Mid April Trip! My husband’s and I’s first time to Japan. We’d like to see and do as much as we can but without the feeling of rushing each day. It’s Tokyo 4 nights, Kyoto 4 nights, Osaka 3 nights, Hakone 1 night, and Tokyo 2 nights.
I currently have the Kyoto and Hakone hotels booked. Still looking for Osaka. Tokyo we are thinking to stay in Shinjuku at the front end and Asakusa on the back end.
Does this itinerary look well balanced? Too much time in any one spot? Should I add or subtract anything? We love walking around, nature, historical sights, anime/video games, as well as the more modern/tech side of things!
Thank you so much for any help!!
Thursday: **Tokyo** **partial day (jet lag for sure)**
* Arrive at HND 3:25 pm
* Check in to hotel
* Walk around Shinjuku area – Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, Golden Gai
Friday: **Tokyo Full Day 1**
* Early Morning: Sensoji Temple
* Kaminarimon gate
* Nakamise-dori
* 10 minute walk to Sumida River Park
* Ueno Park T
* Takeshita Street
* Shibuya for evening
Saturday: **Tokyo Full Day 2**
* Morning: Tokyo Imperial Palace
* Ghibli store
* Noon: Akihabara neighborhood
* Afternoon: Tokyo Tower
* Evening: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Sunday: **Tokyo to Kyoto**
* Tokyo morning (wrap up anything we missed)
* Kyoto afternoon/evening Kyoto
* Kyoto Imperial Palace
* Pontocho Alley
* This day is pretty flexible. Not sure when we’ll leave for Kyoto.
Monday: **Kyoto Full Day (took inspiration from another Kyoto itinerary posted here)**
* Early morning start: Fushimi Inari Shrine.
* Kiyomizu-dera temple
* Kiyomizu-zaka – Higashiyama District
* Walk through Sannen Zaka and Ninen Zaka Path
* Around noon: Visit Kodaiji Temple
* Yasaka Jinja
* Maruyama park
* Ghionin Temple
* Evening: Explore Gion streets and have dinner there
Tuesday: **Kyoto Full Day 2**
* Morning: Arashiyama
* Sangoro Bamboo
* Visit Okochi Sanso Villa
* Tenruji Temple
* Cross Togetsukyo Bridge Iwatayama Monkey Park
* Lunch at Arashiyama
* Maybe do Romantic Train? – Sagano to Kameoka (25 min one way)
* Kinkakuji – Golden Pavilion
* Evening : Unsure?
Wednesday: **Kyoto w/day trip**
* Morning: Half-day trip to Kurama/Kibune area (we’d love to see a quieter side of Japan – Originally we were going to travel up to Kanazawa & Takayama from Tokyo but felt like it rushed everything else)
* Visit Ginkakuji
* Walk Philosopher’s Path to Nanzenji Temple
* Evening Nishiki Market
Thursday: **Kyoto – Osaka (with visit to Nara Park)**
* Nara day trip. Not sure the best way to do this. Leave hotel in Kyoto, go to Nara, then check in to hotel in Osaka? But we’d have our luggage so use a luggage forwarding service? Store at train stop in Nara? Or just spend morning in Kyoto, leave for Osaka, check in, then leave for Nara for an afternoon trip?
* Evening:Shin Sekai area
Friday: **Osaka Full Day**
* Start early – Osaka Castle Park (skip inside)
* Start at Gram Pancakes in Osaka Park – sell out fast
* Tenmangu Shrine
* Shitennoji Temple
* Dotonbori
* Nipponbashi Den Den
Saturday: **Osaka – Day Trips to Himeji & Kobe**
* Breakfast in Osaka
* Train to Kobe for lunch (reservations for 11:30)
* Train to Himeji Himeji Castle
* Evening – Dinner in Osaka
Sunday: **Osaka to Hakone**
* Staying in a Ryokun by Lake Ashi. Haven’t fully planned this day yet. Probably check out the Ropeway and/or do some walking trails.
* Dinner at Ryokun
Monday: **Hakone to Tokyo**
* Breakfast at Ryokun
* Anything else we may want to do in Hakone before we leave
* Tokyo afternoon/evening – open
Tuesday: **Tokyo full day**
* teamLab Planets Tokyo
* Odaiba island
Wednesday: Fly out HDN mid morning
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