Hey everyone!
So I am planning a 22 day trip to Japan this April and I need some help/opinions on my itinerary. Please note, the destinations by the cities are not finalized, I need to go over it more in-depth to try and optimize my locations. I really just want some opinions to see if the cities/ towns I am visiting is realistic and not to overly crazy. This is also my first time going to Japan, if that helps with the decision if my itinerary is good.
My current itinerary is:
April 4 – Tokyo | Arrive in Japan, check into hostel, explore local area
April 5 – Tokyo | Shibuya crossing, tokyo sky tower
April 6 – Hakone | Hakone shrine, open air museum, Owakudani, Tozan Railway(maybe)
April 7 – Kawaguchiko | Sengen shrine, Oishi park, Kubota museum
April 8 – Nagoya | Ise day trip
April 9 – Kyoto | Golden Pavilion, Ryoan-ji, Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge
April 10 – Kyoto | Kiyomizu Dera, Gion district
April 11 – Kyoto | Fushimi Inari Taisha, Philosophers path
April 12 – Kyoto | Museum of Kyoto, Imperial Palace Park, Nijo-di
April 13 – Kyoto > Nara day trip > Osaka
April 14 – Osaka | Osaka Castle, Sumiyoshi Taisha, Dotonbori
April 15 – Koyasan | Temple stay, walk from temple to temple, visit cemetery of Koyasan
April 16 – Osaka | Osaka Castle, Shitennoji, Kobe dinner
April 17 – Hiroshima | Peace museum, Peace park, Hiroshima castle,
April 18 – Hiroshima > Miyajima day trip
April 19 – Okayama | Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen, Himeji castle
April 20 – Kanazawa | Kenrokuen garden, Kanazawa Castle, old geisha district
April 21 – Kanazawa > Shirakawago day trip > Takayama
April 22 – Takayama | Morning market, Takayama Jinya, Sanmachi Suji, Hida folk village (maybe)
April 23 – Tokyo | Asakusa, Senso-Ji, Ueno Park, Akibhara
April 24 – Tokyo | Harajuku, Meija shrine, Yoyogi park
April 25 – Tokyo | Imperial palace, Ginza, Roppongi hills
April 25 – Tokyo | > Nikko day trip (still deciding)
April 26 – Tokyo > Go home
I am not sure if this is to crazy and unrealistic? I really want to see parts of the Japanese alps, as well as stay the night in an onsen in Hakone, with staying a fair amount of time in the big cities. I am actually quite happy with this setup I think. It lets me see most of the things I want to, granted a but less time in each place. The only thing I am concerned with is if it will be to much moving around to different accommodations. But, this way lets me see all the things I want to.
Any help is appreciated! Id like lots of feedback, or ways to change it as I want to book my accommodations ASAP!!
**An alternative itinerary I thought of was something super basic like this:**
**8 days in Tokyo, 5 in Kyoto, 2 in Hiroshima, 4 in Osaka, 1 in Koyasan, 2 in Hakone**
I don’t get to see the other cities I wanted, but I get more time in each city and it would be more laid back and less moving around. It is my first international trip, and I am going solo. Though I like the other itinerary more, this one might be better for my first trip. I am more happy with the other itinerary to be honest, but I am not sure if this itinerary will be more easy/laid back/enjoyable.
But, I would love some advice on what I should do for my itinerary! If my first one is good, sucks, or what! Thanks in advance.