Hello!
My partner and I have just booked flights for a two+ week trip from July 20 to August 6 this year.
A little about us: we’re in our late 20s and we’re used to the backpacking style of travel and staying in hostels. Last year we backpacked around Southeast Asia for three months and had a blast. We’re used to a very go-go-go style itinerary, resting our heads in a different city every night.
Our favourite thing about travelling is by far and away the food and drinks. We love food tours and sitting in restaurants and bars to people watch, and we love big cities, but we’re not huge into nightlife (we like a good drink or two and then returning to a quiet hostel!). We also love to focus on the historical/cultural side of a country, and enjoy exploring old neighbourhoods and landmarks. We also really enjoy hiking and the mountains, but we’re not really beach people. Neither of us are into anime, but my boyfriend loves old games and Nintendo, and we both have a soft spot for Pokemon!
I tried to put together an itinerary that was a reflection of all that – any and all feedback is much appreciated!
**Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo**
* Arrive late afternoon
* Explore Shibuya
**Day 2: Tokyo**
* Harajuku
* Yoyogi Park
* Meiji Shrine
* Takeshita Street
* Shinjuku
* Piss Alley
* Golden Gai
**Day 3: Tokyo**
* Imperial Palace
* Ginza
**Day 4: Tokyo**
* Asakusa
* Senso-ji Temple
* Ueno Park
* Akihabara
* Super potato
**Day 5: Tokyo flex day**
* Day trip to Hakone, or Disney Sea, or the Junji Ito Exhibition, or just another day in Tokyo
**Day 6: Tokyo to Kanazawa**
* Kenruko-en Gardens
* Tsukiji Market
**Day 7: Kanazawa**
* Kanazawa Castle
* Higashi Chaya District
* Nagamachi Bukeyashiki District
* Tea ceremony somewhere?
**Day 8: Kanazawa to Takayama**
* Stop in Shirakawa-go
**Day 9: Takayama**
* Stay at a ryokan
* Hida Folk Village
* Sake breweries and beef
**Day 10: Takayama to Kyoto**
* Path of Philosophy
* Ginkaku-Ji Temple/Silver Pavilion
**Day 11: Kyoto**
* Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
* Golden Pavilion/Kinkaku-Ji Temple
* Zen gardens
**Day 12: Kyoto**
* Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine
* Gion district
**Day 13: Kyoto**
* Higashiyama district
* Kiyomizu-DeraÂ
* Yasaka Pagoda
**Day 14: Kyoto to Hiroshima**
* Peace Memorial Park/Museum
* Atomic Bomb Dome
**Day 15: Miyajima**
* As a day trip from Hiroshima
* Hike to the top of Mount Misen
* Itsukushima Shrine
* Deer
**Day 16: Miyajima to Osaka**
* Dotonbori Bridge and neighbourhood
**Day 17: Osaka**
* Osaka Castle
* Walking food tour?
**Day 18: Osaka**
* Head home late afternoon
Thank you for any and all input!
by Vocabulary135