Hi all, only after spotaneously booked the flights when looking at Jetstar sales and started researching that I realize we'll be arriving in Japan during the Golden Week. But given our work schedules and this year GW was a bit more calm, we (29F and 29M couple) can only brace ourselves, finger cross and hopefully next year it would be the same.

I also want to preface that this itinerary is generated by ChatGPT and I promted it to factor in transportation time and some of our preferences(Feeding the deer in Nara and Ryokan experience in Hakone are must do). This would serve as a barebone for me to build on and also would love to see you guys picking it apart for inaccuracies and impossible route that ChatGPT is not seeing (yet).

I'll definitely be doing more research and take in you guys' suggestions to form a final one and start booking our accomodations.

We'll be landing in Osaka from Melbourne so we shouldnt experience any jetlag given it's only a 1 hour difference.

I understand that 7 full days is so short and Japan is such a beautiful country with amazing cuisine. Hence we are trying to visit major cities to have a feel of what we would like to come back to in the next trip.

Day 1: Arrival in Osaka (April 26, 2025)

• 7:00 PM: Arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX).
  • Transport to Osaka (Namba area): Take a taxi to Namba Station area (approx. 50 min, ¥10,000–¥15,000 depending on traffic).
• 8:00 PM: Check in at a budget hotel near Namba Station.
• 8:30 PM: Dinner in Namba.
  • Suggested: Head to the Dotonbori area to enjoy iconic Osaka dishes like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, or kushikatsu.
• 9:30 PM: Stroll through Dotonbori’s lively streets, soaking in the neon lights and vibrant atmosphere.
• 10:00 PM: Return to your hotel and rest.

Day 2: Osaka (April 27, 2025)

• 7:30 AM: Breakfast at Kuromon Ichiba Market.
  • Suggested: Fresh seafood like grilled scallops, sushi, and other street food options.
• 9:00 AM: Travel to Osaka Castle.
  • Transport: From Namba Station, take the subway to Tanimachi 4-chome Station (approx. 15 min, ¥230).
• 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Explore Osaka Castle and its surrounding gardens.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch near Osaka Castle or in the Tenmabashi area.
  • Suggested: Tempura or local izakayas for a casual lunch.
• 1:00 PM: Travel to Minoh Park.
  • Transport: Take the Hankyu Takarazuka Line from Umeda to Ishibashi (15 min, ¥280), then transfer to Minoh Line to Minoh Station (approx. 6 min).
• 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Hike to Minoh Waterfall (2.8 km round trip).
• 5:00 PM: Return to Umeda.
  • Transport: Reverse the train journey (approx. 30 min).
• 6:30 PM: Dinner at Umeda Sky Building.
  • Suggested: Restaurants at the base of the building, such as Okonomiyaki Kiji, or enjoy the view from the observation deck while dining.
• 8:00 PM: Return to your hotel and rest.

Day 3: Kyoto (April 28, 2025)

• 7:30 AM: Check out of your hotel, have breakfast in Osaka.
  • Suggested: Quick bite at FamilyMart or 7-Eleven for on-the-go breakfast.
• 8:00 AM: Travel to Kyoto.
  • Transport: Take the JR Special Rapid Service from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station (approx. 30 min, ¥570).
• 9:00 AM: Arrive in Kyoto and store luggage at Kyoto Station.
• 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).
  • Transport: From Kyoto Station, take bus 205 or 101 (approx. 40 min, ¥230).
• 12:00 PM: Lunch at Nishiki Market.
  • Suggested: Street food options like grilled seafood, tofu dishes, and fresh produce.
• 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Walk along the Philosopher's Path.
  • Transport: Take the bus from Nishiki Market to Ginkakuji-michi (approx. 30 min, ¥230).
• 4:30 PM: Check in to your Kyoto hotel.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner in Gion.
  • Suggested: Try kaiseki (multi-course Japanese dinner) or casual izakayas.
• 8:00 PM: Evening stroll through Gion.

Day 4: Travel to Nara and Hakone (April 29, 2025)

• 7:00 AM: Check out of your hotel, travel to Nara.
  • Transport: Take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Nara (45 min, ¥720).
• 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Explore Nara Park, feed the deer, and visit Todaiji Temple.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch in Nara.
  • Suggested: Nara specialties like kakinoha-zushi (pressed sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves) or traditional Japanese set meals.
• 1:00 PM: Travel to Hakone.
  • Transport: Take the train to Kyoto, then the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Odawara (approx. 2 hours, ¥10,500), and transfer to Hakone Tozan Train to Hakone-Yumoto Station (approx. 15 min, ¥310).
• 3:00 PM: Check in at your ryokan in Hakone.
• 4:00 PM: Relax in the onsen and enjoy the ryokan experience.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner at the ryokan.

Day 5: Hakone (April 30, 2025)

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the ryokan.
• 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Explore Hakone Ropeway and enjoy views of Mt. Fuji, followed by a Lake Ashi Cruise.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch in Hakone.
  • Suggested: Traditional Japanese meal with views of the lake.
• 1:30 PM: Travel to Tokyo.
  • Transport: Return to Odawara and take the Shinkansen to Tokyo (approx. 1 hour, ¥3,300).
• 3:30 PM: Check in at your Tokyo hotel.
• 5:00 PM: Dinner in Shibuya or Shinjuku.
  • Suggested: Explore Shibuya for sushi or ramen.
• 7:00 PM: Explore Tokyo nightlife.

Day 6: Tokyo (May 1, 2025)

• 7:00 AM: Visit Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast.
  • Suggested: Try tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette) or fresh sushi.
• 9:00 AM: Travel to Asakusa, visit Sensoji Temple.
• 11:30 AM: Lunch in Asakusa or Ueno.
  • Suggested: Tempura or udon at a local shop.
• 2:00 PM: Free time for shopping and exploration.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner at an omakase sushi restaurant (pre-reservation recommended).
• 8:00 PM: Explore Ginza or another nightlife area for evening drinks or desserts.

Day 7: Tokyo (May 2, 2025)

• 8:00 AM: Visit Kiyosumi Garden.
• 11:00 AM: Bento lunch or casual dining in Ginza or Tokyo Station.
• 1:00 PM: Explore Daikanyama and Nakameguro for cafes and shopping.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner at a tsukemen ramen shop in Nakameguro or Shibuya.
• 8:00 PM: Evening stroll along the Meguro River or explore nightlife.

Day 8: Departure from Tokyo (May 3, 2025)

• Morning: Last-minute shopping or relaxing near Tokyo Station.
• 12:00 PM: Bento lunch at Tokyo Station.
• 1:30 PM: Travel to Narita Airport.
  • Transport: Take the Narita Express (approx. 1 hour, ¥3,020).
• 4:30 PM: Arrive at Narita Airport, check-in.
• 8:05 PM: Departure.