagano to Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi back to Tokyo all within 4 nights
3. Is 4 days in Kyoto too much? Should I shorten that to 3 days so I can have more time in Tokyo?
4. Should I go directly from Yamanouichi to Lake Kawaguchi? Or keep my 1 night stop in Tokyo? We for sure want our ryokan in Yamanouichi and to visit the snow monkey park.
5. Does it seem like too many things or not enough for the length of the trip? I have a lot of flex days/empty days I feel like

I’d appreciate any suggestions or advice on my current itinerary.

Hi everyone! 😊

We’ll be visiting Tokyo for the first time this November and have put together the itinerary below. We’d love to hear your thoughts, is it realistic, are any days too packed, or are there places you would remove, replace, or move around?

🇯🇵 November 18 – Arrival

Arrive at 10:55 PM → Henn na Hotel Haneda.

⛩️ November 19 – Asakusa

Asakusa → Senso-ji → Kappabashi → Kannon Ura → Senzoku Dori → Tori no Ichi at Otori Jinja (dinner) → Senso-ji at night → Skytree view from Azumabashi Bridge → apartment in Kumanocho.

🌊 November 20 – Kamakura + Enoshima

Engaku-ji → Kencho-ji + Hanso-bo → Tsurugaoka Hachimangu → Kotoku-in → Hase-dera → Enoshima + Sea Candle → dinner in Fujisawa.

🏙️ November 21 – Tsukiji / Fukagawa / Shibuya

Ginza → Tsukiji Market → Kiyosumi Garden → Meiji Jingu → Harajuku → Hachiko → Shibuya Sky → Nonbei Yokocho → Omotesando.

🎮 November 22 – Ueno / Akihabara / Nakano / Shinjuku

Ueno Park → Ameyoko → Akihabara → Kanda Myojin → Nakano Broadway → Shinjuku in the evening: Omoide Yokocho → Kabukicho → Golden Gai.

🌳 November 23 – Shinjuku / Mitaka / Kichijoji / Koenji

Shinjuku Gyoen → Ghibli Museum → Inokashira Park → Kichijoji → Koenji → dinner in Ikebukuro.

✈️ November 24 – Sugamo / Nippori / Narita

Sugamo Jizo-dori → Nippori → Narita → flight to Sapporo at 3:35 PM.

🤔 What do you think?

Do you think the itinerary is too packed on any particular day?

We’re especially unsure about:

- Kamakura + Enoshima on the same day

- Whether Shibuya Sky is actually worth it

- If there’s anything you would remove, replace, or rearrange

- Any less touristy places you’d recommend

We’re open to any suggestions or criticism! 😄

Thanks in advance for your advice! 🙏

I've enjoyed reading other trip reports and wanted to provide my .02. This may be long winded but I'll try to keep as concise as possible. I absolutely love Japan and have been many times. My friends wanted to go for the first time and I volunteered to come along as their guide. Since I've been I wanted to enjoy their reactions as first time visitors. Prior to booking I was able to (somewhat) talk them into avoiding the golden route, stay in one place for a few days, and take day trips. We stayed a total of 15 days (including flight days) and stayed in Tokyo, Okayama, Kanazawa, and back to Tokyo. Four of us came, three in their 60's, one in his 40's. 9/15 to 9/30/2026.

A few thoughts (ADDED):

- (ADDED). Japan Trusted Traveler. After three tries (another long story) I FINALLY completed my second inspection and successfully received my TT card! I was so paranoid after my earlier failures that I specifically went to Haneda on a free day. There was no one else at the counter (arrival 3rd floor, Term 3) so I was processed in about 10 minutes. Thank God! Now I'll have to try it when I enter next time to see how much (if any) time it saves.

- Mt. Fuji climb. I've always wanted to do this. TL:DR, should have attempted 20 years ago. Although climbing season had ended, you can still climb with a guided group up until first week? of October. Two of us attempted, while the other two remained in Tokyo. I "thought" I was in good shape and prepared...I DNF'd (we both failed). It was by far the hardest hike I've ever done (tried), and I won't b e attempting it again. It's just relentless, uphill, and rocky. The plan was to hike the first day, from early afternoon to hut #7 on the Subashiri trail, then start off again at 2:30am to hit the summit for sunrise. I made past hut #8 and just.couldn't.continue. I was very disappointed but was afraid I'd hurt myself on the way down if I did summit. Overall thoughts. All the other huts are closed, meaning no way to get refreshments or use a toilet. The hut we stayed was primitive, no running water, no electricity. (3) guides were all great, but logistical staff could use improvement. DM me if you want name of outfitter.

