Hi all, I am travelling to Japan for the first time with my boyfriend for 2 weeks this fall. I'm hoping for a sanity check on this itinerary before I start booking accommodations. We will probably have a more solid day-to-day plan by the time we go, but we do want to leave time for exploring. We are young (25), so we have the energy for busy schedules, but we do want the balance of enough time for exploring and relaxing to enjoy ourselves.
Wednesday, October 2nd: Depart U.S.
Thursday, October 3rd: Land at Narita at 3, Shinkansen to Kyoto. Check into hotel for 3 night stay.
(I know this will be rough — my thought is if we already won't be enjoying the day to the fullest due to jet lag, we might as well get one of the long train rides out of the way)
Friday, October 4th: Full Day in Kyoto (Ideas: Kiyomizudera, Gion neighborhood, tea ceremony)
Saturday, October 5th: Full Day in Kyoto (Ideas: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkakuji, walking or biking along the river. Maybe Arashiyama–this isn't a priority for me as we both got to see an incredible bamboo forest on Maui a few years ago and I've heard the one in Arashiyama is small — is this area worth it for other reasons?)
Sunday, October 6th: Morning in Kyoto for any last site seeing, travel to Osaka and spend evening exploring Dotonbori. Check into hotel for 3 night stay.
Monday, October 7th: Long day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island.
Tuesday, October 8th: Full day in Osaka (Ideas: Explore Shinsekai, Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky, Food Tour, More time in Dotonburi, Maybe an Arcade)
Wednesday, October 9th: Spend morning in Osaka, travel to Hakone (relax in Ryokan, open air museum if extra time). 1 night stay in Ryokan.
Thursday, October 10th: Spend morning in Hakone (cable car, boat ride, shrine), travel to Tokyo. Check into hotel for 5 night stay.
Friday October 11th-Monday October 14th: 4 Full Days in Tokyo
Tuesday, October 15th: Morning in Tokyo, head to Narita for 5 PM flight
Would it be better to stay in Kyoto the first 6 nights and do day trips to Osaka and Hiroshima? I feel like one day isn't enough time in Osaka because it seems like nightlife is a highlight of the city, but I don't know if that's a good enough reason to add an extra hotel transfer. I am more interested in Kyoto than Osaka, but I think my boyfriend is more interested in Osaka. I could also be talked out of the Hiroshima day trip. Would there be any benefit to reversing the order of some of these items?
by beespeasknees4224