Hi all! Planning a 2 week trip to Japan. It’s our second time here (and our honeymoon!). Started to put together a tentative itinerary and would love to get feedback 🙂
Recommendations for restaurants (esp Kobe beef, sushi, Michelin), coffee shops, and other places to see are very welcome as well! We love trying new food, sightseeing, walking, nature, anime/manga, and video games. Fiance loves coffee & I love matcha. Also debating if a 7-day JR pass is worth it or if we’re better off with a regional pass (or no passes). Would also be nice to do a private onsen (either at a spa or ryokan).
**2023 Itinerary**
* **Day 1: Arrive @ HND**
* Train to Tokyo
* Check in to hotel and have dinner & walk around if we have the energy
* **Day 2: Tokyo**
* Shibuya Crossing & Hachiko Statue
* Explore Harajuku, Takeshita St
* Meiji Jingu
* Shinjuku Gyoen
* Train to Kyoto
* Check in to hotel
* Dinner in Gion?
* **Day 3: Kyoto**
* Kyomizu-dera
* Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka
* Yasaka Pagoda
* *We’d like to rent kimono and get professional photos taken – any recommendations?*
* Maruyama Park
* Yasaka Shrine
* Gion
* **Day 4: Kyoto**
* Coffee at % Arabica Kyoto?
* Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
* Okochi Sanso Villa
* Adashino Nenbutsuji
* Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
* Lunch at Shoraian?
* Tenryu-ji
* Togetsukyo Bridge
* Monkey Park
* Koke-dera (Moss) Temple
* **Day 5: Day trip to Osaka**
* Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
* Tokyu Hands & other dept stores
* Dotonbori
* Doguyasuji shopping street
* Eorzea Cafe
* *Is Umeda Sky Building worth a visit?*
* **Day 6: Kyoto -> Kanazawa**
* 7AM: Fushimi Inari (this time, we want to hike to the top)
* Nijo Castle
* Nishiki Market
* Train to Kanazawa
* 3PM: Check in to hotel
* Kenrokuen Garden
* **Day 7: Day trip to Shirakawa-Go**
* **Day 8: Kanazawa -> Tokyo**
* Kanazawa Castle
* Higashi Chaya-gai
* Train to Tokyo
* Check in to hotel
* Check out Omoide Yokocho
* **Day 9: Tokyo**
* Asakusa
* Senso-Ji
* Nakamise-Dori
* Azuma-bashi Bridge
* Akihabara
* (If there’s time) Ueno Park
* **Day 10: DisneySea**
* **Day 11: Day trip to Hakone?**
* **Day 12: Tokyo**
* **Day 13: ???**
* *Recommendations welcome – not sure if should be another day trip from Tokyo, more time in Tokyo, or a bonus day in Kyoto*
* **Day 14: 11AM Departure**
**Things we did last time that we don’t need to see again:**
\- Kyoto – Kinkakuji
\- Osaka Castle
\- Tokyo National Museum
\- Akihabara – Maid cafe
\- Kawaguchiko
\- Nara (debating if it’s worth a second visit)
1 comment
* If you’re going to Shirakawa-go from Kanazawa, might as well do Kanazawa -> Shirakawa-go -> Takayama -> Tokyo (via Nagoya). The only reason *not* to is if you want to take the Tateyama Kurobe alpine route, or make use of the [Hokuriku Arch Pass](https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/hokuriku-arch-pass/).
* I don’t see Nikko in there, so that’s a day trip option.
* Koyasan near Osaka is another day trip (or even overnight) option
* TeamLab Planets is pretty popular, might look it up to see if it’s down your alley.
* There *seems* to be enough traveling to justify a JR pass, but do check out the Arch pass above to see if it works. It’s about 5000 yen cheaper for the same 7 day range.