May 2023 Itinerary Check. Couple

Hello everyone!

After failing to visit Japan in 2020, my wife and I finally have tickets to travel in May. I have a rough itinerary planned. Normally when we travel we try to have a general idea of where to go each day, but we like to explore and wander around; we don’t like to have fixed times unless it is required.

I think that in general, we are not rushing it, maybe 1 or 2 days are packed, but let us know what you think and what can we improve. Travel Dates are from May 6th to 29th and we are a couple starting their 30s, no kids, traveling with two carry ons and a checked bag (mostly empty to bring back stuff).

Day 1 – Arrive in Tokyo
Arrive in Narita Airport early in the morning, pickup JR Pass and Suica cards, NEX to Shinjuku. Drop bags at hotel, calm day because of travel & jetlag. Shinjuku Central Park, Juniso Kumano-Jinjo, Kabukicho & Golden Gai (If we are feeling like it, else crash at hotel)

Day 2 – Shibuya
Mei-ji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Takeshita Street, Miyashita Park and Shibuya Crossing + general area.

Day 3 – Asakusa
Senso-ji, Nakamise Street, Sumida Park, Skytree, Hoppy Street & Kappabashi Street.

Day 4 – Ueno/Akihabara
Ameyoko Street, Ueno Park & Shinobazu, Nezu Shrine, Akihabara.

Day 5 – Chiyoda/Ginza
TeamLab Planets, Rainbow Bridge, Shinawaga

Day 6 – Gotoku-ji/Shimokitazawa
Gotoku-ji temple & Sshimokitazawa, Shibuya Sky in the afternoon.

Day 7 – Yokohama
Red Brick, Chinataun, Genbu Mon. (We have family living in Yokohama, so we will probably have a local to show us around).

Day 8 – Tokyo & Roppongi
Contemporary Art Museum and Mori. Takkyubin bag to Kyoto (Delivery 2 days later).

Day 9 – Hakone
Early Romance Car (GSE) to Hakone, Hakone Loop, dinner since it’s my birthday.

Day 10 – Hakone
Explore Hakone, hike, do a private onsen, any missing spots.

Day 11 – Mt. Kintoki
Hike to Mt. Kintoki, maybe go to Gotemba Premium Outlets afterwards, afternoon Shinkansen to Kyoto. First day of JR Pass.

Day 12 – Kyoto
Gion, Nishi Market, Higashayima, Hiyomizudera.

Day 13 – Fushimi Inari
6 a.m. into Fushimi Inari, PHilosopher’s path, Ginkaku-ji, Nazen-ji?.

Day 14 – Arashiyama
Sagano Scenic Railway, Bamboo forest, Monkey Park, Ryoan-ji?.

Day 15 – Kyoto
Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, Imperial Palace, Railway Museum, Pontocho

Day 16 – Hiroshima
This is the bussiest day, since is a day trip to hiroshima, eraly Shinkansen, then ferry to Mijayima, in the afternoon the major Hiroshima sites and late shinkansen back to Kyoto.

Day 17 – Kyoto or Tokyo
Stay the morning in Kyoto and take a late train to Tokyo or take an early train to Tokyo. Last day of JR Pass. Takkyubin bags to Tokyo? Can Yamato or others hold the bags for 5 days while we visit Korea?

Day 18 – Seoul
First Skyliner to Narita, flight to Seoul.

Days 19 to 21 – Seoul

Day 22 & 23 – Back in Tokyo
Spend the afternoon in Tokyo, catch any missing spots and do some shopping, day 23 will be the last one in Japan, we will probably do something we missed and go early to the hotel to pack and so on.

Day 24 – Flight Back
Flight back around noon, NEX to Narita.

We are buying the following in advance:

\- 7 day JR Pass.
\- TeamLab Planets Entry
\- Skytree
\- Shibuya Sky
\- Hakone Free Pass + Romance Car (GSE panoramic seats)
\- Mori Art Museum
\- Sagano Scenic Railway

I’m already familiar on when to buy each of those.

I already have restaurants and similar spots saved on Gmaps, we like to decide each day or the day before where to go. We would like to try some Wagyu Beef, (Either Kobe, Matzuzaka, Omi or any other), but we are unsure if we should do it in Tokyo or Kyoto (Maybe in Pontocho?), any recommendations would be apprecieted.

Also if we are missing any good spots please let us know, we are open and as I previously said, we don’t have anything set on stone.

Thank you all in advance!