Hi everyone!
I’m less than two weeks away from my trip to Japan and I’d love to get a sanity check on my itinerary. It’s a 17-day trip starting on Monday, May 7th, and ending on May 23rd. I’ve done a lot of research for my first trip to Japan but I could use some advice.
A quick overview of the plan:
* **Osaka**: First few days exploring the city, with Nara as a day trip.
* **Kyoto**: Next stop for cultural exploration.
* **Fujikawaguchiko or Hakone or Izu Peninsula**: I’m torn between these three areas. I want to experience a ryokan stay and see Mount Fuji. Also, a visit to Fuji-Q is on my list. Should I spend a few days there or make it a day trip from Tokyo?
* **Tokyo**: Ending my trip here, exploring the city before leaving from Narita Airport on the 23rd. I feel like my days in Tokyo are a bit unexciting compared to the rest of my itinerary. Am I missing something? Any recommendations to make my Tokyo days more thrilling?
I’d love some feedback on the pacing of my itinerary. Also, any restaurant recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
I’m also wondering if it’s feasible to fit in any other day trips, or if my itinerary is already quite packed. I’m feeling a bit anxious about wanting to do everything but also not wanting to overwhelm myself with too many activities. Any advice on striking the right balance would be really helpful!
Thanks in advance for your help! I’ll paste the detailed day-to-day itinerary below for more context.
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**Tuesday, May 7, 2024 – OSAKA**
* Land in Narita
* Flight to Itami
* Check-in to Hotel
**Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – OSAKA**
* Osaka castle
* Umeda Sky Building
* Tsutenkaku Tower
* Shinsaibashi Shopping Street
* Namba Yasaka Shrine
* Dotonbori
* Do night tour
* tombori River cruise
**Thursday, May 9, 2024 – OSAKA**
* Universal Studios Japan
* Tempozan Kanransya Ferris Wheel
* Hozenji Yokocho
* Janjan-Yokocho
**Friday, May 10, 2024 – OSAKA**
* Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
* Harukas 300
* Osaka Ikuno Korea Town
**Saturday, May 11, 2024 – NARA, OSAKA**
* Head to Nara
* Nara Park
* Yoshikien Garden
* Kofuku-ji
* Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum
* Tōdai-ji
* Mount Wakakusa
* Mochiidono Shopping Street
* Kasuga Taisha
* Head back to Osaka
* Spa world
**Sunday, May 12, 2024 – KYOTO**
* Head to Kyoto
* Kyoto Imperial Palace
* Kyoto Tower
* Pontocho Alley
* Kiyamachi-dori
**Monday, May 13, 2024 – KYOTO**
* Fushimi Inari Taisha
* Higashiyama Jisho-ji
* Philosopher’s Path
* Nanzen-ji Temple
* Keage Incline
* Heian-jingū Shrine
**Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – KYOTO**
* Kyoto City Rakusai Bamboo Park
* Togetsukyo Bridge
* Tenryu-ji
* Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
* Daikaku-ji Temple
**Wednesday, May 15, – Friday, May 17th 2024**
* Hakone, Fujikawaguchiko, Izu Peninsula
**Friday, May 17, 2024 – TOKYO**
* Check out of Ryokan
* Head to Tokyo, Check in to hotel in Asakusa
* Go Karting – Shibuya
**Saturday, May 18, 2024 – TOKYO**
* Meiji Jingu
* Harajuku (Takeshita Street, Cat Cafe MOCHA Harajuku)
* Shibuya (Shibuya Center-Gai, Shibuya Sky)
* Yoyogi Park
* Dinner in Shibuya or Harajuku
**Sunday, May 19, 2024 – TOKYO**
* Senso-ji
* Tokyo Sky Tree
* Ghibli Museum
* Tokyo Tower
* Dinner in the area, perhaps in Asakusa or Roppongi
**Monday, May 20, 2024 – TOKYO**
* Tokyo DisneySea
**Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – TOKYO**
* Akihabara (anime stores, electronics shops)
* Ginza (Ginza Shopping Street, explore upscale shops)
* Odaiba (dinner and leisurely stroll)
**Wednesday, May 22, 2024 – TOKYO**
* Ueno Park
* Ameyoko Shopping District
* Tsukiji Outer Market (grab lunch here)
* Hamarikyu Gardens
* Explore Ikebukuro (Sunshine City, animate Ikebukuro main store, dinner in the area)
**Thursday, May 23, 2024- – TOKYO**
Leave at 6:30pm
by frnchmannqn