First timer and going solo, Haven't decided on exploring north or south yet. Thoughts and recommendations appreciated
Week 1: Tokyo and Surroundings
Day 1-3: Tokyo
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo. Check into your hotel, relax, and visit Shibuya Crossing in the evening.
Day 2: Visit Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple), Tokyo Skytree, and Ueno Park. In the evening, explore Akihabara for anime, manga, and electronics shops, including Super Potato.
Day 3: Explore Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street), Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and visit Nakano Broadway for anime and manga shopping.
Day 4: Nikko (Day Trip)
- Visit Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, and Kegon Falls.
Day 5-7: Tokyo Continued
- Day 5: Explore Odaiba (teamLab Borderless, DiverCity, and Rainbow Bridge). Visit the Gundam Base Tokyo in DiverCity.
- Day 6: Visit Tsukiji Outer Market and Hamarikyu Gardens. Take a Sumida River cruise. In the afternoon, visit the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.
- Day 7: Day trip to Kamakura to visit the Great Buddha, Hasedera Temple, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Return to Tokyo and explore Ikebukuro, home to the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and Otome Road.
Week 2: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Kyoto
Day 8: Arakurayama Sengen Park
- Travel to Fujiyoshida. Visit Arakurayama Sengen Park for stunning views of Mount Fuji and the Chureito Pagoda. Return to Tokyo in the evening.
Day 9-10: Kyoto
- Day 9: Travel to Kyoto by Shinkansen. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine and Gion District in the evening.
- Day 10: Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji Temple, and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Day 11: Nara (Day Trip)
- Visit Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Day 12-14: Kyoto Continued
- Day 12: Explore Higashiyama District, visit Sanjusangendo Hall, and Heian Shrine.
- Day 13: Experience a traditional tea ceremony and visit Nishiki Market.
- Day 14: Day trip to Uji for Byodo-in Temple and tea experiences.
Week 3: Osaka and Hiroshima
Day 15-17: Osaka
- Day 15: Travel to Osaka. Visit Osaka Castle and surrounding park.
- Day 16: Explore Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, and Amerikamura. Visit Nipponbashi (Den Den Town) for anime and manga stores, and check out the Capcom Bar in Shinjuku.
- Day 17: Visit the Osaka Aquarium and Tempozan Ferris Wheel. Explore Kuromon Ichiba Market.
Day 18: Himeji (Day Trip)
- Visit Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden.
Day 19-21: Hiroshima and Miyajima
- Day 19: Travel to Hiroshima. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
- Day 20: Day trip to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine and hike Mount Misen.
- Day 21: Explore Hiroshima’s Shukkeien Garden and Hiroshima Castle.
Week 4: Northern Japan (Hokkaido) or Southern Japan (Kyushu)
Option 1: Northern Japan (Hokkaido)
- Day 22: Fly or take a train to Sapporo. Explore Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, and Sapporo Clock Tower.
- Day 23: Visit the Sapporo Beer Museum and Historical Village of Hokkaido. Try local delicacies like miso ramen and jingisukan (grilled mutton).
- Day 24: Day trip to Otaru. Explore the scenic canal area, visit music box museums, and try Otaru’s famous sushi.
- Day 25: Visit Noboribetsu Onsen and explore Jigokudani (Hell Valley), known for its hot springs and volcanic activity.
- Day 26: Explore Furano and Biei for beautiful autumn landscapes and flower fields, if the timing is right. Visit Farm Tomita for lavender and other seasonal blooms.
- Day 27: Return to Sapporo. Visit Moerenuma Park, designed by artist Isamu Noguchi, and stroll around Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine.
- Day 28: Fly back to Osaka for your departure from Kansai International Airport.
Option 2: Southern Japan (Kyushu)
- Day 22: Travel to Fukuoka. Explore Canal City and the Fukuoka Tower.
- Day 23: Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and Kyushu National Museum.
- Day 24: Day trip to Nagasaki. Visit Peace Park and Glover Garden.
- Day 25: Explore Kumamoto. Visit Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji Jojuen Garden.
- Day 26: Visit Aso for Mount Aso and the Aso Volcano Museum.
- Day 27: Explore Beppu for its hot springs and hells (Jigoku).
- Day 28: Travel to Osaka for your departure from Kansai International Airport.
by ScreechingWaffles
2 comments
Just from my experience and itinerary I’m planning,
Day 6: Ghibli museum is an hour or so away, and no time limit in the museum so I would keep the day free. Perhaps you can plan once you secure the tickets, depending on the time slot you’ve gotten? Are you going this Sept or next Sept? Because if is this Sept (next month), tickets will be released in 2 days and you need to “snatch” it! You may want to explore the area before / after your museum visit
Day 7: you can add enoshima in it, to visit after Kamakura, they are usually done together
I haven’t visited Hokkaido so can’t comment but I just visited option 2, I did:
Fly to Fukuoka > Nagasaki > Hiroshima > Kyoto. I stayed over at all locations.
Option 2 looked packed, not sure if you want to pack and unpack while checking in to different hotels. It is tiring. And spend most of your time travelling. I skipped Beppu in mine because i don’t have the time, and I wouldn’t travel back to Osaka on the day of departure. Might want to head back to Osaka earlier so you can unwind, and shop too.
September to October is a time when temperatures vary widely in the region.
In October, the maximum temperature will generally vary between 27°C~15°C, so please dress appropriately.
September is also a month of frequent typhoons. If a typhoon strikes, you may have to change your plans. Typhoons can turn into linear precipitation zones, which can cause heavy rains, flooding, and submergence of towns and cities.
It is always a good idea to check weather information.