Revised 16 day Itinerary Tokyo-Hakone-Kyoto-Osaka
Hello again! After feedback I have downsized my itinerary so that it appears more manageable. Feedback welcome! First time going to Japan so there may be many things that I have not considered.
Background:
My girlfriend and I are planning a 2 week trip to Japan around next March/April for cherry blossom season with an additional few days in Taipei. We mainly love eating and anime but also interested in culture and seeing the sights and temples. We are not really interested in bar/nightclub scene, but late night snacks and adventures is a thing we are into! We welcome any food/restaurant/dessert, activity and hotel recommendations!
Japan/Taiwan
**S Day 1 Arrive Tokyo (Shinjuku/Harajuku/Shibuya)**
* ⁃ Red eye flight landing at Narita Airport \~5am
* ⁃ Travel to Tokyo and drop off bags at Hotel (Setsu Fresa Shinjuku)
* ⁃ Visit Shinjuku Gardens
* ⁃ Lunch
* ⁃ Meji-Jingu Shrine
* ⁃ Yoyogi Park for Cherry blossom viewing
* ⁃ Explore Harajuku/Shibuya
Are red eye flights a good option from CA or should I pick one that lands later in the day?
How functional can I expect to be after a red eye flight from CA?
**M Day 2 Tokyo – Tsukiji/Ginza**
* • Tsujiki Outer Market for breakfast
* • Hamariku Gardens
* • Explore Ginza
* • Catch a Kabuki show?
* • Imperial Gardens or Kitanomaru Gardens for cherry blossoms?
* • Explore Shinjuku
**T Day 3 Tokyo – Amakusa/Akihabara**
* • Senso Ji
* • Asakusa Jinga
* • Ueno Park – cherry blossom?
* • Explore Akihabara
**W Day 4 Tokyo – Day Trip to Kamakura or Replace with any of the days above if not functional on arrival day**
* • Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
* • Kamakura Hasadera
* • Kotoku-ji
* • Return to Tokyo and explore another district (any suggestions?)
* • Forward Luggage to Kyoto and pack light to Hakone? Or Keep luggage since we are staying two nights?
What are your experiences with luggage forwarding?
**Th Day 5 Hakone – Buy Hakone Pass**
* • Travel to Hakone via Shinkasen or use Odakyu Trains with Hakone Pass in Shinjuku – which is better?
* • Quick look at Odawara Castle if time
* • Arrive in Hakone
* • Drop of Stuff at Ryokan or explore first depending on ryokan policy
* o Trying to get Hakone-Gora Byakudan
* • Hakone Open Air Museum
* • Check into Ryokan
* • Onsen time
**F Day 6 Hakone**
* ⁃ Hakone Loop
* ⁃ Lunch Salon de the Roasage? Or other recommendation
* ⁃ Old Tokaido Road
* ⁃ Hike to Amasake Tea House
* ⁃ Bus back to Ryokan
Splurging a bit for ryokan at Byakudon, reservations 6 months in advance, what is the best way to book?
**S Day 7 Kyoto**
* ⁃ Arrive in Kyoto near lunch time
* ⁃ Kyoto International’s Manga Museum
* ⁃ Kyoto Imperial Gardens for cherry blossoms?
* ⁃ Explore Sanjo Kai Shotengai and Pontocho
* ⁃ Nishiki Market
**S Day 8 Kyoto – Temple Day**
* ⁃ Nazen-ji
* ⁃ Eikan-do
* ⁃ Lunch
* ⁃ Philosopher’s Path
* ⁃ Travel to Nijo Castle
* ⁃ Nijo Castle
* ⁃ Explore Kyoto (Kyoto Tower Area?)
**M Day 9 Kyoto**
* ⁃ Fumishima Inarri
* ⁃ Explore Sanneizaka
* ⁃ Kiyomizu-dera
* ⁃ Explore Nineizaka
* ⁃ Kodai-Ji
* ⁃ Maruyama Park for Cherry Blosoms
* ⁃ Shoren in temple if time?
* ⁃ Explore Gion
**T Day 10 Kyoto**
* ⁃ Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
* ⁃ Iwatayama Monkey Park
* ⁃ Okochi Sanso Garden
* ⁃ Tenryu-ji
* ⁃ Lunch
* ⁃ Kinkaku-ji
* ⁃ Ryoen-ji if still time
* ⁃ Explore Kyoto
* **W Day 11 Osaka**
* ⁃ Travel to Osaka
* ⁃ Drop off luggage at hotel
* ⁃ Look at Osaka Castle
* ⁃ Explore Nakazakicho District/Lunch
* ⁃ Explore Umeda/shop for souvenirs
* ⁃ Umeda Sky Building and Floating Gardens
* ⁃ Explore Grand Front Osaka
* ⁃ Ohatsu Tenjin
* ⁃ Explore Kita Shinchi District
**Th Day 12 Day trip to Nara**
* ⁃ Nara Park
* ⁃ Todai-ji
* ⁃ Kofuku ji
* ⁃ Yoshikien Garden
* ⁃ Travel back to Osaka
* ⁃ Abenos Hakuras/Shop for souvenirs
* ⁃ Explore Shinsekai
* ⁃ Dinner
* ⁃ Maybe visit Dotonbori afterwards?
F Day 13 Osaka
* ⁃ Sumiyoshi Shrine
* ⁃ Lunch
* ⁃ Shitenno ji
* ⁃ Denden town for Souvenirs
* ⁃ Kuromon Market
* ⁃ Dotonburi Exploration
* ⁃ Dinner
* ⁃ Dotonburi River Cruise?
**S Day 14 Hiroshima/Miyajima Day Trip**
* ⁃ Travel to Hiroshima Station
* ⁃ Grab a snack
* ⁃ Travel to Miyajimaguchi Station
* ⁃ Ferry to Itsukushima
* ⁃ Explore Itsukushima
* ⁃ Ropeway up Mt. Minsen
* ⁃ Return to Hiroshima
* ⁃ Explore Peace Memorial Park
* ⁃ Look at Hiroshima Castle? Or Skip
* ⁃ Hiroshima Orizuru Tower
* ⁃ Explore Tokaichimachi for dinner
**S Day 15 Himeji Day Trip**
* ⁃ Travel to Himeji
* ⁃ Visit Engyoji
* ⁃ Himeji Castle
* ⁃ Koko en Garden
* ⁃ Explore Himeji
* ⁃ Travel to Kobe for dinner for Kobe Beef? Or Travel back to Osaka for dinner?
Is eating Kobe Beef in Kobe special or can I find it in Osaka as well?
Is there a better way to organize the day trop order so that we are not exhausted traveling the last two days?
Would it be better to Luggage forward from Kyoto to Osaka while we travel from Kyoto to Nara and then return to Osaka?
