Hi! I’m traveling with 7 friends from the U.S. in mid-June. We would love some feedback on our itinerary since most of us don’t travel a lot and none of us have been to Japan before! Many thanks in advance 🙂
We’re planning on buying a 14-day JR pass.
**Day 1: Tokyo**
Land in Tokyo in mid-afternoon.
Not sure what to do because we’re probably going to be very jet-lagged.
**Day 2: Tokyo**
*Morning:* Sleep in
*Afternoon:* Asakusa district: Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street
*Evening:* Akihabara, nightlife
**Day 3: Tokyo**
*Morning:* Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park
*Afternoon: S*hinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Omoide Yokocho
*Evening*: Shibuya street
**Day 4: Tokyo**
*Morning*: Tsukiji Fish Market, Ginza district
*Afternoon*: Explore Shibuya
*Evening:* Harajuku (Takeshita Street)
**Day 5: Kyoto**
*Morning:* Tokyo -> Kyoto train
*Afternoon*: Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka streets
*Evening:* Explore Gion district
**Day 6: Kyoto**
*Morning*: Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple)
*Afternoon:* Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
*Evening:* Walk along Kamogawa River
**Day 7: Kyoto (Day Trip to Nara)**
*Morning*: Kyoto -> Nara train
*Afternoon:* Nara Park (Todai-ji Temple, Nara Deer Park)
*Evening*: Naramachi district. Take Nara -> Kyoto train back
**Day 8: Kyoto**
*Morning*: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, sake breweries
*Afternoon:* Daigo-ji, Tofuku-ji, Nanzen-ji
*Evening:* Kaiseki, Pontocho Alley nightlife
**Day 9: Kyoto**
We weren’t sure what to do this day. We were considering taking another day trip to Uji to see the Byōdō-in temple?
**Day 10: Hiroshima**
*Morning*: Kyoto -> Hiroshima train
*Afternoon:* Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (A-Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Museum)
*Evening:* Hondori Street
**Day 11: Hiroshima (Day Trip to Miyajima Island)**
*Morning*: Take ferry to Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, and floating torii gate
*Afternoon:* Mount Misen, Daisho-in Temple
*Evening:* Back to Hiroshima
**Day 12: Osaka**
*Morning*: Hiroshima -> Osaka train
*Afternoon:* Umeda district: Umeda Sky Building
*Evening:* Explore Dotonbori Area, nightlife
**Day 13: Osaka (Day Trip to Himeji)**
*Morning*: Osaka -> Himeji train
*Afternoon:* Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden
*Evening*: Take train back to Osaka
**Day 14: Tokyo**
We didn’t know what to do on this day. Should this day be spent somewhere else besides Tokyo, like Kamakura or Yokohama?
**Day 15: Tokyo**
*Morning:* Shinjuku
*Afternoon:* Shopping in Ikebukuro: Sunshine City, department stores, thrifting
*Evening*: Pack up to leave
**Day 16: Tokyo**
Fly out in the afternoon.
\_\_\_\_
Thanks so much for your help!
6 comments
The way the timezones work, your group is probably going to be up in the early morning Day 2. You might want to consider doing Tsukiji Outer Market that day, since it opens very early and gets more and more crowded as the morning goes on.
“We’re planning on buying a 14-day JR pass.”
Based on your current itinerary, this looks to be a waste of money.
You don’t seem to have too much packed into too little time, so that’s a win. Good luck traveling with so many!
Overall, your itinerary looks well-planned and covers many of the major tourist attractions in Japan. Here are some suggestions to make the most out of your 15-day trip:
Day 1: Tokyo
Arriving in the afternoon is a good idea, since it gives you some time to settle into your accommodation and explore the local area. You could consider visiting a nearby park or temple, or simply taking a stroll to get a feel for the city.
Day 2: Tokyo
The Asakusa district is a great place to start your sightseeing in Tokyo. You may also want to check out the nearby Tokyo Skytree for panoramic views of the city.
Day 3: Tokyo
Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park are a beautiful oasis in the middle of the city. Consider visiting the nearby Omotesando neighborhood for some high-end shopping and people-watching.
Day 4: Tokyo
Tsukiji Fish Market is a must-see attraction for foodies, but be sure to arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds. You may also want to check out the nearby Ginza district for some upscale shopping.
Day 5: Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the surrounding streets of Higashiyama are a great introduction to Kyoto’s traditional architecture and culture. Consider taking a walking tour to learn more about the area.
Day 6: Kyoto
Arashiyama is a beautiful area with a lot to see and do, so you may want to spend more time here. Consider visiting the monkey park or taking a boat ride down the Hozu River.
Day 7: Kyoto (Day Trip to Nara)
Nara is a great day trip from Kyoto, and the deer park is definitely worth visiting. You may also want to check out the nearby Kasuga Taisha Shrine for its beautiful lanterns.
Day 8: Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is a unique and beautiful sight to see, but it can get crowded during peak times. Consider visiting early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the crowds.
Day 9: Kyoto
Uji is a great day trip from Kyoto and the Byodoin Temple is definitely worth seeing. You may also want to check out the nearby tea shops and try some matcha.
Day 10: Hiroshima
The Peace Memorial Park is a sobering but important attraction to visit. Consider taking a guided tour to learn more about the history and significance of the site.
Day 11: Hiroshima (Day Trip to Miyajima Island)
Miyajima Island is a beautiful and peaceful place to spend a day. Consider hiking to the top of Mount Misen for stunning views of the surrounding area.
Day 12: Osaka
Umeda Sky Building is a unique and impressive sight to see, and the nearby Dotonbori district is a great place to explore and try some local food.
Day 13: Osaka (Day Trip to Himeji)
Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s most famous castles and definitely worth visiting. You may also want to check out the nearby Koko-en Garden for its beautiful landscaping.
Day 14: Tokyo
Kamakura and Yokohama are both great day trip options from Tokyo, but they are quite far away and may require a lot of travel time. Alternatively, you may want to consider visiting some of Tokyo’s lesser-known neighborhoods, such as Koenji or Shimokitazawa.
Day 15: Tokyo
Ikebukuro is a great place to go shopping and explore, but you may also want to consider visiting some of Tokyo’s art museums or galleries. The nearby Roppongi neighborhood is a great place
In Kyoto, I suggest taking a leisurely evening walk along the Kamo River towards Gion and dining at Pontocho Food Alley. This way, you can save time by visiting both areas in one go, without having to revisit them separately.
It is good to see a schedule with some breathing room.
On Day 4, since you plan to be in Ginza, you may want to explore around Tokyo Station / Yurakucho rather than go all the way back over to Shibuya.