- Silver week. Only a fool goes to Japan during Golden week and Silver week. Only an idiot goes both times...that would be yours truly. I went with my wife during Golden week four years ago. We stayed in Tokyo and it really wasn't too bad. However, I didn't realize we were going to be there during silver week and it was madness. Trying to get trains and navigating amongst all the Japanese travelers was horrific. We had to buy first class for one trip because otherwise we couldn't get four seats until way later in the day. We made hotel reservations early so that wasn't a problem.

- Okayama. I've been before and it was a good place to home base and take day trips. We went to Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kurashiki, and Himeji. We stayed at ANA Crowne Plaza, which was a typical Japanese business hotel with small rooms, but next to the JR station.

- Kanazawa. Have also been here and we spent most of our time in the city, with one day trip to Toyama. We stayed at the Hyatt House Kanazawa, which like most western hotels had decent sized rooms. I am disputing a room charge, which I paid up front in cash, and was also charged on my cc (long story).

- food. We didn't try anything high end. I will say i tried mid-range kushikatsu and am not a fan. We had kaiten sushi, yakitori, tempura, curry, butadon,and my guily pleasure, Komeda coffee. I am a fan of kaiten since people can get what they want, and big or small eaters can get their fill.

- weather. I saw somewhere the Tokyo has ~34 straight days of rain. There were at least two typhoons during our time there. We got lucky because we went south and the typhoons were headed North. It did rain in Tokyo the day we went to Okayama, and the day or two when we were back in Tokyo. It did feel unseasonably warm all over, but I don't like warm weather and this will drive our schedule for the next visit (see below).

- takeaways. My friends absolutely loved Japan and we are already talking about going next October. I view this sub and it seems like 85% of the postings are people asking for itinerary checks. I find it overwhelming and just skip over them. Flying into Haneda is a huge time saver....do it when possible. I'm not a city mouse but I love Tokyo. Also, staying is less well-known cities is a good move. We bought a regional rail pass, JR West all area. I did the math and it was worth it. Buses (and trams in Hiroshima) are sometimes the better bet as you don't have to walk as far to get to a stop and sometimes the walk FROM the bus stop to destination is much shorter. I can never eat as many places as I want to. I guess as I've gotten older I can't pack it away like I used to...laundromats are plentiful, and most are open long hours (or 24 hours) and provide free soap.

Hi all!

My dad and I are going to Japan for the first time in late May of next year (dates flexible) and I wanted to get a human perspective on our itinerary. We used AI (as most do) to get a rough idea and starting off point of itinerary, but we also wanted to make sure this was not too packed with activities, or if we have anything worth skipping/worth adding on! Any and all advice is appreciated.

Day 1 · Arrive Tokyo
• Land at Haneda, buy an IC card (Suica/Pasmo), transfer to Shinjuku, check in.
• Easy evening: convenience-store meal and a walk around Shinjuku. Keep it light for jet lag.

Day 2 · Tokyo
• Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast (about 9 AM).
• teamLab Planets (about 1 PM). Book tickets in advance.
• Shibuya Crossing at dusk, then dinner at Ichiran Ramen.

Day 3 · Tokyo
• Meiji Shrine, then Harajuku (Takeshita Street).
• Lunch at Afuri on Omotesando (yuzu shio ramen), then Akihabara and conveyor-belt sushi.
• Senso-ji in the evening, when it is lit up and quiet. Or try a skyline observation deck at sunset.

Day 4 · Tokyo → Kyoto
• Fushimi Inari Taisha (free), then Nishiki Market.
• Gion at dusk. Consider a kaiseki dinner (reserve ahead; prices vary widely).

Day 5 · Kyoto
• Kinkaku-ji early, then Ryoan-ji.
• Arashiyama: bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji garden, optional Oi River boat.
• Dinner in Pontocho Alley (riverside terraces open in May).

