Have had this trip planned for a while now, but really haven’t done much specifics besides hotels and trains being booked ahead of time. I was busy cause of school and it’s come up fast on me, so any advice is appreciated, cause I’m not the best planner. I understand new years isn’t the best time to go, but I didn’t have many options as I will be consistently busy with school for the next few years. Also I realize the order of towns is a little odd, but that was due to a lot of hotels being booked at different times in places I wanted to go.
For context it’s myself and a buddy, both 20; one into history and one into anime going. I tried to accommodate both of us, while leaving some wiggle room and open days as well. I have train tables recorded and tickets for some of the more specific/integral parts of routes booked.
# TOKYO
**12/21-22**
Fly out from New York and arrive in Tokyo around 3pm the following day.
Pick up wifi, preserved train tickets, and e-card from aiport. Forward luggage to hotel and then head to our lodging in Shinjuku. Maybe get food or sleep depending on jet lag.
**12/23**
Not planning on much cause of jetlag, but I did reserve the Hibiya Christmas Market tickets for 2:30 this day cause all other days sold out.
**12/24**
Morning/noon – Check out Shibuya area, do some shopping and have lunch
Afternoon – head to central Tokyo and explore from Tokyo station. See the imperial palace, and go up Tokyo tower (I know its not the best view, but I grew up with Godzilla movies). See some of the Christmas illuminations.
**12/25**
Not too sure what to do with this day, besides looking at more Christmas lights in the evening and maybe partaking in kfc as is tradition.
**12/26**Morning/noon – Explore Akihabara, arcades and some shopping.
Dinner – Got a reservation at Hitsumabushi Bincho.
**12/27**
Morning/noon – Head to Yokohama, See the gundam, port museum, sankaien,
Evening – check out china town, and reservation for dinner at Manchiro
**12/28**
All day – Fuji Q (got bus tickets and park tickets already, gonna be there at opening to secure fast passes).
**12/29**
Open day, wanted to go to teamlabs and joyopolis but might be a bit much after fuji q. Will decide on day of if we are up for it.
**12/30**
All day – Comiket
**12/31**
Reservation at Maruyamacho Wadatsumi for soba. Still need to figure out which temple to go to for Hatsumōde at midnight. I understand the larger ones have more to do and are more vibrant, but with smaller ones you may be able to partake in Joya no Kane. I would quite like the whole experience, so please let me know.
**1/1**
Another open day, last one in tokyo to see whatever we may have missed.
# NAGANO
**1/2**
Morning, leave Tokyo early for prebooked train tickets up to Nagano. I booked 2 nights at the monkey onsen inn, which in hindsight might be a bit much, but I figured we would be tired after tokyo.
**1/3**
Monkeys
# TAKAYAMA
**1/4**
Depart from nagano early and make our way to Takayama. Stop over in Matsumoto to see the castle and grab some food, and then continue to our hotel in Takayama.
**1/5**
Morning – Visit Miyagawa morning market and check out sanmachi. See the showa kan museum, and Takayama Jinya building.
Evening – Booking at Kyoya for hida beef.
# SHIRAKAWAGO
**1/6**
Booked bus from Takayama to Shirakawago. Drop off luggage at inn and explore town before checking in for dinner.
**1/7**
I know there isn’t too much in Shirakawa go for a whole day, but I’m a big fan of an anime set there and want to see all the spots.
# KYOTO
# 1/8
Take bus from Shirakawa go to Kanazawa. Check out Kanazawa castle and grab lunch before heading to Kyoto. Check in at hotel near station, and see nearby shrines.
**1/9**
Morning – Higashi Hongan early before crowds, see nijo castle, imperial palace, and Nishiki Market.
Noon- Toei Kyoto Park
Evening – see Fushimi inari at sunset when crowds disperese, then Reservation at Hiro Yasaka Tei
**1/10**
all day – Nara: deer park, mochi, Todaji.
**1/11**
Shinbashi Dori, Heian shrine, phillosophers path, Higashiyama Jisho-Ji.
# KINOSAKI ONSEN
# 1/12
mid day train, drop off bags at onsen and explore town, before chilling for dinner. Maybe go to a hot spring or too
**1/13**
see more of the town in morning before hot spring hopping.
# OSAKA
**1/14**
Last full day in Japan. Only in Osaka a day cause need to for flight. Head to Osaka by train, check into hotel at Dotonbori. See the sights and get Okonmiyaki.
**1/15**
Midday – head to airport, fly home.
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I know it’s not great, and would really appreciate any advice where you can spare it. It’s been a very overwhelming process and I want to have the best trip I can given the current circumstances.
