Hi everyone. My GF and I are going to Japan in a couple months (she’s been once, I’ve never been) and I’d greatly appreciate feedback on our itinerary. We’re okay with omitting things, but I like having the options written down (the most important ones are marked with asterisks).
No accommodations, trains, or food plans have been booked yet — only the flights. I also only recently learned about Golden Week (from this sub, thank you very much) so I shuffled the days to stay put in Tokyo during that five day weekend in hopes of avoiding crowds and intense travel.
### Day 1 (Sun 4/30) – TOKYO (arrive)
1. Arrive at Narita airport at 2:30 local time (GMT+9)
2. Decompress and wander
### Day 2 (Mon 5/1) – KAMAKURA
1. Arrive at Kamakura Station from Tokyo (about 1 hour)
2. \*[Hasedura](https://goo.gl/maps/zsjpLjfofCNT2T4T7)
3. \*Kotoko-in
4. [Komachi-dori](https://goo.gl/maps/Qq6J9xeeZoc3QAeu6)
5. \*[Tsurugaoka Hachimangu](https://goo.gl/maps/8e6d9eUvSRmToNVK8)
6. [Hokokuji](https://goo.gl/maps/HS54cra3FsG2WCsg6)
7. [Sugimoto Dera](https://goo.gl/maps/VtL5hMtKeU5d5qWz6)
8. [Yuigahama Beach](https://goo.gl/maps/1ELCeS8yRYiFgWj66)
9. BONUS: visit the island of [Enoshima](https://goo.gl/maps/Hbkw9tdj2kpANrMi6)
### Day 3 (Tue 5/2) – HAKONE
1. Arrive at Odawara station
2. \*Take [Hakone Tozan Railway](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5202.html) to Gora (oldest mountain railway line in Japan)
1. *First stretch:* Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto
2. *Second stretch:* Hakone-Yumoto to Gora via mountain train
3. [Hakone Open Air Museum](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5208.html)
4. [Hakone Art Museum](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5211.html)
5. [Gora Park](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5216.html)
6. Eat lunch somewhere in Gora
3. \*Take the cablecar and [ropeway](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5223.html) to Togendai at the northern end of [Lake Ashinoko](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5201.html)
4. \*Take the boat to Hakone-machi
5. Walk to Moto-Hakone
1. [Ancient Cediar Avenue](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5205.html)
2. Hakone Shrine
6. Bus to Yumoto (via bus lines H or K)
### Day 4 (Wed 5/3) – TOKYO (Asakusa)
1. \*[Tokyo Skytree](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3064.html)
2. [Kaminarimon Gate](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kaminarimon+Gate/@35.7170642,139.7943725,16z/data=!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x60188ec2047f5333:0x7c84fd3881c74067!2sAsakusa,+Taito+City,+Tokyo+111-0032,+Japan!3b1!8m2!3d35.7185858!4d139.7958849!16zL20vMDFrNHJf!3m5!1s0x60188ec6db068cd1:0xd9a856805c8012bd!8m2!3d35.7111163!4d139.7963656!16s%2Fm%2F03wc6qd)
3. \*[Senso-ji Temple](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3001.html)
4. [Nakamise-dori Street](https://goo.gl/maps/kzsAZ3cTtmWT2bbV7)
5. [Ueno Park](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3019.html)
6. [Ameyoko](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3012.html)
7. [Kirby Cafe](https://goo.gl/maps/FDLoYHzvPo9bMiM2A)
### Day 5 (Thu 5/4) – TOKYO (Akihabara)
1. \*[Yodobashi Camera Multimedia](https://goo.gl/maps/jzwuT2xVBwa66R6F8)
2. [Kanda Myoujin Shrine](https://goo.gl/maps/MjS5yibHucVy94gt6)
