Hi all, with the news of potential reopening without restrictions, I figured I might try to visit Japan for about 2 weeks in December (thinking 12/12-12/26). I have been to Japan once before the pandemic and did most of the basic first time things (Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo).
I do want to branch out a bit but not leave myself with too little time in certain cities and there are plenty of places I want to revisit since its been so long and I loved it so much the first time.
Currently my rough Itinerary is as below
Fly out of NY 12/12 land 12/13 at night in Osaka
12/13 Osaka 7pm landing
\-Hopefully able to check into hotel by 830-9pm
\-Head to Dotonbori for a a quick meal or two
12/14 (Assuming I need to go to Kobe)
\-This is where I have 2 options, I can continue my Osaka journey, or potentially go to Kobe for the luminaire light festival, my only issue with this is I can’t seem to find any information on what are the exact dates this festival will be showing, most information I get is early to mid December.
\-Ideally I want to go to Osaka 3 nights in a row then go to Kobe for 1-2 nights but if the light festival ends on the 14th I would not mind going straight to Kobe on the morning of 12/14 and spending 1-2 nights in Kobe before making a trip back to Osaka.
\-Kitano cho neighborhood to walk around and check out unique buildings
\-Nankinmachi lantern festival?
\-Book a Kobe beef dinner
\-See the lights at night
12/15 (Assuming this is second day of Kobe)
\-Tsuzumigataki park
\-Kobe bay area
\-Kobe City Hall 24th Floor Freeview
\-Arima area to take rokkosan to observatory
12/16 (Back to Osaka in afternoon)
\-Zuihoji park
\-Grab some kobe beef ramen
\-Head to some of the side shopping streets to check things out
\-Head back to osaka
\-Check in at hotel
\-Go to Shinsekai area for izakaya/restaurants and night views
12/17 Osaka
\-Osaka castle in the morning
\-Americamura area for sightseeing
\-Lunch
\-Osaka aquarium in the evening
\-Tempozan ferris wheel afterÂ
\-Dotonburi or find another area for some food
\-Head back to hotel
12/18 Nara for day trip then Kyoto
\-Head to Nara from Osaka (45 min trip)
\-Fujiwara shrine
\-Kofukuji shrine
\-Nara Park
\-Todaiji temple
\-Head to Kyoto to check into hotel
\-Dinner somewhere near hotel
12/19 Kyoto
\-Fushimi inari shrine (early)
\-Lunch in nishiki market
\-Nanzenji temple
\-Yasaka shrine
\-Maruyama park
\-If have time kiyomuzidera temple
\-Dinner
12/20 Kyoto
\-Bamboo forest early
\-Monkey forestÂ
\-Tenryuji temple
\-LunchÂ
\-Try to get to kurama to do the hike to kibune
\-Head back for dinner in pontocho area or maybe just near hotel
12/21 Tokyo
\-Arrive mid-day probably
\-Get some late lunch after checking into hotel
\-Check some winter markets
12/22 TokyoÂ
\-Hakone day trip
\-Amazake Chaya when I get to Hakone for a snack break
\-Walk the old tokaido road to Lake ashi (roughly 50 min)
\-Walk around the shrines and temple and take pics at the Inori gates by the lakeÂ
\-Take pirate ship cruise across lake ashi
\-Take ropeway gondola to owakudani
\-Try some black eggs and ice cream
\-If not too late, go to Hakone yuryo for a hot bath
\-Head home
12/23 Tokyo – Hakone
12/24 Tokyo
\-Tokyo disney if possible
12/25 Tokyo
12/126 Tokyo
12/27 Fly home
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Honestly I want to sort of wing Tokyo but if there are any good recommendations I am definitely open to it all. Especially things I can do as a solo traveler!