Itinerary Check – Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Kyoto, F1 Japanese Grand Prix, Miyajima, Osaka

Hello! I will be traveling to Japan on a solo trip for 14 days in September. The main objective of the trip is to watch the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit. However, visiting Japan has always been on my bucket list, so I will be killing two birds with one stone.

I am 30 years old. I will be primarily staying at hostels, with a few nights at ryokans. I will be buying the 14 day JR Pass. Please provide your opinion on my itinerary. The only rigid plan on this itinerary is the Japanese Grand Prix Weekend in Nagoya/Suzuka, everything else can be adjusted. I’m aware that I probably have too many locations considered, so provide suggestions for where I could cut back.

**Day 0: Depart Washington, DC at 12:00 PM**

**Day 1-3: Tokyo (Hostel in Shinjuku)**

* Day 1:
* Arrive Haneda, Tokyo at 3:30 PM
* ShibuyaSky in evening
* Day 2:
* Recover from jet lag
* Tokyo National Museum
* Explore Shinjuku/Shibuya (Golden Gai)
* Day 3:
* teamLab Planets
* September Sumo Tournament

**Day 4: Fujikawaguchiko (Ryokan)**

* Day 4:
* Depart Shinjuku, Tokyo on Fuji Excursion train. Arrive to Kawaguchiko at 11:30 AM
* Rent a bicycle
* Chureito Pagoda
* Relax/Onsen

**Day 5-7: Kyoto (Hostel in Nakagyo)**

* Day 5:
* Depart Kawaguchiko to Mishima on Express Bus. Then, Shinkansen to Kyoto, Arrive 2:30 PM
* Rest after travel
* Explore surrounding area/Nishiki Market
* Day 6:
* Gion/Visit Temples (Yasaka Shrine, Hokan-ji Temple, Kiyomiu-Dera)
* Day 7:
* Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (Early Start)
* Autumnal Equinox Festival

**Day 8-9: Nagoya (Hotel in Nagoya Station)**

* Day 8:
* Depart Kyoto on Shinkansen. Arrive at Nagoya 11:00 AM.
* Check luggage at hotel and depart for Suzuka Circuit for Saturday Qualifying.
* Saturday qualifiers start at 3:00 PM. I want to arrive around 1:00 PM.
* Return to hotel/Nagoya around 6:00 PM
* Possibly register for Nagoya pub crawl
* Day 9:
* Arrive at Suzuka at 12:00 PM
* Grand Prix Race starts at 2:00PM
* Return to hotel/Nagoya around 8:00 PM

**Day 10-12: Miyajima (Ryokan)**

* Day 10
* Depart Nagoya on Shinkansen. Arrive at Miyajima 2:00 PM
* Rest/Onsen
* Day 11
* Wake up early to get sunrise on Mount Misen
* Rest/Onsen

**Day 11-13: Osaka (Hostel in Shinsaibashi)**

* Day 12
* Depart Miyajima
* Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Museum en route to Osaka
* Arrive to Osaka at 4:00 PM
* Day 13
* Explore Dotonbori

**Day 14: Departing Flight from Haneda, Tokyo**

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* Day 14:
* Depart Osaka on Shinkansen. Arrive at Haneda 1:30 PM
* Flight to Washington, DC at 4:00 PM

And any suggestions for activities or restaurants would be greatly appreciated!