Itinerary Check: 15 Days in Tokyo, Nikko, Kawaguchi, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima.

Hi everyone, my brother and I are planning on spending two weeks in Japan during the fall of 2023, ideally late October/Early November for peak foliage in the mountains. This is a modification of a trip which was planned and booked in 2020, but canceled due to …. let’s go with border issues. We plan to follow the golden route with some detours to mountain towns (Nikko/Kawaguchi). I have not done the calculations on the JR pass, but I think it would probably be cheeper to just buy individual tickets due to how spread out the long distance travel is.

Major Questions/Concerns:

Is there a better way to get from Kawaguchi to Kyoto? Would there be Taxis/Ubers in that area which would enable a faster link to Mishima Station? I am considering removing the day in Hiroshima and spending two nights in Kawaguchi if the current plan is not viable. This would enable more time in both Nikko and Kawaguchi and avoid some tight connections.

Anything we are missing in Kyoto?

Any interesting photo spots you would suggest? Viewpoints/Overlooks/Temples etc..

Interests in descending order

1. Food
2. Architecture
3. Photography
4. Culture (Heritage/Shrines/Temples)
5. Culture (Tech/Manga/Anime)
6. Shopping/Gifts

**Day 1:** Fly Into Tokyo

* Arrive 3:50pm
* Get Pocket Wi-Fi/Sim Card at Haneda
* Monorail->Metro (50m) to hotel in Shinjuku
* Get food local to the hotel and crash
* (energy providing) Walk (10m) to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for the night view

**Day 2:** Tokyo West

* Walk from Hotel in Shinjuku to Shibuya crossing via Yoyogi park
* Shibuya Scramble Crossing/ Starbucks/ Possibly Shibuya Sky
* Eat in the area, and then return to the hotel for a short rest.
* Kabukicho in the evening (Walk 15m from hotel)

**Day 3:**Tokyo East

* (Possible) Tsukiji Outer market (*Is this worth it now that the inner market moved*)
* Taxi to Team Labs Planets across the Rainbow Bridge
* Akihabara/Lunch/Arcades
* Senso-ji Temple
* Food close to Tokyo Skytree and explore the area in the evening
* Travel: Shinjuku-30->Tsukiji-10->Team Labs Planets-35->Akihabara-15->Senso-Ji Temple-5->Skytree -35->Shinjuku. Total 2:10

**Day 4:** Kamakura (Tokyo)

* Food in Shinjuku
* Day Trip to Kamakura (1:20) from Shinjuku station
* See the Temples, Budda, and coastal train
* When done in Kamakura, head to Roppongi
* Roppongi Hills Tower, shopping, and dinner

**Day 5:** Nikko

* Tokyo to Nikko in the Morning (2:30) via Nikko access pass
* See the park, bridge, and the shrine in town
* Dinner in Nikko and spend the night

**Day 6:** Kawaguchi

* Nikko to Kawaguchi (4:30)
* Get in to Kawaguchi in the afternoon, lunch in town
* See Chureito Pagoda
* Get dinner in town

**Day 7:** Kawaguchi

* Rent Bikes and bike around the lake
* Enjoy the fall colors
* Take a taxi to Mishima station **(***Is this possible? it’s about an hour, suggestions for this transit link are welcome***)**
* Shinkansen to Kyoto in the evening
* Get food late in Kyoto and get to our hotel
* Travel (Optimal): 1h Taxi and 2h Train Ride

**Day 8:** Kyoto

* Fushimi Inari
* Philosophers Path?
* Yasaka Pagoda
* Kiyomizu-dera
* Gion in the evening

**Day 9:** Kyoto

* Early morning Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (hopefully not as busy)
* KinkauJi Temple
* Kyoto Imperial Palace
* Nijo Castle
* Anything big we missed?

**Day 10:** Kyoto (Nara)

* Breakfast in Kyoto
* Train to Nara (store carry-on bags at station) (1:10)
* Nara park and shrine
* In the evening, go to Osaka (1h)
* Go to Dontonbori if not tired.

**Day 11:** Osaka

* Slow morning
* Osaka Castle
* Umeda Sky Building
* Dotonbori again

**Day 12:** Hiroshima (Possible Drop for Extra day in Kawaguchi)

* Train down to Hiroshima (1:20)
* Miyajima (30m ferry ride on either side)
* Atomic Bomb Dome
* Dinner in the city
* Train back (1:20)

**Day 13:** Osaka to Tokyo

* Finish up anything unfinished in Osaka/Kyoto
* Any suggestions?

**Day 14:** Tokyo

* Imperial Palace
* Shopping/Free space to revisit or see anything we missed

**Day 15:** Tokyo

* Breakfast in Tokyo
* Tokyo Tower area for one last view of the city
* Fly Home 3:30pm
* Travel (\~1h local and to airport)

**Lodging** (B indicates we have our carry-on bags)

* Lodging: Day 1-5 (B) [Hotel Century South](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g14133713-d307326-Reviews-Hotel_Century_Southern_Tower-Yoyogi_Shibuya_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html#/media/307326/475250206:p/?albumid=101&type=0&category=101)
* Lodging: Day 5-6 Nikko Hotel (ship carry-on to Kyoto Hotel day 5)
* Lodging: Day 6-7 Kawaguchi (Possible 2 days)
* Lodging: Day 7-10 (B) Kyoto (Any suggestions for a central place to stay?)
* Lodging: Day 10-13 (B) Osaka
* Lodging: Day 13-15 (B) Tokyo east side