3. \*[Radio Kaikan](https://goo.gl/maps/mT2eCLWV9oxRLh378)
4. \*[Super Potato](https://goo.gl/maps/2ZjdhrX6jcWcVCHs8)
5. [Animate Akihabara](https://goo.gl/maps/kBQB2hvdvUJPXvVX6)
6. [GiGo arcade](https://goo.gl/maps/8W5homJgpmyKtTHt9)
7. [Sofmap](https://goo.gl/maps/amDQArAXhMFD6me47)
8. [HEY (Hirose Entertainment Yard)](https://goo.gl/maps/hwgAZgTENuujLxERA)
9. [Akihabara Gamers](https://goo.gl/maps/LcxwcSKFJGPaM5NU7)
10. [Mandarake Complex](https://goo.gl/maps/rdJgNFVdJN1HChuK8)
11. [Strange vending machines](https://wandertokyo.com/akihabara-vending-machine/)
12. \*[Tokyo Station](https://goo.gl/maps/wmJz4PudPYSVkkmZ9)
### Day 6 (Fri 5/5) – TOKYO (Southern Tokyo)
1. \*[TeamLabs Planets](https://goo.gl/maps/mrBcLDdXMUTUGUJJ8)
2. \*[Tsujiki Market](https://goo.gl/maps/LMpyn5dDJfDyTrQW7)
3. [Hamarikyu Gardens](https://goo.gl/maps/YVc5zXnYjieEnEbS8)
4. [Zoojo-Ji temple](https://goo.gl/maps/uasEktjjzC5MLHd96)
5. \*[Tokyo Tower](https://goo.gl/maps/kK3peiaycppCPXH39)
6. [Rippongi Hills](https://goo.gl/maps/VCCuuaRnC9Z526Ha8)
7. [Mori Art Museum](https://goo.gl/maps/6BCdBSuYveqPAiYWA)
8. [Rainbow Bridge](https://goo.gl/maps/G5bNcc8vZ2kyLrmq8)
### Day 7 (Sat 5/6) – TOKYO (Shibuya)
1. \*[Shibuya Crossing](https://goo.gl/maps/K8Gc6cPH7uTo7uW96)
2. [Hachiko Memorial Statue](https://goo.gl/maps/Z1XgxDfuy1mxmCct9)
3. [Hikarie](https://goo.gl/maps/fiydkMkPBkbUtg7V9)
4. \*[Center Gai](https://goo.gl/maps/Zsy62Wg7VcQrTCsP9)
5. [Nintendo Tokyo](https://goo.gl/maps/576PThkTpE6PE4WC8)
6. [Mandarake](https://goo.gl/maps/rKT6w4ky4LHVNr5D7)
7. [Yoyogi Park](https://goo.gl/maps/erhuMmv1YVeRAwdG6)
8. [Meiji Jingui](https://goo.gl/maps/16gNWFwdv54eo55P9)
9. [Harajuku](https://goo.gl/maps/N9wGaYWLEPcvnnAn7)
1. [mipig cafe](https://goo.gl/maps/v8UdTsd4WFbAgm996)
10. [Takeshita Street](https://goo.gl/maps/gQSeNFVnGbuodHAV8)
11. [Minamaoyama](https://goo.gl/maps/kzBzmqmRe5yJMK8HA)
### Day 8 (Sun 5/7) – TOKYO (Shinjuku)
1. \*[Omoide Yokocho](https://goo.gl/maps/JB4hRjwGtAPnw9PYA)
2. \*[Golden Gai](https://goo.gl/maps/yJQYmS1z1tcdMZqY8)
3. \*[Kabukicho](https://goo.gl/maps/uqgBQAYMqq2EmQUu8)
4. \*[Shinjuku Gyoen](https://goo.gl/maps/5vZgMH4fMdYuygs98)
5. [Shinjuku Station](https://goo.gl/maps/22mvBRYXg4cpXK5P9)
6. [Metropolitan Building](https://goo.gl/maps/wqQc8RDXDxuXSabj7)
7. [Isetan](https://goo.gl/maps/jSUwq7y1LYHX79U19)
8. [Park Hyatt Hotel](https://goo.gl/maps/5cCjiEYLqbjSEX2s9)
9. [Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo](https://goo.gl/maps/gN5T7LbzZCuWqnhg6)
### Day 9 (Mon 5/8) – KYOTO
1. [Ginkakuji](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3907.html)
2. [Philosopher’s Path](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3906.html)
3. \*[Nanzenji](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3905.html)
4. [Keage Incline](https://goo.gl/maps/2FZ6MXSpZyrsGDze9)
5. [Heian Shrine](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3904.html)
6. [Yasaka Shrine](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3903.html)
7. [Kodaji](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3927.html)
8. \*[Higashiyama District](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3959.html)
9. \*[Kiyomizudera Temple](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3901.html)
### Day 10 (Tue 5/9) – KYOTO
1. [Togetsu-kyo Bridge](https://goo.gl/maps/TS7BtnDSeMpxR4GQ6)
2. \*[Tenryu-ji](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3913.html)
