First visit to Japan. 23M solo, Going 65 – 70 days from October 14 or October 10 to December 19.
I want to know the days that seem too packed & reccomendations as I filled ~60 days but I maybe can do 65-70 within my budget of $10 000USD, Yea, I'm keeping it tight with transportation and accomodations, planning 115$ a day excluding flights and can go over if required as it's a trip afterall, don't care as long as I don't get bored. I will see the fall leaves but synchronizing the places with the dates is hard for the momiji.
Planning using JBL bus pass for big connections between cities and planes, 1 shinkansen for the experience somewhere not yet sure where. Yes I'm getting a Goshuin-cho & going with 32L bag. Worried about souvenirs, shipping ? to Canada, I stay for long time so only towards end I was thinking of buying a big check inb bag from Donki to fill up since I can for free.
I speak the language well. Judge my Itinerary and let me know your opinions about the order of places & activities, what to skip. Recommend passes or places that I might not know about:
Pictures of itinerary formatted from my Excel sheet in order, check here I swear it's better than text:
Rewriting the same here, I have the links for each, ask if you need:
Tokyo (5 Days)
Day 1: Chill & go buy essentials, eat famichiki
- Transportation: Monorail from Narita
Day 2: Shibuya & Harajuku
- Meiji Jingu 明治神宮 (無料)
- Togo Shrine 東郷神社 (無料)
- Yoyogi Park 代々木公園 (無料)
- Hachiko Statue 忠犬ハチ公像 (無料)
- Shibuya Crossing (無料)
- MEGA Don Quijote (無料)
- Shinjuku Golden-Gai (無料)
- Transportation: Riverboat Mizuha? not necessarily here ($35)
Day 3:
- The Railway Museum 鉄道博物館 (1500円)
- Omiya Bonsai Art Museum 大宮盆栽 (310円)
- Nakano Broadway (無料)
- Hanazono Shrine 花園神社 (無料)
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (500円)
Day 4: Central Tokyo
- Tsukiji Outer Market 築地場外市場 (無料)
- Namiyoke Shrine 波除神社 (無料)
- Imperial Palace 皇居 (reserve tickets) (無料)
- Tokyo Station (Marunouchi Square) (無料)
- Tokyo Tower 東京タワー (無料)
- Hoshuin Temple 宝珠院 (無料)
- Atago Jinja 愛宕神社 (無料)
Day 5: Akihabara
- Kanda myojin Shrine 神田明神 (無料)
- GiGO Akihabara Building 3 Arcade (?)
- Yodobashi Akiba huge electronics 店 (無料)
Hokkaido (2 Days)
Day 1: Sapporo
- Historical Village of Hokkaido (1000円)
- Tanukikoji Shopping Street (無料)
- Shiroi Koibito Park 白い恋人パーク (800円)
- AOAO SAPPORO (2000円)
- Transportation: Tokyo -> Sapporo (plane, CA$60.00)
Day 2: Sapporo
- Susukino Area for Drinks すすきの駅 (無料)
- Sapporo Factory サッポロファクトリー (無料)
- Sapporo Beer Museum (無料)
- Maruyama Park 円山公園 (無料)
- Hokkaido Jingu 北海道神宮 (無料)
- Sapporo Stellar Place (無料)
- Mt. Moiwa + Ropeway (2100円)
- Otaru Music Box Museum (?)
Tokyo (6 Days) – Return after or later idk
Day 1:
- Yasukuni-jinja 靖國神社 (無料)
- Yushukan Museum 遊就館 (1000円)
- Hie-jinja Shrine 日枝神社 (無料)
- Akasaka Hikawa Shrine 赤坂氷川神社 (無料)
- teamLab Borderless: MORI Building (4000円)
Day 2: Asakusa & Ueno
- Sensō-ji 浅草寺 + Nakamise-dori (無料)
- Ueno Toshogu Shrine 上野東照宮 (400円)
- Gojoten Shrine 五條天神社 (無料)
- Tokyo National Museum 東京国立博物館 (1000円)
- Ameyayoko Shopping 商店街 (無料)
Day 3:
- Gōtokuji Temple 大谿山 豪徳寺 (無料)
- Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store (無料)
Day 4:
- Oi Racecourse 大井競馬場 Flea Market (無料)
- Kabuki-za 歌舞伎座 (?) maybe Osaka if a better show there
Day 5:
- Nissan Heritage Collection (⚠️ reserve) (?)
