21 days in Japan – Late October – 3 Weeks Trip Itinerary Critique

Hi everyone, been a long time follower of this community and it’s finally my chance to share my itinerary of my upcoming trip to Japan!

Been planning this trip since the pandemic and I’ve decided to book flights for a **3 weeks trip (24/10/2023 – 13/11/2023) in Japan**. Some background, I’ve been to Japan twice. I travelled across the usual Kansai-Kanto route the first time, Kyushu the second. This time, Im planning to spend two weeks in Tohoku and my last week in Tokyo. **Me and my SO love sightseeing natural landscapes, she particularly loves forests.**

Would love to get some criticism on my itinerary, I don’t want to rush things too much as I will be travelling with my significant other. **I love taking photos of landscapes as a hobby as well so it’s kind of a photography journey too. We’ve chosen this time of year to see the lovely fall colours as well!**

Some Questions:

1. Is my itinerary too tight and unrealistic?
2. I’m from a tropical country, what should I wear for the weather during then? Will a fleece jacket be good enough?
3. Will I be able to see autumn leaves during this time of the year?

* **Day 1 – Oct 24 2023 Tuesday**

* Flight from Singapore – Tokyo

* Arrive in Haneda Airport by 10:00PM
* I’m going to stay one night in Tokyo in the JAL hotel near the aiport.

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**Aomori**

* **Day 2 – Oct 25 2023 Wednesday**

* Collect JR Pass (14 days) early in the morning after breakfast.

* Ride the Shinkansen to Aomori, hopefully to reach there by 3pm-ish

* Check into the Daiwa Roynet Hotel in Aomori and explore the bay area
* Checkout the Nebuta musuem and have dinner after

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* **Day 3 – Oct 26 2023 Thursday**
* Hirosaki day trip! Take the train to Hirosaki City

* Explore the castle and memorial hall, have lunch after
* Visit the Saishōin Temple Five Storied Pagoda and chill around town
* Train back to Aomori city to rest.

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* **Day 4 – Oct 27 2023 Friday**
* Collect my car from a nearby toyota rent a car by 8am
* Drive to Suren Numa pond and explore the surrounding area
* Drive to the Mt Hakkoda ropeway and hike the easiest route
* Watch the sunset from the mountains
* Drive back to the city and have dinner

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* **Day 5 – Oct 28 2023 Saturday**
* Wake up early to reach the oraise gorge early (5am)
* Reach oraise gorge to take landscape pictures
* Drive to Lake Towada and explore the area
* Visit Tsutanuma Marsh before heading back
* Arrive in the city before 5pm to return the car
* Have dinner and rest

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* **Day 6 – Oct 29 2023 Sunday**
* Sleep in a little to rest, head out by 10am
* Hakodate day trip ! Not sure if it’s feasible?
* Visit the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses and have lunch
* End the day with the sunset on Mt Hakodate Observatory
* Head back to Aomori after dinner

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* **Day 7 – Oct 30 2023 Monday**
* Chill day, rest our legs by riding the Joyful Train Shirakami
* Maximising the JR Pass
* Is it possible to do a return trip within the day?

**Sendai**

* **Day 8 – Oct 31 2023 Tuesday**
* Checkout of the Aomori Hotel
* Take the Shinkansen trip to Sendai city
* Check into the Daiwa Roynet Hotel
* Explore surrounding Sendai and rest for the day

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* **Day 9 – Nov 1 2023 Wednesday**
* Take the train to the gorgeous Yamadera Temple, hopefully the maple leaves are there by then!
* Hike up the temple and reach the top
* If time permits, take taxi to the nearby city of Yamagata and explore it
* After dinner, take the train back to Sendai

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* **Day 10 – Nov 2 2023 Thursday**
* Sleep in a little today
* Visit Shiogama Shrine and the fish market nearby for some seafood lunch
* Visit Matsushima Bay and explore the islands
* Take the ferry tour
* Return back to the hotel

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* **Day 11 – Nov 3 2023 Friday**
* Take the train to Hiraizumi Temple and visit the shrine
* Have lunch and then take the train to Geibikei Gorge
* Enjoy the river cruise and head back to Sendai after
* Dinner in Sendai

**Nikko**

* **Day 12 – Nov 4 2023 Sunday**
* Checkout the Sendai hotel and take the train to Nikko
* Leave our luggages in the Nikko hotel
* Visit Shinkyo Bridge nearby our hotel
* Visit Rinnoji Temple nearby
* Take the bus to the Nikko Futarasan jinja
* Have dinner and return to our hotel

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* **Day 14 – Nov 5 2023 Sunday**
* Checkout of hotel and leave our luggage
* Visit the amazing Keigon Falls
* Bus ride to Senjogahara
* Head back to hotel and start our trip to Tokyo
* Check into Tokyo hotel in Hotel Resol Ueno

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**Tokyo**

* **Day 15 – Nov 6 2023 Monday**
* Visit Asakusa and meetup with a friend
* Shooting pre-wedding photos for my friend and his partner
* Catch Asakusa Temple early in the morning to avoid the crowd
* I’m still selecting a location for an evening shoot, any recommendations?

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* **Day 16 – Nov 7 2023 Tuesday**
* Visit Ameyoko for breakfast
* Head to Akihabra with my friend for some anime merch shopping
* Visit Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho
* Dinner and head back to hotel

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* **Day 17 – Nov 8 2023 Wednesday**
* Kamakura day trip!
* Take the train to Kamakura town and visit the temples
* Walk to Enoshima Island and end the day there

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* **Day 18 – Nov 9 2023 Thursday**
* Rest day
* Visit Ueno park since it’s nearby
* Explore Tokyo’s restaurants
* Visit Shinobazu Pond to witness the swan rides

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* **Day 19 – Nov 10 2023 Friday**
* Day trip to Kawaguchiko to witness Mount Fuji!
* Might opt for the Klook day tour to save time

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* **Day 20 – Nov 11 2023 Saturday**
* Shopping day, rounding up the items we want before our flight tomorrw
* Thrift shopping at 2nd street chains
* Visit the largest Uniqlo store, Im a huge Uniqlo fan
* Visit Pokemon centres

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* **Day 21 – Nov 12 2023 Sunday (Last day 🙁 )**
* Checkout of the hotel and do some last minute shopping if any
* Visit any nearby places before we head to the airport by 6pm
* Fly back to Singapore by 10pm for a red eye flight
* Bye Japan!

Any feedback would be very much appreciated!

Thank you so much.