Hello, I am looking for some advice/feedback for my itinerary starting in late November(starting on the 19th). Really looking forward to seeing the autumn colours.
I (33M) will be going for the second time to Japan, but my first time solo. I love seeing historical, religious and cultural places. I am an early riser so I will be starting of the days as early as possible. Walking long distances is not a problem as I am used to walk 15\~20 KM a day.
I am thinking of getting the 14 day JR pass and activate it starting on the Nikko daytrip day. Love to hear tips for the autumn viewing and I hope the leaves are in colour when visiting.
Below my tentative planning.
Day 1: – Arrival in Narita Airport (direct flight) at 10 AM – Travel to Tokyo Station – East garden of the Imperial Palace – Hamarikyu Gardens & Zojo-ji – Checkin hotel
Day 2: – Ueno Park – Walk to Kaminarimon Gate and walk around the area – Senso-Ji – Shop and eat in the area – Go towards the bridge for view of Skytree and Asahi building
Day 3: – Start at Shibuya Station – Hachiko statue, Don Quijote and HANDS – Yoyogi Park & Meiji Shrine – Visist National Noh Theater building on the way to Shinjuku Gyoen – Shinjuku Gyoen – Koishikawa Korakuen Garden & Tokyo Dome Mall – Kanda Myojin Shrine on the way to Akihabara – Sightseeing Akihabara
Day 4: (Daytrip Nikko) – Shinkyo Bridge – Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple – Nikko Toshogu – Kanmangafuchi Abyss – Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
Day 5: (Daytrip Kamakura) – Start at Kita-Kamakura Station – Engaku-ji – Meigetsu-in – Kencho-ji – Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu – Hase-dera – Kotoku-in
Day 6: Tokyo to Kyoto- Checkout of hotel – Shinkansen Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station – Nijo Castle – Kyoto Imperial Palace & Kyoto National Garden – Checkin to hotel
Day 7:- Start at Fushimi Inari-Taisha (around 7 am) – Komyo-in – Tofuku-ji – Chishaku-in – Rengeoin Sanjusangendo – Kiyomizu-dera – Kennin-ji
Day 8: – Ginkaku-ji – Honen-in – Shinshogokuraku-ji – Philosopher path – Eikan-do Zenrin-ji – Nanzen-ji
Day 9: (Daytrip Kanazawa) – Start at Kanazawa station at around 9 am – Naga-machi district – Oyama Shrine – Gyokusen-inmaru Park & Kanazawa Castle – Kenroku-en – Higashi Chaya district
Day 10: – Kimono Forest – Tenryu-ji – Okochi Sanso Garden – Jojakko-ji – Nisonin Temple – Adashino Nenbutsu-ji – Daikaku-ji
Day 11: – Ninna-ji – Ryoan-ji – Kinkaku-ji – Toji-in
Day 12: (Daytrip Okayama/Kurashiki) – Okayama Castle (not going inside, been in it before) – Koraku-en – Kurashiki Monogatarikan (for tourist info) – Bikan Historical Quarter – Ivy Square – Achi Shrine
Day 13: (Daytrip Nara) – Kofuku-ji – Todai-ji Nandaimon – Todai-ji – Todai-ji Nigatsudo – Kasuga-taisha – Ukimido
Day 14: (Daytrip Osaka) – Nakanoshima Park – Osaka Castle – Shitenno-ji – Tsutenkaku – Namba Yasaka Shrine – Glico Sign
Day 15: (Daytrip Himeji) – Koko-en – Himeji Castle – Otokoyama Haisuiike Park
Day 16: Rest day and wander around Kyoto (possibly revisit some places)
Day 17: Early checkout of hotel – Kansai Airport for flight back home (11 am)
1 comment
Seek out the autumn illuminations at some of the gardens/temples. This way you save those for evening and go to the ones that close at 5 pm (typically) during the day.
– [Kyoto: Autumn Leaves Illuminations (mid-Nov to early Dec)](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mjt5yf/kyoto_autumn_night_illuminations_at_temples_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
– [Kyoto Day Trip: Arashiyama Scenic Railway and Riverboat Ride](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mibm8t/kyoto_sagano_scenic_train_hozugawa_riverboat/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)