Hi all, we are a Canadian couple travelling to Japan at the beginning of September for two weeks. For context we are in our 30s and from Vancouver, and are used to walking/hiking/physical activity. Our goal was to plan enough to have a general guide of where to go each day, without feeling like we are rushing around. We are also planning to ship luggage city to city to lighten the load.
So please, if you think this looks like too much, feel free to let me know. I would also love to know if you have personally stayed at any of these hotels or ate at any of the restaurants we're thinking of visiting. Would also LOVE to know any coffee shop recommendations. TIA!
DAY 1: Thursday, September 5th – TOKYO
Arrival Narita Airport @ 12:30 PM JST
Train to The Gate Hotel in Asakusa
Check out Sensoji temple across the street
Depending on energy levels, may explore Nakamise-dori St
Grab a light dinner Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku
DAY 2: Friday, September 6th – TOKYO
Morning: Ghibli Museum @ 10AM (tix already booked!)|
Grab lunch at Mother's Trattoria
Explore Kichijoji
Dinner at Asakusa Hirayama
DAY 3: Saturday, September 7th – TOKYO
Morning: Explore Shinjuku City
Lunch at Ramen Hayashida
Afternoon: Explore Shibuya City
Shibuya Sky in the early evening, 6:00PM
Dinner at Asakusa Gyukatsu
DAY 4: Sunday, September 8th – TOKYO > KYOTO
Morning: Explore Ginza
Late Lunch at T's Tantan near Shinkansen
Shinkansen Tokyo > Kyoto 3pm
Check in to Mitsui Garden Hotel Kawamarachi
Dinner at Enboca
Walk through Pontocho Alley on the way back to hotel
DAY 5: Monday, September 9th – KYOTO
Early morning to Fushimi Inari
Hike Mt. Inari
Back to hotel for late breakfast (included in our rate)
Afternoon: Nishiki Market (grab street food if hungry)
Dinner at Nakashimaya
DAY 6: Tuesday, September 10th – KYOTO
Morning: Monkey Park
Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryu-ji
Lunch at Tenryu-ji temple Shigetsu
Train to Kameoka (30 mins)
Hozugawa Boat ride (~90 mins)
Train back to Hotel, refresh
Dinner at Yakiyasai Isoya
Yasaka-jinja Shrine (15 min walk)
DAY 7: Wednesday, September 11th – KYOTO
Morning: Philospher's path, Higashimaya Jisho-ji
Eikando Temple
Lunch at Kyoto Engine Ramen
Chion-in temple
Explore Ninenzaka st
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Dinner at Berangkat (hard to get reso, looking for alts)
DAY 8: Thursday, September 12th – KYOTO > NARA > OSAKA
Depart Kyoto for Nara ~8:00 AM
Morning: Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha Temple
Nara Park
Isuien Garden & Museum
Lunch at Sanshu-tei (inside museum)
Afternoon: Hike Mt. Wakausa
Depart for Osaka, check in to AirBnB
Dinner @ Endo Sushi
DAY 9: Friday, September 13th – OSAKA
Morning: Osaka Castle
Lunch at Mugito Mensuke
Afternoon: Explore Dotonbori
Dinner at Kawafuku honten
DAY 10: Saturday, September 14th – OSAKA
Morning: Minoh Park
Lunch @ Frank Ride & Eat or Craft Burger Co
Afternoon: Tombori River walk, maybe river cruise?
Yoshimoto Comedy night OR Dotonbori Tea Ceremony
Dinner at Oretachino-curry
Ship Luggage to Tokyo Hotel (will bring only our backpacks to Hakone)
DAY 11: Sunday, September 15th – OSAKA > HAKONE
Morning: Depart Osaka, JR to Odawara
Soushu Torigin Lunch (near odawara station)
Bus ride & Ropeway to Owakudani
Check in to Hakone Ten-yu Ryokan
Dinner at Restaurant ROI
DAY 12: Monday, September 16th – HAKONE
Morning: Relax & Enjoy Onsen
Lunch at Soba Khinkan
Hike Mt. Kintoki
Dinner at OHANA (open to alternatives nearby)
Enjoy Onsen~
DAY 13: Tuesday, September 17th – HAKONE > TOKYO
Morning: Possibly Hakone Open Air Museum
Lunch at Kaikatei
JR Train to Tokyo
Late afternoon: Explore Nakano Broadway (hoping to do Anime Cel Shopping)
Dinner at Inshotei
Walk back to Almont hotel through Ueno Park
DAY 14: Wednesday, September 18th – TOKYO
Morning: grab coffee & snacks in Ueno
Skyliner train to Narita Airport for 3:30 PM departure
by Nakkele
