I’m planning a Solo Trip in early April to Mid April. First time visiting Japan. My goal is to try and see as many of the “big” sights as possible. So far I have only booked my flights. Budget isn’t a huge thing, but I’m not out here looking to spend 300/night on hotels and stuff. 13 full days in Japan, with a half day on either side flying in/out.
Day 0
Landing at 1:30 on Saturday. Sim Card, money, etc, and then take the train to Kyoto.
Days 1-3: Kyoto. Plan to stay at a Ryokan in Kyoto
Main thing I have planned for Kyoto is Temples. Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Chion-in Temple, Shoren-in Temple, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, Tenryu-ji Temple/ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Okochi-Sanso Villa, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Daitoku-ji Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, and Nanzen-ji Temple, along with Maruyama-koen Park and Gion Shimbashi.
At the end of Day 3, take the train to Kinosaki Onsen, and spend the night at a Ryokan.
Day 4: Kinosaki Onsen. Spend the day going to the 7 Mystic Onsens and just relaxing in general. Spend the night again in Kinosaki Onsen.
Day 5 Morning: Take the train to Osaka/Koyasan.
Day 5: Check in to a Temple and see the various temples.
Day 6: Morning Prayer at Koyasan, then go back to Osaka, drop off luggage, and then day trip to Nara. Really only goal here is to do the feed the bowing deer. To be honest I don’t know what else there is to do.
Evening, come back to Osaka.
Day 7: See Osaka. The things I have for consideration are Shitenno-ji Temple, Isshin-ji Temple, Osaka Castle, Sumiyoshi Taisha, and the Osaka Aquarium. Castle is probably top of the list of things I want to see, the aquarium is probably at the bottom
Day 8-9: Hiroshima. Really, a day in Hiroshima to see the Atomic Dome, Children’s Peace monument, the various peace museums. Then the other day to go to Itsukushima Shrine.
Day 10-13: Train back to Tokyo and the rest of the days in Tokyo. Do all the Tokyo Stuff. Akihabara, Shibuya, Shinjuku, etc. Only real absolutes are: Kameido Tenjin Shrine (to see Wisteria Blossoming), Tokyo Tower, and Tokyo Skytree.
Day 14: See something for maybe half a day till Noon, then fly out at 5PM.
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Day 5: Unless you plan to skip breakfast, you’re unlikely to get to Koyasan before mid-afternoon, which leaves not a lot of time (2 hours) for sightseeing before dinner.
Day 6: Generally, you go to Nara to see Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofuku-ji and the gardens (if not sake district or Mt. Wakakusa) and seeing deer is sad, inevitable consequence of visiting.
Day 7: Honestly, since this is likely mid-April and cherry blossoms should be gone – the sad re-construction that is Osaka-jo should actually be at the bottom of the list. If you want to see a Japanese castle, then either Himeji or Hikone make more sense.