Day 6: Yokohama
- Minatomirai みなとみらい駅 (無料)
- Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (無料)
- Sankeien Garden 三溪園 (900円)
- Yokohama Chinatown 横浜中華街 (無料)
- Bungu Joshi Haku Stationery Festival December
- Transportation: 30 mins Tokyo -> Yokohama (500円), Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass
Extra Day (Leftover/Uncertain):
- teamLab Planets (3800円)
- Ogawa Hiroba Kand Curry Festival (Nov)
- Ikebukuro Bread Festival (2024)
=== Kamakura (1 Day) ===
Day 1: Kamakura & Enoshima
- Kotoku-in Buddha 高徳院 (300円)
- Hokokuji Temple + Bamboo 報国寺 (400円)
- Hasedera 長谷寺 (400円)
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu 鶴岡八幡宮 (無料)
- Enoshima Shrine 江島神社 辺津宮 (無料)
- Transportation: from Tokyo (1h, 950円)
=== Hakone (2 Days) ===
Day 1: Hakone
- Odawara Castle 小田原城 (無料)
- Hakone Shrine 箱根神社 (無料)
- Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (無料)
- Mishima Sky Walk 三島スカイウォーク (無料)
- Transportation: Hakone Pass includes free transport (6100円)
Day 2: Hakone
- Owakudani Volcano (無料)
- Gotemba Premium Outlets (無料)
- Rent sport car Mountain Drive? maybe (400$)
Nikko (1 Day)
Day 1: Nikko
- Kegon Waterfall 華厳滝 (無料)
- Nikkō Tōshogū 日光東照宮 + Bridge (2h, 1600円)
- Kanmangafuchi Abyss 憾満ヶ淵 (無料)
- Rin’nōji Taiyū-in (Mausoleum of Iemitsu) (無料)
- Transportation: Town -> Temple (300円), Nikko All Area Pass (4780円)
Kanazawa (3 Days)
Day 1: Central
- Ishiura Shrine 石浦神社 (無料)
- Kenroku-en 兼六園 (320円)
- Kanazawa Castle + Park 金沢城公園 (無料)
- Gyokusen-en Nishida Family Garden (無料)
- Oyama Shrine 尾山神社 (無料)
- Nagamachi District 長町武家屋敷跡 (無料)
Day 2: Central
- Higashi Chaya District ひがし茶屋街 (無料)
- Omicho Market 近江町市場 (無料)
- Myouryuji 妙立寺 (忍者寺) (?)
Day 3: Shirakawa
- Shirakawa-go 白川郷 (無料)
- Transportation: maybe needs pass it's far (2800円) bus
Kyoto (7 Days)
Day 1: West Kyoto
- Arashiyama Bamboo + Tenryu-ji (無料)
- Arashiyama Monkey Park + Hike (600円)
- Saihōji (Kokedera) Temple 西芳寺 (苔寺) (3000円)
- Suntory Kyoto Brewery + Tour shuttle (無料)
Day 2: Central Kyoto
- Kyoto Imperial Palace 京都御所 (無料)
- Nijō Castle + Goten Palace (1300円)
- Nishiki Market 錦市場 (無料)
- Pontocho Alley 先斗町通 (無料)
Day 3: East Kyoto
- Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺 + lights in late Nov (500円)
- Sannenzaka 産寧坂 (無料)
- Kōdai-ji Temple 高台寺 (無料)
- Start Shōren-in to Yasaka Shrine 八坂神社 + hike + walk to Yasaka Pagoda (無料)
Day 4: South Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari Taisha (無料)
- Toji Temple 東寺 (500円)
- Kyoto Railway Museum (1500円)
Day 5: Kinkakuji + North Kyoto
- Kinkakuji 金閣寺 (500円)
- Kuramadera Temple 鞍馬寺 (無料)
Day 6:
- Heian-jingū Shrine 平安神宮 (無料)
- Nanzenji -> Eikandō Temple 永観堂 (600円)
- Philosopher's Path -> Higashiyama Jisho-ji (500円)
Day 7:
- Byōdō-in Temple 平等院 (700円)