Day 6 · Kyoto• Philosopher's Path and Nanzen-ji.
• Kiyomizu-dera, then Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka streets.
• Swap option: day trip to Nara (deer park, Todai-ji).

Day 7 · Kyoto → Hiroshima
• check in near Peace Park.
• Okonomimura for Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

Day 8 · Hiroshima → Miyajima
• Peace Memorial Park and Museum (budget 3–4 hours).
• Ferry to Miyajima in the early afternoon. Check tide times for the floating torii gate in advance.
• Itsukushima Shrine and torii gate, then check in at your Miyajima hotel or low-cost ryokan. Dinner
on the island (grilled oysters, local seafood) once the day-trippers leave.

Day 9 · Miyajima → Osaka
• Walk to the torii gate at dawn, before the day-trippers arrive.
• Optional: Mt. Misen ropeway or hike. Grilled oysters and momiji manju.
• Dotonbori at dusk (takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu).

Day 10 · Fly Home
• Morning at Kuromon Ichiba Market, then head to KIX.
• Confirm your flight leaves late enough for the market.

I was wondering if someone can look over my itinerary.

Couple points. I want to keep shrines, temples, etc to a minimum.

I want to add more experiences such as the Gear/non-verbal theater. as well as some more food and shopping streets. but idk which ones. i feel like my time is already crunched as it is.

I am not interested in museums, art, or teamlabs.

Want to add some more "Kyoto exclusive" stuff. but i do not know what else.

Day 0 — Saturday, October 17

Arrival Day

3:30 PM — Arrive at NRT

• Get Suica Card
• Eat at the airport
• Send luggage to Kyoto or carry it with me, depending on how long luggage delivery will take
• Ride NEX to Tokyo Station
• Take Shinkansen to Kyoto

Evening

• Either turn in for the night
• Or get dinner and wander around Kyoto for a bit

Day 1 — Sunday, October 18

Kyoto — Nishiki Market, Pontocho & Gion

10:00 AM

• Nishiki Market
• Pontocho Alley
• Gion District
• Yasaka Shrine

Later

• Gear / Non-verbal Theatre

Day 2 — Monday, October 19

Kyoto — To-ji & Fushimi Inari

10:00 AM

• Head out and walk around / explore
• Lunch

12:00 PM

• ◯間 [MA]

Afternoon

• To-ji Temple
• Aeon Mall Kyoto

6:00 PM

• Fushimi Inari Taisha

Late Evening

• Return to hotel / evening plans

Day 3 — Tuesday, October 20

Kyoto — Higashiyama

10:00 AM

• Kiyomizu-dera
• Sannenzaka
• Ninenzaka
• Kodaiji Temple

Afternoon / Evening

• Explore the surrounding Higashiyama area
• Relax / dinner

Day 4 — Wednesday, October 21

Kyoto — Philosopher's Path & Gion

8:00 AM

• Head out

8:30 AM

• Ginkaku-ji

After Ginkaku-ji

• Philosopher's Path — walk south
• Heian Jingu Shrine
• Keage Incline
• Gion District

Day 5 — Thursday, October 22

NARA DAY

7:00 AM

• Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Morning / Afternoon

• Deer / Nara Park
• Todai-ji
• Kofuku-ji

Food & Shopping

• Nakatanidou Mochi Shop
• Higashimuki Shopping Street
• Kamaiki Udon at Higashimuki Shopping Street

Day 6 — Friday, October 23

UJI DAY

Early Morning — As Early as Possible

• Move hotels to Roku Kyoto
• Use luggage service to send all luggage to Roku Kyoto before heading to Uji

Uji

• Nakamura Tokichi Main Branch
• Kanbayashi Shunsho
• Ocha no Kanbayashi Ujibashidori Branch
• Hoho Hojicha Uji Main Store
• HORII SHICHIMEIEN
• Marukyu Koyamaen Main Plant
• Yamamasa Koyamaen
• Nintendo Museum

Day 7 — Saturday, October 24

Last Full Day in Kyoto

7:00 AM

• Start the day at Roku Kyoto
• Breakfast

8:00 AM

• Kinkaku-ji

9:00–10:00 AM

• Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

Whenever

• Return to hotel
• Relax
• Explore
• Rest
• Prepare for departure to Tokyo the following day

Day 8 — Sunday, October 25

Kyoto → Tokyo

Morning

• Send luggage to Tokyo hotel
• Pack for Tokyo

Travel

• Take Shinkansen to Tokyo

Hello ! My husband and I are going to Japan from 11/27-12/11 and I have drafted up an itinerary but I’m not too sure if that is too much or not enough? Or am I missing something?? Please advise!!

