Hi everyone! My future wife and I are heading to Japan for an 11-night trip, and I’d love some feedback on our itinerary. This is our first time travelling internationally together (and first time in years travelling internationally in general). We’re planning to cover Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. I wouldn't be surprised if some days may seem to have too much, but we will probably need to hear it from someone else before fully believing it haha. We used Google's "My Maps" to help get a feel where things are located and what can be grouped in the same day. Here’s the plan:
Day 1 – Tokyo
- Arrival at Narita
- Leave for Tokyo via N'EX/Skyliner/Bus Limousine
- Arrive at hotel (in Shinjuku). Explore Shinjuku, Golden Gai
Day 2 – Tokyo
- Sensō-ji
- Susanoo Shrine
- Kameido Tenjin Shrine
- Nezu Shrine
- Akihabara – Super Potato, GiGO, etc.
Day 3 – Tokyo
- Tokyo DisneySea
- Ginza Steak Shibuya for dinner
Day 4 – Tokyo
- Teamlabs Borderless
- Lunch at Sushi Azabu
- Tokyo Tower
- Shibuya Sky
- Shibuya Crossing, MEGA Don Quijote
Day 5 – Tokyo
- Suga Shrine
- Mass at St. Ignatius
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Sake Market
Day 6 – Kyoto
- Check-out, travel to Kyoto via Shinkansen
- Nijō Castle
- Pokémon Center
- Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
- Pontocho Park
Day 7 – Nara (Day Trip)
- Fushimi Inari (earlier the better)
- Train to Nara
- Kofuku-ji, Tōdai-ji
- Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha
- Higashimuki Shopping Street, Mochi in Nara
- Return to Kyoto
Day 8 – Osaka (Day Trip)
- Osaka Castle Park
- Tower Knives Osaka
- Osaka Aquarium
- Tempozan Ferris Wheel
- Return to Kyoto
Day 9 – Kyoto
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka
- Nishiki Market
- Gion District
Day 10 – Kyoto
- Check-out from Kyoto (store luggage at shinkansen station?)
- Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Tenryu-ji
- Shinkansen to Tokyo
Day 11 – Tokyo
- Sites we missed
- Ginza
- Shibuya – Takeshita Street
- Imperial Palace (if time allows)
Day 12 – Tokyo
- Pack, check-out
- Train to Narita around noon
- Departure from Narita
Would love to hear your thoughts on this itinerary—any must-see spots we’ve missed or tips on managing time better? Thanks in advance!
by primetime728