19 Nights – Solo/First Time

I will be traveling to Japan for my first time and going solo, hoping to catch some beautiful autumn colors along the way. My itinerary is varied, touching on the places I have wanted to visit most since I first started looking in to it. I plan on a return someday, hopefully with my kids, so I am trying to keep things relatively light and sprinkled with fun experiences. Any criticism, tips, or advice is welcome.

Day 1 Tokyo (Nov 18)

  • Arrival HND at 15:00
  • Check-in hotel (Otemachi)
  • Senso-ji
  • Akihabra

Day 2 Tokyo

  • Meiji Jingu
  • Shinjuku Gyoen
  • Kabukicho
  • Omoide Yokocho
  • Shibuya Crossing
  • Shibuya Sky (sunset)
  • teamLab Planets

Day 3 Takayama (**Relax Day)

  • Tokyo to Takayama
  • Check-in Ryokan (outside of town)
  • Relax and Dinner at Ryokan

Day 4 Takayama

  • Morning Market
  • Higashiyama Walking Course
  • Shōwa-kan Museum
  • Takayama Jinya
  • Dinner at Sakurajaya

Day 5 Shirakawa

  • Takayama half-day
  • 13:50 Bus to Shirakawa
  • Check in at ꜱʜɪʀᴏʏᴀᴍᴀᴋᴀɴ
  • Tour of Shirakawa @ 3pm

Day 6 Kanazawa

  • Bus to Kanazawa
  • Omicho Market
  • Tea Ceremony in Kazuemachi Geisha District
  • Check in hotel
  • Higashi Chaya District
  • Autumn Illumination at Kenrokuen Garden
  • Dinner at Mekumi

Day 7 Kanazawa

  • City Tour w/ Private Guide

Day 8 Kagaonsen (**Relax Day)

  • Ryokan Stay (early check-in)

Day 9 Nara

  • Omicho Market
  • Train from Kagaonsen to Nara
  • Kofuku-ji
  • Sarusawa Pond
  • Check in to ryokan
  • Park and Todai-ji

Day 10 Koyasan (Road Trip)

  • Car rental in Nara
  • Horyuji Temple
  • Yoshino and Mt. Takagi Observatory
  • Check-in at Koyasan temple lodging
  • Okunoin Temple and Night Cemetery Tour

Day 11 Koyasan to Kyoto via Nara

  • Return car in Nara
  • Train to Kyoto
  • Check-in at hotel in Gion
  • Dinner at Ryosho

Day 12 Kyoto

  • Kiyomizu-dera
  • Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
  • Kodai-ji Temple
  • Maruyama Park
  • Yasaka Shrine
  • Bamboo Forest at Night Tour

Day 13 Kyoto (**Relax Day)

Day 14 Kyoto

  • Fushimi Inari
  • Kokedera (moss temple)
  • Tea ceremony w/ Geisha

Day 15 Kyoto

  • Kinkaku-ju
  • Ryoan-ji (rock garden)
  • Arashiyama
  • Hozugawa River Cruise
  • Sagano Romantic Train

Day 16 Hakone

  • Open Air Museum
  • Gora ryokan w/onsen

Day 17 Hakone

  • Hakone Round Course

Day 18 Tokyo

  • Nothing planned yet. I'll arrive around noon.

Day 19 Tokyo

  • Imperial Palace
  • Yanaka w/Cemetery
  • Ueno Park

Day 20: Flight at 5:30pm (Dec 7)

  • Half-day for last minute shopping

by SweeterGrass

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