Hi everyone! My partner and I are planning our first trip to Japan this fall, and we’re excited to explore a mix of cities, nature, and culture. We’ll be traveling from October 18th to November 2nd, 2024, arriving and departing from Tokyo (HND). We’ve come up with two potential itineraries but can’t decide which one to go with. I’d love your feedback on which might be better, especially considering travel logistics, fall foliage, and overall experience. Here's what we’re thinking:

Itinerary 1 (No Okinawa)

• October 18-20: Tokyo (Asakusa) — 3 nights
  • We’ll arrive late on the night of the 18th and head to our hotel. Explore the Asakusa area, visit Senso-ji, and on October 19th, we’re considering attending either the Atami Marine Fireworks Festival or the Kawagoe Festival. Tokyo has a ton of other stuff to do but we don't have everything nailed down yet.
• October 21-25: Kyoto (Gion) — 5 nights
  • Planning to attend the Jidai Matsuri, explore temples and gardens like Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari, and Arashiyama, with possible day trips to Osaka.
• October 26-27: Hakone — 1-2 nights
  • Staying in a ryokan with a private onsen, planning to enjoy the scenic views, plus visit Owakudani and maybe the Open-Air Museum. Using this time to relax and recharge.
• October 28-30: Mountain town (Takayama or Nagano) — 3-4 nights
  • We want to see peak fall foliage, hike, and explore rural towns. Considering either Takayama or Matsumoto as our base, with the option of spending a night in Kamikochi.
• October 31 – November 1: Tokyo (Asakusa) — 2 nights
  • Wrapping up the trip in Tokyo, possibly doing some shopping or revisiting favorite spots.
• November 2: Depart Tokyo in the evening

Itinerary 2 (With Okinawa)

• October 18-19: Tokyo (Asakusa) — 2 nights
  • We’ll explore the Asakusa area, visit Senso-ji, and on October 19th, we’re considering attending either the Atami Marine Fireworks Festival or the Kawagoe Festival.
• October 20-23: Kyoto (Gion) — 4 nights
  • Same plan to attend the Jidai Matsuri, visit temples, and see fall foliage in the city, with possible day trips to Osaka.
• October 24-26: Okinawa — 3 nights
  • We plan to relax at the beach, visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, explore Okinawa World, and go snorkeling. We’re excited about the island’s unique history and culture, but also want some time to unwind.
• October 27: Hakone — 1 night
  • Staying in a ryokan with a private onsen, but we’d only have a short time to explore before moving on.
• October 28-30: Mountain town (Takayama, Nagano, or Gunma) — 3 nights
  • We want to see the best fall foliage in the mountains, hike, and explore rural areas. Considering Takayama or Matsumoto, with a possible night in Kamikochi.
• October 31 – November 1: Tokyo (Asakusa) — 2 nights
  • Same idea as before: some last-minute sightseeing and relaxation before departure.
• November 2: Depart Tokyo in the evening

What We’re Hoping For:

• Romantic experience: We're staying in nice ryokans, including one with a private onsen and in-room kaiseki meals.
• Fall foliage: We want to catch the best of Japan’s autumn colors, especially in the mountains.
• Nature & Culture: We’re big into hiking and want to balance that with cultural experiences in Kyoto and Tokyo.
• Food: I eat a lot and my partner is vegan, so we’re hoping to find food options we can both enjoy (ramen recs for vegans appreciated!).

Key Concerns:

• Travel times: Is the extra flight to Okinawa worth it, or would it be better to stay closer to Tokyo and focus more on Hakone and the mountain areas?
• Hakone: Does cutting Hakone to 1 night make sense, or would we be missing out?
• Okinawa vs. More Time in Mountains: We’re really drawn to Okinawa, but we also love hiking and natural beauty—so would spending more time in the mountains give us a more fulfilling experience?
• October 19th plans: Which would be more memorable—the Atami Marine Fireworks Festival or the Kawagoe Festival?
• Kamikochi: Is the travel time required for Kamikochi worth it?
• Which Mountain Town: Would we be better off with Takayama, Matsumoto or somewhere else entirely? Goal is to see great fall foliage and hopefully the Japanese Alps.

Thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions! We want to make the most of our time in Japan, and hearing from those who’ve been will help us decide which path to take!