Itinerary Check – 20 Day Trip – May 2023 – Tokyo/Kawaguchiko/Matsumoto(?)/Osaka/Tokyo

Hi All,

First time travelers to Japan here. Its our 1 year wedding anniversary and we decided to go to Japan to celebrate the big occasion! We are in our late 20s and we’ve wanted to go to Japan for a long time. I’m facing a big dilemma. I made 2 itineraries, one of which is listed below for comment. The major difference with the other one is that in the other one, I have an extra day in Fuji area, the Matsumoto/Kamikochi trip has been scrapped and I have an extra day in Tokyo. I don’t have any plans at the moment for those two extra days I gain from not going to Matsumoto but i’m sure we can figure something out.

My question is, is Kamikochi too big of a detour for what it is? I’ve seen so many pictures and videos of that place and it looks magical. But it’s a full two days of travel just to get there for 1 real day of exploring.

Would love to hear your thoughts on that and also any other recommendations on how to get most out of our trip! Have we missed any places in Tokyo which we could possible go during the last two days in Tokyo?

Currently my budget for all this is around $8k AUD **excluding flights**, breakdown as follows. Does this sound about right for 2 people for 20 days? Or am i overspending?

* Food $2,100 ($100 a day)
* Accommodation $2,800.00
* JR Pass (7 Day) $1,069
* WiFi $100
* Other Transport (local buses/passes etc) $500
* Travel Insurance $350
* Shopping $1,000
* Entry tickets to attractions $500

Thanks so much in advance!

**07/05 – Day 0**

* Land in Narita
* Pick up pocket wifi and make our way to Hotel
* Relax!

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**08/05 – Day 1**

* Senso Ji
* Nakamissa Shopping Street
* Sky Tower
* Kirby Café

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**09/05 – Day 2**

* Nikko day trip (Nikko day pass)
* **10/05 – Day 3**
* Day to relax after walking all day in Nikko
* Go explore Akihabara late in the day

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**11/05 – Day 4**

* Mame Shiba Café
* Meiji Shrine
* Hachiko Memorial Shrine
* Nintendo store Shibuya
* Shibuya Sky
* Starbucks Reserve Roastery
* Meguro River

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**12/05 – Day 5 – Send big bags (160cm) from Tokyo to Fuji**

* Tokyo – Team Labs
* Explore Ginza
* Gbhli Museum
* Inokashira Park Zoo
* Toho Bakery (random bakery that I found which looked cool)

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**13/05 – Day 6**

* Travel from Tokyo to Fujikawaguchiko (Fuji Hakone 3 day Pass)
* Chuerito Pagoda
* Ropeway

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**14/05 – Day 7**

* Oshino Hakkai
* Travel down to Hakone
* Hakone Shrine (Torii gate)
* Pirate ship
* Ropeway to Owakudani
* Open air Museum
* Back to hotel in kawaguchiko

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**15/05 – Day 8 – Send big bags (160cm) from Fuji to Kyoto**

* Travel to Gotenba and explore shopping area
* Travel to Matsumoto and relax

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**16/05 – Day 9**

* Travel to Kamikochi and explore
* Travel back to Matsumoto and stay in ryokan

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**17/05 – Day 10 – Activate JR Pass (JR)**

* Check out Matsumoto castle
* Travel from Matsumoto to Kyoto
* Go to Osaka for dinner
* Relax

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**18/05 – Day 11 – (JR)**

* Wake up late
* Osaka castle
* Pokemon Café
* Shinsekai Shopping District
* Dinner somewhere in Osaka

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**19/05 – Day 12 – (JR)**

* Universal Studios

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**20/05 – Day 13 – (JR)**

* Himeji Day trip
* Himeji Castle
* Mount Shosha Ropeway
* Engyoji Temple

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**21/05 – Day 14 – (JR)**

* Fushimi Inari Taisa
* Kiyomizu Dera
* Bamboo Forest
* **22/05 – Day 15 – (JR)**
* Hiroshima Day Trip
* Travel to Isukushima to see the Torii gate

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**23/05 – Day 16 – (JR)**

* Go to Nara Park
* Kofuku Ji
* Todai Ji
* Climb Mt Wakakusa
* Travel back to Tokyo

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**24/05 – Day 17**

* Last two days, finish shopping and explore (maybe we’ll go to Disney Sea)

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**25/05 – Day 18**

* Last two days, finish shopping and explore (no real plan)

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**26/05 – Day 19**

* Fly Out ☹