Hi everyone! My boyfriend and I are planning a two week trip to Japan in November, wanted to get some advice on our itinerary so far. Our flights are booked, but hotels and other tickets haven't been purchased yet so there is room for flexibility. Open to any feedback or recommendations, definitely want to make the most out of our trip while not overwhelming ourselves.
For hotels we're thinking of staying near Tokyo station the first night, in/nearby Gion all days in Kyoto, near Dotonburi both days in Osaka, and near Asakusa all remaining days in Tokyo. We plan to use the Suica card and buy other train tickets as needed, instead of opting for the JR pass. Free time is added where possible, we don't want to rush through each day but are still open to suggestions for schedule changes. Thanks!
Day 1: Tokyo (Sunday)
- 5pm: arrive in Narita
- Ship bags to Kyoto
- Bus/train to Tokyo
- Grab 711 snacks. Dinner near hotel
- Sleep by 10pm or earlier
Day 2: Tokyo to Kyoto (Monday)
- 11am bullet train to Kyoto
- 1:30-2pm check in to hotel
- 2:30pm explore Gion (Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka area)
- 3:30pm Kiyomizu-dera
- 6pm dinner
Day 3: Kyoto (Tuesday)
- 9am Kyoto Imperial Palace
- 11:30am Nishiki Market
- 1:30pm Fushimi Inari (hike to the top)
- Dinner (time TBD)
Day 4: Kyoto [Arashiyama] (Wednesday)
- 8am Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
- 9am Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Bamboo Forest & Temple
- 10:30am Breakfast at Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
- 11:30am Giōji Temple
- 12pm Lunch
- 1:30pm Somekobo Yumeyusai Inc.
- 3pm Tenryu-ji
- 5:15pm Nonomiya Shrine
- 6pm Dinner
- Free time
Day 5: Kyoto (Thursday)
- Free day (options: philosophers path walk, Nanzen-ji Temple, Kamo River park, etc.)
Day 6: Kyoto (Friday)
- 10am: Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 12pm: Shopping: Nineizaka, Sannenzak, Hanamikoji Street
- 2:30pm: Free time
- 7pm: Dinner along Pontocho alley
- Time permitting: night temple illumination
- Ship large bags to Tokyo
Day 7: Osaka (Saturday)
- 9am: Drop off day bag(s) at hotel
- 9:30am: breakfast at Kuroman food market
- 10:30am-2pm: Shopping at Den Den Town, Shin Sekai, and Shinsaibashi-suji
- 2pm: Lunch
- 3:30pm: Private Onsen
- 6:30pm: Dinner at Dotonburi food market
- 8pm: Karaoke bar
Day 8: Osaka & Nara (Sunday)
- 9am: train to Nara
- 10am: Todaiji Temple / Nara Park
- 12:30pm: Lunch
- 1:30pm Kasugataisha Shrine
- 2:30pm: Return to Osaka
- 4pm: Osaka castle park
- 5pm: Free time
- 7pm: Dinner
Day 9: Tokyo (Monday)
- 8am: Bullet train to Tokyo
- 11am: Drop off bags at hotel
- 1pm: lunch at Sumo Restaurant (Yokozuna Tonkatsu)
- 3:30pm-7:30pm: Shopping at Akihabara, Ameya-Yokocho, and Kappabashi Kitchen Tools Street
- 7:30pm: Dinner
- 9pm: Don Quijote
Day 10: Tokyo (Tuesday)
- 8:30am: Breakfast at Toyosu Fish Market
- 10am: Teamlab Planets
- 2pm: Pokemon cafe
- 4pm: Sensoji temple
- 5pm: Nakamise Dori shopping street
- 7pm: Dinner
Day 11: Hakone Day trip (Wednesday)
- Guided day trip to Hakone for a view of Mt. Fuji
Day 12: Tokyo (Thursday)
- 9am: Explore Shinjuku neighborhood, Kabukicho Central Road, and Omoide Yokocho
- 11:30am: Free time (options: Temple / Shrine / Imperial Palace / Garden)
- 2pm: Lunch
- 4pm: Shibuya Sky
- 7pm: explore Shibuya crossing neighborhood
- 9pm: Dinner
Day 13: Tokyo (Friday)
- 8am: Gotokuji Temple
- Free time: relax, explore etc.
Day 14: Tokyo (Saturday)
- Free time until 1:30pm
- 1:30pm: Leave Tokyo, bus or train to Narita (with all luggage)
- 7pm: Flight home
by 21Lost-