I’m looking to travel with my wife to Japan from mid-November for 3 weeks. This is version 5 as we’ve had to postpone multiple times and I’ve made many edits from the great feedback received on here. I’ll be booking the flights by the end of this week.
This is the latest itinerary which I’d like advice on & further fine-tuning:
Day|Destination|Travel|Plans
:–|:–|:–|:–
x|-|Fly LON -> HND|
1|Tokyo|Arrive midday|Staying at JR Kyushu Blossom Shinjuku. Just going to explore
2|Tokyo||Explore locally; Shinjuku & Gyoen Park. Shinjuku bar crawl tour at night
3|Tokyo||Asakusa, Skytree, private wagyu dining experience in the evening
4|Tokyo||Walk down through Harajuku to Shibuya; crossing, shops, love hotel
5|Tokyo||Tsukiji, TeamLabs, Odaiba – maybe Shinbashi in the evening
6|Takayama|5hrs train|Leave early & get train. Explore the town
7|Takayama||Slow day around Takayama *(potential daytrip to Shirakawago but I’m not sure if it’s our thing)*
8|Okuhida|1hr bus|Stay at Hidaji onsen
9|Osaka|4.30hrs train+bus|Arrive late and wander around Dotombori, eat okonomiyaki
10|Osaka||Aquarium & Shinsekai. Backstreets walking tour in the evening
11|Koyasan|2.30hrs trains|Temple stay at Shojoshinin with night cemetery tour
12|Kyoto|3.30hrs trains|Slow day leaving Koya. Stay at Hotel Granbell in Higashiyama
13|Kyoto||[Explore Higashiyama](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950_higashiyama_half.html). Pontocho bar crawl tour at night
14|Kyoto||[Explore Imperial Palace, Philosophers Path, temples & shrines](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950_philosophers_half.html)
15|Kyoto||Early start: Fushimi Inari. Nara? Kibune?
16|Kyoto||Arashiyama – Sagano train & Hozugawa boat, monkeys, bamboo
17|Kyoto||Activity day; Calligraphy class & tea ceremony, shopping
18|Five Lakes|5hrs trains|Stay at Konansou or Kozantei w/ Mt. Fuji view
19|Five Lakes||Slow day; Chureito Pagoda, Tenjozan Park
20|Tokyo|3hrs trains|Arrive late, staying at Andaz
21|Tokyo||Akihabara; maid cafe, crane games, souvenirs. Fancy sushi restaurant to finish the trip
22||Fly HND -> LDN|Home
I’ve seen so many itineraries that are overcrowded and I’ve tried my best to ‘plan’ for downtime and slow days, while trying to localise our activities. Any and all feedback welcome. Please share your thoughts!
2 comments
Nice layout plan.
>I’ll be booking the flights by the end of this week.
But, make sure that you can leave in November without getting a Visa or Tour Agency.
IMO not a lot to see in Takayama you can probably get through the major tourist area the day you arrive and head strait to Okuhida in time for dinner. If you’re planning on skipping Shirakawago you can just add another day elsewhere.
Overall solid trip, not too packed.