Itinerary check – first time to Japan

Hi all

Me (28m) and my fiance (32m) want to go to Japan! We’re from Melbourne, Australia and want to travel for 3 weeks around the end of October into November. Planning is not my strong suit, and I grabbed chatGPTs help (don’t judge). So now, I’m cross referencing with you all to see if it actually pulled off a decent itinerary to cover our bases.

For context with the itinerary.
– we love Pokemon. A lot
– we love food
– I don’t mind a mixture of cities and rural, but my partner would prefer cities
– he doesn’t want to go too many temples, so we are opting for the main ones (I like temples, so this is the compromise).

I’ll do two parts, the TLDR version, and the entire itinerary.

TLDR

**Day 1-5: Tokyo**
– Arrive and explore Tokyo.

**Day 6-7: Hakone**
– Travel to Hakone, enjoy the hot springs and local attractions.

**Day 8-11: Kyoto**
– Explore Kyoto and take a day trip to Nara.

**Day 12-14: Hiroshima**
– Travel to Hiroshima and take a day trip to Miyajima.

**Day 15-16: Okayama**
– Visit Okayama and take a day trip to Kurashiki.

**Day 17-19: Osaka**
– Experience Osaka, including a day at Universal Studios Japan.

**Day 20-21: Tokyo**
– Return to Tokyo for final sightseeing and depart for home.

——–

Long version

**Day 1-5: Tokyo**

– **Day 1:**
– Morning: Arrival in Tokyo, check into your hotel.
– Afternoon: Explore your local surroundings and familiarize yourself with Tokyo’s public transport system.
– Evening: Casual stroll around your hotel area, have dinner in a local restaurant.

– **Day 2: Akihabara**
– Morning: Visit a Pokémon Center and the Akihabara Radio Kaikan for trading cards and merchandise.
– Afternoon: Visit an arcade, such as the SEGA Akihabara Building, followed by shopping for video games, manga, and anime merchandise in the various shops in Akihabara.
– Evening: Dine in a local restaurant and try some of Akihabara’s maid cafes if you’re interested.

– **Day 3: Shibuya**
– Morning: Visit the Meiji Shrine. It’s a peaceful place and good for a morning stroll.
– Late morning to Afternoon: Head to Shibuya, see the famous Shibuya crossing. You could also visit the Shibuya Pokémon Center and do some shopping around the area.
– Afternoon: Explore Shibuya’s many fashion boutiques, record stores, or pop into a purikura photo booth.
– Evening: Have dinner in Shibuya and try one of the local izakayas (Japanese-style pub) for some drinks.

– **Day 4: Tokyo Tower/Skytree and Roppongi**
– Morning: Visit either Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree for panoramic views of the city. If you choose Skytree, there’s also a Pokémon Center nearby.
– Afternoon: Head to Roppongi. Visit the Mori Art Museum and Roppongi Hills. Have lunch in the area.
– Evening: Explore Roppongi’s nightlife and have dinner in one of the many international restaurants.

– **Day 5: Nikko**
– Whole day: Take a day trip to Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple and have lunch in the area. Enjoy the serene and historical atmosphere. Return to Tokyo in the evening.

**Day 6-7: Hakone**

– **Day 6:**
– Morning: Take the bullet train to Hakone, check into your ryokan.
– Afternoon: Visit the Open Air Museum or Hakone Shrine.
– Evening: Enjoy the ryokan’s onsen and have a traditional kaiseki dinner.

Hotel costs including dinner and breakfast: Approx AUD 200 – 500.

– **Day 7:**
– Morning: Visit Owakudani and try black eggs.
– Afternoon: Ride the Hakone Ropeway and cruise Lake Ashi.
– Evening: Return to your ryokan for another relaxing evening.

Hotel costs including dinner and breakfast: Approx AUD 200 – 500.

**Day 8-11: Kyoto**

– **Day 8:**
– Morning: Take the bullet train to Kyoto, check into your hotel.
– Afternoon: Visit Nijo Castle.
– Evening: Explore Gion district, dine at a local restaurant.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 100 – 200.

– **Day 9:**
– Morning: Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine early to avoid crowds.
– Afternoon: Attend a traditional tea ceremony in a tea house.
– Evening: Stroll along the Kamogawa River and have dinner in Pontocho Alley.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 100 – 200.

– **Day 10:**
– Morning: Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).
– Afternoon: Stroll along the Philosopher’s Path and visit Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion).
– Evening: Try Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine for dinner.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 100 – 200.

– **Day 11:**
– Day trip to Nara: Visit Todai-ji Temple, see the deer in Nara Park, have lunch in the area, visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine in the afternoon, return to Kyoto in the evening.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 100 – 200.

**Day 12-14: Hiroshima**

– **Day 12:**
– Morning: Take a bullet train to Hiroshima.
– Afternoon: Visit Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
– Evening: Explore downtown Hiroshima and try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki for dinner.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 80 – 150.

– **Day 13:**
– Day trip to Miyajima: Visit Itsukushima Shrine, try the famous oysters for lunch, explore the island, return to Hiroshima in the evening.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 80 – 150.

– **Day 14:**
– Morning: Visit Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden.
– Afternoon: Explore the shops and restaurants of Hondori Street.
– Evening: Return to your hotel, pack for the next day’s journey.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 80 – 150.

**Day 15-16: Okayama**

– **Day 15:**
– Morning: Travel to Okayama, check into your hotel.
– Afternoon: Visit Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan’s “three best landscape gardens”.
– Evening: Try local food like Okayama’s famous Bara-zushi (a scattered sushi).

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 80 – 150.

– **Day 16:**
– Day trip to Kurashiki: Visit the Ohara Museum of Art, have lunch in a local cafe
Apologies for the abrupt stop. Let’s continue from Day 16:

– **Day 16:**
– Afternoon: After lunch, explore the beautifully preserved Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter with its old merchant houses and weeping willow trees along the canal.
– Evening: Return to Okayama, have dinner in the city.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 80 – 150.

**Day 17-19: Osaka**

– **Day 17:**
– Morning: Travel to Osaka, check into your hotel.
– Afternoon: Visit Osaka Castle and its surrounding park.
– Evening: Explore Dotonbori area, famous for its bright lights, shopping, and street food. Try Osaka specialties like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancake).

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 100 – 200.

– **Day 18:**
– Full Day: Spend the day at Universal Studios Japan, don’t miss the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World. Have lunch and dinner in the theme park.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 100 – 200.

– **Day 19:**
– Morning: Visit the Umeda Sky Building for a panoramic view of the city.
– Afternoon: Shopping in the Umeda and Namba districts.
– Evening: Dinner in one of Osaka’s many great restaurants.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 100 – 200.

**Day 20-21: Tokyo**

– **Day 20:**
– Morning: Take the bullet train back to Tokyo, check into your hotel.
– Afternoon: Visit Odaiba, see the Gundam statue and visit Palette Town for shopping and entertainment.
– Evening: Have dinner in one of Odaiba’s restaurants with a view of the Rainbow Bridge.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 150 – 300.

– **Day 21:**
– Morning: Last-minute shopping in areas like Ginza or Shinjuku.
– Afternoon: Pack and prepare for your flight home.
– Evening: Depart for the airport.

Hotel costs: Approx AUD 150 – 300.

**Total hotel costs for the trip:** Approx AUD 3150 – 6250.

**Travel costs:**
Japan Rail Pass for 21 days: Approx AUD 1400 for two.

**Food and Activities:**
Food, activities, and miscellaneous expenses: Approx AUD 4200 for both.

**Total estimated cost of the trip (flights excluded):** Approx AUD 8750 – 1185.

Anyway, let me know what you think.