My partner and I are going to Japan for our honeymoon in late October/early November. We've never been to Japan before, but it's been a bucket list holiday destination for us for years. We want a varied trip, but are particularly interested in food, bars/low-key nightlife, as well as historical sites and shrines. Additionally, I'm a big contemporary art fan and my husband wants to do some short hikes. I suspect Tokyo and Hakone will be highlights because we love big cities and are splurging on a ryokan in Hakone.
We haven't properly mapped out our Tokyo time or places to eat yet, but I wanted to check if my rough itinerary is feasible. My main concerns are:
-Are we spending enough time in Kyoto?
-We're not early risers – am I right in thinking some of the shrines are open and quieter in the evenings, like Fushimi Inari?
-Is Nara worth visiting (it's been recommended, but I'm also wondering if it might be crowded and we're not fussed about the deer)
-Is flying from Hiroshima to Tokyo wise? I'd prefer to get the train, but it's less than half the price to fly with ANA.
-Is Naoshima a good stop off for a first-timer's trip? I know it's not the usual, but it does sound interesting and peaceful.
Tokyo – staying at Sotetsu Fresa Shinjuku
Day 1
Land 7am and drop luggage at hotel
Explore Shinjuku
Days 2, 3, 4 (no particular order)
General exploring/sightseeing in Shibuya, Asakusa, Ueno, Shimokitazawa
Ghibli museum and art galleries (prioritising the Mori and Museum of Contemporary Art)
Shrines (Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji)
Akihabara
Takeshita street
Possibly a couple of nights out in Shinjuku, near to our accommodation, if we have the energy!
We'll return to Tokyo at the end of the trip so don't have to cover everything in these three days
Day 5
Day trip to Nikko
Hakone – staying at Madokano mori ryokan
Day 6
Check out of hotel (Tokyo) and get the train to Hakone, drop luggage off at accommodation in Gora
Open air museum
Chill at ryokan
Day 7
Hakone loop
Osaka – staying at Just Sleep Shinsaibashi
Day 8
Check out in Hakone late morning, shinkansen to Osaka
Exploring Osaka – Osaka castle, Dotonbori
Day 9
Day trip to Nara
Day 10
Explore Osaka – Aquarium
Food and bars in the evening
Kyoto – staying at Hotel Musse
Day 11
Travel to Kyoto
Nishiki market and other areas
Heian Jingu shrine
Gion
Day 12
Arashiyama
Back to Kyoto – Fushimi Inari (evening)
Day 13
Kinkakuji
Squeeze in more sightseeing if time, then travel to Naoshima to arrive in the evening
Naoshima/Teshima – staying Yado Seven Beach near Naoshima Miyanoura port
Day 14
Explore museums on Naoshima – Minamidera, Chichu, Benesse House
Day 15
Ferry to Teshima, maybe hire e-bikes
Teshima Art Museum
Back to Naoshima, then travel on to Hiroshima to arrive in the evening
Hiroshima
Day 16
Miyajima day trip
Wander round Hiroshima in the evening
Day 17
Peace Museum
Travel back to Tokyo in the evening (thinking about taking an 8pm flight)
Tokyo.2
Days 18-20
Sightseeing for anything we missed the first time
Shopping
Potential day trip to Fuji-Q or Kamakura
Day 21
Travel home
Thank you! I've found this sub so helpful with all its advice.
by umbrellatalk