Hey everyone,
I’m in the midst of planning a Japan trip for a group of 12 for 14 days. We are 30 y/o first-timers, and I could really use some advice and suggestions to make sure that the trip is doable, even if a bit packed.
Using [japan-guide’s Best of Japan in 14 days](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2400_best.html) as inspiration, here’s what we came up with so far:
**26-27-28-29 September: Tokyo**
– Day 1: Arrive in **Tokyo** (14:00). Explore/Chill
– Afternoon: Hotel check-in…
– Evening: Explore/Chill
– Day 2: **Tokyo** – Various activities
– Day 3: **Nikko** – Half Day Trip
– Morning/Afternoon: Nikko
– Temple Itinerary https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3822_nikko_town_full.html
– National Park Itinerary https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3822_okunikko_full.html
– Evening/Night: Back to Tokyo and chill
– Day 4 Mixed.. – Day Trip
– Alternative 1): **Kamakura:** temples, shrines, hikes
– [5h] Itinerary: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3121_kamakura_full.html
– Alternative 2) **Fuji**-Q park
– [Full Day] Morning/Afternoon at Fuji Q
– Alternative 3) **Hakone**: Fuji view, onsen
– [Full day] Nature Itinerary: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html
– Night: Tokyo
**30-1-2-3-4 October: Kyoto**
– Day 5: Arrive in Kyoto. Explore/Chill
– Morning/Afternoon: Train to Kyoto (2.5h Shinkansen), Hotel Checkin
– Evening: Explore/Chill
– Day 6: Mixed
– Alternative 1) Koyasan (Mount Koya)
– Alternative 2) Eastern Kyoto
– [Full-Day or Half-Day] Philosopher Path https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950_eastern_kyoto_full.html
– Alternative 3) Arashiyama
– [Full-Day or Half-Day] Monkey Park https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950_arashiyama_full.html
– Day 7: Osaka – Day Trip
– Itinerary 1) Lesser-known Osaka [8h]: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4028_osaka_deep.html
– Itinerary 2) History Osaka [8h] https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4028_osaka_history.html
– Itinerary 3) Castle + Modern Osaka [8h] https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4028_osaka_eclectic.html
– Day 8: Kyoto. Explore/Chill
– Day 9: Nara – Day Trip
– [7h] Itinerary https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4119_nara_full.html
– Rent bikes?
– Deer park
– Evening/Night Kyoto: chill
**5 October: Himeji + Hiroshima + Miyajima**
– Day 10: Himeji + Hiroshima + Miyajima
– Morning Train from Kyoto, stopover at Himeji Castle (not worth seeing inside + tons of stairs)
– [10-13] to see Himeji Castle
– leave luggage in station
– Afternoon/Evening Hiroshima
– [15-20] leave luggage in station
– Night Miyajima Ryokan
**6-7 October: Hiroshima + Kanazawa + Shirakawago**
– Day 11: explore what’s missing of Miyajima, then Kanazawa
– Morning: Miyajima
– Afternoon/Night: arriving at Kanazawa, explore, sleep there
– [6h] Itinerary https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5912_takayama_full.html
– Day 12:
– Morning: Kanazawa and chill
– Alternative 1) Shikarawago
Afternoon: Bus (75 min) to Shikarawago, sleep at a gassho-zukuri house (Checkout before 17)
– Alternative 2) Kanazawa
Afternoon: Chill in Kanazawa
**8 October: Tokyo**
– Day 13: Arrive in Tokyo, explore, souvenirs, chill
– Morning: Take bus/Train from Kanazawa to Tokyo (6h)
– Afternoon/Night: Chill, Souvenirs (https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3053.html), Explore
– [Shinjuku](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html) – One of Tokyo’s largest shopping and entertainment districts
– [Shibuya](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html)Â – Center of youth fashion
– [Akihabara](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3003.html) – District for electronic and otaku goods
– Day 14: Flight (9:40 in airport)
by CastFX