Hi r/JapanTravel, I will be traveling to Japan for the first time and was looking for advice on the tentative itinerary I have planned. Is it too rushed or does it sound about right for a mid-20s couple who would like to have romantic relaxation on some days but hit the ground running on other days? I am coming from the US. After airfare, my budget is about $4k for two people. I will have a JR pass. Trip will likely be 12/3-12/17. Advice on this timing is welcome too.
I am more of a country/hiking person as opposed to a city person, but feel like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are musts because I love Japanese food and hope to be immersed in the modern culture. That said, I also love nature and want to experience the quieter or traditional side of Japanese culture too, which is why I have chosen to hike around Mt. Fuji and visit Takavama and Kinosaki Onsen.
Please feel free to criticize the pacing of this trip and provide any recommendations for cuts, additions, or replacements! Are there better preserved towns to visit than Takayama? Is there a better onsen to visit?
Should I try to squeeze in Universal Studios in Osaka?
Things I am sad to not include that maybe can be convinced to include: Kiso Valley, Kanazawa, Miyajima and or Hiroshima
**Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo**
Harujuku, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, dinner in Roppongi (Tokyo City View for sunset)
**Day 2: Tokyo**
Asakusa (Sense-Ji Temple), Ueno, explore Ginza, explore Piss Alley, Shinjuku
**Day 3: Tokyo**
Imperial Palace, and Tokyo Metropolitan Offices Observatory
**Day 4: Day trip to Mt. Fuji. Overnight in Fuji Kawaguchiko Onsen.**
Lake Kawaguchiko, Fuji-Q Highland, Fujikawaguchiko Onsen Konanso
**Day 5: Morning depart for Takayama. Spend day and night in Takayama.**
Explore old city and EAT
**Day 6: Takayama**
Day trip to Shirakawago
**Day 7: Morning depart for Kyoto. Spend day and night in Kyoto**
Kiyomizudera Temple, explore Gion, Hokanji Temple Pagoda at sunset
**Day 8: Kyoto**
Fushimi Inari Taisha, lunch at Nishiki Market, dinner and Pontocho Alley night stroll
**Day 9: Kyoto**
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Monkey Park, Sanenzaka – Ninenzaka
**Day 10: Day trip to Kinosaki Onsen. Spend night in Kinosaki Onsen.**
Explore, onsen, ryokan
**Day 11: Morning depart for Osaka. Spend day and night in Osaka.**
Osaka Castle, Kuromon food tour, Hozenji Yokocho Alley, Dotonburi for dinner, Ebisu Bridge,
**Day 12: Day trip to Himeji Castle**
Tour the castle
**Day 13: Osaka**
Lion’s Head shrine, Shinsekai
**Day 14: Return to Tokyo and fly home**
Thank you all for the help!
4 comments
Most of Day 5 is going to be spent on the road (Lake Kawaguchi -> Takayama is incredibly time consuming via public transport).
Kansai can be compressed to give more time for Takayama.
What I would do:
* Go to Lake Kawaguchi as a day trip (day 4)
* Book an onsen ryokan in Takayama instead.
* If you want a quick spin through Kanazawa, do it on the night you go to Shirakawago. Specifically: Takayama -> Shirakawago -> Kanazawa the same day, sleep in Kanazawa, train to Kyoto the following day. This would only let you see the highlights, though, and may be better saved for a future trip.
* Compress Kansai:
* You only need to see one of Osaka Castle or Himeji Castle, and the latter will not take the full day
* If you want USJ, one way is to allocate Day 12 to USJ and delete Himeji Castle. Alternatively, delete Osaka Castle, shift some of Day 13 to Day 11, and do USJ on Day 13.
* Day 8 is incredibly light, since there is nothing planned for in-between lunch and dinner.
* I also think Nishiki Market and Kuromon Market are duplicative so that could be additional flexibility.
Im in Tokyo right now on my first trip and I think your Day 2 might be a bit ambitious. We spent a lot of time in Asakusa and Ueno park is huge. You could easily spend the better part of a whole day in each of the places you listed. I think you could move piss alley and exploring Shinjuku to the other half of your Day 3.
Check out nikko and nara for good day trips 👍🏻
You’re coming from the US and you’re planning all that on day one?
My dude, that’ll be a 14 hour time difference in December. Jet lag is going to hit you HARD (speaking from experience, also) so be really careful how much you try to cram in on the day you land.
Also, look into getting a pocket wifi for the two of you to share.
**MOST IMPORTANT**
Make sure you buy the train tickets you need to get to Fujikawaguchiko; [the JR Pass will only take you to Otsuki](https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/fuji-excursion-train) where you will need to pay for tickets for the Fuji Excursion train, which has a *very* limited timetable.