2 Week Father-Son Trip: Itinerary Advice Appreciated

Howdy all,

This is our first time in Japan (party of 2) and I’d love to hear your considerably more experienced opinions on what I have planned.

I am especially concerned with the 13th, 17th, 19th, and 20th. They seem pretty full, but I am having a hard time giving up on any of the items.

Please don’t hold back and thank you for your assistance!

**DAILY ITINERARIES**

**May 12: Tokyo**

1.     Arrive at HND

2.     Check in at [Karaksa Hotel Premier Tokyo Ginza](https://karaksahotels.com/ginza/)

a)     Jet lag will determine how the rest of the day goes…

3.     If sufficiently 元気, explore the Ginza District

4.     Dinner in the Yurakucho District

**May 13: Tokyo**

1.     Meiji Shrine

2.     Explore Shibuya

a) Become overwhelmed at the Scramble Crossing and promptly leave.

3.     Explore Shinjuku

a)    Kabukicho

b)     Omoide Yokocho

c)    Golden Gai

4.     Dinner at [Ginza Fukuju](https://restaurant.ikyu.com/115318/)

**May 14: Hakone**

1.     Check in to [Gora Kadan](https://www.gorakadan.com/) in Hakone

2.     The Hakone Open-Air Museum

3.     [Gora Kadan](https://www.gorakadan.com/) for dinner and onsen

**May 15: Kanazawa**

1.     Breakfast at [Gora Kadan](https://www.gorakadan.com/)

2.     Leave for [Machiya Tea House AirBnB](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/28918502?source_impression_id=p3_1713057596_Rm0ZErJmKmxoHcwK) in Kanazawa

3.     Omicho Market

4.     Kenroku-en

5.     Kanazawa Castle

6.     Dinner at [Busaku](https://busaku.com/)

**May 16: Takayama**

1.     Breakfast at a nearby cafe

2.     Shirakawago

a)     House of Pudding

3.     Leave for [Historic Townhouse AirBnB](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/947559528304697205?source_impression_id=p3_1713057614_kEiF3gpHbOCBh4DC) in Takayama

4.     Explore Old Town

a)     Sake tastings?

5.     Find somewhere to eat for dinner, bearing in mind the local specialty is Hida wagyu (see, Uemura; see also, Toshi Ten)

**May 17: Kyoto**

1.     Leave for [Hotel Muso](https://hotelmuso.com/) in Kyoto

2.     Nishiki Market

3.     Kyoto Imperial Palace

4.     Nijo Castle

5.     Dinner at [Roan Kikunoi](https://kikunoi.jp/en/) at 1730

**May 18: Kyoto**

1.     Early wake up for Fushimi Inari

2.     Explore Higashiyama and Sannenzaka

3.     Kiyomizudera

4.     Dinner at [Kodaiji Wakuden](https://www.wakuden.jp/ryotei/kodaiji/) at 1800

**May 19: Kyoto**

1.     Rent a bike at J-Cycle

2.     Kinkakuji

3.     Ryoanji

4.     Ninnaji

5.     Togetsukyo Bridge

6.     Arashiyama

**May 20: Osaka**

1.     Leave for [River Side Namba Dontonbori AirBnB](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/985988450543970626?source_impression_id=p3_1713057633_K3JkT2LK%2F8zuEz3e) in Osaka

2.     Hozenji Temple

3.     Hozenji Yokocho

4.     Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum

5.     Shinsekai

6.     Harukas 300

7.     Shinsaibashi-Suji

8.     Amerika-mura

9.     Dontonburi

**May 21: Osaka**

1.     Get breakfast at Café Street near Namba Station

2.     Lunch at [Kashiwaya](https://jp-kashiwaya.com/) at 1245

3.     Osaka Castle and environs

4.     Return to Dontonburi

**May 22: Osaka**

1.     Go to Nara

2.     Explore Nara Park while hitting:

a)     Kofukuji Temple and Museum

b)    Kasuga Taisha

c)     Isuien Garden and Museum

d)    Todaiji Temple

3.     Get lunch (see, Kamaiki)

4.     Return to Osaka

5.     Dinner at [Teppanyaki](https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270202/27043342/?cid=google_yoyaku) \~Kobe\~ at 1930

**May 23: Koyasan**

1.     Leave for Mt. Koya

2.     Leave luggage at [Koyasan Renge jo-in](https://www.rengejoin.jp/)

3.     Ichinohashi Bridge to Okuoin Cemtary and Temple

4.     Kongobuji Temple

5.     Hike and look around as desired

6.     Return between 1500-1600 to Renge jo-in

7.     1700 Ajikan mediation and Asokukan meditative breathing

8.     1800 dinner

9.     2100 curfew

**May 24: Kyoto**

1.     0500 wake up

2.     0600 morning prayers

3.     0700 breakfast

4.     0900 checkout

5.     Return to Kyoto, but now to [SOWAKA](https://sowaka.com/)

6.     Walk the Philosopher’s Path and grab food (see, Juugo; see also, Fu-ka)

7.     Higashiyama Jishoji (Ginkaku)

8.     Do whatever was left undone in Kyoto

**May 25: Tokyo**

1.     Return to Tokyo, but now to [Aman Tokyo](https://www.aman.com/hotels/aman-tokyo/gallery)

2.     Explore Asakusa

3.     Explore Akihabara

4.     Imperial Palace

5.     Dinner at [Florilege](https://www.aoyama-florilege.jp/en/) at 1800

**May 26: United States**

1.     Do whatever in Tokyo until 1500

2.     Go to HND

3.     Depart

by MrPresident3