Japan – 15 day itinerary – October 2023

Hi all,

I’m trying to plan an 15-day trip to Japan for my parent’s anniversary and would appreciate any feedback as to how to make the trip better for them. I mostly needed help with dinner spots (5 spots total) in some of the locations as well as sightseeing suggestions for Tokyo last day.

Thank you kindly!

**Day 1. Arrival to Tokyo**

Tokyo

Arrival late in the evening –> Check-in Hotel

**Day 2. – Tokyo**

Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku

Meiji jingu

**Tokyo -** ***Dinner spot suggestions?***

**Day 3. – Tokyo**

Sumo experience

Sanso-ji in

Akibahara

**Day 4. – Tokyo**

Experience Sushi Master cooking class (TBC)

Tsukiji Fish market

Team Lab Night

Tour Odaiba

**Day 5. – Tokyo to Kyoto**

*In the AM*

Tokyo to Kyoto station – train Shinkasen

*In the PM*

Kyoto private guided tour

Fushimi-Inari-Taisha

**Kyoto -** ***Dinner spot suggestions?***

**Day 6. – Kyoto**

*In the AM*

Ryoan-ji

Kinkaku-ji

*In the PM*

Arashiyama (bamboo forest)

**Day 7. Kyoto to Nara**

Transfer Kyoto Station – Nara station (taxi + train)

lunch + Sightseeing of UNESCO temple + Nara Park

Sightseeing our the traditional district of Naramachi

Transfer to Kyoto

**Kyoto -** ***Dinner spot suggestions?***

**Day 8. Kyoto North Area**

Night in an authentic Japanese Temple (shourekiji)

・Experience of Zen Meditation

・Dinner at the temple + sleep at the temple

**Day 9. Kyoto**

Kyoto private guided tour

Ginkaku-ji UNESCO

*In the AM*

Nijo -Castle

Kyoto-Gojo

*In the PM*

Kiyomizu-dera

Gion

**Day 10. Kyoto to Kanazawa**

Transfer Kaga Onsen Station – Kanazawa station – thunderbird train

Private tea ceremony with a tea master of Urasenke school 2 hours

**Kanazawa -** ***Dinner spot suggestions?***

**Day 11. Kanazawa**

Kazue machi / Higashi chayaigai

Kenrokuen garden

Kanazawa Castle

Samurai district

**Kanazawa -** ***Dinner spot suggestions?***

**Day 12. Kanazawa to Shirakawago**

Private guided tour of Shirakawa go 5 hours

Japanese alps UNESCO Village

Return to Kanazawa by bus

**Day 13. Kanazawa station – Tokyo station – Hakone station**

Shinkansen train

Transfer to Hakone + Check-in ryokan + Lunch

Cable car to go to the top and observe Fuji Mountain

Onsen Experience

Dinner at the ryokan

**Day 14. Hakone**

Boat Cruise

Open garden zen and art museums

Onsen Hot spring experience

Dinner at the ryokan

**Day 15. Hakone to Tokyo**

Sightseeing

3 comments
  1. I hope I did this right, first time posting on reddit 🙂 apologies if not done properly

  2. Dinner spot suggestion Kyoto (higher end because parents anniversary, but not crazy expensive):
    Restaurant Nowa, レストランノワ の輪 五条駅
    https://www.nagomi-nowa.com/en/
    location: north of Kyoto station, one subway station away (west of Gojo)

    I may have a few others, mostly in north-central Kyoto (Kita…), but they are mostly cheap-ish normal authentic not really romantic…

  3. This is a busy itinerary. Are they okay with all the walking? Perhaps dinner at the airport first before the long drive / bus / train to the hotel.

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