Hi guys! In late July my partner and I (early thirties) are embarking on a holiday. The destination is a surprise, (we've done this before and my partner loved it). We've never been to Japan, and I've found this holiday to be a logistical challenge. Neither of us enjoy spending too much time in dense cities, therefor our time in Tokyo is limited. We enjoy nature, shrines, and friendly experiences with locals. Walking down random alleyways/quiet streets and seeing where we end up etc.
Anyhow, does anyone have any thoughts on the below itinerary?
Day 1 – Arrive at Narita (late), Travel to accommodation in ShinJuku.
Day 2 – Tokyo: Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple. Check out some bicycle shops. Dinner in Shibuya
Day 3 – Day trip to Nikko (return to Tokyo)
Day 4 – Tokyo: Meiji Shrine and Harajuku. Visit the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
Day 5 – Tokyo to Hakone – Open-Air Museum, cruise on lake Ashi. Stay in a Ryokan (looking forward to this!_
Day 6 – Â Hakone to Kyoto – Fushimi Inari. Gion Matsuri Festival
Day 7 – Kyoto – Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji Temple. Explore Nijo Castle and Nishiki Market
Day 8 – Kyoto – Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Tenryu-ji Temple. Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji
Day 9 – Kyoto – Yamahoko Junko parade? Will the festives fill the whole day? Or should we duck out and visit somewhere else?
Day 10 – Day Trip to Nara Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Return to Kyoto
Day 11 – Kyoto to Hiroshima – Peace Memorial Park and Museum, and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Day 12 – Day Trip to Miyajima
Day 13 – Hiroshima to Osaka – Osaka Castle, Dotonbori
Day 14 – Possibly visit the Osaka Aquarium in the morning, travel to Narita for late evening flight home.
by MonolithNZ