Hi all! I’m traveling for the first time to Japan with 2 more friends, and we would like to know if we can improve or do our routes more efficient in any way possible. We are still looking for the best places to stay in Tokyo so if you have any suggestion is more than welcome!
Our route is the following: The first 2 days will be in Tokyo with a day trip to Nikko on the third day. Then we will go to Kyoto to spend 3 days and after that we will go to Osaka for the next 2 days with day trips to Nara and the next day to Hiroshima. After that we are planning to stay one night in Hakone before spending the last 5 days in Tokyo.
**Day 1 – Wednesday 18: Arrival in Tokyo (HND Airport)**
I think we will be tired because of the jet lag so our plan this day is just to explore the surroundings of the Tokyo Station and chill a bit before check in.
* Exploring Tokyo Center
* Tokyo Imperial Palace and surroundings
* Tokyo Ramen Street
* Exploring Ginza
**Day 2 – Thursday 19: Tokyo**
* Exploring Odaiba
* teamLab Planets Tokyo
* Gundam Base Tokyo
* Miraikan Museum
Odaiba Seaside Park
**Day 3 – Friday 20: Nikko (Day Trip)**
* Toshogu Shrine
* Kanmangafuchi Abyss
* Taiyuin
* Rinnoji Temple
* Shinkyo Bridge
**Day 4 – Saturday 21: Travel to Kyoto**
* Nijo Castle
* Sento Palace
* Kyoto Imperial Palace
* Nishiki Market
* Pontocho
**Day 5 – Sunday 22: Kyoto**
* Tenryuji Temple
* Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
* Monkey Park
* Jidai Matsuri Festival
**Day 6 – Monday 23: Kyoto**
* Kurama to Kibune Hike (3h)
* Kinkaku-ji Shrine
**Day 7 – Tuesday 24: Travel to Osaka**
* Osaka castle
* Shinsekai
* Dotonbori
**Day 8 – Wednesday 25: Osaka**
* Universal studios
* Aquarium
**Day 9 – Thursday 26: Nara (Day Trip)**
* Todaiji Temple
* Kasuga Taisha
* Nara Park (Deers)
* Isuien Garden
* Yoshikien Garden
**Day 10 – Friday 27: Hiroshima (Day Trip)**
* Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
* Hiroshima Peace Park
* Atomic Bomb Dome
* Hiroshima Castle
* Shukkeien Japanese Garden
**Day 11 – Saturday 28: Travel to Hakone (Mt. Fuji)**
* Exploring Hakone
**Day 12 – Sunday 29: Travel to Tokyo**
* Exploring Akihabara
* Ueno Park
* Ameyoko Market
* Exploring Asakusa
* Sensoji Temple
* Tokyo Skytree
**Day 13 – Monday 30: Tokyo**
* Exploring Shibuya
* Meiji Shrine
* Yoyogi Park
* Suga Shrine
**Day 14 – Tuesday 31: Tokyo**
* Exploring Shinjuku
* Exploring Kabukicho
* TohoCinema / Godzilla Statue
* Exploring Harajuku
* Shibuya Halloween madness
**Day 15 – Wednesday 1: Tokyo**
Day yet to fill, will be for shopping mostly.
**Day 16 – Thursday 2: Tokyo**
Day yet to fill, will be for shopping mostly.
1 comment
* It would be ideal if you can move Nikko to the second Tokyo stint as foliage will be a lot better then.
* Friendly reminder that Sento Imperial Palace requires advanced booking on the Kunaicho website
* As with all onsen towns, Hakone lodging tends to be far more expensive on Saturday night than every other night of the week. See if you can move this around (or if you luck out on a deal).