Itinerary Check: 2 weeks – Tokyo -> Hakone -> Osaka + Kyoto/Kobe/Nara | October – November

Hey all, this will be my 2nd time in Japan, but 1st for my partner. Last time I went to Tokyo/Kyoto/Nara/Hiroshima, so there’s few of these places/activities here already but don’t mind re-experiencing them. Nothing is set in stone (we might even spend more days in Japan, as we’re heading to Korea after and haven’t booked anymore yet), so happy for any suggestions.

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**Iternary**

**Tokyo**

27/Oct Fri Day 1

Arrival

– Arrive at 8pm @ Haneda Airport
– Head to hotel, find food and chill (Hotel/AirBNB likely in Asakusa area)

28/Oct Sat Day 2

Asakusa/Ueno/Akihabara

– Head to Senso-ji in the morning
– Shop for food/sweets down Nakamise-Dori
– Walk Ueno park and boat around Shinobazu Pond
– Shop/food down Ameyoko Shopping Street
– Shop/arcades at Akihabara
– End day at Skytree + Pokemon Center

29/Oct Sun Day 3

Odaiba/Tokyo

– Sushi breakfast at Tsukiji Fish Market
– Teamlab Planet (~1-2hrs)
– Explore Odaiba Seaside Park
– Joypolis?
– Waterbus to Hinode Pier
– Walk around aimlessly (gardens, temple, maybe Tokyo Tower)

30/Oct Mon Day 4

Disneyland

– Wake up early (6-7am) and spend entire day at Disneyland (~1hr travel)

31/Oct Tues Day 5

Shibuya/Shinjuku

– Shop at Shibuya Parco
– Check out Shibuya Sky + Crossing (for the gram)
– Head to Yoyogi Park/Meiji Jingu
– Walk to Shinjuku Gyoen
– Eat/drink at Piss Alley
– Halloween fun

1/Nov Weds Day 6

Galleries

– National Museum of Modern Art
– Museum of Contemporary Art
– Relax

2/Nov Thurs Day 7 Pt. 1

Leaving Tokyo

– Leave for Hakone (travel via Romancecar, ~2-3 hours)

**Hakone**

2/Nov Thurs Day 7 Pt. 2

– Hakone loop (Lake Ashi -> Ropeway -> Open Air Museum)
– Ryokan stay

3/Nov Fri Day 8 Pt. 1

– Breakfast, checkout before 10am, leave for Osaka (~2-3 hours)

**Osaka + Nara/Kyoto/Nara**

3/Nov Fri Day 8 Pt. 2

– Checkin, chill and explore Dotonbori

4/Nov Sun Day 9

Nara day trip

– Walk around Nara Park
– Walk around Todai-ji
– Watch mochi being beaten

5/Nov Mon Day 10

Kobe day trip

– Try real Kobe steak (TBD)
– Explore Nunobiki Herb Gardens
– Hike Nunobiki Falls
– Pat a Capybara at Kobe Animal Kingdom
– Check out Harborland/Meriken Park at night

6/Nov Tues Day 11

Kyoto day trip

– Bicycle rental? (maybe)
– Bamboo forest
– Tofukuji
– Unsure

7/Nov Weds Day 12

Kyoto day trip

– Fushimi Inari
– Eat street food at Nishiki Markets
– Walk around Gion
– Stroll thru Philosophers Path

8/Nov Thurs Day 13

Osaka

– Universal Studios (Nintendo World + Harry Potter)

9/Nov Sat Day 14

Leaving Japan

– Checkout and fly to Jeju Island (In Korea for 2 weeks)

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1. Nintendo + Harry Potter – possible in 1 day? Or should we skip one (probably HP).
2. Hakone ryokans – Any recommendations that don’t break the bank? Most recs I see are $300+ pp, which I feel is a tad much unless you’re spending the entire day there.
3. Halloween – We were thinking of dressing up and checking out all the crazy costumes, is it worth the experience or should we avoid?
4. Disneyland vs Disneysea – My partner is more keen on Disneyland because she’s been never to one before, but I’ve heard Disneysea is a better/more unique experience (I’m not fussed either way). Which should we choose?
5. Is Osaka good for a base? Last time I went we had Airbnbs in each city, which made it a bit stressful/painful when relocating.

Thanks!