Itinerary check – First time solo in October-November 2023

Hi everyone! I’m (25M) planning a solo trip to Japan later this year. I have been waiting to visit since my semester at Ritsumeikan in 2020 was “postponed indefinitely” due to what we all know, so I’m very excited.

My main interests are culture (but I feel like that’s a given), nature, architecture, Nintendo and Ghibli stuff. But honestly, just being there is enough.

Haven’t booked flights or accommodations yet (though I have most of them already looked up). Just wanted to post my planned itinerary to receive feedback on how ambitious or feasible it is. The Tokyo leg in particular doesn’t seem to be as optimized as it could. Anyways, here it is:

**DAY 1 (OCT 23): DEPARTURE**

* Flight to Haneda from Barcelona with a short layover in Munich.

**DAY 2 (OCT 24): HND – OSAKA**

* Upon arrival, 2h layover at HND before embarking on another flight to ITM (Osaka). If I have enough time after customs, might take the chance to sort out my eSIM/Wi-Fi and all that jazz. If not, I’ll do it at ITM.
* I’ll land in Osaka at around 10:00 AM, but will probably be very jetlagged, so I don’t want to plan too much. I’ll head to the hotel and see what I can do depending on my energy level.
* Might push to cross off the main sights: castle grounds, Namba, etc., but want to keep it light.

**DAY 3 (OCT 25): OSAKA**

* I’ve heard conflicting opinions about Kaiyukan, so I’m not sure about going.
* See anything I didn’t get to see on Day 2.
* Takyuubin the bulk of the luggage to Kyoto and take only a small bag with me to Miyajima.

**DAY 4 (OCT 26): OSAKA – HIROSHIMA – MIYAJIMA**

* Leave Osaka early in the morning and head to Hiroshima. Will activate my pass here.
* Peace park, dome, memorial, museum
* Head to Miyajima after lunch, maybe earlier
* Shrine grounds
* Night at ryokan

**DAY 5 (OCT 27): MIYAJIMA – HIROSHIMA – HIMEJI – KYOTO**

* Hike up Mt Misen, if I feel like it (being pretty optimistic here)
* Wrap up the island visit and head back to Hiroshima.
* Catch the train to Kyoto but stop at Himeji on the way. Feasible?
* Get to Kyoto and head to accomodation

**DAY 6 (OCT 28): KYOTO – HIGASHIYAMA (NORTH)**

*Disclaimer: I am aware that most of these are temples and shrines, and I while I want to get as many goshuin stamps as possible, I don’t want to end up templed out. Places listed are not all must sees, I will drop by the ones that catch my eye the most and skip the ones that don’t. Any recommendations on what you would consider must sees?*

* Shimogamo Shrine
* Ginkaku-ji
* Philosopher’s Path
* Honen-in
* Eikan-do
* Nanzen-ji
* Kiyamachi
* Gion
* Dinner around Downtown

**DAY 7 (OCT 29): KYOTO – HIGASHIYAMA (SOUTH)**

* Kiyomizu-dera right as doors open.
* Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka
* Kodai-ji
* Ishibei Koji
* Yasaka Jinja/Maruyama park
* Chion-in
* Shogun-zuka
* Walk along Kamo River
* Pontocho

**DAY 8 (OCT 30): KYOTO – FUSHIMI INARI & DAY TRIP TO NARA**

* Hit Fushimi Inari first thing before heading to Nara to spend the rest of the day there.

**DAY 9 (OCT 31): KYOTO – ARASHIYAMA + KINKAKU-JI**

*Again, don’t want to see every single one. This is just an “options” list.*

* Bamboo grove nice and early
* Tenryu-ji
* Okochi Sanso Villa
* Jojakko-ji
* Gio-ji (this is a must see)
* Adashino nenbutsu-ji
* Daikaku-ji
* Saga Toriimoto
* Togetsu-kyo
* Kinkaku-ji, if I have time

**DAY 10 (NOV 1): KYOTO – FLEX // AMANOHASHIDATE & INE VILLAGE DAY TRIP // HIMEJI TRIP**

This might be a bit ambitious but I’ve read it is feasible. If not feasible, will either visit Himeji or finish off whatever I didn’t get to see, like Kinkaku-ji.

**DAY 11 (NOV 2): KYOTO – TAKAYAMA**

* Wrap-up my Kyoto stay and head to Takayama via Nagoya.
* Check in at ryokan and explore the old town.

**DAY 12 (NOV 3): TAKAYAMA – SHIRAKAWAGO DAY TRIP**

* Head to Shirakawago in the morning.
* Rest of the day chilling around Takayama.

**DAY 13 (NOV 4): TAKAYAMA – TOKYO (AKIHABARA)**

* Leave the Alps and head to Tokyo. Will stay in Asakusa, so I will probably check out Akihabara on the afternoon/evening after finding my footing. If I don’t have time or I’m too tired, I can move Akihabara to day 16.

**DAY 14 (NOV 5): TOKYO – SHIBUYA, HARAJUKU & SHINJUKU**

* Yoyogi Park, Meiji-jingu
* Shibuya Scramble, Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Parco
* Takeshita, rest at Omohara forest
* Shibuya Sky
* Shinjuku Goen
* Metropolitan Gov. building (if I can’t secure Shibuya Sky tickets for whatever reason)
* Kabukicho

**DAY 15 (NOV 6): KAMAKURA DAY TRIP**

* Daibutsu
* Hōkokuji Temple
* Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine

**DAY 16 (NOV 7): TOKYO – UENO, ASAKUSA**

* Senso-ji, Nakamise
* Ushijima Shrine
* Ueno Park
* Sumida Park & Skytree views

**DAY 17 (NOV 8): TOKYO (final day of the JR Pass) – MUSEUM DAY**

* Morning: Ghibli Museum (if I can get tickets)
* Afternoon: TeamLabs Planets
* Evening, after TeamLabs: Odaiba

**DAY 18 (NOV 9): TOKYO – FLEX**

* Anything I missed. Recommendations?

**DAY 19 (NOV 10): TOKYO – END OF TRIP**

* Still not sure about flight schedule, but will probably just focus on shopping before heading to Haneda.

**DAY 20 (NOV 10-11): RETURN**

Tried my hardest to fit as much as possible without making it too hectic or overwhelming, but after typing all of this out, I realized I might be in over my head here. Looking forward to your feedback!