We are planning our first trip to Japan and are super excited. We have 15 days and we’re going at the end of August and beginning of September. We know it's going to be stinking hot and that may affect our energy levels. We haven't totally cemented our daily activities and sight-seeing, just trying to nail down the locations and make sure we're not cramming too many cities in here. We want to hit up the main sights, but also want a stop that is scenic and to experience a ryokan onsen. Takayama and Okuhida seemed like perfect stops and not too touristy, but they are a bit of a journey and maybe not realistic.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Tokyo
- Arrive
- Grab dinner in Shinjuku; early night
Day 2: Tokyo
- Visit Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu
- Visit Harajuku
- Dinner in Roppongi
Day 3: Tokyo
- Visit Shibuya, Shibuya Observation deck
- Do some shopping
- Dinner in Dogenzaka
Day 4: Tokyo
- Visit Akihabara, Ueno Park, and Asakusa
- Dinner around Shinjuku
Day 5: Tokyo
- Visit Toyosu Market, Tsukiji Market, Ginza
- Dinner around Tokyo Station
Day 6: Takayama
- Morning: Travel to Takayama
- Visit the Old Town, Hida Folk Village
- Spend one night
Day 7: Okuhida – (thinking Shinhotoka?)
- Stay in a ryokan onsen and relax!
Day 8: Okuhida – (thinking Shinhotoka?)
- Take a bus to the Shinhotoka Ropeway
- Will spend more time in the ryokan onsen to relax
Day 9: Kyoto
- Morning: Travel to Koyo
- Wander around Gion
- Nishiki Market
Day 10: Kyoto
- Visit Kyoto Tower and Nijo Castle
- Evening: Dinner at Pontocho Alley
Day 11: Kyoto
- Arakashima, Kinkaku-ji day trip
Day 12: Kinosaki Onsen
- Morning: Travel to Kinosaki onsen
- Stay one night and try out the onsens
Day 13: Osaka
- Morning: Travel to Osaka
- Shinsekai Market, Dotonburi, Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
- Evening: Dinner near Dotonbori
Day 14: Osaka
- Day trip to Nara
- Dinner in Fukushima
Day 15: Osaka
- Osaka Castle
- Last day, leaving in the evening
by unicornsandall