Hey guys,
This is our first trip to Japan with my girlfriend, and we’re thrilled to be visiting from May 19 to June 7. I’ve sketched out a rough itinerary, and I’d love your input on the day-to-day plan:
Day 1-5 (May 19-23): Tokyo
Day 1: Arrive at Narita Airport, get settled, explore the local area.
Day 2: Shinjuku
Day 3 : Shibuya
Day 4: Senso-ji Temple. Stroll through Nakamise Shopping Street.
Day 5: team labs, fish market
Day 6 (May 24): Fujiyoshida or Hakone?
I’m torn between experiencing an onsen in Fujiyoshida or enjoying the Mt. Fuji views in Hakone + osen too. Any advice or personal preferences?
Day 7-10 (May 25-28): Kyoto
Day 7: Travel to Kyoto. Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha and explore the Gion district.
Day 8: Discover the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and Kiyomizu-dera. Take a leisurely walk in Higashiyama.
Day 9: Visit Nara for a day trip.
Day 10: Explore the Nijo Castle and Maruyama Park. Relax in a traditional onsen in the evening.
Day 11-12 (May 29-30): Hiroshima and Miyajima or Osaka?
Should I head directly to Hiroshima and Miyajima for 2 days, or is it better to visit Osaka first?
Day 13-16 (May 31 – June 3): Osaka
Day 13: Explore Osaka Castle and the Umeda district.
Day 14: Dive into Namba, Kuromon Ichiba Market, and possibly take a day trip to Himeji Castle.
Day 15: Universal Studios Japan
Day 16: Chill day
Day 17-19 (June 4-6): Return to Tokyo and wrap up
Day 17: Explore the open-air museum in Hakone and enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi.
Day 18: Return to Tokyo. Final shopping and exploration.
Day 19: Depart from Tokyo.
We’re also contemplating a visit to Takayama and Kanazawa but uncertain if we should sacrifice days from Tokyo and Kyoto or Osaka…
We want to maximize our experiences without rushing. Oh, and we’ll get a 14-day JR Pass and have pretty comfortable budget.
Looking forward to your insights and recommendations! Thanks!