Hi all, I will be travelling for the first time to Japan in May and would like your opinion on the my itinerary below. Any advice would be appreciated.
Some notes:
* we have decided to go with this order because I have 2 friends coming in different times of my trip, and they want to hit Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo.
* there is currently a gap from 10 – 12 May & 31 May – 01 Jun, where we have yet to decide where we can explore on those days.
* there are some days blocked off for work/free & easy, as I am remote working while travelling, hence will need some days to catch up on work. (but if I happen to finish my work I will explore the area)
At this point, I am trying to figure out:
* if any days are too packed and need to be split up
* any hidden gems or recommended places/food to try
* general travelling or hotel tips
**Overview**
Hokkaido: 30 April – 10 May (10 days)
TBD: 10 -12 May
Hakone: 13 – 15 May (3 days) (friend A joins on 13 May)
Osaka (Himeji/Kobe): 16 May (1 day)
Koyasan: 17 May – 18 May (2 days)
Osaka: 19 May – 21 May (3 days) (friend B joins on 20 May)
Kyoto: 22 May – 24 May (3 days)
Tokyo: 25 May – 29 May (5 days) (friend A leaves on 26 May)
Kazanawa: 30 May – 31 May (2 days)
TBC: 31 May – 01 Jun
Flight Back: 02 Jun (friend B & I leave together)
​
Here is a more detailed plan I’ve come up with (still a WIP)
**Detailed**
**Day 1 – 3 – Sapporo (30 April – 3 May)**
Accom – [Tmark City Hotel Sapporo](https://www.agoda.com/en-gb/tmark-city-hotel-sapporo/hotel/sapporo-jp.html?finalPriceView=2&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=1731593&numberOfBedrooms=&familyMode=false&adults=1&children=0&rooms=1&maxRooms=0&checkIn=2023-05-2&isCalendarCallout=false&childAges=&numberOfGuest=0&missingChildAges=false&travellerType=0&showReviewSubmissionEntry=false¤cyCode=SGD&isFreeOccSearch=false&isCityHaveAsq=false&tspTypes=2,8&los=3&searchrequestid=fc3561c5-2b2b-40f7-ac65-55de127147e5) (near Sapporo TV Tower) (30 April – 5 May)
**30 April**
Arrive CTS: 1735
* dinner & explore mall
* [CTS to Tmark](https://goo.gl/maps/teU3QabamKM2FmAD8) (1h bus) (last bus 9pm)
**1 May**
* Maruyama Park – Cherry Blossom (21 min from Tmark)
* Maruyama Zoo
* Mt Moiwa (View & Dinner)
* Sapporo TV Tower (View)
* Clock Tower
* Sapporo Beer Museum
* Beer Garden Dinner (Crab) – need to reserve
2 May – free & easy (work & rest)
3 May
* Shiroikoibito Park – chocolate making, cookies, desserts (40min from Tmark)
* Moerenuma Park (1h30min from Shiroikoibito Park; 1h 20min from Tmark)
* Food (will be split between 30 Apr – 3 May)
* Hokkaido Soft Serve, Ramen, Kaisendon, Gengis Khan, Soup Curry
* Miso Butter Corn Ramen
* Miyakoshiya Cafe (Grilled Cheese Toast) (10 min from Tmark)
* Kani Honke (crab) (30 min from Tmark)
* Gotsubo Oyster Bar (5 min walk from Tmark)
* shime-parfait bars
**Otaru (4 May) (Day Trip)**
[1h train ride](https://goo.gl/maps/Qb51fwm1kaVxZT496)
* Otaru Aquarium (1800 yen) – penguin walk
* Hiroyiyama Lighthouse
* Otaru Canal – sunset
* Otaru Glassware
* Sightseeing Cruise (Port No. 3)
* Music Box Museum
* Food to try (will not go for all)
* Sushi, Donburi, Kuboya (Cafe)
* Chocolate (Letao)
* Fried Chicken (Naruto)
* Sankaku Market (Kaisendon)
* Back to Sapporo
