Solo, Low Pressure Itinerary for 13-day trip (Kyoto, Hakone, Tokyo) during March/April 2023

This is the time for solo trip itinerary checks, it seems.

Background: In October 2018, my wife and I and a couple other folks traveled to Japan for 10 days, and ever since that trip I’d been telling myself that I’ll be going back. The trip was great, but it was a bit hamstrung by the group we were with and I didn’t get to fully explore/indulge/travel the way that I would have liked (the people we were with were *very* into making an itinerary and sticking to it, and the stress that comes with that. Which is fine! But it’s not my style and led to me trying to acquiesce to their moods instead of doing my own thing, and that’s kind of on me for not setting myself up for success. Okay, I’m rambling.). The moments my wife and/or I really get to do things our/my speed, I never felt more at peace, or had as much fun on a vacation. I am very much a “go to a place, go with the flow, and just kind of live there” kind of person when I travel; not necessarily needing to hit the big touristy areas. I don’t really schedule things, instead just kind of having rough ideas and going off of whims if something else pops up/I get distracted.

So, I concocted a bit of an escape/recharge trip back. In February 2020 I bought plane tickets for myself for later in 2020, and then a month later the world went to hell, and now things are looking up again, so I’ve already booked my hotels for 2023 for around hanami. Below is a very loose outline of what I’m doing, and if anyone has any ideas/critiques I’d greatly appreciate it. Keep in mind I did some of the *really* big touristy things last time I was there. Also every hotel I’m staying in has an onsen/cedar bath/other giant soaking bath because I decided if I’m going to treat myself, then *I’m really going to treat myself*.

**Arrive in Kyoto: 7 Days at the end of march and into April**

– Day 1: Arrive in Kyoto in the afternoon. Gonna probably just eat, do some minor walking, soak in the onsen in my hotel, sleep off the jet lag.
– Days 2-4: Living in Kyoto. I have some revisits I want to do (last time I was there, Kiyomizudera was under renovation so I want to see it in all its glory). But mostly I’ll be eating, revisiting some bars, walking around, just having fun. Also, of course, cherry blossoms.

Next, I am taking day trips. I know this will be a lot, but again, I’m by myself, and that makes this easy on me and, say…riding the train to Hiroshima 2 hours in the early morning and then coming back by bed time doesn’t bother me in the slightest. So:

– Day 5: Osaka (shopping, USJ if I’m feeling up for it, things like that. Never been to Osaka!)
– Day 6: Kobe (or back to Osaka, depends on how much I love it/how much I get to see)
– Day 7: Hiroshima. Peace memorial, parks, taking it all in.

Basically if you think the rapid day trips sound like a *really* bad idea, please tell me, I’m trying to look at it objectively and *think* I can handle it, but I value experience/other opinions.

**Arrive in Hakone for a day**

– Day 8: I’m in between a really cheap hostel or an expensive private room with a private onsen. I know, two very different things. Either way I’ll be soaking, hiking, soaking, eating, and soaking.

**Tokyo Forever (or until I leave, rather)**

– 5 Days in Tokyo (technically 4 full days as I’m flying out of Haneda on the 5th day). I’m staying in Shibuya, near the station, so easy access anywhere. This is going to the big one for me, since my experiences in Tokyo were *severely* limited due to the circumstances of my last trip. I’m hitting up Akihabara and doing some shopping. Going to Omoide Yokochō and getting a gin buck from Bar Albatross. Going to Asakusa and getting a curry croquette from a stand that *I hope is still there goddamnit*. But other than that Tokyo is *completely* open. Any and all suggestions for a solo, low key traveler in Tokyo would be greatly appreciated.