I am traveling to Japan for the first time with my boyfriend for the Sakura season. I have based the itinerary on the reverse golden route with a few day trips added. We plan to stay in 4 main base locations throughout the trip: Osaka (Days 1-4), Hiroshima (Days 5-6), Kyoto (Days 7-9), Tokyo (Days 10-14). We are planning to get the JR 14 day pass. This is a very brief outline. The number of things to do is quite overwhelming, so any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks x
Day 1: March 26 – Osaka
Arrive at KIX at 11 am
-Dotonbori
-Shinsaibashi
-Namba Yasaka Shrine
Day 2: March 27 – Osaka
-Osaka Castle and Park
-Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
-Kuromon Ichiba Market
Day 3: March 28 – Osaka to Nara (Day Trip)
Train from Osaka to Nara
-Kofuku-ji temple
-Isuien Garden
-Todai-ji Temple
-Nara Deer Park and Mt. Wakakusa
Kasuga-Taisha
-Shopping Higashimuki Street and Mochiidono Shopping Arcade
-Naramachi
Day 4: March 29 – Osaka to Himeji (Day Trip)
Train from Osaka to Himeji
-Himeji Castle
-Koko-en Garden
Day 5: March 30 – Osaka to Hiroshima
Train from Osaka to Hiroshima
-Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
Day 6: March 31 – Hiroshima to Miyajima (Day Trip)
Ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima
-Itsukushima Shrine and the Floating Torii Gate
Day 7: April 1 – Hiroshima to Kyoto
Train from Hiroshima to Kyoto
-Explore Gion district
-Kiyomizu-dera Temple
-Miyako Odori
Day 8: April 2 – Kyoto
-Fushimi Inari Shrine
-Explore Arashiyama
-Traditional tea ceremony in the Gion district
Day 9: April 3 – Kyoto
-Kinkaku-ji
-Explore Nijo Castle
-Wander through Gion in the evening
Day 10: April 4 – Tokyo
Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo
-Explore Shibuya and Harajuku
-Visit Meiji Shrine
Day 11: April 5 – Tokyo
-Explore Asakusa
-Visit Ueno Park and Zoo
-Enjoy nightlife in Roppongi or Shinjuku
Day 12: April 6 – Tokyo (Mt. Fuji Day Trip)
Day trip to Mount Fuji
-Visit the 5th Station
Day 13: April 7 – Tokyo to Hakone
Travel to Hakone
-Hakone Open Air Museum
-Relax in an onsen
Day 14: April 8 – Tokyo to another day trip like Nikko or Kamakura/Enoshima
Day 15 – Leave Tokyo for Vietnam
by lalalorax