**Furano/Biei – countryside (5-6 May) (1-2 days)**
Accom – [Phottage inn Biei](https://www.agoda.com/en-gb/phottage-inn-biei_2/hotel/all/furano-jp.html?finalPriceView=2&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=1731593&numberOfBedrooms=&familyMode=false&adults=1&children=0&rooms=1&maxRooms=0&checkIn=2023-05-4&isCalendarCallout=false&childAges=&numberOfGuest=0&missingChildAges=false&travellerType=0&showReviewSubmissionEntry=false¤cyCode=SGD&isFreeOccSearch=false&isCityHaveAsq=false&tspTypes=6,16&los=2&searchrequestid=662c7717-0b3f-45fe-94e2-4af98c66eb88)
* 4h train ride (early day)
* Shirogane Blue Pond (Biei) (4h) ([https://goo.gl/maps/vzU446nUgfnkr6WFA](https://goo.gl/maps/vzU446nUgfnkr6WFA)) (1.5h bus ride from Asahikawa) + nearby waterfall
* Shikisai No Oka (Biei) (alpaca farm) (2h from Blue Pond) ([https://goo.gl/maps/A8gLNzaQLB5frUiS9](https://goo.gl/maps/A8gLNzaQLB5frUiS9)) (30min walk)
* Farm Tomita (Furano) (1h from Shikisai No Oka)
* Food: Melons, Shinkoyaki
Noboribetsu (7 May) – Hot Spring
* train ride from Biei
* Cape Chikuyu
* Hell Valley ([https://goo.gl/maps/vDABE1k1yRFwcNZW8](https://goo.gl/maps/vDABE1k1yRFwcNZW8))
* Oyunuma Pond (1km walk) ([https://goo.gl/maps/nTn9A2DRZM8kwh4a6](https://goo.gl/maps/nTn9A2DRZM8kwh4a6))
* River Oyunuma Footbath (650m walk) ([https://goo.gl/maps/RYeURQRpSz3EPa4u7](https://goo.gl/maps/RYeURQRpSz3EPa4u7))
* Yumoto Sagiriyu onsen (1km walk) ([https://goo.gl/maps/yBmKJEGRAprYXFwx8](https://goo.gl/maps/yBmKJEGRAprYXFwx8))
* Onsen
* Head to Hakodate (no overnight stay)
**Hakodate/Toya (8-9 May)**
Accom – [Toyoko Inn Hokkaido](https://www.agoda.com/en-gb/toyoko-inn-hokkaido-shinhakodate-hokutoeki-minamiguchi/hotel/hakodate-jp.html?finalPriceView=2&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=1844104&numberOfBedrooms=&familyMode=false&adults=1&children=0&rooms=1&maxRooms=0&checkIn=2023-05-5&isCalendarCallout=false&childAges=&numberOfGuest=0&missingChildAges=false&travellerType=0&showReviewSubmissionEntry=false¤cyCode=SGD&isFreeOccSearch=false&isCityHaveAsq=false&tspTypes=2,2,16,16&los=1&searchrequestid=efb1a1d0-730f-42f4-bb4f-d66d033a5a36) (7-9 May)
8 May
* Train to Toya
* Mt Usu Ropeway
* Lake Toya/Sobetsu Waterfall
9 May – free & easy (work & rest)
* Mount Hakodate Ropeway – Observatory (night view)
10 May
* Cape Tachimachi
* Hakodate Morning Market
* Goryokaku Park & Tower
* Miharashi Park (Kosetsuen)
* Bar Shares Hishii
* Lucky Pierrot – burger
* Sakura-machi Restaurant
* Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
* Hachiman-Zaka Slope
* Kikuizumi Cafe
* Goryokaku Tower
* Other food recommendations: seafood (king crab leg), soft-serve, melon, miso ramen (ajisai)
Food
\- Petite Merveille Patisserie
\- Ko Yo Tei (Jozankei)
\- Fuurano Wine House
\- Tokachi Hills (Otofuke)
\- Daruma – Lamb BBQ
\- anything dairy
\- 🍴Ramen, crab, jingisukan
\- Soup Curry
**Other Potential Places from 11 – 12 May**
* Tohoku
* Kushiro
* Kiritappu
* Asahikaiwa
* Sunagawa (1h 30 min north from Sapporo City)
* Somes Saddle (Leather Products)
* Sendai
* Sendai Morning Market
* Food: gyutan, zunda mochi, zunda shake
**Hakone**
Accom: TBC
must see/do: Onsen, Mount Fuji view
12 May
* 6h train to Hakone (maybe in aft/night)
13 May
Friend A reaches Tokyo (will reach Hakone est 1200)
* [Heiwa no Tori/Hakone Shrine](https://goo.gl/maps/ywd6eKin9qm9LPTK9) (Lake Ashi) (36 min from Manten)
* [Old Tokaido Road](https://goo.gl/maps/HjWp2BYtRaD7M4Db7)
* [Mishima Sky Walk](https://mishima-skywalk.jp/pdf/english_pamph.pdf) (55 min from Manten) (JPY 1100 walk, [JPY 3900 adventure](https://fa-mishima-skywalk.foret-aventure.jp/eng/)\+zipline, JPY 2000 zipline) (30mins – 3h)
