Mid-30s couple, visiting Japan for the first time.
Priorities:
* Food (+++)
* Climbing at bouldering gyms (+++)
* Experiencing the cherry blossoms (++)
* Visit some castles
* Walk through some cool neighborhoods
* Do some touristy stuff
Day|Date|Lodgings
–:|:–|:–
1-3|Apr 3-5|Tokyo (flight landing 3pm)
4-8|Apr 6-10|Kyoto or Osaka
9|Apr 11|???
10-11|Apr 12-13|Tokyo
12|Apr 14|Flight at 5pm
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## Itinerary
**Days 1-3 in Tokyo** Land in Narita at around 3pm. Not super clear what we want to do yet:
* Day trip to the Fuji Five Lakes region, visit the Chureito Pagoda.
**Day 4** Head over to Kyoto or Osaka, check into the hotel, climb at a local gym, get dinner.
**Day 5-8** Four days in Kyoto or the surrounding areas.
* A day trip to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle and the gardens there.
* Walk through Kyoto starting from Ginkakuji, through the Philosopher’s Path, meandering back to Kyoto Station. Lunch at or near Kyoto station. Then head up to Arashiyama for the rest of the day. Maybe take the Sagano Scenic Railway and the Hozugawa River Cruise back.
* Fushimi Inari Shrine and take it easy the rest of the day.
* A day in Osaka: Osaka Castle, wandering around Shinsekai.
**Day 9** Stay at a ryokan somewhere quieter, preferably with an onsen.
**Day 10-12** Back to Tokyo, although this time we want to stay somewhere more fancy and splurge a little bit.
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We originally had wanted to go to Japan for our honeymoon, and then the pandemic happened. Three years later, we wanted to try and make it happen again. We’re Asian, from North America, speaking English. I’m trying to Duolingo some Japanese over the next few months, but I don’t assume I’m going to make too much progress.
We’ve booked the flights, but haven’t booked any lodging yet.
We like to go rock climbing together, so that’s a ~half-day activity that we’ll probably try to slot that into any quieter days that we have.
Some specific questions/requests I have:
* We have the Kyoto leg mostly sketched out so far. A critical eye through those days would be appreciated.
* Our full days in Kyoto are Saturday through Tuesday. Any advice on what to avoid on weekends?
* Any recommendations for a ryokan in/around/between Tokyo and Kyoto for day 9?
* Any recommendations for a fancy hotel in Tokyo? (Let’s say a budget of less 1000 USD per night, for the two nights of day 10 and 11.)
* Should I consider an Airbnb? Perhaps my experience with them in North America has soured me, but are Airbnbs comparable to Airbnb as it was a decade ago? (I don’t have any experience with Airbnb outside of the US or Canada.)
* Any general advice for what to do on the last day, given that we’ll have our luggage with us?