3. \*Bamboo groves
4. \*Bike rental near [Arashiyama Station](https://goo.gl/maps/zopzUV7EkDWSxxfY6)
5. [Jojakko-ji](https://goo.gl/maps/C8ZZYzaVuKpv4D3a6)
6. [Gioji](https://goo.gl/maps/9WhVpu655AqqCi6B8)
7. [Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street](https://goo.gl/maps/cXUaKF8c5bpAYVix6)
8. [Adashino Nenbutsuji](https://goo.gl/maps/fzY9hpMdV7iPR9K58)
9. [Otagi Nenbutsuji](https://goo.gl/maps/VnNB7z2jofotKtNY6)
10. \*[Daikaku-ji](https://goo.gl/maps/c5K2ivwN13Xr9ri97)
### Day 11 (Wed 5/10) – KYOTO
1. [Kinaku-ji](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html)
2. [Ryoan-ji](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3909.html)
3. [Ninna-ji](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3929.html)
4. [Nishiki Market](https://goo.gl/maps/FzxhDR3Wf7jFuWuL6)
5. [Pontocho](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3921.html)
6. [Fushimi Inari Shrine](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html)
7. [To-ji Temple](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3919.html)
### Day 12 (Thu 5/11) – KYOTO
1. Anything missed from the previous days
2. [Sagano Scenic Railway](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3965.html)?
### Day 13 (Fri 5/12) – NARA
1. Arrive in the morning
2. \*[Todai-ji](https://goo.gl/maps/jRaNRMLJvyJfPaoQ7)
3. Pet deer
4. Head to Osaka in the evening
### Day 14 (Sat 5/13) – OSAKA
1. [Shensekai](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4012.html)
1. [Tsutenkaku](https://goo.gl/maps/tEeFrYGHm4pzKjXV9)
2. Nipponbashi Den Den Town
3. [Kuromon Market](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4031.html)
4. Doguyasuji Shotenga
5. Hozenji Yokocho
6. [Namba Yasaka](https://goo.gl/maps/EKHBdBcT3EkihAjD8)
7. \*[Dotonbori](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4001.html)
1. [America-mura](https://goo.gl/maps/maPZ9SpwR5MWx2au6)
2. Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade
3. [Ura Namba](https://fromjapan.info/nankairailway-topics-five-interesting-local-restaurants-and-bars-in-ura-namba-osaka/)
### Day 15 (Sun 5/14) – OSAKA
1. Museum of Housing and Living
2. Tenjinbashi-suji
1. [Save Cat Cafe](https://goo.gl/maps/4GedwrWQ5JLBygnv6)
3. \*[Osaka Castle](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4000.html)
4. [Osaka History Museum](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4014.html)
5. [Shitenno-ji](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4011.html)
6. [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4007.html)
### Day 16 (Mon 5/15) – OSAKA
1. [Osaka Station City](https://goo.gl/maps/wV8MUXsJ54wJtsf18)
1. [Pokémon Center Osaka](https://goo.gl/maps/MoKjSsmTCT6p3cD96)
2. [Umeda Sky Building](https://goo.gl/maps/PGtT4MMoCWf2eMyk7)
3. [Osaka Aquarium](https://goo.gl/maps/Dt6BK8aJ76sjEpGn8)
### Day 17 (Tue 5/16) – KANAZAWA
1. Arrive at Kanazawa Station
2. Tsuzumi-mon Gate
3. [Omicho Market](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4207.html)
4. [Oyama Shrine](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4203.html)
5. [Kanazawa Castle](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4202.html) and Gyokuseninmaru Garden
6. \*[Kenroku-en Garden](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4200.html)
7. [Seisonkaku Villa](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4201.html)