* [Hakone Sightseeing Cruise](https://goo.gl/maps/pSDtygHpzcdHWBjG7) (Hakone Free Pass) ([JPY 2,220 round trip](https://www-hakonenavi-jp.translate.goog/transportation/ticket_info/search/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB))
* Hakone Ropeway (Gondola) (Hakone Free Pass)
14 May
* Komagatake Ropeway (Mt. Hakone) (50min from Manten)
* Tenzan Onsen
* Hakone Open Air Museum
**Koya**
* 6h Train from Hakone to Koya
​
**Mt. Koya**
Accom – temple stay
* [Eko-in](https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/shukubo-ekoin.en-us.html?aid=1502809;) (touristy) (\~$300)
* [Fudo-in](https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/su-fang-bu-dong-yuan.en-us.html?aid=1502809;) (¥20,000)
* [Hongaku-in](https://www.agoda.com/en-gb/hongaku-in/hotel/wakayama-jp.html?finalPriceView=2&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=-1&numberOfBedrooms=&familyMode=false&adults=1&children=0&rooms=1&maxRooms=0&checkIn=2023-05-26&isCalendarCallout=false&childAges=&numberOfGuest=0&missingChildAges=false&travellerType=0&showReviewSubmissionEntry=false¤cyCode=JPY&isFreeOccSearch=false&isCityHaveAsq=false&tspTypes=16&los=1&searchrequestid=d9f34a55-936c-441b-8aba-1c9546f917b3) (authentic) (¥17,470)
* [Joki-in](https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/jokiin.en-us.html?aid=1502809;) (close to Danjo Garan) (\~$284)
* \-[Saizen-in](https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/koyasan-saizenin.en-us.html?aid=1502809;) (more luxurious than Joki-in) (\~$350)
* Yochi-in ($129)
16 May & 17 May
* Train from Hakone to Koya
* Danjo Garan temple complex (Kondo hall & pagoda)
* Okuno-in Cemetery
* Rokuro Pass hike
**Osaka**
Food to try: okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, takoyaki
Accom: near Dotonburi
* [Airbnb 1](https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/38112540?location=Namba%2C%20Chuo%20Ward%2C%20Osaka%2C%20Japan&check_in=2023-05-20&check_out=2023-05-22&federated_search_id=867af2a5-6a10-4d36-888a-2a362934b0c1&source_impression_id=p3_1679925997_3ArGdyjA60v4OQCg) ($92/night)
* [Airbnb 2](https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/42990592?adults=3&location=Namba%2C%20Chuo%20Ward%2C%20Osaka%2C%20Japan&check_in=2023-05-20&check_out=2023-05-22&federated_search_id=d4935c0d-f9ad-4a1d-8690-f6cb2ecbebf0&source_impression_id=p3_1679926416_Hm7gRkjXGaBHsnV%2F) ($104/night)
* [Airbnb 3](https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/28612361?adults=3&location=Namba%2C%20Chuo%20Ward%2C%20Osaka%2C%20Japan&check_in=2023-05-20&check_out=2023-05-22&federated_search_id=aba3b8dd-0b49-4c52-8dc6-785ac851db8c&source_impression_id=p3_1679926561_22Lm0xxY7IkKjloU) ($102/night)
* [Airbnb 4](https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/45276762?adults=3&check_in=2023-05-18&check_out=2023-05-22&federated_search_id=d0ed001a-09e8-4dbb-9f27-fda20db69450&source_impression_id=p3_1679927125_YgO9zPvkryN4fCLp&guests=3) ($118/night)
18 May – free & easy OR day trip to Himeji/Kobe
* 1h 30min shinkansen from Osaka ([https://goo.gl/maps/HFffyx81HvmGWTyy6](https://goo.gl/maps/HFffyx81HvmGWTyy6)) (¥3,080)
* Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle)
* Engyō-ji Temple
* Koko-en Garden & museums
19 May
* Shitenno-ji Temple (Tennoji Ward)
* Shinsekai district (Naniwa Ward)
* Harukas 300 (view)
* Kuromon Ichiba Market (Chuo Ward)