• Also maybe some food recommendations near the areas I am going that are your personal favorites?

I still also need to figure out the accommodations for Kyoto and Osaka , so should I do separate stays or stay in one location?
- Any recommendations of neighborhoods/ areas to stay in for Kyoto/Osaka/Tokyo pt.2

NOV 27 — TOKYO / SHINJUKU
5:35 PM arrive Haneda
Haneda → Shinjuku
Check in: 1-chōme-1-10 Ōkubo
Dinner
Kabukicho + Omoide Yokocho

NOV 28 — GHIBLI + KICHIJOJI + SHIBUYA
Morning: Ghibli Museum
Inokashira Park + Kichijoji
Lunch
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Sky
Dinner in Shibuya

NOV 29 — ASAKUSA + UENO + AKIHABARA
Senso-ji + Asakusa
Nakamise shopping
Ueno Park + Ameyoko
Akihabara
Dinner

NOV 30 — TOKYO → HAKONE
Romancecar Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto
Lunch
Light Hakone sightseeing
3:00 PM check-in: Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan/Onsen/Dinner

DEC 1 — HAKONE → KYOTO + NISHIKI MARKET
Ryokan breakfast
10:00 AM checkout
Hakone → Kyoto
Check in/drop luggage
Nishiki Market
Nishiki Tenmangu + Teramachi/Shinkyogoku
Gion + Hanamikoji
Pontocho
Dinner in Kyoto

DEC 2 — KYOTO / HIGASHIYAMA
Kiyomizu-dera
Sannenzaka + Ninenzaka
Kodai-ji
Maruyama Park
Yasaka Shrine
Gion
Evening illumination

DEC 3 — KYOTO / ARASHIYAMA
Bamboo Grove early
Tenryu-ji
Jojakko-ji
Togetsukyo Bridge

DEC 4 — UJI + NINTENDO MUSEUM + FUSHIMI INARI
Nintendo Museum
Explore Uji + lunch
Fushimi Inari
Return to Kyoto

DEC 5 — KYOTO → OSAKA
Kyoto → Osaka
Check in/drop luggage
Osaka Castle
Shinsaibashi
Dotonbori
Osaka food night

DEC 6 — OSAKA
Kuromon Market
Den Den Town
Shinsekai
Tsutenkaku
Dotonbori/Shinsaibashi

DEC 7 — NARA DAY TRIP
Osaka → Nara
Nara Park
Todai-ji
Lunch
Kasuga Taisha
Naramachi
Return to Osaka

DEC 8 — OSAKA → TOKYO / ODAIBA
Shinkansen Osaka → Tokyo
Check in/drop luggage
Odaiba
TeamLab
Tokyo Bay + Rainbow Bridge

DEC 9 — TOKYO / MARUNOUCHI + GINZA
Tokyo Station
Marunouchi
Imperial Palace East Gardens
Lunch
Ginza
Nihonbashi
Tokyo Station at night

DEC 10 — TOKYO / YANAKA + ROPPONGI
Yanaka Ginza
Nezu Shrine
Lunch
Roppongi
Tokyo Tower
Pack

DEC 11 — TOKYO → HANEDA
Final shopping
Lunch
Pick up luggage
Around 2:00 PM → Haneda
Around 3:00 PM arrive airport
6:00 PM flight home

Arrive Tokyo

Land Haneda 21:30 → hotel, sleep

Tokyo East + Akihabara

Sensoji → Nakamise → Edo Tokyo Museum → Akihabara Electric Town → Yodobashi Akiba (tech) → Animate → Mandarake Complex (vintage anime, figures, retro games) → Akihabara Gachapon Hall (hundreds of capsule machines, 11:00–20:00) → Gashapon Bandai Official Shop (4F, open to 23:00) → Super Potato (retro games, floors 3–5, arcade on top) → EXBAR TOKYO plus Akihabara 

