Hi all, just wanted to get my (rough) itinerary checked and maybe ask for some advice and recommendations while I’m at it since this is my first time to Japan and trying to make the most of it!
Few notes/questions about the trip
1. We are planning to stay in Osaka and travel to surrounding places (Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Okayama) to save on luggage travel time
2. We have a couple of day trips to Nagano/Gunma area – we were thinking of maybe instead spending a few nights at kusatsu onsen and driving around before going back to Tokyo. Bit worried about the driving time (maybe like 2-4 hours a day based on our plans). Eager to get some feedback on what would be better.
3. We also have a couple of free days in tokyo which we are saving for some late shopping and such, but would be keen to know if there is anywhere north worth a day trip?
4. Apart from what we have already looked at, are there any other places/experiences you’d recommend for more historical stuff?
5. Any other recommendations/advice welcome!!
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|Date|Day|Place|Morning|Afternoon|Night|
|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|
|11/11/2022|Friday|Tokyo – arrival|||Arrive narita airport, take train to hotel head out explore/grab food|
|12/11/2022|Saturday|Tokyo|Meiji Jingu|Hang around harajuku/shibuya|Explore shibuya|
|13/11/2022|Sunday||Pokemon Center|Akihabara|Akihabara|
|14/11/2022|Monday||Asakusa|Asakusa|Explore shibuya|
|15/11/2022|Tuesday||Disney sea|Disney sea|Hang out in odaiba|
|16/11/2022|Wednesday|hakone|Travel Tokyo-Hakone|Explore Hakone|Dinner at 5:30pm, Free/hot springs|
|17/11/2022|Thursday||Lake Ashi, pirate ship|Hakone ropeway|Dinner at 5:30pm, Free/hot springs|
|18/11/2022|Friday|Fujikawaguchiko|Travel Hakone-Fujikawaguchi|Mount fuji panoramic ropeway, Lake kawaguchi|Relax in room, hopefully catch the sunset|
|19/11/2022|Saturday|Osaka|Travel Fujikawaguchi-Osaka| Free|Explore dontonburi|
|20/11/2022|Sunday||Osaka castle|Instant noodle museum|Tsutenkaku|
|21/11/2022|Monday|Nara|Nara day trip|Todai-ji, nara park|Explore, grab some food|
|22/11/2022|Tuesday||USJ|USJ|Free|
|23/11/2022|Wednesday|Himeji/Okayama|Explore Himeji|Explore Okayama|Free|
|24/11/2022|Thursday|Kobe/Osaka|Explore Kobe|Free|Osaka teamlab|
|25/11/2022|Friday|Kyoto|Fushimi Inari|Nishiki market, Yasaka pagoda|Kiyomizu-dera temple|
|26/11/2022|Saturday||Arashiyama|Samurai and ninja museum|Free|
|27/11/2022|Sunday||Probably spend a day exploring kyoto|…|…|
|28/11/2022|Monday|Tokyo|Travel Osaka-Tokyo|Explore Shinjuku|Explore shinjuku|
|29/11/2022|Tuesday|Nagano/Gunma|Zenko-Ji temple|Togakushi shrines|Kusatsu onsen|
|30/11/2022|Wednesday|Gunma|Doai station|Sake museum Ponshukan, Snow monkeys (maybe? Hopefully?|Free|
|1/12/2022|Thursday||Free day|…|…|
|2/12/2022|Friday||Ghibli museum|Hokusai museum|Free|
|3/12/2022|Saturday||Free|Free|Chichibu night festival|
|4/12/2022|Sunday||Free day|…|…|
|5/12/2022|Monday|Tokyo – departure|Finish packing|Depart Narita airport||
2 comments
Couple of pointers: it makes a lot more sense with your itinerary to do Fuji Five Lakes area first, and then travel via Gotemba to Hakone and then move on from Hakone to Osaka – and that will save you a couple of transfer and 2 hours.
Osaka Castle is a mediocre ‘reconstruction’ and since you are planning to visit Cup Noodle Museum in Ikeda, it might be better to plan your day around that area, i.e. visit Minoo Park, which is one of the better hiking/walking areas for the autumn foliage.
Chichibu Festival this year will be reduced in scale, so unless you are planning to spend the whole day in the area (which has plenty to offer) – it may make sense to adjust your plans accordingly.
Since autumn foliage this year in Kanto is set to be late to very late – it might be worth scheduling a trip in December to Kamakura both for the historical temples and the views on the hiking trails.
Nice. You are going for almost the same duration as me but you depart 11 earlier. Where are you flying from?