Hi.
I’m in need of some help with my itinerary. If you have any suggestions or think any of the days are too packed please do let me know! Thanks!
I will be flying to Japan on 18th of October and coming back on 31st with my family. Both flights will be happening around 13:00 – 15:00 and I will not be including those days in the trip. So we have 12 whole days to enjoy Japan. We have decided to travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima visiting major cities on the way, then come back on one of the faster Shinkansen trains that don’t stop at most stations. Here’s the itinerary I have come up with:
**Day 1**
**Akihabara**
Wandering around Akihabara and visiting the Senso-ji temple. Just exploring the area.
**Day 2**
**Shinjuku**
Moving to Shinjuku for wandering around and evening street food. Also visiting the Meiji temple, Shibuya crossing and Studio Ghibli museum.
**Day 3**
**Alpine Route & Kanazawa**
Train to Nagano, then around a 5h bus ride to Kanazawa through the Alpine Route. In Kanazawa visiting the Chaya and Nagamashi districts. Also hopefully Kenroku-en garden and Omicho market.
(they’re all basically next to eachother)
**Day 4**
**Shirakawa & Takayama**
1,5h bus ride from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go for sightseeing. Then another 1h bus ride to Takayama for sightseeing, food and maybe the Showa era museum. Then a 2,5h ride to Nagoya to sleep.
**Day 5**
**Nagoya & Kioto**
Nagoya castle and Toyota museum, then a 40min train to Kioto. Exploring western Kioto – Kiyomizu-dera shrine, Higashiyama ward and maybe the railway museum.
**Day 6**
**Kioto**
Pontocho district, Nishiki market and Arashiyama bamboo forest. Also some shrines, hopefully all – Kinjaku-ji, Tenryu-ji and Heian.
**Day 7**
**Nara**
45min train ride from Kioto to Nara. Todai-ji temple, Taisha temple, mochi, overall sightseeing.
**Day 8**
**Osaka**
45min train ride from Nara to Osaka. Walking around Shin Sekai and Dotonbori districts, seeing Osaka castle and maybe the Umeda Sky Building.
**Day 9**
**Lots of trains**
1,5h train ride to Himeji to see the castle. Then catch a train for another 1,5h ride to Kurashiki for sightseeing around the Bikan historical quarter. After that catch another 2h train to Hiroshima and get some evening street food.
**Day 10**
**Hiroshima**
See the Gokoku shrine and the nuclear dome, then try some cool food. Hopefully see the Itsukushima island.
**Day 11**
**Yokohama**
Get a Shinkansen to Yokohama and see Mt. Fuji on the way. In Yokohama spend a couple hours at the Cup Noodle Museum, get some food at the Chinatown, see some Warships on the way, maybe visit the Gundam Center.
**Day 12**
**Blank**
No more places to visit. I’ll probably be forced to spread some day in two so I left a “buffer”.
Are these attractions worth visiting? Maybe I left out something worth visiting? What can I change?
Please let me know! Thanks 🙂
P.S. My dad would like to see some proper aquarium if its possible. Any recommendations?
by burgermanzero