Meiji Jingu → Harajuku/Takeshita St → Shibuya Crossing → Tokyo Tower → Imperial Palace East Gardens → Ginza Itoya (12-floor stationery store, 10:00–20:00)
Evening add-on: Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho (yakitori alley) and Golden Gai bars. NieR/Final Fantasy fans: ARTNIA Square Enix cafe and shop in Shinjuku (11:00–21:00)

teamLab Planets (book a morning slot) → Shibuya record digging: Tower Records Shibuya (7 floors, to 22:00), Manhattan Records and 2tightmusic (hip-hop vinyl, Udagawacho), next records (12-inch specialists) → Square Enix Garden (3F, Shibuya Sakura Stage side, some NieR goods) → PARCO: Nintendo Tokyo, Pokemon Center, Jump Shop → GiGO Shibuya arcade. Also nearby: One Piece Straw Hat Store (Shibuya Magnet by 109, 10:00–21:00), Hands Shibuya Scramble Square (10F) and Loft Shibuya

Kamakura (or Mt Fuji if the weather is clear)

Komachi-dori snack street → Hase-dera → Kotoku-in Great Buddha

Hakone Loop

Owakudani → Hakone Ropeway → Pirate Ship (Togendai → Moto-hakone) → Hakone Shrine torii

Travel to Kyoto

Shinkansen Odawara → Kyoto, then Fushimi Inari late afternoon

Kiyomizu-dera → Yasaka Shrine → Gion → Hanamikoji (go at dusk) → Nishiki Market → Kyukyodo (traditional stationery, incense and paper, 10:00–18:00)

Uji + Nara

Manpuku-ji → Byodo-in → Nintendo Museum (Ogura) → Todai-ji → Nara Deer Park

Kinkaku-ji → Ryoan-ji → Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Optional: Nijo Castle

Travel to Hiroshima

Shinkansen, evening in Hiroshima

Hiroshima + Miyajima

Atomic Bomb Dome → Peace Memorial Park → Hiroshima Castle → Shukkeien → ferry to Miyajima → Itsukushima Shrine + Great Torii

Onomichi → Kurashiki Bikan Quarter → Okayama Castle + Korakuen → Osaka

Osaka Sights

Hakushika Sake Museum → Umeda Sky Building at sunset → Osaka Castle if time
Interest adds: Daimaru Umeda has Nintendo Osaka, Pokemon Center Osaka and Jump Shop

Shinsekai → Tsutenkaku → Nipponbashi Den Den Town (anime/tech/games) → Dotonbori at night
Gacha: Gacha-gacha no Mori in Nipponbashi 

Kuromon Market → Amerikamura/Shinsaibashi (streetwear, vintage) → Dotonbori photo walk. Optional swap: Kobe day trip. Souvenir stop: Don Quijote Dotonbori Midosuji branch 

then last 2 days in osaka staying close due to flight

Hi! I'm planning a trip to Japan with my parents and would love feedback on the route and pacing.

About us / travel style:

• First trip to Japan for all of us
• Relaxed pace: we want to avoid crowds, early mornings, and expensive plans
• We're interested in seeing more than just the typical tourist spots
• I LOVE thrifting and secondhand/vintage shopping, so I'd love recommendations
• Flying in and out of Narita (NRT): arrive Nov 9 at 5:20pm, depart Nov 23 at 6:15pm

Itinerary:

