Hi, I'm travelling to Japan for the first time with a group of 5 in late November – early December. We've tried to make our itinerary a mix of city and countryside. Any suggestions on places we should/shouldn't visit or other advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Day 1: Tokyo
- Arrive at Narita and train to Shinjuku
- Check in at Shinjuku hotel
- Chill first evening
Day 2: Tokyo
- Explore Shinjuku in the morning
- Walk down to Meiji Shrine, then Harajuku
- Shibuya Sky and dinner in Shibuya
Day 3: Tokyo
- Train to Ueno Park
- National Museum (if time)
- Explore Akihabara
- Asakusa and Senso-ji in the evening
Day 4: Hakone
- Train to Odawara and pick up car
- Drive to Hakone
- Hakone Shrine
- Checkpoint Museum
- Open Air Museum
- Tenzan Onsen
Day 5: Kawaguchiko
- Final exploration of Hakone in the morning
- Drive to Lake Kawaguchi (possibly visit Choanji on the way)
- Cycle around the Lake
- Chureito Pagoda
Day 6: Kiso Valley
- Drive to Nakatsugawa, visiting Matsumoto Castle and Narai on the way
- The Bunka-Bunsei Customs Parade is taking place in Tsumago on this day (23rd November) so possibly attend if time (if anyone has any info on this festival or has been it would be great to hear about it)
- Drop car off in Nakatsugawa
Day 7: Nakasendo Trail
- Take an early train to Nagiso
- Walk the Nakasendo Trail to Tsumago, then continue to Magome
- Either walk back or take bus to Nakatsugawa
- Take the train to Nagoya, then Shinkansen to Kyoto
Day 8: Kyoto
- Kiyomizu-dera early morning
- Temple hopping around Higashiyama
- Philosopher's Path
- Night illuminations in evening
Day 9: Kyoto Arashiyama
- Get to Arashiyama early
- Bamboo forest
- Tenryu-ji
- Snow monkey park
- Walk through Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street to Otagi Nenbutsuji
Day 10: Uji (Day trip)
- Fushimi Inari early morning
- Travel to Uji
- Byodo-in
- Nintendo museum
Day 11: Kyoto
- Enkoji Temple
- Kurame to Kibune hike
Day 12: Osaka
- Kinkaku-ji in the morning
- Pick up Kansai-Hiroshima JR pass
- Train to Osaka
- Kaiyukan Aquarium
- Explore Dotonbori
Day 13: Minoh (Day Trip)
- Train to Minoh
- Walk to Minoh Falls
- Walk (or taxi) to Katsuoji
- Evening in central Osaka
Day 14: Hiroshima and Miyajima
- Shinkansen to Hiroshima
- Peace Memorial Park
- Lunch in Hiroshima
- Ferry to Miyajima and sunset by Itsukushima Jinja
- Stay overnight on Miyajima
Day 15: Himeji and back to Osaka
- Daishoin early morning
- Hike Mount Misen
- Ferry back to Hiroshima and train to Himeji
- Himeji castle
- Train back to Osaka
Day 16: Nara (Day Trip)
- Train to Nara
- Deer park
- Kofuku-ji
- Todai-ji
Day 17: Tokyo
- Shinkansen back to Tokyo
- Shopping in Ginza
- Tower Records
Day 18: Tokyo
- Explore / anything not already done
Day 19: Leave
- Early flight from Haneda
by MKMistral