Hi,
My partner and I are visiting Japan for our first time in the second half of May next year. Looking for any pointers on our itinerary and any further recommendations as we have a few gaps. We are fairly active (recently did 2 weeks in Orlando with 20k+ steps each day in 35+c temperatures most days), big foodies, enjoy theme parks but also really want to experience the culture in Japan and some of the more natural beauty and historic spots. We also don't want to overdo it and overplan with no flexibility!
Flights are booked and can't be changed, we've booked accommodation but it's all under free cancellation.
Day 1 – Land at HND at 7.15am from London. Send luggage to Kyoto, take Green Car Shinkansen to Hiroshima and get some sleep on the train. Arrive in Hiroshima and hopefully be able to check into our hotel by the time we arrive – staying here for 2 nights. If we feel up to it, our accommodation is right opposite Peace Park so may explore that and the memorial. Most likely crash for an early night.
Day 2 – Hiroshima – Head to Miyajima early in the morning. Visit Itsukushima shrine, Daigan-ji Temple, Gojunoto pagoda, ropewalk up Mt Misen. Return to Hiroshima, do anything that we didn't do on day 1 and visit Shukkei-en Garden. Could also do this on day 3 morning if flagging.
Day 3 – Travel to Himeji Castle. Explore the castle and Kokoen garden. Travel to Kyoto (staying near Kyoto Station for next 6 nights).
Day 4 – Hozugawa River Boat Ride, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Monkey park.
Day 5 – Day trip to Osaka. Fairly open with this day, open to recommendations but definitely here for the food. Will visit Dotonburi and Shinsekai. Not too fussed about Universal as rides seem similar to what's already in or about to arrive in Orlando, where we go fairly often.
Day 6 – Day trip to Nara. Visit Deer park, Isuien Garden, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga-Taisha.
Day 7 – Probably have some sort of rest day but would like to visit Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Day 8 – Early trip to Fushimi Inari. Open afternoon, open to recommendations.
Day 9 – Forward luggage to Tokyo hotel. Get early train to Hakone, staying in Ryoken for 1 night. Buy Hakone free pass, visit open air museum, do Hakone loop ropeway and hopefully see Mt Fuji. Dinner at Ryoken and relax in private onsen.
Day 10 – Ride Hakone loop again if we didn't see Fuji. Visit Hakone Shrine, cruise Lake Ashi, visit Gora park. Travel to Tokyo, staying in Ryogoku for 3 nights next to the river/station (wanted somewhere quiet but still fairly easy to get to places).
Day 11 – Meji Jingu shrine, Shibuya crossing, Nintendo store, Sega arcade, check out Shinjuku, Shibuya Sky (sunset).
Day 12 – TeamLab Borderless first thing / open to recommendations for the rest of the day.
Day 13 – Senso-ji, Ueno Park, Akihabara arcades. Head back to hotel and Uber/taxi over to hotel at Tokyo Bay (Grand Nikko) for final 3 nights at Tokyo Disney – trains seem a hassle with luggage and will cost more to forward over. Visit DisneySea on weeknight pass (not sure if we will do everything in one day with new Fantasy Springs so thought this would be a good option).
Day 14 – Tokyo Disneyland full day.
Day 15 – Tokyo DisneySea full day.
Day 16 – Uber/ taxi to HND for 9.45am flight home.
by emma_b_321