Hi everyone, this is my (38M) first time going to Japan. I will be traveling solo. I’m very excited about this trip because it has been on my list for a long time, even though I kinda decided to go last minute. That’s why I appreciate any feedback to this itinerary.
So, my main interests are local culture and arts, food, pop-culture, nature and sceneries. But in general, I just want to experience Japan! It’s a whole different world compared to where I’m from.
I am planning to start each day early (around 7am) to be able to make the most of each day. I will probably will not stay out late. Since I’m traveling solo, I have no interest in visiting Disney or Universal Studios. I’ll save this for a next time (hopefully!) with the wife and kids.
**Day 1: Arrive at KIX Osaka at 10 am**
* Hotel check-in (Namba region)
* Grab lunch at Kuromon Ichiba Market
* Explore Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi
**Day 2: Day trip to Nara**
* Visit Nara by train
* Nara-park, Kasuga-taisha and Todai-ji
* Grab lunch in Nara and return to Osaka by train
* Nipponbashi Denden Town
**Day 3: Day trip to Himeiji + Kobe**
* Train to Himeiji
* Himeiji castle, Koko-en garden
* Take train to Kobe
* Kobe beef for lunch (*suggestions highly appreciated!)*
* Kobe Kitano Ijinkan
* Cable car up the mountain and walk downhill (depending on weather)
* Return to Osaka
* Spend the evening in Dotonbori
**Day 4: Osaka + travel to Kyoto**
* Osaka Castle + Park
* Pokémon Center, Nintendo Store, Umeda Sky Building
* Take train to Kyoto
* Hotel check-in (near Kyoto Tower)
* To-ji or Fushimi Inari-taisha (depending on time)
**Day 5: Kyoto**
* Kimono Forest, Arashiyama bamboo forest, Togetsu-kyo Bridge, Monkey Park Iwatayama, Tenryu-ji temple
* Saga Toriimoto and nearby temples (Jojakko-ji, Nisonin etc.)
* To-ji or Fushimi Inari-taisha (depending on time)
**Day 6: Kyoto + travel to Tokyo**
* Higashiyama-ku, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion
* Nakagyō-ku
* Take Shinkansen to Tokyo
* Hotel check-in (Asakusa region)
* Explore Asakusa (depending on time)
**Day 7: Tokyo**
* Tsikuji Fish Market
* teamLab Planet
* *I’m thinking of spending the rest of the day at Tokyo Somei onsen SAKURA or a super onsen (suggestions highly appreciated!)*
**Day 8: Tokyo**
* Akihabara
* Meiji Shrine
* Shibuya
* Shibuya Sky (*read some advice this was best at the end of the day?)*
* Spend evening in Shinjuku, Golden Gai
**Day 9: Tokyo**
* Asakusa, Senso-ji, Shrine, Kaminarimon Gate
* Tokyo Tower area
* National Art Center
* Stay at Nine Hours Akasaka *(Worth it? Still deciding if this is a smart thing to do because of the luggage (1 trolley) I need to bring with me from Asukasa.)*
**Day 10: Tokyo + travel to Narita**
* Flight leaves at 11:30 am so I probably won’t have time doing stuff on this day
**Some specific questions:**
1. Am I missing some essential places in Nara, Himeiji and Kobe?
2. I am struggling to plan Kyoto, since I will only be staying 2 nights and there is so much to see. Are my days too packed?
3. Is my Tokyo itinerary realistic since I’m traveling on foot/public transport?
Much thanks in advance from a Dutch traveler!
2 comments
How much did you paid for your flight ticket because i am planing my trip and prices skyrocketed
>I am struggling to plan Kyoto, since I will only be staying 2 nights and there is so much to see. Are my days too packed?
It depends on your priorities. Your Kyoto time is pretty busy. If you accommodation isn’t booked yet then I would skip Kobe/Himeji and add that day to Kyoto. Otherwise, try and Kyoto early on Day 4 to give you a bit more time. The Osaka items you have on that day can easily be moved to days 1-3.
>Is my Tokyo itinerary realistic since I’m traveling on foot/public transport?
Yes it’s fine. Remember shops don’t open until around 11 so I wouldn’t go to Akihabara first thing. Leave it until the afternoon on maybe day 7 or 9.