Itinerary Check – 17 Days Spring 2024

Hello everyone! I am a bit overwhelmed planning this trip but I think I have a general itinerary down without too much detail so that there’s still some time to explore. For reference, my fiance and I are generally fast travelers and we plan to pack light so the moving cities often shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

I am looking for some advice however in a couple areas, particularly around day 7, day 9, and day 15.

1. Should I skip Hakone totally? It seems sort of out of the way for a slim chance of seeing Mt Fuji, though the area does sound like it could be fun.
2. Should I depart Kanazawa in the late afternoon for a little more time in Takayama , which would make it more like 1.5 days in each.
3. Is a short stop in Kobe worth it on the way to Osaka from Hiroshima?

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**Day 1 – Tokyo arrival**. Explore Koto City area (may be staying in this area for the Tokyo portion)

**Day 2 – Tokyo** \- Shibuya and Harajuku

**Day 3 – Tokyo** \- Ikebukuro and Tokgo Tower/Roppongi

**Day 4 – Tokyo** \- Asakusa and Akihabara

**Day 5 – Nikko** \- Morning train to Nikko. See central Nikko including shrines and temples

**Day 6 – Nikko** \- Nikko National Park. Kegon waterfall, Lake Chuzenji, Ryuzu waterfall, Hangetsuyama (if open after winter)

**Day 7 – Hakone** \- Morning train to Hakone. Hakone shrine, Owakudani. Maybe see Mt. Fuji if weather permits

**Day 8 – Kanazawa** \- Morning train to Kanazawa. Nagamachi samurai district. Omicho market. Higashi Chaya District.

**Day 9 – Kanazawa** \- Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle. Ninja temple

**Day 10 – Takayama** \- Morning train to Takayama. Miyagawa morning market. Takayama Jinya. Hida Fold Village. Shinhotaka ropeway (I’m thinking this is too far away with only 1 day here)?

**Day 11 – Kyoto** \- Morning train to Kyoto. Philosopher’s Path, Higashiyama and Gion

**Day 12 – Kyoto** \- Nijo castle. Fushimi Inari Taisha. Nishiki market

**Day 13 – Kyoto** \- Arashiyama for Togetsukyo bridge and bamboo forest. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

**Day 14 – Hiroshima/Miyajima** \- Morning train to Hiroshima. Peace museum. Hiroshima castle. Miyajima Island

**Day 15 – Osaka** \- Morning train to Osaka, stopping at Himeji castle and Kokoen garden on the way. Option to stop at Kobe?

**Day 16 – Osaka** \- Awaji Island for Naruto theme park. Umeda Sky Building. Kuromon market

**Day 17 – Osaka** \- Osaka Castle, Shitennoji temple, Dotonbori/Minami

Day 18 – Departure from Osaka

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Any other comments/concerns/suggestions? Thank you in advance for your help!