20 Day Japan/Korea Itinerary Check

Hi there! 🙂

I’m spending 14 days in Japan and 5 days in South Korea on April 27- May 16, and staying in Tokyo (5 nights), Osaka/Kyoto (6 nights), Hiroshima (1 night), Miajima (1 night), Seoul (1 night), Gyeongju (1 night), and Busan (1 night) and Tokyo again for 2 nights. It will be Golden week from April 29- early May.

We are a group of 3, mid 20’s and looking forward to the food, walking around cities, and general tourist stuff. We enjoy the city feel, and will enjoy a few breaks into more remote areas but want to avoid spending too much time in sleepier areas.

I would be so grateful for any thoughts or feedback on my itinerary. I’m hoping for any recommendations on how the nights could be spent better in specific areas. I could always remove certain destinations to allow for more days in other areas.

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I am wondering:

\-Does it make sense to stay 1 night in Hiroshima and then Miajima for 1 night after? Would that feel extremely rushed? It would add extra time on day 14 as well getting from Miajima to Seoul.

\-Which would be the best option to purchase in terms of transit?:

1. JR pass + regional passes (based on initial research this is the best option)
2. One-off bullet train tickets + regional passes
3. One-off bullet train tickets + one-off regional train tickets

\-Would it be too much to see Gyeongju and Busan for 1 day each? We could alternatively spend more time in Seoul. Is this too much bouncing around in South Korea?

\-Would day 18 be way too much? Busan to Tokyo would be looong day. Would it be better to skip Busan or maybe Gyeongju?

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Accommodations:

* Day 1-5: Tokyo (4 full days)
* Day 6-8: Kyoto (2 full days)
* Day 9: Nara (1 full day)
* Day 10-11: Osaka (2 full days)
* Day 12: Hiroshima (1 full day)
* Day 13: Miajima (1 full day)
* Day 14-15: Seoul (1 full day)
* Day 16: Gyeongju (1 full day)
* Day 17: Busan (1 full day)
* Day 18: Busan to Tokyo
* Day 19-20: Tokyo (1 full day)

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itinerary:

* Day 1: Tokyo / April 27
* Fly to Tokyo, check into airbnb
* Explore a bit and eat
* Day 2: Tokyo / April 28
* Teamlab Borderless / Planets, Nintendo Tokyo, Tokyo Tower, Toyosu Market, Pokemon Shop (4 to Choose From), JUMP Shop
* Day 3: Tokyo / April 29
* Art Aquarium Museum, Nintendo Shibuya, Shibuya 109 – shopping, Arcade, Miyashita Rooftop Park
* Day 4: Tokyo / April 30
* Day trip to Hakone (views of Mount Fuji)
* Day 5: Tokyo / May 1
* No plans yet
* Day 6: Tokyo->Kyoto / May 2
* Move from Tokyo to Kyoto (3.5 hrs via bullet train)
* Check into airbnb
* Grab dinner
* Day 7: Kyoto / May 3
* Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, Philosopher’s path, shrines, etc, Sagano Scenic Railway
* Day 8: Kyoto / May 4
* Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
* Day 9: Day trip to Nara / May 5
* Nara Park, Todaiji Temple, Yoshikien garden, isuien garden
* Day 10: Osaka / May 6
* Osaka Aquarium, Dotombori District
* Day 11: Osaka / May 7
* Explore Osaka, no plans yet
* Day 12: Hiroshima / May 8
* Move from Osaka to Hiroshima (1.5 hrs via bullet train), check into airbnb
* See a few of these: Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Peace Memorial Park, Shukkei-en Garden
* Day 13: Miyajima / May 9
* Move from Hiroshima 45 min ferry to Miyajima
* Check into airbnb
* See a few of these: Itsukushima-jinja Shrine, Daisho-in Temple, Momiji-dani-koen Park, Mt. Misen via Miyajima Ropeway, Village
* Day 14: Miyajima->Seoul / May 10
* Move from Miyajima to Hiroshima (45 min ferry), Hiroshima to Osaka (1.5 hrs), Osaka to Seoul flight (2 hrs)
* Check into airbnb
* Day 15: Seoul / May 11
* See a few of these: Palaces, Insadong, traditional Hanok houses, Gwangjang market, Myeongdong, DMZ, Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul tower, Bukhansan National Park
* Day 16: Gyeongju / May 12
* Move from Seoul to Gyeongju (2 hrs 35 min)
* Check into airbnb
* Andong Hahoe Folk Village, Royal tombs, Bulgasaka temple
* Day 17: Busan / May 13
* Move from Gyeongju to Busan (30 min)
* See a few of these: Haeundae beach, Gwangandaegyo bridge, Taejongdae Resort Park, Jagalchi Fish Market, Busan Tower, Water Temple, Gamcheon cultural village
* Day 18: Busan->Seoul->Tokyo / May 14
* Move from Busan to Seoul (2 hrs 35 min)
* Flight from Seoul to Tokyo (2.5 hrs)
* Check into airbnb
* Dinner
* Day 19: Tokyo / May 15
* Relax and wander Tokyo
* Day 20: May 16
* Fly back home

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Thank you!!