Hey everyone!
I’m planning a 2-week trip and wanted to know your thoughts. I have a feeling it might get hectic in between but really do want to check out the Nakasendo trail and a city in the north, thus Aomori. Would like to know all your suggestions!
Itinerary for Japan Trip
Day 0 – Tokyo: Land at Narita Airport at 12:00 PM. Take a bus or train to Tokyo Station. Catch a Shinkansen to Aomori and reach in the late evening or night.
Day 1 to 3 – Aomori: Explore Aomori’s attractions, including the Nebuta Warasse Museum and Hirosaki Castle.
Go to an onsen or stay at a ryokan. Trying local delicacies such as Hachinohe senbei-jiru and Aomori apple-based desserts
Day 4 – Tokyo: Return to Tokyo via Shinkansen. Go to Akihabara/Team Labs that day.
Day 5 to 8 – Tokyo: Visit the Tsukiji outer market, Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa,
Tokyo Tower, Harajuku, Shibuya. Go on a day trip to Mt. Fuji. See it from Lake Kawaguchiko or Chureito Pagoda.
Day 9 – Tokyo to Nagano: Travel to Nagano via Shinkansen and visit Zenko-ji Temple. Explore the nearby Snow Monkey Park in Yamanouchi. Enjoy a stroll through the streets of Nagano’s old town. (Optional: Rent a car that day and drive to Matsumoto. Stay overnight at Matsumoto)
Day 10 – Nagano to Takayama: Depart Nagano or Matsumoto for Takayama via a rented car. Explore Takayama’s old town filled with sake breweries, craft shops, and museums. In the late evening, take a Shinkansen to Kyoto.
Day 11 to 12 – Kyoto: Visit the iconic Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji Temple’s rock garden, Nijo Castle, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Day 13 – Osaka: Take a day trip to Osaka. Visit Osaka Castle, and Umeda Sky Building for views of Osaka’s skyline. Come back to Kyoto in the late evening or night via Shinkansen.
Day 14 – Kyoto: Continue exploration of Kyoto with a visit to Tenryu-ji Temple. Wander through Pontocho Alley. Enjoy a walk along the Kamogawa River. Take Shinkansen back to Tokyo at night. Stay overnight near Narita airport.
Day 15 – Tokyo (Departure): Flight back to Narita airport at 10:00 am.
by Gradient_4
