I’m planning to go to Japan for the first time and I’m also going alone. I made a rough itinerary after doing some research and would like to get some feedback.
**November 2nd – Day 0 – Germany**
* Flying to Tokyo
**November 3rd – Day 1 – Tokyo**
* Arrival in Tokyo at 1pm
* Hotel check-in and getting some rest
* Exploring the city and eating dinner
**November 4th – Day 2 – Tokyo**
* Explore Shibuya
* Go to Akihabara and check out some retro game and electronic stores
* Visit Sensoji-Temple
* Go to Sumida River, maybe take a cruise on it
**November 5th – Day 3 – Tokyo**
* Daytrip to Toshogu-Shrine in Nikko
**November 6th – Day 4 – Tokyo**
* Explore the city and do some shopping
* Have some drinks in Izakaya Alley
**November 7th – Day 5 – Tokyo**
* Check out teamLab Planets
**November 8th – Day 6 – Tokyo**
* Food tour, eat some Ramen etc.
**November 9th – Day 7 – Tokyo -> Kyoto**
* Train from Tokyo to Kyoto
* Check into Hotel
* Explore Kyoto and eat dinner
**November 10th – Day 8 – Kyoto**
* Visit Nishiki Market
* Fushimi Inari Shrine
**November 11th – Day 9 – Kyoto**
* Sushi Making class
* Visit some temples
**November 12th – Day 10 – Kyoto**
* Bamboo Forest
* Explore Gion
**November 13th – Day 11 – Kyoto -> Osaka**
* Train from Kyoto to Osaka
* Check into Hotel
* Explore Osaka and eat dinner
**November 14th – Day 12 – Osaka**
* Umeda Sky Building
* Visit Osaka Castle
**November 15th Day 13 – Osaka**
* Osaka Aquarium
* Explore Shinsekai
**November 16th Day 14 Osaka -> Tokyo**
* Train from Osaka to Tokyo
* Just do whatever I feel like, probably eat some food and get drinks
**November 17th Day 15 Tokyo**
* Flight back home
Some questions about this itinerary:
* Is this managable in the timeframe that I’m planning?
* Should I stick to this route or do you recommend replacing something with other activities or places?
* Is there anything that I definitely shouldn’t miss that I should add to my list?
* Should I take a winter jacket or is a light jacket okay for that time of the year?
* Would like to have some general idea about whether all of those things are doable when traveling alone.
Thank you!
4 comments
Usually I tell people that their itineraries are too packed, but your’s is quite sparse! That said, I like it as you’re leaving your options open. You itinerary is definitely doable in that time and you have breathing room to add things to it.
The time you’re planning to visit might coincide with momiji season (autumn colours) so the temples and shrines might be extra busy while you’re there, but it’s worth it. I can recommend some good places for momiji viewing in Kyoto if you are interested.
Weather wise November is similar to European autumns, maybe slightly warmer, so expect fluctuation in temperatures. But a light jacket and a jumper should be fine.
Welkom! Hope you enjoy your first trip here!
I think your plan is not too packed and should be easily doable. If you seek for efficiency, Day 10, bamboo forest and Gion area are sort of faraway so you might want to do Gion together with Nishiki market, for example.
I used to be a Kyoto tourguide and from that perspective, it’ll be a bit too early to enjoy autumn leaves in Kyoto. Instead I guess Nikko should be in a good season so I might have a one night stay at Nikko if I were you.
Regarding Kyoto dinner, there’s a cosy izakaya close to the middle of the town. The boss’s English is not so good but the food and their courtesy is great. I used to work there so I can arrange it if you’re interested.
Anyway, enjoy your trip!!
If you feel like squeezing it in, i’d highly recomend a daytrip from Osaka to Himeji and check out the Himeji Castle. Absolutely stunning. A dinner stop in Kobe on the way back for some beef worked out great on my last trip.
Bamboo forest has a temple nearby that if you go there and climb the mountain (hill) behind it you can feed monkeys