Itinerary help please — September 2023 trip — Sanity check on trip order, and wondering about Tohoku vs. Hokkaido vs…Okinawa?

Hi, I’ve got a 3-week solo trip planned to Japan starting next September and would like to get some advice on my itinerary. I’ve visited before though never this long. I have a few repeats planned (Uji; Tokyo Disney) but am hoping to mainly fill the time with nature, public gardens, temples, museums, and yummy food. 🙂

My arrival/departure dates are fixed (airport too — frequent flier mile tickets), but I can play around with everything in the middle. My Disney days are intentionally set as a weekday to avoid crowds. Here’s what I’m thinking of for an itinerary.

**Hiroshima 2 nights**\
*Saturday September 16*
– Arrive Haneda mid-afternoon
– Connect to domestic flight to Hiroshima
– Overnight in Hiroshima

*Sunday September 17*
– Explore Hiroshima (Peace Museum; Memorial Park; Atomic Bomb Dome; Miyajima based on energy levels)
– Overnight in Hiroshima

**Kyoto 3 nights**\
*Monday September 18*
– Train to Kyoto
– Relaxing afternoon revisiting Philosopher’s path?
– Overnight in Kyoto

*Tuesday September 19*
– Uji day trip (Koshoji; Nakamura Tokichi)
– Overnight in Kyoto

*Wednesday September 20*
– Nara day trip (Deer; Todaiji; Kofukuji)
– Overnight in Kyoto

**Nagoya 2 nights**\
*Thursday September 21*
– Train to Nagoya
– Explore Nagoya (Atsuta; Tokugawa garden and art museum)
– Overnight in Nagoya

*Friday September 22*
– Day trip to Ghibli Park (anticipated)
– Overnight in Nagoya

**Takayama 2 nights**
*Saturday September 23*
– Train to Takayama
– Stay in ryokan
– Overnight in Takayama

*Sunday September 24*
– Explore Takayama (Old Town)
– Stay in ryokan
– Overnight in Takayama

**Kanazawa 2 nights**\
*Monday September 25*
– Train to Kanazawa
– Overnight in Kanazawa

*Tuesday September 26*
– Explore Kanazawa (Kenrokuen garden; Oyama shrine; Gyokuseninmaru garden)
– Overnight in Kanazawa

**Tokyo 3 nights**\
*Wednesday September 27*
– Train to Tokyo
– Tokyo activities (teamLab Planets?)
– Stay near Disney

*Thursday September 28*
– Tokyo Disney
– Stay near Disney

*Friday September 29*
– Tokyo Disney
– Stay near Disney

**Saturday September 30 – Saturday October 7**
– TBD (I need to be back in Tokyo the night of October 7)

At this point I’m struggling a little. Part of me is thinking I should extend my time at the destinations above to soak in more of the local sights and culture. The other part of me wants to head north into Tohoku or even Hokkaido and see an entirely new part of the country, with a new climate.

So that leaves me wondering a few things I’d specifically like some advice on:
– Does the order of sights above make sense, or should I reorder anything?
– It seems very logical to continue from Tokyo to Hakone. I’ve been to Nikko, stayed at a ryokan, and loved it. Hakone looks like a great “nature” destination. I’m a little concerned prices would be higher on the weekend, and as a solo traveler I’d have fewer options…especially if I wanted to stay in a ryokan. Should I be too concerned about this?
– Aomori’s Nebuta museum looks fascinating — just the type of place I love passing time in. If I pair Tohoku with Hakone that gives me 4-5 nights in the region; is that enough time to get a sense of Tohoku?
– I could also pair Hakone with Hokkaido. The Sapporo Autumn Fest should be finishing up right after my Tokyo time, and that would let me attend a festival during my trip. For those who have been do you have an opinion on making an effort to see the Autumn Fest vs. spending the time in Tohoku?
– Lastly, my other crazy idea for “different destination, different climate” is Okinawa. How concerned should I be planning a visit there during typhoon season?

I appreciate you reading through this and offering up itinerary advice. Thank you! 🙂