**Hello everyone!**
We are a couple from New Zealand (late 20’s) in the final planning stages of our month long trip to Japan. We have focused our accommodation on centrality of area and train station convenience.
It consists a longer time frame based in Tokyo, with a more itinerary packed Shinkansen 9 night trip halfway through to Osaka/Kyoto/Mt. Fuji. Based out of central Shibuya for the first 14 nights and afterwards heading back to Tokyo for another 12 nights (Ginza 10 nights and Odaiba 2).
As the Shinkansen leg is heavily packed and rigid during a short length of time I thought I’d check and see if we are being realistic in our goals:
**Day 1, Thursday 14th March:**
– Midday, leave Tokyo Station and arrive in Osaka, check in is 3pm the hotel is almost on Ebisubashi bridge in Dotonbori.
– Explore Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi-Suji and surroundings through to evening, Minatomachi dock river cruise.
**Day 2, Friday 15th March:**
– Morning, Osaka Castle, Osaka Museum of History.
– Midday, Osaka Aquarium, Universal Studios (souvenir shopping only)
– Evening, Shin Sekai area.
**Day 3, Saturday 16th March:**
– Himeji Castle, Koko-en and Hyogo Museum of history.
– Evening, Umeda Sky building.
That’s our Osaka/Himeji leg. Nice optional extras are Abeno Harukas and Namba Yasaka Shrine.
**Day 4, Sunday 17th March:**
– Depart for Kyoto late morning, check in bags for 2pm check in, hotel is very close to the Nakanocho area.
– Explore area, Nishiki Market, Samurai Ninja Museum, Nintendo store etc.
**Day 5, Monday 18th March:**
– Morning, Heian Shrine, Nanzen Ji gate and temple.
– Midday, Hōkan-ji Temple, Ninenzaka area.
– Evening, Kiyomizu-dera Niomon Gate, Kiyomizu-dera.
**Day 6, Tuesday 19th march:**
– Morning, Thousand Torii Gates (Fushimi Inari).
– Midday through afternoon, Nara park, Tōdai-ji, Kofuku-ji Kokuhokan.
**Day 7, Wednesday 20th March:**
– Morning, Nijō Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace.
– Early afternoon, Kinkaku-ji.
– Afternoon, Tenryu-ji, Arashiyama, Sagano Bamboo Grove.
Kyoto/Nara leg complete. Optional extras are Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design, and Kyoto City Museum of Art.
**Day 8, Thursday 21st March:**
– Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Mishima Station, and on to Gotemba Station by train.
– Check in and sunset private Onsen attached to hotel.
**Day 9, Friday 22nd March:**
– Relax day, Gotemba Premium Outlets.
**Day 10, Saturday 23rd March:**
– Depart Gotemba Station, transfer to Kozu Station, then on to Shimbashi Station, Tokyo.
Gotemba Mt. Fuji leg complete. Optional extras are Lake Ashi and the Hakone Shrine etc.
Please let us know your thoughts and opinions! Or any tips and advice. Your knowledge and experience will be greatly appreciated.