Hi everyone! Looking for some guidance on this proposed itinerary for two first timers in Japan in October and November. We want a mix of big city, nature, and culture. The only thing we’ve booked so far is a couple days at a ryokan in Hakone, so that’s set in stone. Love hiking and seafood 🙂
Day 1: October 21 – Arrival in Tokyo
Day 2-4: October 22-24 – Tokyo
Day 5-6: October 25-26 – Hakone – BOOKED
Day 7-9: October 27-29 – Kyoto
Day 10-12: October 30-November 1 – Kanazawa and Takayama
Day 13-14: November 2-3 – Hiroshima
Day 15-17: November 4-6 – Osaka and Nara
Day 18: November 7 – Return to Tokyo
Day 19: November 8 – Depart from Tokyo (5 PM)
Is this too much moving around? Any edits you guys might make? Places we’re missing or should be spending longer/shorter in?
EDIT: Thanks for the feedback! Was feeling overwhelmed so really appreciate it. Revised schedule below. Hopefully looks better…?
Day 1: October 21 – Arrival in Tokyo
Day 2-4: October 22-24 – Tokyo
Day 5-6: October 25-26 – Hakone – BOOKED
Day 7-9: October 27-29 – Kyoto
Day 10-11: October 30-31 – Hiroshima
Day 12-14: November 1-3 – Osaka and Nara
Day 15-17: November 4-6 – Kanazawa and Takayama
Day 18: November 7 – Return to Tokyo
Day 19: November 8 – Depart from Tokyo (5 PM)
4 comments
It doesn’t make sense to do Kanazawa and takayama in between Kyoto and Hiroshima. That’s just making extra travel for yourself. Do it on the way back to Tokyo from Osaka to eliminate backtracking
In addition to Kanazawa / Takayama being out of place, there’s also no reason to split Osaka/Nara and Kyoto in two. They’re pretty much next to each other anyways.
I’d strongly suggest Kawaguchiko over Hakone, but I guess if it’s set in stone, it’s set in stone…
I really do not like the order.
From Hakone, yes, Kyoto is the most logical. Next you want to go to Kanazawa/Takayama, but then to go to Hiroshima you will have to go back to Kyoto, so this is extremely inneficient.
After Kyoto you want to go to Hiroshima, then Osaka with Nara as a day trip (it can actually be from either Kyoto to Osaka), then you go to Kanazawa, Takayama and finally return to Tokyo.
To decide if you should stay longer or shorter in each city, just make a more detailed itinerary and list the things you want to do in each city. Also keep in mind travel time between the different cities.
OK, after all the feedback – seem any better?
Day 1: October 21 – Arrival in Tokyo
Day 2-4: October 22-24 – Tokyo
Day 5-6: October 25-26 – Hakone – BOOKED
Day 7-9: October 27-29 – Kyoto
Day 10-11: October 30-31 – Hiroshima
Day 12-14: November 1-3 – Osaka and Nara
Day 15-17: November 4-6 – Kanazawa and Takayama
Day 18: November 7 – Return to Tokyo
Day 19: November 8 – Depart from Tokyo (5 PM)