Hey all,
I'm working on my itinerary right now for a trip in November. It will be my first time in Japan and I am super excited. I was hoping that if I shared my current itinerary along with my priorities, some folks may be able to provide suggestions or recommendations for me to consider.
Things that I care about most:
- Food
- Shopping (thrifting, records, home goods)
- A healthy balance of go go go environments and relaxed environments
- Pretty or impressive architecture, interesting neighbourhoods to wander, and nature
Things that I don't really care about:
- Trying to see as many museums, shrines and castles as possible. I am happy to just see the best or especially unique ones.
- Theme parks (Nintendo, SeaWorld, etc.)
- Anime, Studio Ghibli, etc.
I tried my best to make things make sense geographically, but I'm sure I may have failed. Especially in Tokyo where things aren't always walking distance.
Day 1 - Fukuoka:
- Arrive in the morning into Fukuoka, handle any admin stuff (eSim, etc.) and drop
off bags at accommodation
- Head down to Nokonoshima Island Park for the afternoon
- Head back and enjoy golden hour/sunset at Momochi Seaside Park
- Head up Fukuoka Tower for a night view of the city
Day 2 - Fukuoka:
- Wander around Ohori and Maizuru Parks
- Café hopping and shopping in Tenjin and Gaimyo
- Check out the Yatai Stalls late at night
Must have food in Fukuoka: Hakata Ramen, Motsunabe
Day 3 - Day trip to Nagasaki
- Early AM train to Nagasaki (Hakata Station -> Transfer at Takeo Onsen -> Nagasaki)
- Nagasaki Peace Park and the surrounding area
- Wander around Dejima and Shinchi neighbourhoods
- Mount Inasa Sunset Dinner + night view
- Late PM train back to Fukuoka
Must have food in Nagasaki: Castella, Champon
Day 4 - Hiroshima
- Train to Hiroshima, will forward luggage straight to Kyoto
- Peace Memorial Park and Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, etc.
- Hiroshima Castle
- Orizuru Tower
Must have food in Hiroshima: Okonomiyaki
Day 5 - Day Trip to Miyajima
- Early AM ferry to Miyajima Island
- Itsukushima Shrine and Five Story Pagoda
- Daisho-in Temple
- Hike up Mount Misen (Daisho-in Trail)
- Momijidani Park on the way down after ropeway
- Miyajima Brewery
- Late PM ferry back to Hiroshima
Must have food on Miyajima Island: Fresh oysters, Momiji Manju
Day 6 - Kyoto
- Early AM train
- Ryoanji and Kinkakuji
- Wander around Termachi and Shikyogoku Arcades
- Eat and drink a ton in Pontocho Alley and Nishiki Night Market
Day 7 - Day trip to Arashiyama
- Arrive as early as possible to the Bamboo Grove
- Tenryu-ji
- Yusai-tei Gallery
- Wander my way up the Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
- Otagi Nenbutsuji
- Make my way back down for Hogon-in Illumination
Must have food in Arashiyama: ????
Day 8 - Kyoto
- Arrive as early as possible to Fushimi Inari
- Yasaka Padoga
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Wander around Higashiyama and Gion
- Some sort of theatre, tea ceremony, fancy dinner?
Must have food in Kyoto: ?????
Day 9 - Day trip to Osaka
- AM train to Osaka
- Stroll around Shinsekai
- Eat everything at Kuromon Market and Dotonbori
- Late PM train back to Kyoto
Must have food in Osaka: Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Kushi Katsu
Day 10 - Day trip to Himeji and Kobe
- Early AM train to Himeji
- Explore around Himeji Castle
- Early PM train to Kobe
- Drink all the sake and eat all of the beef
- Late PM train back to Kyoto
Must have food in Kobe: Way too expensive high quality beef
Day 11 - Hakone
- AM train to Hakone, will forward luggage straight from Kyoto to Tokyo
- Do absolutely nothing but relax in the ryokan and enjoy the private onsen and food
Day 12 - Tokyo
- If weather permits, I'll try to sneak to Lake Ashi for views of Mt. Fuji before
heading to Tokyo
- Morning or early afternoon train to Tokyo
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Stroll around and eat and drink in Shinjuku and Golden Gai
Day 13 - Tokyo
- Visit Meiji Shrine early in the AM
- Shop in Harajuku and Shibuya
- Check out the Shibuya Crossing/people watch from some viewpoint
- Shibuya Sky
Day 14 - Tokyo
- Café hop and shop in Shimokitazawa
- Maybe catch some theatre or live music in the area or take some dance classes at En
Studio back in Shibuya
Day 16 - Kamakura/Enoshima
- Honestly no plans beyond looking for interesting and pretty places to aimlessly
wander
Must eat good in Kamakura or Enoshima: ????
Day 16 - Tokyo
- TeamLab Borderless
- Nezu Museum
- Rappongi Hills Mori Tower
- Fancy dinner + high up bar with a city view (Andaz?)
Day 17 - Tokyo
- TeamLab Planets
- Tsujiki Fish Market
- Miscellaneous souvenir shopping
- Late flight back home from Haneda
Must have food in Tokyo: ?????
by oopsu812