* [Teamlab Botanical Garden](https://www.teamlab.art/e/botanicalgarden/) @ Nagai Park (Higashisumiyoshi Ward) (1900-2130) (JPY 1,600)
20 May – free & easy (work and rest)
* Friend B comes over (reaches Osaka est. 1600)
21 May – Osaka Castle & Dotonbori
* Osaka Castle
* Hozenji Temple
* Ebisubashi Bridge & Dōtonbori Lights (& street food)
* Uncle Rikuro’s Cheesecake
* America-mura
* Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade
* Dotonbori Takoyaki
* Train ride to Kyoto
**Kyoto**
Accom – Airbnb near Nishiki Market
Food to try: warabimochi, ramen, sushi, omurice, nishinsoba, Nishiki Market (oysters, egg octopus, senbe), Sake
**22 May** \- Higashiyama & Nagakyo (temples)
* Temple Trail (5km from Higashiyama-ji to Kiyomizu-dera)
* Ginkaku-ji Temple
* Nanzen-ji & Eikando (via Philosopher’s Path)
* Hei-an Shrine
* Chion-in
* Maruyama Park
* Yasaka Shrine
* Gion (Geisha – old Kyoto)
* Kodai-ji
* Ninezaka
* Tatmi Starbucks (@ Ninezaka)
* Sannezaka
* Kiyomizu-dera
* Higashi Hongaji Temple
* Dinner: Kichi Kichi Omurice (book in advance)
* Kamo River & Nishiki Market (Nagakyo ward)
23 May – free & easy (work & rest)
24 May – Arashiyama (1/2 day)
* Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (come early – 6-8am) (1h walk)
* Okochi-sanso Villa (private garden & matcha)
* Tenryu-ji
* Lunch: Restaurant Arashiyama
* Iwatayama Park (monkeys)
* [Hozu River](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMA7xRWJAYE) boat ride OR [Sagano Sight-Seeing Tram ](https://goo.gl/maps/o7KNtL8T8XS4HznB9)(sightseeing)
* Kinkaku-ji Temple (golden pavilion)
24 May – Fushimi & Nara Park (1/2 day)
* Fushimi Inari Shrine (6-7am to avoid crowds) (2h to complete)
* Kyoto Station (night)
* Nara Park (day trip) – wild deers,🍴somen (can go after Fushimi)
* Go to Tokyo 24th night
**Tokyo**
Accom: Airbnb
25 May – Shibuya & Harajuku
* Team Lab Planets (JPY 3500)
* Shibuya Starbucks
* Shibuya Sky – sunset
* Miyashita Park (Mall)
* Harajuku (Shopping)
* Meiji Shrine
* Shinjuku Station neon signs
* Shibuya Crossing
26 May – free & easy (work & rest)
* Friend B leaves Japan (1700)
* movie @ Toshima – Grand Cinema Sunshine –
27 May – Ginza
* Red Tokyo Tower
* Tokyo Art Aquarium
* Misono‘s teppanyaki grill
* Happy Pancake
* Guykatsu Motomura Haku (BBQ Beef)
28 May – free & easy/Kamakura (Day Trip)
* 3 Hiking Trail (Western preferable) (30-90mins to complete each)
* Hokokuji Temple
* Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
* Hasedera Temple
* Great Buddha statue
29 May – Taito City
* Sensoji Temple (0600 or 1530)
* Ueno Park
* Akihabara (Anime, Manga, Old School Arcades)
* Tokyo Sky Tree (¥2,700)
**Kanazawa**
Accom: [Hotel Wing International Premium Kanazawa Ekimae](https://www.agoda.com/en-gb/hotel-wing-international-premium-kanazawa-ekimae/hotel/kanazawa-jp.html?finalPriceView=2&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=-1&numberOfBedrooms=&familyMode=false&adults=1&children=0&rooms=1&maxRooms=0&checkIn=2023-05-20&isCalendarCallout=false&childAges=&numberOfGuest=0&missingChildAges=false&travellerType=0&showReviewSubmissionEntry=false¤cyCode=JPY&isFreeOccSearch=false&isCityHaveAsq=false&tspTypes=7,9,9,16,16,-1,-1&los=1&searchrequestid=31b18b6a-2076-4863-92c4-3277b85a658f) (¥8,216)
30 May
* Train to Kanazawa
* Omicho Market
* Kenroku-en & Kanazawa Castle
* Higashi Chaya district
* Nagamachi – Nomura Clan Home
31 May – 01 Jun – TBC
02 Jun
* Flight from Tokyo (0700)