Itinerary Check – Solo trip May 11-27 – Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Onomichi, Kyushu

Hi everyone! This trip will be my (23M) third time in Japan and it’s my first solo trip ever. I’m interested in sightseeing (nature, architecture), food, and otaku culture. I’ll be getting the 14 day JR pass too.

I’ve already explored parts of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and am looking to see different things this trip.

Places I’ve already been to:

* Tokyo: Meiji shrine, Skytree, Tokyo tower, Shibuya crossing
* Osaka: Day trip to Nara, Namba, Umeda sky building, Dotonbori, day trip to Kobe (herb gardens)
* Kyoto: Fushimi inari, Arashiyama monkey park

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I have a few questions?

* I’ve tried my best to plan my trip but could I get some feedback on my itinerary? Are there any cool things to do/see I missed in the areas I’m going to?
* I’m looking for an alternative place to stay other than Osaka if I don’t win the lottery for the concert tickets, any suggestions?
* I’ll be traveling with a “large luggage” and I know I’ll need to book special seats on the shinkansen, my question is if I’ll be able to say book all my tickets for my trip the day I activate my JR pass
* I’m thinking of staying in a ryokan in Beppu with a private onsen, and a kaiseki dinner would be nice to experience, any suggestions?

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Here’s my planned itinerary so far:

|Day|City|Activities|
|:-|:-|:-|
|May 11|Tokyo (arrive in NRT)|Arrive in Japan around 4PM, check into hotel, rest|
|May 12|Tokyo|Activate JR pass, Rikugien gardens, possibly teamlabs|
|May 13|Tokyo/Osaka|Shinkansen to Osaka|
|May 14|Osaka|Attend a concert if I win tickets, if not then day trip to Kobe (Mt. Rokko)|
|May 15|Osaka/Onomichi|Shinkansen to Onomichi, explore the city, possibly go to Fukuyama|
|May 16|Onomichi|Shimanami kaido cycle|
|May 17|Onomichi/Nagoya|Shinkansen to Nagoya, Ghibli park with some friends|
|May 18|Nagoya/Kumamoto|Shinkansen to Kumamoto, Kumamoto castle, Suizenji Jojuen garden|
|May 19|Kumamoto|Day trip to explore Yanagawa|
|May 20|Kumamoto|Day trip to Kagoshima (Sakurajima, volcanic sand bath)|
|May 21|Kumamoto|Day trip to Mt. Aso, horse riding in Kusasenri|
|May 22|Kumamoto/Takachiho|Bus to Takachiho, explore Takachiho gorge|
|May 23|Takachiho/Beppu|Bus/train to Beppu, seven hells|
|May 24|Beppu|Takasakiyama Monkey park|
|May 25|Beppu/Tokyo|Train/shinkansen to Tokyo|
|May 26|Tokyo|Kamakura/Enoshima cycling and exploring|
|May 27|Tokyo (depart in NRT)|Depart from Japan around 6PM|

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Thanks in advance for your time in reading this and for the tips!