Hi everyone! Visiting Japan later this fall for our honeymoon. It will be both my partner and me’s first time in Japan. We’re going for 3 weeks and I’m hoping to solicit some feedback for my planned itinerary:
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21 days, October 29 – November 19
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Day 1 **[Travel Day to Tokyo]**
* Arrive in Tokyo 3:25pm, first night in Tokyo
Days 2-5: Tokyo
* Spend 4 more days in Tokyo
Day 6: **[Travel Day]** Tokyo to Okinawa
* Morning flight from HND to either Naha or Ishigaki (haven’t decided yet – any pointers? We want to enjoy the beach, food, and spend a day scuba diving)
* Pick up rental car on the island (I read that this was necessary for the islands)
Days 7-9: Okinawa
* Spend 3 more days in Okinawa
Day 10: **[Travel Day]** Okinawa -> Tokyo -> Hakone
* Fly back to Tokyo by mid-afternoon
* Take the Romance Train from Shinjuku to Hakone [1.5hr]
* Reach Hakone early evening / evening (need to look at the Romance Train timetables to confirm departure) and relax in the Ryokan
Day 11: Hakone
* Full day in Hakone, take advantage of Hakone Free Pass, etc., stay in Ryokan
Day 12: **[Travel Day]** Hakone -> Kyoto
* Shinkansen in the morning from Hakone to Kyoto
* First day in Kyoto
Day 13-15: Kyoto
* 3 more days in Kyoto
Day 16: **[Travel Day]** Kyoto -> Osaka
* Shinkansen in the morning from Kyoto -> Osaka
* Arrive in Osaka morning
* Visit Himeji Castle (maybe, I saw some videos that looked really crowded)
Day 17: Osaka / Nara
* Shinkansen in the morning from Osaka -> Nara
* Day trip to Nara, return to Osaka by evening
Day 18: Osaka / Hiroshima
* Shinkansen in the morning from Osaka -> Hiroshima [1.5hr]
* Day trip to Hiroshima (Miyajima, Peace Memorial Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome)
* Return to Osaka by evening
Day 19: **[Travel Day]** Osaka -> Tokyo
* Shinkansen in the morning from Osaka -> Tokyo [2.5hr]
* Rest of the day in Tokyo
Day 20-21: Tokyo
* Last 3 days in Tokyo
Day 22: **[Travel Day]** Fly home from Tokyo HND 4:50pm
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High level breakout looks like this:
* Tokyo 5 nights -> Okinawa 4 nights -> Hakone 2 nights -> Kyoto 4 nights -> Osaka 3 nights -> Tokyo 3 nights == 21 nights total
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Main Questions:
* **Okinawa** – How is the weather in November? We’d be there 11/3-11/7, we want to spend one day diving and the others doing beach time / snorkeling. Also, Main Island vs. Ishigaki? Heard really great things about the latter, but maybe there’s more to do / it’s easier to get around in Naha?
* **Travel Days** – Do they all seem feasible / not too taxing? Especially Day 10: Okinawa->Tokyo->Hakone
* **Fall Foliage** – Where on this itinerary would be best to see fall colors? Assuming Kyoto?
* **Day 18** – Hiroshima day trip or spend the extra day in Osaka?
* **7 day JR pass** – Could it be worth it for me from Day 12 or Day 16 onwards?
* **Overall Itinerary Feedback** – Does the time spent in each day look about right? This will be both of our first times in Japan, so we’ll likely be hitting up all of the typical attractions.
Thank you in advance for your help!