3 weeks in Japan (Dec 22)

Hi everyone,

I’m leaving for Japan in just over a week and would love some feedback – if there’s anything essential that I’ve missed or alternatively, anything that I should cut out.

We’ve chosen to base ourselves in Tokyo (1n), Hakone (2n), Kyoto (6n), Miyajima (2n), Kanazawa (2n), Karuizawa (4n) and Tokyo again (4n)

13/12 – Late arrival at Narita

14/12 – Tokyo -> Odawara + shuttle bus to hotel, visit an onsen

15/12 – Hakone Loop

16/12 – Hakone -> Kyoto (\~2hr), Fushimi Inari Taisha

17/12 – Gion/Higashiyama

* Kiyomizu-dera
* Sannenzaka/Ninnenzaka
* Hokanji
* Kodai-ji (?)
* Yasaka Shrine
* Maruyama-koen Park
* Chion-in
* Shoren-in (?)
* Explore Gion district
* Pontocho Alley for dinner

18/12 – day trip to Nara

* Nakatanidou
* Kofuku-ji
* Nandaimon Gate
* Todai-ji
* Nara Deer Park

19/12 – day trip to Osaka

* Osaka Castle
* Dotonbori
* Shitennoji templle

20/12 – day trip to Himeji

* Himeji castle
* Kokoen garden

21/12 – Arashiyama

* Bamboo grove
* Tenryu-ji
* Monkey park
* Kinkaku-ji (?)

*\*Thinking of either combining Osaka and Himeji, or Himeji and Arashiyama, into one day and then visiting Universal Studios instead*

22/12 – Kyoto -> Hiroshima (2hr)

* Peace Memorial museum and park
* Atomic bomb dome
* Travel to Miyajima (50min)

23/12 – Miyajima

* Sengokaku Pavilion
* Itsukushima Shrine
* Omotesando
* Mount Misen

24/12 – Miyajima -> Kanazawa (5hr 40min)

* Omicho Market
* Kenrokuen garden
* Kanazawa Castle
* Higashi Chaya district

25/12 – bus to Shirakawa-go

* Ogimachi castle lookout (Shiroyama)
* Visit a few of the houses (Wada, Kanda)
* Gassho-zukuri Minkaen

26/12 – 29/12 – train to Karuizawa (2hr), skiing

30/12 – train to Tokyo

* Tsukiji market
* Shinjuku

31/12

* Meiji shrine
* Harajuku – Takeshita
* Shibuya Crossing
* Shibuya Sky

1/1 – Asakusa

* Nakamise street
* Sensoji

2/1

* Team Lab Planets
* free afternoon