Rough draft of me and my gf’s first trip to Japan. We are up in the air if we rather do Kobe for a day or Universal in Osaka. We were also thinking about maybe trying to stay a night in Arima Onsen. Any suggestions are obviously welcomed!
Japan Nov 11th – 25th
Day 1: Nov 11th – PHL to YYK to HND
Day 2: Nov 12th – Land in HND \~ 16:55
Train to Kyoto
Keikyu Airport Line’s Rapid Limited Express to Shinagawa
Shinagawa to Shinkansen Bullet Train to Kyoto
Kyoto to Airbnb
Check into Airbnb
Day 3: Nov 13th – Kyoto/Higashiyama
Kiyomizudera
Higashiyama Ward
Kodaiji Temple
Kenninji Temple
Nishiki Market
Kapital Kyoto
Pontocho Park
Day 4: Nov 14th – Arashiyama
Sagano Scenic Railway
Hozugawa River Cruise
Togetsukyo Bridge
Monkey Park
Bamboo Groves
Tenryuji
Day 5: Nov 15th – Eastern Kyoto
Ginkakuji Temple
Philosopher’s Path
Nanzenji
Keage Incline
Gion
Day 6: Nov 16th – Osaka
Check into hotel – Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda
Nipponbashi Denden Town
Kuromon Ichiba Market
Hozenji Yokocho
Dotonbori
Day 7: Nov 17th
Kobe + maybe Arima Onsen 1 night vs Universal??
Day 8: Nov 18th
Osaka Aquarium
Nipponbashi Denden Town
Kuromon Ichiba Market
Hozenji Yokocho
Dotonbori
Day 9: Nov 19th – Tokyo/Ebisu
Check into hotel – Ebisu
Shopping in Ebisu
Nightlife in Ebisu
Day 10: Nov 20th – Harajuku/Shibuya
Shopping
Mini Pig Cafe
Shibuya Crossing
Explore more Shibuya
Day 11: Nov 21st – Shimokitazawa/Shinjuku
Vintage Shopping
Golden Gai
Nightlife in Shinjuku
Day 12: Nov 22nd – Ginza/Tsukiji/Akihabara
Tsukiji Market
Shopping
Weeb out
Day 13: Nov 23rd – Mitaka
Kichijoji Petit Mura
Studio Ghibli Museum
Inokashira Park
Day 14: Nov 24th – Asakusa
Kaminarimon Gate
Nakamise Dori
Sensoji Temple
Sumida Park
Day 15: Nov 25th – Get ready to go home
Flights at 18:00 ish so try to fit in some meals and other places we have yet to look around before then
3 comments
Looks like a fun itinerary! I think you packed just enough for each day! I’m also planing mine for October and I’m having the same issue with going to Universal or just enjoying another day seeing Osaka 🙃
Can you swap things around so you do Tokyo first, then Osaka, and finally Kyoto at the end? Late November is peak foliage in Kyoto and the temples will be that bit more brilliant then.
IMO the kyoto days are a little ambitious in terms of number of attractions / day. I agree with the commenter that suggested Tokyo -> Kyoto as later in November you will get better fall colors. It could be fine though if you guys like to get up early (which I highly recommend in Kyoto) and maintain a good pace. But on the flip side, less time to wander and get lost.
I think beyond what you have, it just depends on your interests – ie, day trips to Nikko, Kamakura, etc could make sense if you think you’d be “city’d out” by that point, but on the other hand, you might prefer to spend every second exploring the dense areas of Tokyo.
For me, I’d adjust the 1 day in Ebisu shopping, 1 day in Shinjuku shopping, 1 day in Shibuya shopping, etc – unless that’s your dominant interest by far, I’d say a couple hours of shopping a day and then do some sightseeing and attractions. If shopping is the priority, then yeah I mean those are all good choices.