Hi! I'm solo travelling from Australia to Japan in September and the only time I did solo travel was in Thailand in 2018 for just 4 days. I've been meaning to do this trip for a long time and I heard that Japan is the friendliest country for solo travellers. I created the itinerary below, however, I'm not sure if it makes sense especially when moving from one place to another as some of the transport are not covered by JR pass. Is there anything I need to weed out from my itinerary and replace with better (must not miss) destinations? Any advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Day 1: Arrival in Kansai (September 14)
Evening: Arrive at Kansai International Airport (7:00 PM). Take the train or a taxi to your hotel in Osaka.
Accommodation: Stay somewhere in Namba
Dinner: Enjoy a late meal at Dotonbori—famous for street food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
Day 2: Explore Osaka (September 15)
Morning: Visit Osaka Castle and explore its beautiful grounds and history.
Lunch: Try Kani Doraku in Dotonbori for crab dishes.
Afternoon: Spend time in the Shinsekai district and visit the Tsutenkaku Tower for panoramic city views.
Evening: Check out Namba for nightlife and LGBTQ+ friendly bars like G-Style.
Day 3: Kyoto (September 16)
Morning: Take a train to Kyoto. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine with its iconic torii gates.
Lunch: Have traditional Kyoto kaiseki at Kikunoi.
Afternoon: Explore Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple.
Evening: Return to Osaka. Dinner at Pablo for their famous cheese tarts.
Accommodation: not sure which area
Day 4: Kyoto (September 17)
Morning: Visit Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Afternoon: Explore Nishiki Market for various street foods and souvenirs.
Evening: Relax at Pontocho Alley, known for its charming traditional dining spots.
Day 5: Nara (September 18)
Morning: Take the train to Nara (approx. 45 minutes).
Day: Visit Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple with the Great Buddha, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Evening: Return to Kyoto for the night. Enjoy a quiet evening with dinner at Omen.
Day 6: Travel to Hiroshima (September 19)
Morning: Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Hiroshima.
Lunch: Enjoy okonomiyaki at Okonomimura.
Afternoon: Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
Evening: Explore the Hondori Shopping Street.
Day 7: Miyajima Day Trip (September 20)
Morning: Take a ferry to Miyajima Island. Visit the Itsukushima Shrine and see the famous floating torii gate.
Lunch: Try local specialties like grilled oysters and momiji manju (maple leaf-shaped cakes).
Afternoon: Hike up to Mount Misen for stunning views.
Evening: Return to Hiroshima. Dinner at Kakiya for Hiroshima-style oysters.
Day 8: Travel to Tokyo (September 21)
Morning: Take the Shinkansen to Tokyo.
Lunch: Enjoy sushi at Sukiyabashi Jiro (book in advance).
Afternoon: Visit Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue, then explore Harajuku and Takeshita Street.
Evening: Visit Shinjuku and check out Ni-chome, Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ district with bars and clubs like Dragon Men.
Accommodation: Stay at Shinjuku.
Day 9: Tokyo Sightseeing (September 22)
Morning: Explore Asakusa and visit the Senso-ji Temple.
Lunch: Try tempura at Tensukesou.
Afternoon: Visit the Tokyo Skytree for breathtaking views and explore Odaiba.
Evening: Dinner at Roppongi Hills with various international and Japanese options.
Day 10: Tokyo Exploration (September 23)
Morning: Visit Akihabara for electronics and anime culture.
Lunch: Enjoy ramen at Ichiran.
Afternoon: Explore Ueno Park and Ameya-Yokocho market.
Evening: Dinner at Gyu-Kaku for Japanese BBQ.
Day 11: Day Trip to Nikko (September 24)
Morning: Take a train to Nikko. Visit Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls.
Lunch: Try local specialties like yuba (tofu skin).
Evening: Return to Tokyo and relax. Explore Ginza for high-end shopping and dining.
Day 12: Travel to Kawaguchiko (known as hot springs town) (September 25)
Morning: Take a bus or train to Kawaguchiko, a town near Mt. Fuji.
Lunch: Try local specialties like Hōba Miso.
Afternoon: Visit Lake Kawaguchi for great views of Mt. Fuji.
Evening: Stay at Kawaguchiko Onsenji and enjoy hot spring baths.
Travel from Shinjuku to Otsuki first (covered by JR pass), then from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko (pay around 1100 yen)
Pick up a 2-day bus pass
Day 13: Kawaguchiko (September 26)
Yurari onsen – 40-miute bus ride from Kawaguchiko station – ticket is around 1300 yen – enjoy panoramic view of Mount Fuji
Lake Kawaguchiko
Oishi park – Natural Living center
Panoramic Ropeway – observation deck at the top – 900 yen round trip and 500 yen single ride – vlogger availed single ticket going up and hiked down to enjoy views for about 30 minutes
Day 14: Takayama Old town (September 27)
to experience rural areas of japan
Takayama old town
Day 15: Takayama Old town (September 28)
2.5 hours from Takayama to Nagoya – one of the best scenic train ride
Hida folk village
Travel back to Osaka
Day 16: Return to Osaka (September 29)
tsutenkaku tower and 60 meter slider
temposan ferris wheel
santa maria cruise
umeda sky building – make sure to enter before 6pm – enjoy sunset view
Relax and do some last-minute shopping in Shinsaibashi.
Evening: Explore Kappo dining in Osaka or revisit your favorite spots.
Day 17: Departure (September 30)
Morning: Leisurely breakfast and final sightseeing or shopping.
Lunch: Enjoy a final meal in Osaka.
Afternoon: Head to Kansai International Airport.
Evening: Fly back home (9:30 PM).
by Valuable-Brother-821