Revised itinerary after getting Ghibli tickets
Land in Tokyo from India on 20th September
20-23 Sept: Tokyo
23 – 25 Sept: Nikko
25 – 29 Sept: Osaka (Day trips to Himeji and some other place)
29 Sept – 1 Oct: Nagoya (Specifically for Ghibli)
1 – 5 Oct: Kyoto (Day trip to Kobe)
6 – 12 Oct: Tokyo (Will be exploring Tokyo and doing day trips to Kamakura, Kanazawa, Jimbocho, Hakone)
Is this itinerary okay?
I'm worried about the travel from Nikko to Osaka. Should I rather to Kyoto and then do Osaka from Nagoya?
Please suggest.
Earlier itinerary
So, I have revised my original itinerary. Will be traveling for 22 days in Japan. I'll be traveling from India. Here's the tentative plan.
Please suggest if Nara is overhyped and if Hokkaido is doable in this schedule. I have consciously avoided Hiroshima. Too overwhelming for me.
Day 1-2: Tokyo
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Arrive at Narita or Haneda Airport.
Transfer to your hotel and rest.
Evening stroll in Shinjuku, explore Kabukicho and Omoide Yokocho.
Day 2: Tokyo Highlights and Ghibli Museum
Morning visit to Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.
Explore Akihabara for anime and electronics.
Afternoon visit to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka (Book tickets in advance).
Evening visit to Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko Statue.
Day 3-5: Hakone and Mt. Fuji
Day 3: Travel to Hakone
Take the train to Hakone (use Hakone Free Pass).
Explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum.
Check into a ryokan and relax in an onsen.
Day 4: Hakone and Lake Ashi
Take the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani.
Cruise on Lake Ashi.
Visit Hakone Shrine.
Enjoy another night in a ryokan with onsen.
Day 5: Day Trip to Mt. Fuji
Take a bus to the Mt. Fuji 5th Station.
Explore the area and enjoy the views.
Return to Hakone for the night.
Day 6-9: Kyoto
Day 6: Travel to Kyoto
Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto.
Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Explore Gion district in the evening.
Day 7: Historic Kyoto
Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).
Explore Ryoan-ji Temple.
Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Day 8: Kyoto and Nara
Day trip to Nara (visit Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple).
Return to Kyoto and explore Nishiki Market.
Day 9: Day Trip to Ghibli Park
Take a train from Kyoto to Aichi Prefecture.
Spend the day exploring Ghibli Park.
Return to Kyoto in the evening.
Day 10-11: Osaka and Naoshima
Day 10: Travel to Osaka
Take a short train ride to Osaka.
Visit Osaka Castle.
Explore Dotonbori for food and shopping.
Day 11: Travel to Naoshima
Take a ferry to Naoshima, the art island.
Explore the Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House.
Stay overnight on Naoshima.
Day 12-13: Beach Stay in Shirahama
Day 12: Travel to Shirahama
Take the train to Shirahama Beach.
Enjoy the beach and relax.
Stay overnight in Shirahama.
Day 13: Explore Shirahama
Continue relaxing at the beach.
Visit Adventure World or the Sandanbeki Cliffs.
Stay overnight in Shirahama.
Day 14-16: Tokyo and Day Trips
Day 14: Travel to Tokyo
Take the train back to Tokyo.
Evening at leisure.
Day 15: Day Trip to Kamakura
Take the train from Tokyo to Kamakura.
Visit the Great Buddha (Kotoku-in) and Hasedera Temple.
Enjoy the beach at Yuigahama.
Return to Tokyo in the evening.
Day 16: Day Trip to Nikko
Take the train from Tokyo to Nikko.
Visit Toshogu Shrine and Kanmangafuchi Abyss.
Return to Tokyo in the evening.
Day 17-21: Hokkaido
Day 17: Travel to Sapporo
Take a flight from Tokyo to Sapporo, Hokkaido.
Explore Odori Park and Susukino district.
Day 18: Sapporo and Otaru
Day trip to Otaru, a charming port city.
Visit Otaru Canal, Music Box Museum, and try local seafood.
Return to Sapporo for the night.
Day 19: Furano and Biei
Day trip to Furano and Biei for beautiful flower fields and rolling hills.
Return to Sapporo for the night.
Day 20: Explore Sapporo
Visit Sapporo Beer Museum and Historical Village of Hokkaido.
Enjoy local cuisine.
Day 21: Return to Tokyo
Take a flight back to Tokyo.
Free time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing.
Evening departure from Narita or Haneda Airport.
Route Overview and Travel Tips:
Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto (Day Trip to Ghibli Park) → Osaka → Naoshima → Shirahama (Beach Stay) → Tokyo (Day Trips: Kamakura, Nikko) → Hokkaido (Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Biei) → Tokyo
by Funny-Cricket6450