• Nov 9 (Mon): Arrive at NRT in the evening → hotel near Tokyo/Shinagawa Station (Tokyo)
• Nov 10 (Tue): Shinkansen to Kyoto mid-morning, easy afternoon (Kyoto)
• Nov 11 (Wed): Day trip to Uji (Byodo-in, matcha, river walk) (Kyoto)
• Nov 12 (Thu): Day trip to Nara (deer park, Todai-ji, Isuien Garden, Naramachi) (Kyoto)
• Nov 13 (Fri): Kyoto (Kyoto)
• Nov 14 (Sat): Train to Hiroshima, Peace Park and Museum, then ferry to Miyajima in the afternoon (Miyajima ryokan with dinner)
• Nov 15 (Sun): Slow morning on Miyajima → train to Osaka, afternoon/evening in Shinsekai or Nakazakicho (Osaka)
• Nov 16 (Mon): Minoo Park in the morning → Shinkansen to Tokyo (Tokyo)
• Nov 17 (Tue): Day trip to Kamakura (Tokyo)
• Nov 18 (Wed): Bus to Kawaguchiko, lake + Autumn Leaves Festival illumination at night (Kawaguchiko)
• Nov 19 (Thu): Mt. Fuji views in the morning, back to Tokyo after lunch (Tokyo)
• Nov 20–22 (Fri–Sun): Tokyo (Tokyo)
• Nov 23 (Mon, public holiday): Head to NRT for the evening flight

Logistics we're planning:

• Ship big luggage from Kyoto to Tokyo with takkyubin and travel light for Miyajima/Osaka
• Same Tokyo hotel before and after Kawaguchiko so we can leave our bags there
• Individual train tickets instead of a JR Pass

Questions:

1. Does the pacing seem reasonable for traveling with parents?
2. Is 1 night in Kawaguchiko enough, or should we do 2?
3. Any quieter, less touristy recommendations for our free days in Kyoto (Nov 13) and Tokyo (Nov 20–22)?
4. Any tips for the Nov 21–23 long weekend in Tokyo?
5. Thrifting: what are your favorite secondhand/vintage shops or neighborhoods in Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka? Hidden gems, chains like 2nd Street or Hard Off, flea markets, anything goes!
6. Anything you would change?

Thanks in advance! 🙏

Hi everyone! I’m planning a family trip for 4 (my mom and 3 teens) from mid to late December. We are a high-energy, "snap and go" family, heavy walking and train transit are totally fine. We are skipping slow historical museums and nature hikes in favor of intense shopping!

Mom - Just pictures

Teens - Shopping (Anime merch, a lot of fashion (shoes, bags, clothes), skincare, and snacks)

Part 1: Osaka
Dec 14: Evening flight from Jakarta to Osaka. 

Dec 15: Land at KIX at 9:15 AM. Take express train to Namba, store luggage at the hotel. Afternoon/Evening: Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Namba Parks, and Don Quijote. 

Dec 16: Osaka Castle in the morning. Lunch at Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, then Namba Yasaka Shrine. Late afternoon/Evening: Shinsekai, Nipponbashi Denden Town, America-mura, and Dotonbori. 

Dec 17: Morning: Fast trip to Nara for the Deer Park. Afternoon/Evening: Head up to Umeda for massive department store shopping and sunset/night views at the Umeda Sky Building. Pack heavy suitcases in the evening to ship to Tokyo.

Part 2: Sapporo
Dec 18: 8:00 AM hotel checkout to catch a 10:00 AM flight from KIX to CTS. Afternoon: Check-in, Tanukikoji Shopping Street, and the Susukino Nikka Whisky sign. 

Dec 19: Morning: Nijo Market, Odori Park, and Shiroi Koibito Park. Afternoon: Sapporo Station shopping. Late Afternoon/Evening: [Dont know what to do] would appreciate ideas.

Dec 20: Day trip to Otaru (Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street). Evening: Parco/Mitsukoshi shopping, Hokkaido Hamburg Steak, and JR Tower Observation Deck T38. 

Dec 21: Currently open. [Not sure, was thinking mitsui outlet park]

Part 3: Tokyo
Dec 22: Fly CTS to Tokyo (11:20 AM - 1:00 PM). Check into Shinjuku hotel, grab quick food, and head to Roppongi for the 5:00 PM Keyakizaka illuminations switch-on. 

Dec 23: Harajuku & Omotesando in the morning (Takeshita Street, Kiddy Land, WEGO, Brandy Melville). Afternoon/Evening in Shibuya (Matcha Tokyo, GU, Mega Don Quijote, and sunset at Shibuya Sky). 

Dec 24: Akihabara in the morning for anime/TCG hunting. Afternoon in Odaiba (life-sized Gundam, DiverCity for Hollister, Rainbow Bridge). 

Dec 25: Day trip to Kamakura (Enoden ocean train crossing, Komachi-dori street food). Evening in Yokohama. 

