As the title suggests, my wife and I will be heading on our first trip to Japan in October! Thanks to the wealth of information on this sub, we have put together a first draft of an itinerary that we would love feedback on. A few questions in particular that would be helpful for us in deciding how we will spend our time:
Can we book our shinkansen tickets in advance, or only upon arrival in Japan? I don’t imagine October will be quite as busy, but we don’t want to risk showing up and not being able to purchase tickets if they are sold out. Information online about this is quite confusing.
Is our draft schedule too ambitious? We are highly interested in seeing Hiroshima, but also cognisant that travelling there will take up a fair amount of travel time given that we are flying round-trip from Tokyo. If something has to be cut out – what should it be?
From what I’m reading, Kyoto is not known for their onsen; however, does anyone have any good recommendations for a ryokan/onsen in the city?
We are primarily interested in nature, culture, architecture and the like. Nightlife, shopping, or entertainment (e.g Disney/manga) is not very important for us (although a visit to a local bar / rooftop terrace in Tokyo would be enjoyable). We welcome any other suggestions for things to do, or restaurants, hotels etc.!
**Day 1 + 2 – Travel (Toronto to Tokyo)**
* Overnight travel with a stop in Western Canada on the way. Purchase Suica pass, ESIM, etc. at Narita before taking the coach bus/limousine to the Tokyo Central Station area.
**Day 3 – Tokyo**
* Arashio-beya Sumo Stable
* Imperial Palace (East Gardens)
* Ueno Park
* Sensō-ji temple
* Asakusa
* Tokyo Skytree observation deck (evening)
**Day 4 – Tokyo**
* Team labs Planets
* Tsujiki Market (tourist trap, I know – I’m ok to skip this) / Tsukishima Monja Street
* Ginza (Uniqlo, Art Aquarium Museum)
* Akihabara Electric Town / Taito Station (arcades)
**Day 5 – Tokyo to Hiroshima**
* Depart Shinkansen from Tokyo Station in the morning. Arrive Hiroshima mid-day. Afternoon – Hiroshima Castle, Atomic Bomb dome, Peace memorial museum
**Day 6 – Hiroshima**
* Miyajima Shopping Street
* Itsukushima Jinja
* Mount Misen Observatory
**Day 7 – Hiroshima to Kyoto**
* Shinkansen to Kyoto [OPTIONAL: Stop in Himeji to visit the castle]
* Explore local area around hotel in Kyoto – Imperial palace, Nijo Castle
**Day 8 – Kyoto**
* Fushimi Inari Taisha
* Kiyomizu-dera
* Sannenzaka Path
* Ninenzaka
* [OPTIONAL] Harushika Sake Brewery
**Day 9 – Kyoto**
* Kinkaku-ji
* Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
* Tea ceremony Ju-An
* Pontocho Alley
* Shinkyogoku Shopping Street Union
**Day 10 – Kyoto (Day Trip – Nara)**
* Mochi demonstration (Nakatanidou)
* Isuien/Neraku
* Okaru
* Todaiji/Kasuga/Nara Park
* Kofukuji (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
**Day 11 – Kyoto**
* Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
* Kimono Forest
* Afternoon – flex time (spa day, day trip to Osaka, etc.)
**Day 12 – Kyoto to Lake Kawaguchiko**
* Depart Kyoto in the morning to Lake Kawaguchiko (transfer in Mishima – 4 to 5 hours total journey. Arrive by mid-afternoon)
* Check-in to hotel and explore surroundings of the town and lake.
**Day 13 – Lake Kawaguchiko**
* Mt. Mitsutoge day hike (if weather and energy levels permit)
**Day 14 – Lake Kawaguchiko to Tokyo**
* Travel to Tokyo (approximately two hours). Stay in Shinjuku area.
* Explore Shinjuku Golden Gai
* Omoide Yokocho
* Night – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory or New York Bar at Park Hyatt Tokyo for drinks
**Day 15 – Tokyo**
* Shibuya crossing
* Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho
* MEGA Don Quijote
* Meiji Shrine
* Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
* Takeshita Street Square
**Day 16 – Tokyo to Toronto**
* Sleep-in and check-out mid-morning.
* Grab light lunch and depart for Narita at approximately 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
* Travel back to Toronto (flight departing at 6:00 PM)
by New_Money1977