Hello! My friend and I are going to Japan for ~ 2.5 weeks at the end of August to the 2nd week of September. This is my 3rd time going and her first so we’re doing a mix of the main cities and also ones a bit outside the super touristy area. She’s arriving in Tokyo a couple days before me so she’ll do her sightseeing then. How does this itinerary look? We have an extra day but I’m not sure where to add it. Maybe in Kamikochi or Osaka? She’s very much a “it’s all about the vibes” person when we travel so we don’t want to pack our days too much.
Day 1: Meet up in Tokyo
- Night in Shibuya/shinjuku
Day 2: Day trip to Kamakura
- Great Buddha
- Hase-dera Temple
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
- Beach?
Day 3: Tokyo -> Kawaguchiko
- explore the area
- ropeway
- maybe a boat ride
Day 4: Kawaguchiko
- Chureito Pagoda (early morning)
- Oishi Park or biking around the lake
Day 5: Kawaguchiko -> Matsumoto
- Matsumoto Castle
- Nakamachi Street
Day 6: Matsumoto
- Japan Ukiyo-e Museum
- Nawate Street
- Onsen
Day 7: Matsumoto -> Kamikochi
- do some hiking around the area
- Kappabashi, Dakesawa Marsh, Myojin-ike, Hotaka, Taisho-Ike
Day 8: Kamikochi -> Takayama
- Explore Sanmachi Suji
- Takayama Jinya
Day 9: Takayama
- Day trip to Shirakawa-go or Hida Folk Village
Day 10: Takayama -> Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Gion District
- Kamo River
Day 11: Kyoto
- Arashiyama
- Kinkaku-ji
- Sagano Scenic Railway to Kameoka and maybe a boat ride
Day 12: Kyoto
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Ginkaku-ji
- Philosopher's Path
- Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Day 13: Kyoto -> Osaka
- Dotonbori
- Shinsaibashi
Day 14: Osaka
- Kuromon Ichiba Market
- Umeda Sky Building
Day 15: Extra day in Osaka (Aquarium?) or Kamikochi
Day 16: Osaka -> Tokyo
by -rhaella