Hi everyone, it'll be my first time in Japan and I'll be arriving late at night and flying off early in the morning on my last day. I've planned out the itinerary below, would appreciate some advice if I'm doing anything wrong.
For places with multiple attractions, I will visit them in that order (please let me know if a different arrangement would be more suitable in a transportation budget sense), and if the location is stated without any specific detail, I will just be wandering around without any solid plans, so feel free to suggest anything (Food/attractions).
If there is anything I need to move around to accommodate a better day of the week to visit (I.e. avoid weekends or certain days) please let me know as well. Currently my flights and hotels are booked and the night bus is booked as well.
I’m trying to fit in as much as possible while still being conscious of my budget as I probably won’t be able to return to Japan again anytime soon. Appreciate all and any advice, thank you!
Monday – Arrival in Osaka
Night: Arrive in Osaka, Hotel in Kishiwada
Tuesday – Kyoto Day 1: Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, Nijo Castle
7:00 AM: Transfer from Kishiwada to Kyoto (Hotel in Kawaramachi)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge.
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Lunch in Arashiyama.
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Travel to Kinkakuji (30 mins via bus).
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion).
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Travel to Nijo Castle (30 mins via bus).
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Visit Nijo Castle.
5:00 PM: Optional evening walk around Higashiyama, Gion, and Pontocho.
Wednesday – Kyoto Day 2: Fushimi Inari, Uji, Pontocho, GEAR
7:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Early morning visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Transfer to Uji
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Explore Uji – Byodoin Temple, Nakamura Tokichi.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch in Uji.
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Return to Kyoto
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Visit Kiyomizudera Temple.
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Evening stroll in Pontocho.
7:00 PM: GEAR Performance
Thursday – Kyoto Day 3: Nishiki Market, Travel to Osaka
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Visit Nishiki Market (shopping, snacks).
1:00 PM: Take train to Osaka (Hotel in Shinsaibashi, near Dotonbori)
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Visit Shitennoji Temple, explore Shinsekai.
5:00 PM – Evening: Explore Dotonbori, Amemura.
Friday – Osaka Day 2: Universal Studios Japan (Full Day)
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM: Full day at Universal Studios Japan.
Saturday – Osaka to Katsuoji to Kobe
8:00 AM: Travel from Osaka to Katsuoji Temple (90 mins via Hankyu Takarazuka Line and bus,¥1,350).
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Explore Katsuoji Temple.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Transfer to Kobe (1.5 hours via train, ¥770).
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Visit Shin-Kobe Ropeway.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Explore Ikuta Shrine and Chinatown.
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Visit Kobe Port and Meriken Park.
6:30 PM: Return to Osaka, relax in Dotonbori or Amemura.
Sunday – Nara & Night Bus to Tokyo
8:00 AM – 2:30 PM: Visit Kofukuji Temple, Nara Park, Todaiji, and Kasuga Taisha
3:00 PM: Return to Osaka (Luggage left at Hotel, pick up)
5:30 PM: Arrive at bus station for 7:30 PM night bus to Tokyo.
Monday – Tokyo Day 1: Sangenjaya, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku
7:00 AM: Arrive in Tokyo. (Hotel in Shiodome, near Shimbashi)
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Explore Sangenjaya Gorilla Building.
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Visit Shibuya – Hachiko, Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky.
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch in Harajuku, Takeshita Street.
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Visit Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park.
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Head to Shinjuku, Godzilla Head, explore Golden Gai, Kabukicho.
Tuesday – Tokyo Day 2: Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Visit Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Street (Asakusa).
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Explore Ueno Park, Ameyoko.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Head to Akihabara.
Wednesday – Free Day Suggestions
Options: Yanaka Ginza (old Tokyo vibes) Or Disney Sea OR reschedule other day's itinerary here
Thursday – Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko (DIY Day Trip)
7:30 AM: Depart from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station (1 hour 20 mins via JR Chuo Line, ¥1,320).
9:00 AM: Transfer to Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko Station (55 mins, ¥1,140).
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Visit Chureito Pagoda (30 mins from Kawaguchiko by train, 15-minute walk).
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch near Lake Kawaguchiko.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Visit Oishi Park or Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum.
4:30 PM: Return to Kawaguchiko Station, head back to Tokyo.
6:30 PM: Arrive back in Tokyo at Shinjuku Station.
Friday – Kamakura Day Trip
7:30 AM: Depart from Tokyo Station to Kamakura (60 mins via JR Yokosuka Line, ¥920).
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Visit Great Buddha of Kamakura.
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Visit Hasedera Temple.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch.
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
5:00 PM: Return to Tokyo (1-hour train).
Saturday – Tokyo Day 3: Tsukiji, Ginza, Roppongi, TeamLab
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Visit Tsukiji Outer Market.
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Explore Ginza, UNIQLO.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Visit Roppongi, TeamLab Borderless.
6:00 PM: Visit Tokyo Tower.
Sunday – Narita Airport, Flight
by badcook101