Hello everyone! My girlfriend and I are taking a trip to Japan for the first time this spring.
This would be our itinerary, the order of the days within the same city can change depending on the dates of the Sakura (especially in Tokyo since we go at the beginning and at the end of the trip)
Above all, I wanted to ask if there is a day that you think we are doing too much or important things that we might miss. (We are not very interested in going to any amusement park)
Thank you!
**Day 1 (23 of march) – Tokio :**
– Arrive to tokyo (9am)
– Leave our luggage in our hotel in Shinjuku
– Explore Shibuya & Shinjuku
– Shibuya Sky
**Day 2 (March 24) – Tokio:**
– Asakusa
– Ueno Park
– Sensoji Temple
– Tokyo Skytree
**Day 3 (March 25) – Tokio/Osaka:**
– Meiji Shrine
– Yoyogi Park
– Go to Osaka in the afternoon
– Dotonbori Area at night
**Day 4 (March 26) – Osaka:**
*Osaka Castle
– Shinsekai
– Sumiyoshi Taisha
РPok̩mon Caf̩ (Reserve)
– Abeno Harukas
**Day 5 (March 27) – Himeji:**
– Daytrip to Himeji/Kobe
– Visit Himeji Castle
– Mount Shosha
– Kobe
**Day 6 (March 28) – Osaka/Hiroshima:**
– Leave Osaka in the morning
– Peace Park
– Hiroshima Castle
– Sukkeien Garden
**Day 7 (March 29) – Miyajima:**
– Itsukushima Shrine
– Mount Misen
– Daisho-in Temple
– Senjokaku Shrine
**Day 8 (March 30) – Hiroshima/Kyoto:**
– Leave Hiroshima in the morning.
– Higashiyama
– Kiyomizu-dera
**Day 9 (March 31) – Kyoto:**
– Fushimi Inari
– Nijo Castle
– Heian Shrine
– Imperial Palace (optional)
**Day 10 (April 1) – Kyoto:**
– Daytrip to Nara
**Day 11 (April 2) – Kyoto:**
– Arashiyama bamboo forest (early morning)
– Arashiyama Monkey park
– Rest for a bit
– Gion
– Nishiki Market
-Pontocho
**Day 12 (April 3) – Kyoto:**
– Ginkaku-ji
– Philosopher’s path
– Kinkakuji
– Ryoanji
**Day 13 (April 4) – Kyoto/Tokio:**
– Leave Kyoto in the morning
– Chidorigafuchi
– Imperial Palace
– Akihabara
**Day 14 (April 5) – Tokio:**
– Daytrip to Nikko
**Day 15 (April 6) – Tokio:**
– Shinjuku Gyoen
– Pokemon Mega Center
– Zojoji Temple
– Roppongi Hills at sunset
**Day 16 (April 7) – Tokio:**
– Daytrip to Lake Kawaguchi
– Chureito Pagoda
– Onsen (reserve)
**Day 17 (April 8) – Tokio:**
– Odaiba
– Teamlab Planets (reserve)
2 comments
In Kyoto I wouldn’t miss Kiyomizudera. It was my favourite temple.
Also I’d put a day trip to Kamakura in there somewhere. I adore the Buddha, and also the black sandy beach is so cool. It felt like velvet under my feet.
Honestly this is a pretty good itinerary. My only concern is about travelling between multiple scenic sites (ie. temples in Kyoto). Me and my partner are also planning a trip in May but we are not super athletic and have limited time so we are not able to tolerate more than a few shrines/temples in a day trip. But if you have already figured out that out there’s not much worry lol.
I know you said you’re already planning to go to Tokyo Planets but there is also a Osaka Botanical Garden exhibit from Teamlab (more outdoor). Also in Osaka there’s a massive aquarium called Kaiyukan (whale sharks!). Since you’re not interested in amusement parks I supposed you guys will be skipping Universal Studios though. If you are interested in late night activities or arcades, Round 1 Stadium in Osaka has a 24hr opening for games, sports, karaoke etc. There is also Spa World and Cup Noodle museum in Osaka. Since you are going to Tokyo sky tree, I feel like the Osaka Umeda tower can be skipped but it has a nice view.
Kobe: I noticed u have onsen in Tokyo but there’s a place called Arima onsen (bus 20min) into the mountain ish place in Kobe. They have traditional hot springs there (herbal, gold etc)
In Kyoto, there is also a rabbit shrine (Okazaki Jinja) if you are interested (very cute) since I see that you are interested in Fushimi inari.
For Nara, the temple is great. I don’t think Wisteria are in season at the time you’re going but there’s also botanical garden nearby.
I’m not sure what food you have planned to try out but here’s a few suggestions from my own itinerary:
Osaka: kukuru takoyaki (dotonbori); there’s a black squid ink version, akashi yaki (dip in broth) and traditional takoyaki with just soy sauce. Fugu (pufferfish), okonomiyaki, and other street food. In the market there’s sea urchin which are really good too. I’m planning to go an omakase here but there’s good ones in Tokyo too.
Kyoto: also available in Osaka as well, try traditional Japanese wagashi (sweets). These include Dango, dorayaki etc. there’s a lot of cute cafes near Yasaka shrine to Gion (Page One; traditional shaved ice, traditional tatami Starbucks shop etc, kumono Ocha)
Kobe: Kobe beef? That’s all I have planned lol along with matsusaka gyu (beef). It can be pretty pricey.
Tokyo: I’m not too familiar with Tokyo but some fun things include Muscle Bar Cafe, maid & gundam cafe (if interested in anime at all; lots of themed restaurants like Alice in wonderland), if going to Shibuya at all there’s the Hachiko statue. Harajuku has a lot of shopping.
And my last general tips involve safety. Especially in Roppongi and kabukicho areas. If you guys are into night life/bars be very careful as there are common tourist spiked drink scams.
I hope my answer wasn’t too long, I’m very excited for you guys and I hope you will have a great time in Japan 🙂