Hey fellow Japan travellers! Our group is embarking on an exciting adventure to Japan for the first time, and we’d love to get your feedback on our itinerary. We’ve put together a mix of famous attractions and lesser-known spots to make the most of our time in this beautiful country. But we are unsure if this is realisable, as we only check the distance in google maps. Is it too packed? If so which attractions should we omit? Here’s what we have planned:
Tuesday, 3 October
07.55 – 10.45: Flight Jakarta – Singapore (CGK – SIN)
10.45 – 13.55: Transit Changi Airport Singapore
13.55 – 21.35: Flight Singapore – Osaka (SIN – KIX)
21.35 – 22.00: Landing Kansai International Airport (KIX)
22.00 – 23.00: Check In at Airbnb in Osaka (near Dotonbori)
Wednesday, 4 October
07.00 – 09.30: Explore Dotonbori
09.30 – 10.15: Go to Osaka Aquarium
10.15 – 15.30: Explore Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
15.30 – 16.15: Go to Kuromon Market
16.15 – 18.00: Explore Kuromon Market
18.00 – 22.00: Free Time
Thursday, 5 October
07.00 – 08.15: Go to Kyoto via Shinkansen
08.15 – 08.45: Drop luggage at either Airbnb or safe deposit
09.00 – 13.00: Explore Kyoto Imperial Palace & Kyoto Gyoen
13.00 – 15.00: Explore Kyoto International Manga Museum
15.00 – 15.30: Check In Airbnb in Kyoto (Near Imperial Palace)
15.30 – 17.30: Explore Nishiki Market
17.30 – 22.00: Free Time
Friday, 6 October
07.00 – 07.30: Go to Kiyomizu-dera
07.30 – 10.30: Explore Kiyomizu-dera
10.30 – 11.00: Go to Fushimi Inari Taisha
11.00 – 14.00: Explore Fushimi Inari Taisha
14.00 – 14.30: Go to Eikando Temple area
14.30 – 16.30: Explore Eikando Temple, Japanese Gardens, & Okazaki Park
16.30 – 17.15: Go to Kamogawa River
17.15 – 19.00: Explore Kamo River
19.00 – 19.15: Go to Kyoto Station
19.15 – 20.30: Explore Kyoto Station Rooftop
20.30 – 22.00: Free Time
Saturday, 7 October
07.00 – 10.30: Go to Hakone
10.30 – 11.30: Go to Lake Ashinoko
11.30 – 12.00: Drop Luggage at Airbnb
12.00 – 16.30: Explore Hakone Checkpoint, Lake Ashinoko, Heiwa no Torii, & Hakone Shrine
16.30 – 19.00: Relax in Onsen
19.00 – 22.00: Free Time
Sunday, 8 October
07.00 – 10.00: Free Time
10.00 – 10.30: Check Out Airbnb in Hakone
10.30 – 12.15: Go to Tokyo via Shinkansen
12.15 – 12.45: Check-in Airbnb in Tokyo
12.45 – 15.00: Explore Imperial Palace, Imperial Palace East Garden, Ninomaru Garden, Edo Castle Ruins
15.00 – 16.00: Enjoy Maid Cafe
16.00 – 19.00: Explore Sensoji Temple & Nakamise Street
19.00 – 22.00: Free Time
Monday, 9 October
07.30 – 08.00: Go to Tokyo Disneyland / Disneysea (Still undecided)
09.00 – 17.30: Full day at Tokyo Disneyland / Disneysea
17.30 – 22.00: Free Time
Tuesday, 10 October
08.00 – 08.45: Go to Inokashira
08.45 – 10.00: Explore Inokashira Park
10.00 – 12.30: Explore Ghibli Museum
12.30 – 13.15: Go to Shibuya
13.15 – 17.00: Explore Shibuya Cross, Tower Records, Mega Don Quijote, Hachiko Memorial Statue, Omotesando (Thrifting)
17.00 – 17.30: Go to Ikebukuro
17.00 – 19.30: Explore Animate Ikebukuro, Sunshine City
19.30 – 22.00: Free Time
Wednesday, 11 October
07.00 – 08.30: Free Time
08.30 – 09.00: Go to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
09.00 – 12.00: Explore Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
12.00 – 18.00: Shopping for souvenirs, wherever we fancy
18.00 – 21.00: Free Time
21.00 – 22.00: Packing
Thursday, 12 October
08.00 – 09.00: Go to Narita International Airport
11.10 – 17.20: Flight Narita – Singapore (NRT – SIN)
17.20 – 21.55: Transit Changi Airport
21.55 – 22.40: Flight Singapore – Jakarta (SIN – CGK)
We’re open to any suggestions or recommendations to make our trip unforgettable, especially in the lesser known or hidden gems that you know in Japan. Thanks in advance for your input!
1 comment
Most things at Dotonbori isn’t open yet at 09:00.
If you are only in Kyoto for one night, it might not be worthwhile to change accommodation – the train between Osaka and Kyoto is about 40 minutes for fast local trains (shorter for faster/more expensive trains/Shinkansen).
I think the 3.5 hrs from Kyoto to Hakone sounds short, do check train schedules.
Why wouldn’t you stay at Disneyland/Disneysea for the firework? I would’ve thought it’d be a full day affair.
You need significant self control to limit yourself 2.5 hours in Ghibli Museum (definitely avoid the cafe there for the themed food, coz it will burst your time slot).
Put Shibuya and Shinjuku on the same day, Ikebukuro is (relatively) far from those two hubs. Keep Ikebukuro on you last full day so you do all the shopping then.