First time travelers to Japan, looking for feedback on our itinerary, we’re a couple in our late 20s. We’re pretty active people and can handle a lot of walking around, and we do want to spend a lot of time looking at nature things (birding//parks//etc). I’m not sure if we need to buy a JR pass, I did the math and it looks like we might only be spending $246 total on trains outside of what the IC Manaca card covers.
I left 1/1 empty because we’re meeting up with a friend who lives in Japan so I think he might have plans for us that day, and I know most things will be closed. But of course I’m open to suggestions.
I am vegan and partner is vegetarian so open to any and all suggestions on food related things 😉
(edit: oh yah, would love to know how much cash people think we should be bringing with us for this trip? My grandpa was just in Japan for 10 days and only spend $450 USD, but I feel like we’ll need more than that?)
**12/30**
* Arrive at airport around 3pm
* Purchase IC cards
* buy sim-cards at 7/11–
* Staying in Shinjuku
**12/31**
* check out Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Yoyogi Park Dog run
* Oji-Inari Shrine Fox Festival (starts at Shozoku Temple, parade to Oji-Inari)
**\*\*1/01**
**1/02**
* Birding– Kasai Rinkai park– Sea Bird Sanctuary
* Hamarikyu Garden if open
**1/03**
* Check out Imperial Palace and Ginza shopping district (Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, Ginza six, Matsuya)
* Head over to Ueno and check out the Natural Science Museum
* Maybe check out Ameyokocho shopping st and Tokudaiji Temple
**1/04**
* \*\*idk if it will be snowy?\*\*
* Travel to Takaosan
* Hike Mount Kagenobu Trail (6 mile total)
Additional day plan
* Travel to Takaosan
* Head to Yujiki Temple and eat a temple meal, then go for a hike!!!
**1/05**
* Studio Ghibli Museum
* Hang out in Asakusa??? Get the inari??
**1/06**
* Check out of Airbnb before 12
* Take bullet train to Kyoto (2 hours)
* Check into Airbnb after 3? Maybe 4?
* Get dinner and walk around near Imperial Palace
**1/07**
* Bike around Northern Higashiyama day??
* Demachi Masugata Arcade!!
* Shimogamo Shrine
* Kamo River
* Ginkakuji
* The Philosphers Path
* Honen-in
* Eikan-do
* Nanzen ji
* Heian Jingu
* Mochi pounding
* Nishiki market
**1/08**
* Walking tour Higashiyama Area–
* Kiyomizu-dera Temple
* Sannen-zaka Slope
* Kodaiji
* Ishibei Koji
* Yasaka jinija
* Maruyama Park
* Choin-in Temple
* Shoren-in Garden//Temple
* Gion– night
* Pontocho– night
* Kiyamchi– night
* Teramachi
**1/09**
* Mount Hiei hiking and Enryakaji
**1/10**
* Osaka:
* Birding: (only one of these)
* Kabutoyama Forest Park
* Nankou Bird Sanctuary
**1/11**
* ¾ day walking tour Arashiyama Area
* Arashiyama bus stop
* Seriyoji Temple
* Gioji temple
* Jojakkoji Temple
* Kameyama Park
* Tenryuji Temple
* Ryoanoji
* Maybe also check out Kinkakuji (but closes at 5…)
**1/12**
* Kurashiki/Himeji:
* Kurashiki Canal City
* Himeji Castle
**1/13**
* Check out of AirBnb and take train to Kansai leave kyoto before 12
* Flight to Taipei
2 comments
You are landing in Nagoya? If not, it will be impossible to get a Manaca.
And Kasai you mean Kansai International Airport (KIX) v
>1/05Studio Ghibli MuseumHang out in Asakusa??? Get the inari??
If you’ve gotten tickets already and you’re going to the Ghibli Museum, it would behoove you to hang out/explore Kichijoji. Endless amounts of great shopping, cool little shops, and food. Inokashira Park, which Ghibli is located in, is gorgeous as well.