Hi everyone!
Me (22M) and my two friends (22F, 22F) are planning our first trip to visit Japan in early March 2023. Since this is our first time traveling internationally, we were hoping we could get some feedback on the places we plan to visit and would love any tips/recommendations on how we should adjust our schedule. From the feedback I have seen on other itineraries, I fully expect that most of the places we have listed may be extremely rushed or infeasible. We all recently graduated college, so we are also trying to not go overboard with our budget.
We plan on starting each day early (leave our hotels around 7:30-8:00 AM)
**Day 1: Arrive in Japan (NRT)**
* Collect SIM or portable WiFi hotspot, JR Pass, IC card
* Take the shinkansen to Shinjuku and check into our accommodation
* Rest from jetlag
* **Accommodation:** Shinjuku
**Day 2: Shinjuku and Shibuya** (adapted from [Shinjuku Half Day guide](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051_shinjuku_half.html))
* Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
* Takashimaya Times Square/Tokyo Metropolitan Gov. Building
* Shibuya Scramble Square/Crossing
* Miyashita Park
* **\[*****If time permits*****\]** Yoyogi Park
* **Accommodation:** Shinjuku
**Day 3: Imperial Palace and others** (adapted from [Imperial Palace and Ginza guide](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051_imperial_ginza_half.html#section_spot_list))
* Imperial Palace and surrounding areas (gates, gardens, and bridge)
* Hibiya Park
* TeamLab Planets TOKYO (tickets will be purchased in advance)
* Tokyo Tower
* **Accommodation:** Shinjuku
**Day 4: Asakusa** (adapted from [Asakusa Half Day guide](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051_asakusa_half.html))
* Kaminarimon
* Nakamise Shopping Street
* Senso-ji Temple
* Hoppy Street
* Sumida Park
* Tokyo Skytree
* **\[*****If time permits*****\]** Ueno Park/Zoo
* **Accommodation:** Shinjuku
**Day 5: Hakone** (adapted from [Tokyo to Kyoto via Hakone guide](https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/tokyo-hakone-kyoto/))
* Purchase Hakone Free Pass
* **\[*****If time permits*****\]** Odawara Castle
* First half of Hakone Loop
* Explore Hakone-Yumoto via Hakone Tozan Line, Hakone Open Air Museum
* **\[*****If time permits*****\]** Owakudani
* **Accommodation:** Ryokan (likely near Gora)
**Day 6: Hakone and Kyoto**
* Second half of Hakone Loop
* Take the cable car to Sounzan Station, take Hakone Ropeway to Togendai Pier, visit Lake Ashi shrine, take a cruise across the lake, walk through Cedar Avenue to Hakone-machi Pier, visit Hakone Shrine
* Take a bus to Mishima Skywalk
* Head to Mishima Station and take the shinkansen to Kyoto
* **Accommodation:** Central Kyoto
**Day 7: Gion**
* Visit Gion streets
* Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Hanami-koji
* Yasaka Shrine
* Maruyama Park
* Kiyomizu-dera
* **\[*****If time permits*****\]** Higashiyama Ward
* **Accommodation:** Central Kyoto
**Day 8: Arashiyama**
* Bamboo Garden
* Senkoji Temple
* Kinkaku-ji Temple
* Sagano Scenic railway
* Tenryu-ji Temple
* Togetsu-kyo Bridge
* **Accommodation:** Central Kyoto
**Day 9: Kyoto to Tokyo**
* Fushimi Inari Shrine
* Take the shinkansen back to Tokyo
* Rest or explore the immediate area around the accommodation location
* **Accommodation:** Tokyo
**Day 10: Depart Japan**
* Take the shinkansen back to NRT
* Fly out of NRT
We were originally planning on staying 2 extra days but realized it was unlikely due to our jobs. Below are our itineraries if we were able to extend our stay.
**Potential Day 10: Nara and Osaka**
* Take side trip to Nara while on the way to Osaka
* Todai-ji
* Nara Park
* Kasuga Taisha Manyo Botanical Gardens
* Continue to Osaka and check into hotel
* **Accommodation:** Osaka
**Potential Day 11: Osaka and Kobe**
* Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway/Herb Garden
* Shinsekai/Dotonbori
* Take the shinkansen back to Tokyo
* **Accommodation:** Tokyo
**Potential Day 12: Depart Japan**
* Take the shinkansen back to NRT
* Fly out of NRT
**Questions:**
* Is this itinerary feasible or is it too fast-paced?
* Any feedback on locations we should remove, add, or replace?
* Will JR passes be worth it in our instance?
* Is it worth paying for the luggage delivery service when we switch hotels?
* Any good recommendations on ryokans we should stay at during our first day in Hokane? We would be willing to pay a bit more for a good view + Kaiseki Ryori but not break our wallets ($200-350 per person)
Any additional tips would be greatly appreciated!