- Katsura Imperial Villa (reserve 2w before) (1000円)
Day 8:
- 18KM Hike in the River Valley (Alltrails map link)
Kinosaki (1 Day)
Day 1: Onsen Town
- Onsen town visit with a pass for 5 free onsens (12000円)
- No idea where to stay here for solo
Nara (2 Days)
Day 1: Central
- Tōdai-ji 東大寺 (800円)
- Nara Park 奈良公園 (無料)
- Kasuga Taisha 春日大社 (500円)
Day 2: Shrines
- Himuro Shrine 氷室神社 (無料)
- Hasedera Shrine 長谷寺 (500円)
=== Osaka 5 days ===
Day 1: Central Osaka
- Shin Sekai "New World" Market Street (無料)
- Shitenno-ji 四天王寺 (300円)
- Osaka Castle 大阪城 (600円)
- Dotonbori 道頓堀 + Tombori River (無料)
Day 2: Namba
- Nanba Yasaka Jinja 難波八阪神社 (無料)
- Hozen-ji Temple 法善寺 (無料)
- Dotonbori 道頓堀 + Tombori River (無料)
- Namba Jinja Shrine 難波神社 (無料)
- Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street (無料)
Day 3: Southern Osaka
- Sumiyoshi Taisha 住𠮷大社 (無料)
- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 海遊館 (2700円)
- Kabuki Theater or event (check website for pricing, ~6000円)
Day 4: Minoh
- Minoh Park Insectarium (300円)
- Hike to Minoh Falls 箕面大滝 (無料)
- Katsuoji 勝尾寺 (500円)
- Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda (無料)
- Hiraoka Jinja GOSHUIN (無料)
- Harukas 300 Skyview + Building (2000円)
Day 5: Remaining
- Tsuyuten Jinsya Ohatsu Tenjin 露天神社 (無料)
- Osaka Tenmangu Shrine (無料)
- Mandarake Grand Chaos Shop (無料)
=== Kumano Kodo Hike 4-9 days ===
Kohechi Route (4 Days)
Day 1: Omata to Koyasan (16.8km)
Day 2: Miura Guchi to Omata (18km)
Day 3: Totsukawa Onsen to Miura Guchi (21.2km)
Day 4: Hongu Taisha to Totsukawa Onsen (17km)
Nakahechi Route (5 Days)
Day 1: Takijiri to Chikatsuyu (13km)
Day 2: Chikatsuyu to Hongu Taisha (26km)
Day 3: Hongu Taisha to Hayatama Taisha by traditional boat then onto Kii Katsuura (18km)
Day 4: Kii Katsuura to Nachi Taisha via Daimonzaka then along the Ogumotori-goe trail to Koguchi (25km)
Day 5: Koguchi to Ukegawa along the Kogumotori-goe trail then onto Hongu Taisha and Yunomine Onsen (Dainichi-goe) (19.5km)
=== Kobe 2 days === Maybe extra buffer day here as i'm dead after hike, not sure 2nd day Day 1: Downtown
- Ikuta Jinja 生田神社 (無料)
- Nunobiki Ropeway to Herb Museum (料金未定)
- Walk to Nunobiki Waterfall (無料)
- Kirin Kobe Beer Factory (無料)
- Kobe Chinatown Nankin-machi (無料)
Day 2: Hike
- Kobe City Hall 神戸市役所 (無料)
- Kobe Animal Kingdom 神戸どうぶつ王国 (2200円)
- Kobe Museum (無料)
- Kobe Harborland 神戸ハーバーランド (無料)
=== Hyogo 1 day === Day 1: Shosha
- Himeji Castle 姫路城 + Kokoen Garden (1050円)
- Mt. Shosha 書写山 (無料)
- Mount Shosha Ropeway (700円)
- Engyoji 書寫山 圓教寺 (500円)
Transportation:
- Train to Himeji (90min)
- Bus to Mt. Shosha
=== Nagoya 2 days === Day 1: Nagoya
- Nagoya Castle (500円)
- Atsuta-jingu Shrine 熱田神宮 (無料)
- SCMaglev and Railway Park (1000円)
Day 2: Outside
