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