Review and suggestions for an 18-day trip to Japan in autumn: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Uji, Himeji, Hiroshima and back to Tokyo

Hi all,

My family and I (2 males in their early 20s and parents in their late 50s) will be travelling to Japan in November and would appreciate any advice, insight and feedback about our proposed itinerary.

In particular, any advice about scheduling, locations we might have missed out and places we should get tickets for in advance and any must-try restaurants would be greatly appreciated.

The flight and accommodations are already booked so those will be set in stone and jet lag will not be an issue.

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**D1 (13 NOV, MON)**

**Arrival in Tokyo**

4pm – Arrive at NRT and travel to accommodation in Asakusa.

Just check in, eat and maybe walk around.

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**D2 (14 NOV, TUE)**

**Asakusa**

9am – Tourist Information Center, Sensoji Temple, Nakamise and Nishi-sando shopping street

3pm – Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Solamachi

Not sure what do to after Skytree.

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**D3 (15 NOV, WED)**

**Shinjuku and Shibuya**

9am – Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park

3pm – Shibuya Parco, Mega Don Quijote, Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko Memorial Statue, see Shibuya Sky at night.

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**D4 (16 NOV, THU)**

**Yokohama and Odaiba**

9am – Gundam Factory Yokohama to see the Gundam Show

1pm – teamLab Planets Tokyo, DiverCity Tokyo Plaza to see the Gundam at night, Aquacity Odaiba

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**D5 (17 NOV, FRI, ACTIVATE 14-DAY JR PASS)**

**Travel to Hakone**

8am – Travel to Hakone-Yumoto and take the ropeway to Owakudani.

2pm – Hakone Open-Air Museum, then check in at Ryokan for dinner

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**D6 (18 NOV, SAT)**

**Travel to Kyoto**

10am – Have breakfast at Ryokan and travel to accommodation near Kiyomizu-Gojo station.

2pm – Nijo Castle and Pontocho

Is this day’s schedule too sparse?

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**D7 (19 NOV, SUN)**

**Arashiyama, Kinkakuji and Gion**

7am – Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Okochi Sanso Villa, Togetsukyo Bridge, Iwatayama Monkey Park

2pm – Kinkakuji and Gion

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**D8 (20 NOV, MON)**

**Fushimi Inari Shrine and day-trip to Nara**

7am – Fushimi Inari Shrine

11am – Nara Park, Todaiji Temple, Isuien Garden, Yoshikien Garden, then return to Kyoto.

Any suggestions on what else to do in Nara?

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**D9 (21 NOV, TUE)**

**Nishiki Market, Ginkakuji and walking down the Philosopher’s path to Higashiyama**

9am – Nishiki Market

11am – Ginkakuji, then walk down the Philosopher’s Path to Eikando and Nanzenji Temple.

3pm – Walk to Maruyama Park, Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji Temple, Kiyomizudera

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**D10 (22 NOV, WED)**

**Travel to Osaka**

12pm – Osaka Aquarium

3pm – Check in to accommodation at Dotonbori and explore Amerikamura and Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street.

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**D11 (23 NOV, THU)**

**Day-trip to Uji**

9am – Ujibashi Bridge, Byodo-in Temple, To-no-shima Island, Asagiribashi Bridge, Uji-jinja and Ujigami-jinja Shrine

5pm – Travel back to Osaka and explore Dotonbori.

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**D12 (24 NOV, FRI)**

**Namba, Shinsekai and teamLab exhibition**

9am – Kuromon Market

11am – Den Den Town

3pm – Shinsekai

5pm – Nagai Botanical Garden and teamLab Botanical Garden

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**D13 (25 NOV, SAT)**

**Himeji Castle and Hiroshima**

8am – Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden

1pm – Travel to Hiroshima and visit Peace Memorial Park

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**D14 (26 NOV, SUN)**

**Day-trip to Miyajima**

8am – Omotesando Shopping Street, Senjokaku Pavilion, Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in Temple

12pm – Hike the Daisho-in route up Mount Misen and take the Ropeway down from Shishiiwa Station

4pm – Momijidani Park, visit Itsukushima Shrine again to watch the sunset and illuminations, then travel back to Hiroshima.

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**D15 (27 NOV, MON)**

**Travel to Tokyo, then Harajuku and Shinjuku**

1pm – Takeshita-dori and Tokyu Plaza Harajuku

5pm – Check in at accommodation at Shinjuku, then Isetan Shinjuku and Omoide Yokocho.

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**D16 (28 NOV, TUE)**

**Tsukiji Outer Market, Ginza and Akihabara**

9am – Tsukiji Outer Market

11am – Ginza

2pm – Akihabara

Not a big fan of shopping, so not expecting to spend a long time at Ginza.

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**D17 (29 NOV, WED)**

**Shimokitazawa and ???**

9am – Explore the streets of Shimokitazawa.

Any suggestions on interesting spots and other things to do nearby? Not planning to spend the whole day in Shimokitazawa.

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D18 **(30 NOV, THU)**

**Free day and flight home at 6pm**

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Thanks for reading and my apologies if there are any formatting errors!

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