Hello! I was hoping for a bit of advice regarding adding in Hakone and/or Kinosaki to our tinerary. This is our first trip to Japan. It’s end of August/ start of September, so we’re aware that it will be HOT. Things we love: Food, Theater & Art, Cultural Experiences.
1. Is it worth heading up to Kinosaki if we are also aiming for an onsen in Hakone?
2. If we do go to Kinosaki Onsen – would it be better to put it before Kyoto or after Osaka rather than between them (as shown below?)
For context, our itinerary draft is below:
**Days 1-6:**Â **Tokyo (Shinjuku)**
Day 1: Land in Tokyo mid-day; staying in Shinjuku
Day 2: Explore Shibuya
Day 3: Explore Shinjuku
Day 4: Explore Ginza
Day 5: Explore Akihabara – Head to Ghibili Museum
Day 6: Early train to Kyoto
**Days 6-10: Kyoto**
Day 6: Arrive in Kyoto
Day 7: Explore Kyoto (Fushimi Inari, Southern Higashiyama, Downtown)
Day 8: Day trip to Nara
Day 9: Day trip to Uji (matcha, Byodin temple)
Day 10: Early train to Kinosaki
**Days 10-11: Kinosaki Onsen**
Day 10: Arrive in Kinosaki; Explore Kinosaki
Day 11: Train from Kinosaki to Osaka
**Days 11-13: Osaka**
Day 11: Arrive in Osaka; explore Osaka
Day 12: Explore Osaka
Day 13: Early train to Hakone
**Days 13-14: Hakone**
Day 13: Early Train from Osaka to Hakone; Hakone Open Air Museum
Day 14: Hakone Free Pass loop (Cable car from Gora to Sounzan, ropeway from Sounzan to Owakudani, Ropeway from Togendai to Lake Ashi, pirate ship cruise to Hakone-machi), Hakone Shrine, Old Tokaido (if time). Late train back to Tokyo
**Days 14-16: Tokyo (Ginza)**
Day 14: Late train to Tokyo (thinking of staying in Ginza); Arrive in Tokyo
Day 15: Tokyo (Tsukiji Outer Market; shop Nakamise Street)
Day 16: Tokyo; leave mid-day
Any advice, edits, suggestions, etc. are greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!
by JordanHunter23