Looking for some constructive feedback and review of our 15 day Japan itinerary for our upcoming trip in mid-May of this year (after Golden Week). We’re not precious, so please do make recommendations and share opinions.
We’re a couple in our 30s with a good amount of previous experience backpacking, so know the pains of transferring to different places with backpack in tow (though not so much recently). This is our first time in Japan and we are keen prioritise authentic cultural experiences, the great outdoors and food.
We’re generally up and out by 8.30am/9am and looking to maximise each day without feeling totally exhausted! We’ll be taking our backpacks – no wheeled luggage.
Bonus question: is it reasonable to arrive in Tokyo and expect to be able to book all our train tickets for the trip? Just wanted to gauge whether it sounds sensible. Rationale for doing this is that we’d like to be able to reserve specific seats if we can. If it sounds not sensible and would take up a lot of time, we can just book our tickets on something like Klook (although it doesn’t seem you can select specific seats on the train). What do we think?
Day 0 – Tokyo
* Arrive at Tokyo Haneda at approx. 23.55.
* Take a cab to our hotel in Ginza. Seems like most public transport options won’t be possible at our landing time and we’d rather not have the stress.
Day 1 – Tokyo
* Awake early (try to use jetlag to advantage) and go to Tsukiji fish market.
* Meiji Shrine (walk from Harijuku station)
* Explore Harijuku > Takeshita street
* Go to Shinjuku > explore Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho & Golden Gai
* Potentially going to book a group Ramen / Drinks experience. We like a good time, but not going overboard with drink and wanted it to be more food centric with a few drinks. Thought it might be nice be part of a group and see different areas of Tokyo at night. If anyone has any good recommendations or strong opinions on this, please feel free to share.
Day 2 – Tokyo
* Tired / probably slightly hungover!
* Kamakura day trip (maybe). Given limited time in Tokyo, might skip this. Opinions?
* If we skip Kamakura, we’d likely book Team Labs and see Akhibara.
* Dinner in Ginza
* Go to see Shibuya crossing at night
Day 3 – Tokyo
* Imperial palace gardens
* Go to Shimokitazawa for shopping
* Roppongi & Tokyo Tower
* Asakusa > nakamise street > kaminarimon gate > five story pagoda > senso-ji temple > hoppy street > denboin dori
* Dinner in Asakusa
* Bed by 11pm.
Day 4 – Tokyo -> Hakone
* Early train to Hakone (approx. 8:30am)
* Enjoy thermal spa in hotel near Lake Ashi
* Relax
* Dinner in hotel
Day 5 – Hakone -> Takayama (Travel Day) 🚝
* Hakone (Odawara) to Nagoya
* Nagoya to Takayama arriving in early evening
* Dinner in Takayama
Day 6 – Takayama
* Morning: Day trip to Shirakawa
* Afternoon: explore Takayama, depending on how our feet feel! Roughly follow [this guide](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5912_takayama_full.html).
* Dinner in Takayama
Day 7 – Takayama
* Bus from Takayama station Okuhida Onsengo Murakami
* Check into hotel (Onsen) in Okuhida Onsengo Murakami
* Bus to Kamikochi
* Kamakochi hike / walk
* Bus back to hotel
* Dinner at hotel
* Not 100% convinced about this day, as feels like a lot of transport packed tightly together. Please share thoughts! Would it be more sensible to just continue our stay in Takayama (forget going to the Onsen) and hike in Kamikochi?
Day 8 – Takayama -> Kyoto (Travel Day) 🚝
* Takayama to Nagoya
* Nagoya to Kyoto
* Dinner in Kyoto
Day 9 – Kyoto
* Free day (no specific plan yet)
Day 10 Kyoto
* Nara day trip
Day 11 – Kyoto
* Tea ceremony.
* Relax / enjoy Kyoto
Day 12 – Kyoto -> Hiroshima
* Early train to Hiroshima
* Drop off bags at hotel
* Peace Memorial Museum
* Peace Park
* Dinner in Hiroshima
* Stay the night in Hiroshima
Day 13 – Hiroshima / Miyajima -> Osaka
* Checkout Miyajima
* Take afternoon / early evening train to Osaka
Day 14 – Osaka
* Head to Dotonbori
* Eat lots
* Pick up some souvenirs
Day 15 – Osaka
* Board early afternoon flight home
by IrcHUSecTUoUre
