Hi everyone,
My partner and I will be in Japan for our first time in October and would love any feedback and advice on our itinerary. We will be traveling for 2 weeks from mid to end of October from the UK.
About us: we are both in our mid/late 20s and we’re pretty chill and laid back travelers. We love strolling and immersing ourselves in local neighborhoods and checking out local shops and cool cafes/restaurants in each area. We’re also keen on discovering the Japanese countryside and spending some time in nature.
# [ LEG 1 ] Osaka & Nara
**Day 1 – Sun 13/10: Tokyo to Osaka**
* Arrive at Haneda Airport (Tokyo) at 7am
* Board train to Osaka
* Check into hotel in Namba
* Explore Dotonbori
* Evening in Kuromon Market
**Day 2 – Mon 14/10: Osaka**
* Namba Yasaka Shrine
* Amerikamura
* Osaka Aquarium
* Explore Nakazakicho
* Umeda Sky Building
**Day 3 – Tue 15/10: Nara**
* Day trip to Nara
* Kofuku-ji
* Nara Park
* Todai-Ji
* Head back to Osaka in the late afternoon/evening
# [ LEG 2 ] Kyoto
**Day 4 – Wed 16/10: Osaka to Kyoto**
* Board train from Osaka to Kyoto in the morning
* Check into hotel in Sanjo
* Lunch at Nishiki Market
* Explore Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets in Gion
* Yasaka Pagoda
* Eikan-do Temple and Nansen-ji Temple (if time)
* Dinner at Pontocho
**Day 5 – Thu 17/10: Kyoto**
* Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
* Tenryuji Temple
* Hike up to Senko-ji Temple
* Sagano Scenic Train
* Kyoto Station’s rooftop
**Day 6 – Fri 18/10: Kyoto**
* Fushimi Inari Shrine
* Fushimi Inari Market
* Tofuku-Ji
* Ginkakuji
* Philosopher’s Path
# [ LEG 3 ] Takayama
**Day 7 – Sat 19/10: Kyoto to Takayama**
* Board train from Kyoto to Takayama
* Sanmachi Suji
* Hida Folk Village
* Take Shin-Hotaka Bus Line to get to Ryokan before 6pm (\~1 hour ride)
**Day 8 – Sun 20/10: Takayama to Tokyo**
* Morning market in Takayama
* Board train from Takayama to Tokyo
# [ LEG 4 ] Tokyo & Kawaguchiko
**Day 8 – Sun 20/10: Shinjuku**
* Check into hotel in Shinjuku
* Explore Shinjuku
* Dinner at Omoide Yokocho + evening in Golden Gai
**Day 9 – Mon 21/10: Ginza + Akihabara**
* Lunch at Tsukiji Fish Market
* Shopping in Ginza
* Late afternoon/evening in Akihabara
**Day 10 – Tue 22/10: Tokyo to Kawaguchiko**
* Day trip to Kawaguchiko
* Head back to Tokyo/Shinjuku in the evening
**Day 11 – Wed 23/10: Nakameguro, Daikanayama + Shibuya**
* Explore Nakameguro
* Meguro River Walk
* Explore Daikanayama
* Shibuya Sky
**Day 12 – Thu 26/10: Kappabashi + Yanaka Ginza**
* Kappabashi Kitchen Tools Street
* Ueno Park
* Yanaka Cemetery (heard this is a haven for stray cats and we looove cats)
* Yanaka Ginza
**Day 13 – Fri 24/10: Shimokitazawa & Koenji**
* Morning walk in Yoyogi Park
* Vintage shopping in Shimokitazawa
* Late afternoon/evening in Koenji
**Day 14 – Sat 26/10: Fly Home**
​
Questions:
1. Is Takayama worth the detour? Conscious that it’s quite a journey from Kyoto and to Tokyo. Hesitating between three options: 1) Removing Kawaguchiko to spend an extra day in the Takayama region 2) Removing 1 day (day 12) from Tokyo to spend an extra day in the region 3) Cutting out Takayama completely. What do you think?
2. Do the neighborhoods combinations in the Tokyo leg make sense? I’m having a hard time estimating the time at each place correctly
Thanks so much for any insights you can share x
by talliehoo