- Toyota Automobile Museum (1200円)
- Ghibli Park (3500円)
Transportation:
- Train to Ghibli Park (1 hour)
=== Hiroshima 6 days === Day 1: Central Hiroshima
- Atomic Bomb Dome 原爆ドーム (200円)
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (無料)
- Hiroshima Castle 広島城 + Shrine (無料)
- Shukkeien Garden 縮景園 (260円)
- Hiroshima Orizuru Tower (2000円)
Day 2: Miyajima
- Miyajima Omotesandō Shōtengai (無料)
- Itsukushima Jinja (300円)
- Daishoin 大聖院 (無料)
- Hike to Mt.Misen (1 hour, 3.5km) or Ropeway
Transportation:
- Ferry to Itsukushima (200円)
Day 3: Leftover
- Mitaki-dera 三瀧寺 + Hike to Sokayama (無料)
- MAZDA Museum (無料)
- Yamato Museum Kure Maritime (400円)
Day 4: Okunoshima Rabbits
- Ōkunoshima 大久野島 (無料)
- Island Poison Gas Museum (無料)
- Nagaura toxic gas storage site (無料)
Transportation:
- Ferry to Ōkunoshima Island (740円)
Day 5: Onomichi
- Senkoji Temple 千光寺
- Onomichi Hondori Shopping Arcade (無料)
- Cat Alley (Neko no Hosomichi) (無料)
Day 6: Onomichi -> Shimanami
- Shimanami Kaido (70km) + bike rental (3000円)
- Onomichi Port Bicycle Rental Terminal
=== Fukuoka 4 days === Day 1: Center
- Kushida Shrine 櫛田神社 (無料)
- Sumiyoshi Jinja 筑前國一之宮 (無料)
- CANAL CITY HAKATA (無料)
- Yanagibashi Rengo Market (無料)
- Maizuru Park 舞鶴公園 (無料)
Day 2: Dazaifu
- Dazaifu Tenmangu 太宰府天満宮 (無料)
- Kamado Shrine (無料)
- Life-Size RX-93ff ν Gundam Statue (無料)
- Fukuoka Convention Center for Sumo (無料)
Day 3: Cat Island
- Ainoshima Island 相島 (無料)
Day 4: Iki Island
- Iki Island 壱岐島 (無料)
- Tsukiyomi Shrine 月讀神社 (無料)
- Sakyobana 左京鼻 (無料)
Transportation:
- Ferry to Iki Island (料金未定)
== From here on the rest is undecided and I feel they are too far or not enough found to do, let me know ==
=== Tochigi (1 Day) ===
if found ticket to buy while in japan at 7/11 Day 1: Mobility Resort Motegi
- Mobility Resort Motegi for SUPER GT (料金未定)
- Honda Collection Hall (料金未定)
Transportation:
- Tokyo -> Tochigi (4 hours, 4000円)
=== Sendai (2 Day) ===
Day 1: Sendai
- Osaki Hachiman Shrine 大崎八幡宮 (無料)
- Rissyakuji Temple 宝珠山 Yamadera (300円)
Day 2: Sendai Activities
- Sendai Morning Market (無料)
- Zuihōden (Grave of Date Masamune) (570円)
Transportation:
- Sapporo -> Sendai (plane, 6590円, Oct 23)
=== omori (1 Day) Day 1: City ===
- Nebuta Museum WA RASSE (620円)
- Takayama Inari Shrine 髙山稲荷神社 (無料)
- Tsuru no Maihashi Bridge 鶴の舞橋 (無料)
Oita for beppu jigoku meguri hells tour
Kawaguchiko maybe not bc I got Hakone but there's the Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor
Fukushima got Tsuruga Castle 鶴ヶ + Sazae Temple 会津さざえ堂
Utsunomiya Castle, it's got gyoza festival idk
Shikoku would be nice but needs 1 week I feel like + car, I got a International Driving liscence tho
Thanks for reading, hope I help someone with their travel plans 🙂
by CIA_IS_WATCHING