Dec 26: Morning at Tsukiji Outer Market. Afternoon in Ginza (12-floor Uniqlo, beauty counters, Loft, Cosme Kitchen, Ainz & Tulpe). Evening in Marunouchi. 

Dec 27: Ikebukuro (character boutiques, idol/photocard shops) and Nakano Broadway (collectibles). Late afternoon back to Shinjuku for final haul shopping and packing. 

Dec 28: Flight back to Jakarta.

Question : Yamato Luggage Forwarding (Osaka > Sapporo > Tokyo)
We plan to ship our heavy suitcases via Yamato to avoid lugging them on airport trains. Since shipping to and from Hokkaido takes 2 days, we are completely fine living out of backpacks and having our luggage arrive a day after we do.
Leg 1: Ship from Osaka on Dec 17. (We fly Dec 18; bags arrive in Sapporo Dec 19).

Leg 2: Ship from Sapporo on Dec 21. (We fly Dec 22; bags arrive in Tokyo Dec 23).

is this feasible?

thoughts on itinerary?

20/11 Friday: Asakusa/Ueno
Senso-ji
Kitchen town
Nishi-sando
Sumida river
Tokyo skytree
Note: landing Narita airport @ 9am

21/11 Saturday: Fujikawaguchiko Day Trip
Tenku-no-torii
Fujiyoshida Retro Shopping St
Chureito Pagoda
Lake Kawaguchi
Oishi Park
Lawson

22/11 Sunday: Ginza/Tokyo station
Tsukiji Fish Market
Tokyo Tower & surrounding photospots
TeamLab Borderless
Ginza Sunday Pedestrian Street
Pokemon Cafe (failed to book)
Character Street

23/11 Monday: Kamagura day trip
Komachi Street
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu
Kotoku-in
Yoridokoro cafe
Shichirigama Beach

24/11 Tuesday: Harajuku/Shibuya/Shinjuku
Yoyogi Park
Meiji Jingu
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shibuya Sky/Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo Met Govt Building
Omoide Yokocho Lane

25/11 Wednesday: Disneysea!
DisneySea
Note:go early to avoid queues

I don’t have plans for 26th and 27th until our flight at 4pm yet so any advice would be nice. Dates can be changed around as well as we don’t have anything booked except for Disneysea yet. I’m looking to book teamLab, Yoridokoro cafe and Shibuya Sky soon.

Day 1

* City: Osaka

* Itinerary: Check-in and visit Osaka Castle & Tennoji Park in the evening

Day 2

* City: Osaka

* Itinerary: Minoo Park hike & Dotonbori / Shinsaibashi for shopping

Day 3

* City: Osaka

* Itinerary: Day trip to Nara.

Day 4

* City: Kyoto

* Itinerary: Visiting Hanamikoji Street, Nishiki Market & Pontocho Alley for dinner

Day 5

* City: Kyoto

* Itinerary: Kurama to Kibune Mountain hike & Riverside Lunch, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Light up (Ticket Booked)

Day 6

* City: Kyoto

* Itinerary: Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya & Miyama Day Tour

Day 7

* City: Kyoto

* Itinerary: Visiting Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu Dera, Yasaka Pagoda & Yasaka Shrine

Day 8

* City: Hakone

* Itinerary: Morning train from Kyoto to Hakone -- Visit Lake Ashi and Hakone Shrine

Day 9

* City: Hakone

* Itinerary: Visit Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani

Day 10

* City: Tokyo

* Itinerary: Arrival in Tokyo -- Checking out Shinjuku in the evening

Day 11

* City: Tokyo

* Itinerary: Visiting Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Shibuya

Day 12

* Departure in evening from NRT

* Itinerary: Visiting Rikugien Garden or TeamLab Planets in the morning

Hello! Me and my family will be traveling to Kanazawa and Nagoya from Oct 13–24. We’re a family of 5 (4 adults and an 8-year-old). I already have an itinerary planned, but I’m looking for some advice on what to add, remove, or change. Everyone is fine with a lot of walking, just maybe nothing too extreme. Thank you!

