Hi all! I’ll be visiting Japan for the first time in October and I’m really excited. My plan is to move around a bit, I’m hoping to visit 4 distinct areas during my stay (Tokyo; Osaka, Kyoto, & Kobe; Kanazawa; and Takayama) For context I’ll be solo travelling (25M) and using public transport / taxis to get around.
I’d love to hear any thoughts on the feasibility of the time frame and any other suggestions. I could possibly extend the trip by an extra day or 2 if needed to but my arrival date is fixed. Thanks!
Day 1 (12 Oct) – Land at Haneda (AM). Travel to accommodation and see the main sights (Shibuya crossing & Tokyo tower). Go out for dinner and drinks in evening. Earlyish night sleep.
Day 2 (13 Oct) – Explore area around my accommodation. Visit Shinjuku gardens and Meiji Jingu.
Day 3 (14 Oct) – Day trip to Mt Fuji. Cycle around the area. Back to Tokyo central for dinner and drinks. – This is a placeholder, no specific date for visiting Mt Fuji but will visit based on weather forecast etc.
Day 4 (15 Oct) – Leave Tokyo (I return towards the end of the trip) and travel to Osaka in AM. Get to accommodation and explore waterfront / river walks in PM. – This day feels a bit empty, not sure whether one of the other days in Osaka can be rolled in to allow for another day trip out?
DAY 5 (16 Oct) – Have breakfast local to accommodation. Day trip to Himeji castle, Koko-en, and walk around Himeji. Most likely will have dinner in Himeji depending on times. I’ll want to be back in Osaka for late PM.
Day 6 (17 Oct) – Visit Sumiyoshi Taisha, Shitennoji temple, and the history museum. Observation deck and fine dining experience in PM.
Day 7 (18 Oct) – Day trip to Kyoto. Visit Arashiyama Forest in AM. Visit the Buddhist temples and Nijõ castle. Also a visit to Nishiki market (?). Dinner in Kyoto and back to Osaka late PM. – Not sure if this is too much for a day trip?
Day 8 (19 Oct) – Day trip to Kobe. Visit Nunobiki waterfalls and Sorakuen garden. Visit a sake tasting (Idea came to me while writing this out, sorry for not being specific). Dinner in Kobe PM.
Day 9 (20 Oct) – Last explore of Osaka in AM. Pick up bag and leave Osaka for Kanazawa. Explore Kanazawa waterfront in PM.
Day 10 (21 Oct) – Visit Kenroku-en gardens early AM. Explore Higashi Chaya and visit Omicho market. Leave for Takayaman in PM.
Day 11 (22 Oct) – Explore old town of Takayama and hike trails (again sorry for no specifics).
Day 12 (23 Oct) – Visit Hida no Sato museum, more hiking for rest of the day.
Day 13 (24 Oct) – Hiking in AM. Leave Takayama and return to Tokyo. Dinner and drinks in PM – Again, I’m unsure if this day will be too busy with a hike in the morning.
Day 14 (25 Oct) – Visit Kappabashi street and Tokyo national museum. Skytree and fine dining experience in PM.
Day 15 (26 Oct) – Slower day visiting Nakameguro for a walk around. Also shopping for gifts for friends/family.
Day 16 (27 Oct) – Leave accommodation. Flight from Haneda early PM 🙁
Thanks for taking the time to read through all this! As mentioned above I can add an extra day or 2 if this schedule is tight. Alternatively if you think I’m spending too much/little time in one place I’d love to hear suggestions.
I left the evenings relatively blank as I will eat at places that catch my eye, although I plan to have a couple of fine dining experiences that I will book on set days. Additionally I am a big fan of cocktails/mixology so will be visiting any recommended bars in the evenings.
The stay at Kanazawa is short as my main desire is to visit the Kenroku-en gardens, if more time is needed in Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto I would consider removing this stop.
Again, thanks for reading this and I appreciate any suggestions! 🙂
by I-prefer-anonymity