Hello all, my girlfriend and I are currently planning for our Japan trip in October. Below is ours itinerary, it is not 100% complete yet but we want to get some inputs from you guys before we spend too much time on planning things that we don’t need to. Let me know what you think:
**Mon, Oct. 9th – Tokyo**
1700: Arrived in Japan
1700-2000: Check-in hotel
2000: Go out to Shibuya and Eat dinner
2300: Back to hotel
**Tue, Oct. 10th – Tokyo**
0900: Explore and eat lunch at Tsukiji market
1300: Sensoji Temple (opens from 0630-1700)
1600: To Akihabara + Dinner
2000: Back to hotel
**Wed, Oct. 11th – Kawaguchiko**
(times may change d/t what time dinner is served at Ryokan)
0700: Check-out hotel
1000: Arrived at Kawaguchiko
1000-1200: Check-in Ryokan & eat Lunch
1300-1600: Chureito Pagoda
1700-1900: Lake Kawaguchi
2000: Back to Ryokan for dinner
**Thur, Oct. 12th – Osaka**
Buy ekiben to eat during train ride!!
0830: Breakfast at Ryokan
1100: Check-out Ryokan
1200-1700: Ride train to Osaka
1700-1800: Check-in Osaka Airbnb
1900: To Dotonbori and Explore/Eat
2100: Back to Airbnb
**Fri, Oct. 13th-Kyoto**
Rent kimono?
0530: Wake up!!!!
0630-0730: Train to Kyoto
0800-1100: Ninzaka and Sannenzaka
1200-1600: Fushi Inari
1600-1900: Free time
1900: Catch train back to Airbnb
**Sat, Oct. 14th-Kyoto**
0530: Wake up!!!!
0630-0730: Train to Kyoto
0800-1100: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
1100-1400: Free Time/Explore Kyoto?/Back to Airbnb?
1500-1600: Train from Kyoto to Nara Park
1600-2000: Nara Park + Dinner
2100: Back to Airbnb
**Sun, Oct. 15th**
Katsuoji Temple
(opens 0800-1800)
0700: Wake up
0800-1000: Train ride to Katsuoji Temple
1000-1200: Explore Katsuoji Temple
1300-1600: Back to Airbnb
1600: Catch train to Kobe (20min from Osaka)
1700-1900: Kobe/Wagyu beef for dinner
2000: Back to Airbnb
1600: Catch train to Kobe (20min from Osaka)
1700-1900: Kobe/Wagyu beef for dinner
2000: Back to Airbnb
**\*\*Mon, Oct. 16th-\*\*Hakone**
1100: Check-out Airbnb
1200-1600: Train ride to Hakone (buy ekiben to eat during ride)
1700: Check in hotel, Dinner, then Rest & Relax
**Tue, Oct. 17th-Hakone**
0800- Check out hotel, but ask to store luggage??
0900-1100: Explore Owakudani (opens from 0900-1700)
1200-1500: Lunch and back to hotel to get luggage?
1500-1700: Catch train back to Tokyo
Free time afterward.
**Wed, Oct. 18th-Tokyo → MN**
Sleep in/Finish packing/Last walk around Tokyo?
1100: Check out hotel
1300: Arrive at Haneda airport.
1600: Bye-bye JPN !
3 comments
Just add an Osaka day trip instead like himeji or Koyasan
Is this your first time in Japan? My concern is that you have, with the exception of the second day, a train ride or check-in/out of accomodation every single day. Transfers to train stations take time and stress as well. To me this would feel extremely rushed most of the days, but perhaps you are used to travel in this way and you’re comfortable with it. If you’re not, please consider this before you spend your expensive holiday running between places with little time to take in the atmosphere and actually enjoy your time.
I would remove Kawaguchiko instead of Hakone. It’s a really ackward area to travel to Osaka from. You’re wasting half a day that you can’t really afford to lose just on those travels. At least Hakone is conveniently placed between Osaka and Tokyo.
I’d also wouldn’t stay in Osaka. You’re spending zero time doing anything meaningful there, so just stay in Kyoto and cut down on your commute. You’re also going to have a lot less time than you think you do to sightsee in Kyoto. Public transport primarily relies on buses so travel times aren’t as reliable as Tokyo or Osaka.