Hi everyone! Planning a trip in late Sept-Oct with a friend (2 of us), 1st time visiting and nervous about whether we’re planning to much for our trip. Below are the rough highlights of our current trip. Is it too much? Are we not spending enough time in Kyoto or Osaka? We’re mainly into eating and shopping, so we’re okay with sacrificing seeing some of the temples if it becomes too much. We’re also considering adding in an extra day for Kyoto if needed.
Day 1: ***Landing in Haneda*** (4pm)
* Check into hotel #1
* Walk around/grab food/call it a day
Day 2: ***Shibuya***
* Shibuya 109
* Harry Harajuku Terrace
* Shibuya crossing
* Nonbei Yokochō
Day 3: ***Asakusa/Akihabara***
* Rent kimono
* Visit sensoji temple
* Shopping in akiharaba (afternoon-evening)
Day 4: ***Central Tokyo/Ginza***
* Shopping at Ginza
* Ken’s Café
* Torishiki (dinner)
Day 5: ***Harajuku/Shinjuku***
* cat café
* omakase (lunch)
* Shopping
* Piss Alley
Day 6: ***Tokyo Disney***
Day 7: ***Depart for Kyoto***
* Checking into hotel #2
* Arashiyama bamboo forest
Day 8: ***Kyoto***
* Fushimi Nari
* Kiyomizu
Day 9: ***Depart for Osaka***
* Check into hotel #3
* Kuromon Market
* Dontoburi
Day 10: ***Nara***
* Visit Nara park
* Osaka castle (potentially afternoon?)
Day 11: ***Depart for Tokyo***
* Check in hotel #4
* More shopping/walking around streets/relaxing
Day 12: ***Leaving Tokyo*** (flight around 4pm)
**As well, if any experience travellers can shed a light on this issue of ours:**
We’re concern about luggage transportation, especially since we plan to bring in a check in bag to do lots of souvenir shopping. If we’re going to ship our luggage, we’re hoping to ship it from Hotel #1 to Hotel #4 (bypassing Kyoto/Osaka completely), but we’re not sure if hotels can hold the luggage for you (for 3-4 days) in advance of you checking in?
Alternatively, we were thinking of changing our itinerary, so that we directly head towards Osaka on Day 2, work our way backwards to Kyoto then Tokyo and buy a luggage in Japan instead.
Not sure which way in more convenient/less hassle?
Unfortunately, based on where we’re located geographically, flying into Osaka and then departing from Tokyo is not feasible (both timing/cost wise).