Hey everyone, I’m heading to Japan for the first time in late October with my girlfriend and another friend. I’ve done research (with much help from this subreddit!) and have come up with what I think is a pretty solid itinerary.
We are probably a little less interested in theme parks/anime/gaming/etc. and more interested food, history, nature, etc. but want to experience a bit of the former as well!
I’d appreciate comments on whether any part of our itinerary seems impractical, whether there is anything we are leaving out that we really shouldn’t miss, events during our time in Japan, or generally any comments from those with experience. Thanks in advance 🙂
**Day 1 – October 21st – Tokyo:**
* YOW -> HND
* Arrive at Narita Airport (13:45),
* Check into the Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, relax a bit.
* Head over to Tatsunoya for some ramen.
* Walk to Omoide Yokochō, find an izakaya (Tachan & Kabuto are good) for snacks and a beer.
* Visit Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for the view.
* Head back to the hotel and sleep.
**Day 2 – October 22nd – Tokyo:**
* Visit Shibuya crossing and watch the scramble. Get coffee and breakfast at Starbucks.
* Walk through Yoyogi park to Meiji Jingu.
* Visit Togo shrine.
* Walk to Harajuku and check out Takeshita Street.
* Visit Harajuku Uniqlo.
* Have lunch at Kura Sushi Harajuku.
* Check out Mipig Harajuku (optional).
* Go vintage shopping (KESHIKI, Shimokitazawa (WEGO, Flamingo)).
* Go to Gyukatsu for dinner.
**Day 3 – October 23rd – Tokyo:**
* Start early (7am), get coffee and convenience store breakfast.
* Take the train to Senso-ji.
* Walk to Nakamise Street.
* Head to Tsujiki’s outer market for food.
* Visit Teamlab Planets.
* Visit the Imperial Palace gardens.
* Take the train to Tokyo Tower.
* Have dinner at Pizza Strada.
* Visit Golden Gai for drinks (Araku, Troll Bar, Ace’s, Albatross).
**Day 4 – October 24th – Tokyo:**
* Take the train to Kamakura (Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass).
* Visit the Great Buddha (Kotoku-in), Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Meigetsu-in, Houkoku-ji.
* Harry Potter in the afternoon.
* Shop at Kotoku-in.
* Yamato our luggage to Kyoto.
* Have an omakase dinner at Sushisho Masa.
**Day 5 – October 25th – Kawaguchiko:**
* Send luggage off, then head to Shinjuku station for breakfast.
* Take the 9:30 Fuji Excursion from Shinjuku station.
* Walk to Jinya, leave bags until check-in.
* Depending on the weather, visit Ubuyagasaki Shrine, Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, Oishi park.
* If cloudy, visit Itchiku Kubota Art Museum.
* Have dinner at Hotokura Funari Kawaguchiko (Hoto).
**Day 6 – October 26th – Kyoto:**
* Visit Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine (Chureito Pagoda), Shimoyoshida Honcho Street in the morning.
* Take the bus from Kawaguchiko to Mishima station, grab Ekiben.
* Take the Shinkansen (Hikari) to Kyoto Station.
* Check-in at Hotel Resol Sanjo.
* Visit Kinkaku-ji.
* Have Yakiniku dinner at enen.
* Find a bar in Pontocho for a drink.
**Day 7 – October 27th – Kyoto:**
* Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji early.
* Visit Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
* Walk down Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka.
* Have lunch.
* Visit Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine in the afternoon.
* Relaxing night, open dinner.
**Day 8 – October 28th – Nara:**
* Take the train to Nara station.
* Walk to Nakatanidou, try yomogi-mochi.
* Visit Kōfuku-ji, Deer park, Nandaimon Gate, Tōdai-ji, Tamukeyama Hachiman-gū Shrine, Nigatsu-dō, Tōdai-ji’s Belltower.
* Have a late lunch at Edogawa (Unagi).
* Flexible evening.
**Day 9 – October 29th – Kyoto:**
* Visit Nishiki Market in the morning.
* Visit Higashiyama Jisho-ji.
* Optional: Philosopher’s Path?
* Flex afternoon/evening.
**Day 10 – October 30th – Kinosaki:**
* Breakfast in Kyoto.
* Take the Kinosaki 5 at 11:25am to Kinosaki station.
* Walk to Kinosaki Yamamotoya, leave bags until check-in.
* Visit an onsen or two.
* Have a kaiseki dinner at the hotel.
* Walk around town at night.
**Day 11 – October 31st – Kinosaki:**
* Have breakfast at the hotel.
* Go to the ropeway, visit Onsen-ji temple
* Go onsen hopping, explore town.
* Open dinner plans.
**Day 12 – November 1st – Osaka:**
* Visit one last onsen.
* Catch the train to Osaka (Kounotori at 1:30pm).
* Go from Osaka Station to JOYTEL hotel Namba-Dotonbori and check in.
* Visit the Dotonbori, grab some street food (takoyaki).
* Visit Osaka castle.
**Day 13 – November 2nd – Osaka:**
* Flex day, other than going to Himeji castle!
* Possible visit to Amerika-mura district.
* Try Okonomiyaki
**Day 14 – November 3rd – Osaka:**
* Kobe day trip?
* Wagyu lunch or dinner?
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**Day 15 – November 4th – Osaka:**
* Get up early, head to Kansai airport (terminal 2) via Haruka Express.
Leave the hotel by 8:30am latest.
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2 comments
Day 1 – seems ambitious. Don’t underestimate the impact of jet and general exhaustion.
Day 3 – I would start with Tsukiji first then then head to a asakusa.
Day 6 – don’t think this will feasible. Or, it will be rushed.
Day 7 – you are all over the place.
Kobe is in between Himeji and Osaka, so you can have your lunch or dinner there after the castle. You can fill the remaining Osaka day with a day trip to koya-San or visiting the Osaka aquarium if that interests you.