8. [Higashi Chaya District](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4206.html)
9. [21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4209.html)
10. [Nagamachi Samurai District](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4204.html)
### Day 18 (Wed 5/17) – KANAZAWA
1. Anything missed from the previous day
2. Head to Tokyo in the afternoon/evening
### Day 19 (Thu 5/18) – TOKYO
1. [Mount Takao](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mount+Takao/@35.6626684,139.4400193,11.29z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6019197f5ea3876f:0xc7070b841ef62fdf!8m2!3d35.6254126!4d139.2437385!16zL20vMDVzNWcx?coh=164777&entry=tt&shorturl=1) ?
2. Anything missed during the first week
### Day 20 (Fri 5/19) – TOKYO (depart)
1. Leave from Narita Airport at 5pm local time (GMT+9)
1 comment
I’m just at the end of my 32 day trip, I’m gonna recommend a few hotels/hostels but I have no idea what your budget is.
Tokyo: We stayed at Ryogoku View Hotel. Small rooms but very affordable and good location to the train station. Also a fantastic soba/udon place 1 minute away. The train was annoying and loud at 5:00am but with the jet lag I was already not getting much sleep.
Our place in Hakone was a Ryokan. It was a nice treat for us, the food was good but it was difficult to eat it all. We were an hour walk from the boats and a 45 minute cab from Odawara station. There were busses in the area, but on our whole trip this was the only place we couldn’t figure out the busses. If you want a traditional Japanese experience, we stayed at Yuyado Yamanosyou. Expensive, food was very overwhelming but it was good. The private onsen was nice.
In kyoto, we stayed at Righa Royal Hotel. It’s a 5 minute walk from the train station. Very nice hotel, pretty affordable and we saw some pretty sweet cars in the area.
In Osaka, we stayed at the Mad Cat Hostel. We had to take a cab to get to the hostel (¥2000). This was easily our favourite place we stayed at but we have a soft spot for cats. The owner was great, the bar downstairs is affordable and overall a very good vibe. It’s maybe 5-10 minutes from a train station and a family mart right next door so location was good. I will urge you to be more cautious in Shinsekai, fantastic food and cool atmosphere, but if it wasn’t for a couple of locals, my girlfriend may have been taken while a friend and I were enjoying some udon.
Currently in Kanazawa, staying at Utaimachi. This place was so sweet. We are in the heart of the Higashi Chaya district and it didn’t break the bank. Restaurants around us are expensive and the family mart is 10-15 minutes away but 10/10. Breakfast was very good.
Have you considered Kobe? Kobe was one of my favourite places we visited here.
I will say that your itinerary is very full. You may not get to do everything you’re hoping to do. My girlfriend and I are fit, and especially near the end of our trip, we would do a couple maybe 3 activities a day and then just want to relax and eat some food. Typically we would be done for the day around 3:00 (starting at 9 or 10). It’s a lot of walking, a lot of stairs and a lot of crowds.
Watch out for arcades, it’s easy to lose $30 and not even realize it.
For a lot of the touristy spots, I’d recommend going early. We went in the off season and it was still busy by 10:00.