UPDATE:
Thank you for the constructive feedback. I am adjusting our itinerary to better optimize the use of time and to give us more time spent in Kyushu.
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Hello! My fiancé and I are getting married next October, and I have put together a plan for 18 days in Japan. Mostly we will be in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hakone. My fiancé is a huge fan of One Piece and would love to see the authors hometown of Kumamoto, so we will take the time to visit there as well, stopping to see Akiyoshido cave on the way. I’m keeping it mostly open day to day for spontaneous exploring, but have some specific things to hit. Please let me know your thoughts and advice!
I have never travelled internationally, and I’m really curious on best practices/tips for getting luggage from one hotel to the next with how much we will be transferring. Also would love your opinions on places to check out in these areas!
Day 1: Shinjuku
– arrive at Haneda airport 1pm
– check in to Shinjuku hotel
– Explore Shinjuku
Day 2: Shinjuku & Harajuku
– Shinjuku Gyoen garden
– Omoide Yokocho for lunch
– break to rest at hotel
– explore Harajuku and grab dinner
Day 3: Ueno & Shibuya
– Ueno zoo
– explore Shibuya and grab lunch
– rest at hotel
– back to Shibuya for dinner, nightlife and karaoke
Day 4: travel to Kyoto
– Shinkansen to Kyoto
– kinkakuji
– rest at hotel
-explore Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto
– honeymoon kimono tea ceremony and lunch
– explore Kyoto
– rest at hotel
– Pontocho for dinner
– explore Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto
– Arashiyama bamboo forest
– Fushimi Inari Taisha
– Nishiki Market
– rest at hotel
– samurai & ninja museum
Day 7: travel to Osaka
– Shinkansen to Osaka
– Nara
– rest at hotel
– Explore Osaka
Day 8: Osaka
– Osaka Aquarium
– lunch
– rest at hotel
– Dotonbori
– Hozenji Yokocho for dinner
– Round 1 arcade
Day 9: Osaka
– Kawachinagano hiking and trout fishing
– rest at hotel
– teamLab botanical garden
– explore Osaka
Day 10: Osaka
– Minoh park
– Uranamba Torame Yokocho for lunch
– rest at hotel
– explore Shinsekai Market and grab dinner
Day 11: Akiyoshido cave and travel to Kumamoto
– Shinkansen & bus to Akiyoshido cave
– explore cave, grab lunch
– Shinkansen to Kumamoto
Day 12: Kumamoto
– explore Kumamoto
– relax
Day 13: travel to Hakone
– shinkansen & train to Hakone
– buy Hakone Free Pass
– stay at nice ryokan (private open-air bath, kaiseki)
Day 14: Hakone
– Owakudani
– pirate ship
– Venetian glass museum
– back to ryokan
Day 15: Hakone
– Gotemba outlets
– Oshino Hakkai
– stay at different ryokan with private onsen
Day 16: Hakone to Tokyo
– Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
– Chureito Pagoda
– Fuji Q Highland
– stay at hotel in Kawasaki
Day 17: Akihabara
– cat cafe Mocha
– explore akihabara
– Maidreamin
– more exploring
Day 18: Ikebukuro and flight home
– explore Ikebukuro
– Haneda airport by 4pm
by Bumblebea2011
