20 Day itinerary check for first timers!

Hey everyone hoping to get some feedback on our general travel plan to Japan for this december.

It’s our (28M and 24F) first trip to Japan from Switzerland and we are so excited!! Not sure if we are doing to much or we are missing something important!

# Tokyo (December 8th-16th):

* **8th**: Arrive, check-in, explore near the hotel
* **9th**: Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara
* *Morning*: Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street
* *Afternoon*: Ueno Park (Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Zoo)
* *Evening*: Akihabara exploration, dinner
* **10th**: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya, Roppongi Hills
* *Morning*: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku
* *Afternoon*: Shibuya, Omotesando
* *Evening*: Roppongi Hills
* **11th**: Tsukiji Outer Market, Odaiba, Sumida River Cruise
* *Morning*: Tsukiji Outer Market, possible sushi breakfast
* *Afternoon*: Odaiba Seaside Park, teamLab Borderless
* *Evening*: Sumida River Cruise, dinner in Odaiba
* **12th**: Universal Studio, city exploration
* **13th**: Day Trip to Nikko
* *Morning*: Train to Nikko and Toshogu Shrine
* *Midday*: Rinno-ji Temple and Shinkyo Bridge
* *Afternoon*: Nikko National Park, Nikko Town
* **14th-16th**: Considering day trips to Mt. Fuji, Yokohama, Hakone, or Kanazawa ( 2 of them, what could be interesting in this time of the year). I would like to stay the night in Toyko, or maybe finish it in an onsen here, then go the next day to Kyoto

# Kyoto (December 17th-19th):

* **17th**: Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Gion District
* *Morning*: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
* *Afternoon*: Ryoan-ji and Ninnaji
* *Evening*: Gion District (Hanami-koji Street)
* **18th**: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, Higashiyama District
* *Morning*: Fushimi Inari Shrine (hike to summit)
* *Afternoon*: Kiyomizu-dera, wander through Higashiyama District
* *Evening*: Higashiyama District (Yasaka Shrine and traditional shops)
* **19th**: Day Trip to Kobe
* *Morning*: Arima Onsen
* *Afternoon*: Kobe Port Area, Kobe Harborland, Meriken Park
* *Evening*: Explore Kyoto City

# Osaka (December 20th-22nd):

* **20th**: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Namba, Shinsekai
* *Morning*: Osaka Castle
* *Afternoon*: Dotonbori, Namba (Glico Running Man sign, Ebisu Bridge)
* *Evening*: Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku Tower
* **21st**: Day Trip to Nara
* *Morning*: Nara Park
* *Afternoon*: Kasuga Taisha Shrine, maybe Nara National Museum
* *Evening*: Return to Osaka for dinner
* **22nd**: Day Trip to Himeji
* *Morning*: Himeji Castle
* *Afternoon*: Kokoen Garden, maybe Himeji City Museum of Art
* *Evening*: Return to Osaka for dinner and overnight stay

# Hiroshima (December 23rd-24th):

* **23rd**: Train to Hiroshima, Shukkeien Garden, Hiroshima Castle, Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Okonomiyaki Dinner
* **24th**: Day Trip to Miyajima
* *Morning*: Ferry to Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine torii gate
* *Late Morning*: Mount Misen (cable car to summit), Daisho-in Temple
* *Afternoon*: Miyajima Town, Omotesando Street, Five-Story Pagoda, Senjokaku
* *Late Afternoon*: Return to Hiroshima, enjoy local cuisine or onsen

# Back to Tokyo (December 25th-27th):

* **25th**: Relax and explore
* **26th**: Imperial Palace, East Gardens, Ginza
* **27th**: Pack up and head to the airport

Any advice on must-visit spots, adjustments, or any other tips would be greatly appreciated!
PS. Not sure if the jr pass is worth it?

Thanks in advance!

by HQ189

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