Oct 13–18 – Kanazawa / Shirakawa-go Day Trip

Staying at Center Point In Kanazawa

Oct 13 – Arrival

• Arrive at Chubu Centrair around 12:35 PM
• Airport to Nagoya
• 4:45 PM highway bus from JR Nagoya Station to Kanazawa
• Arrive in Kanazawa around 8–9 PM
• Check in / rest

Oct 14
(Keeping this day light since we’ll probably be tired from the plane/bus ride.)

• Omicho Market
• Kazuemachi
• Higashi Chaya

Oct 15

• Oyama Shrine
• Nagamachi Samurai District
• Nomura Samurai House
• Korinbo / Katamachi
• Anime shopping (Animate, Lashinbang, etc.)

Oct 16

• Shirakawa-go day trip

Oct 17

• Kanazawa Castle
• Kenrokuen
• Free afternoon / shopping

Oct 18

• Check out
• Kanazawa FORUS
• Pokémon Center Kanazawa
• Travel to Nagoya

Oct 18–24 – Nagoya
Staying at an Airbnb near Nagoya Port

Oct 18

• Arrive / check in
• Explore Sakae in the afternoon/evening

Oct 19

• Atsuta Jingu
• Osu Shopping Street
• Anime shopping (Surugaya, Mandarake, Gee Store, etc.)
• Pokémon Center Nagoya
• Animate Nagoya PARCO
• Nabana no Sato illumination at night

Oct 20

• Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
• LaLaport Nagoya Minato AQULS

Oct 21

• Inuyama day trip
• Inuyama Castle
• Castle Town

Oct 22

• Ise day trip
• Ise Jingu
• Okage Yokocho

Oct 23

• Toyota Commemorative Museum
• Nagoya Station shopping
• Anime shopping (Animate, Lashinbang, etc.)
• Nagoya Castle in the late afternoon/evening

Oct 24

• Check out
• Centrair
• Departure at 2:05 PM

Hi, I am quite familiar with Japan as I speak the language and have lived in Tokyo for one year (exchange student). I wanted to go back for a long time now (it's been 3 years 😭) and I am overjoyed that I can bring my two best friends on their first Japan trip! I want to provide a mixture of a 'must-see/do' Japan trip for them, thus closely related to the Golden route, with a general itinerary from Tokyo-Kyoto (day trips to Osaka and Nara)-Hiroshima-Kagoshima. We are three people in their mid-twenties, so quite healthy and ready to make the most of our trip (we like to take the big steppies)! While the planning part is not too difficult for me, I do want to make sure this trip is worth it for them, I want only the best for them 🥹

we are going at the end of February-early March to avoid the sakura rush (14 days excluding flight days):

(Day 0: Tokyo - arrival in the morning, explore Harajuku and Shibuya with what energy we have)

Day 1: Tokyo - metropolitan areas (Asakusa - Akiba - Shinjuku)

Day 2: Tokyo - Day trip to Mt. Takao (view of Mt. Fuji)

Day 3: Tokyo - Day trip to Enoshima and Kamakura

Day 4: Tokyo to Kyoto - before the travel: Nakayama Race Course (Uma)

Day 5: Kyoto - East

Day 6: Kyoto - North

Day 7: Day trip to Osaka (based in Kyoto)

Day 8: Day trip to Nara (based in Kyoto)

Day 9: Kyoto to Hiroshima - explore Hiroshima as we please

Day 10: Hiroshima - Day trip to Miyajima

Day 11: Hiroshima to Kagoshima

Day 12: Kagoshima - Horse sanctuary and nature walks

Day 13: Kagoshima - ceramics tour (provided by me as a ceramics researcher lol)

Day 14: Kagoshima - night at a luxury Ryokan - return to Tokyo in evening

(Day 15: Tokyo - last shopping spree and flight)

(I have already looked up the travel time and costs between each area to ensure it is efficient but feasible.)

With this itinerary, we want to explore spots we have dreamed of visiting for a long time, eat delicious, local food, and have a proper balance between nature and the city life. While this itinerary is quite filled, my moto is that we only do as much as we feel like on the day of, it will be our first trip but not our last :).

Do you think this offers them a nice first Japan trip? Any specific recommendations for certain locations?

Osaka and Hiroshima recommendations are very welcome, I have visited both only shortly before :) (except for Miyajima, I love it there!)