Itinerary check: 17 days in Japan during Cherry Blossom season 2023 — First time visitors

I am visiting Japan next year for the first time with my family (2 parents \~60 years, me and my brother \~30 years) during Cherry Blossom season (End of March – Mid-April) next year.

Basic information about me as a traveler: I’m not a highly budget traveler, who is unwilling to spend any money unnecessarily, but when crafting an itinerary plan I still look into the best value for money. I’m more of a stroller, and would rather spend a day with visiting sightseeing spots to photograph, parks, than let’s say a museum. I’m also more of a window shopper, than have a full on shopping spree. The same can be said about my family, although for my parents a knee-friendly itinerary is rather preferred (longer distances, especially uphill or downhill, rather taken by bus, than to walk).

Unfortunately I have the habit to cram too many things, I want to see/visit, resulting, that at the end of a trip I have to spontaneously delete some spots, because the time is simply missing, so therefore, I would like to have your input on my plan. What places can I neglect to focus on other things etc?

In addition, I would like to note, that I’m planing to use the 14-day JR pass. I’ve done some fare calculations, and it does indeed seem to be worth it. I’m also aware, that for traveling within the cities, purchasing an additional IC card is recommended, which I’ll also do, especially for the days, where the JR pass is not activated yet. However, I’m also open to your input on that matter. Perhaps, a 14 day JR pass is not really worth it, and a 7 day pass is more suitable.

As of now, only the flight dates are safe. I haven’t booked any accommodations yet.

Nevertheless, here is my itinerary plan:

|27 March |Arriving around 10 pm at Haneda Airport. Either take a capsule hotel at the airport, or private shuttle service to accomodation within the city.|
|:-|:-|
|28 March|Sometimes within the day: activating the JR pass on 31 March. Asakusa (Senjoji-Temple, Kaminarimon Gate), Sumida (Sumida Park, Tokyo Skytree –> from the outside), Strolling through Yanaka Ginza & Ueno Park, Strolling Akihabara in the evening, bring the day to a close in Omoido Yokocho?|
|29 March|Visit Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for City View, Strolling through Shinjuku Gyoen, visiting Meiji Jingu, Yoyogi Park, explore Harajuku area, Visiting Shibuya in the evening (anyone with recommendations for good photo spots of the crosswalk from above?)|
|30 March|Strolling Chiyoda area (palace garden, Chidorigafuchi park), Visiting Roppongi, Tokyo Tower –> from the outside, Evening sight of Odaiba and Rainbow Bridge|
|31 March|Here it get’s exciting, since this is the day I’m planning to have my JR pass activated, I’ve crafted 2 alternatives for this day. **What would you recommend?**: a) day trip to Kawaguchiko: Arakurayama Sengen Park, strolling along Fujikawaguko to snap a good shot of Mt. Fuji; only partly covered by JR pass, additional costs on the Fujikyo part (around 1170-1770¥ one way/Person). b) day trip to Yokohama: strolling through port area (Cosmoworld, Nippon Maru, Red Brick Warehouses), Strolling through Chinatown. Return to Tokyo in the early evening hours and strolling through Kabukicho|
|01 April|Day Trip Kanazawa: take the Shinkansen in the morning. Stroll through Higashi Chaya District, Omicho Market, Kanazawa Castle and Gardens (visit Kenroku-en), Nagamachi District (Outer area of 21 Century Museum?)|
|02 April|See 31 March. **What would you recommend?** a) day trip Nikko Nationalpark: World heritage area (Shinkyeo Bridge, Tosho gu, Futarasan Shrine etc), Bus ride to Chuzenji Lake, Visit Kegon Falls, strolling through Chuzenji Lake area. b) day trip Kamakura&Enoshima. Visit Kotoko-in & Hase-dera, from Hase-dera transfer to Enoshima Island and do a little stroll|
|03 April|Ride the Shinkansen to Osaka. Explore area around Osaka castle, stroll around Shinsaibashi, Americamura, bring the day to a close with a stroll in Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho|
|04 April|Day Trip Kyoto Part 1\\Explore east Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Ninneizaka, Sannenzaka, Kiyomizu dera, Heian-Jingu, walk from Nanzen-Ji over Philosophers Path to Ginkaku-ji. Explore Pontocho, Hanamikoji Str. in the evening, Return to Osaka|
|05 April|Day Trip Kyoto Part 2\\Explore north west Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forrest, Tenru-ji, Ryoan-ji, Kinkaku-ji, stroll through Nishiki-Market, Visit Yasaka, Marayuma Park, Chion-in, return to Osaka in the early evening and stroll through Shinsekai|
|06 April|Day Trip Nara: Stroll around Narapark (Kofuku-Ji, Todai-Ji, ~~Squeal in silence over the deer in hopes, that they won’t attack me :D~~). Return to Osaka in the afternoon/early evening and stroll around the department stores at Osaka station (Hankyu, HEP Five, maybe visit Umeda Sky building)|
|07 April (day trip dependent on whether it’s high tide, otherwise switch this day with another day)|Day trip to Miyajima & Hiroshima\\The most packed day, I think. –> **Here I would like to have your input, if this is possible within a day or I should split it up in 2 separate days.** Travel to Miyajima in the morning as soon as possible. Stroll around the area at the Torii Gate, visit Miyajima Omotesando Shotengai, return to Hiroshima, visit Peace park area (Children’s peace monument, Atomic dome), visit Hiroshima castle?, dinner at Okonomimura, return to Osaka |
|08 April|Half-day trip Himeji (dependent on peak bloom season, perhaps switching Himeji visit with the days before). Stroll around Himeji Castle and Gardens. Return to Osaka and visit Shukugawa for Cherry blossom view?, stroll within Kuromon Ichiba Market|
|09 April|Visit around remaining Osaka sites: Giant Ferris Wheel, Tempozan Market Place, Sumiyoshi Taisha, Shitennoji, Namba Yasaka Shrine, Stroll around Denden Town&Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping street|
|10 April|Take Shinkansen to Tokyo. Nothing special planned, visit Shibuya crossing by day, stroll Kabuchiko/Golden Gai in the evening|
|11 April|Day Trip to Sendai (dependent on peak bloom, otherwise maybe the Tokyo alternatives? (31 March and 02 April)). Stroll around Hitome Senbonzakura, Nishi Park and/or Tsutsujigaoka Park for Hanami viewing. If it’s not peak bloom (yet), maybe visit Sendai castle and Ichibano as alternative –> **other must-sees in Sendai in general?**|
|12 April|Nothing special planned. Maybe Daytrip to Gotemba Premium outlets? Otherwise maybe the Tokyo alternatives? (31 March and 02 April)). Last minute Shopping in Tokyo|
|13 April|Nothing special planned. Lock the check-in luggage in Coin Lockers, Stroll around Tokyo until afternoon –> Take N’EX to Narita airport. Plane will departure around 10 pm|

Thanks for your input! 🙂