First time in Japan/ 18 days in October

Hi everyone!

Obligatory disclaimer, I am still very new to reddit, so please let me know if I have missed anything, and my first language is not English, please be kind if I made any mistakes.

One of my erasmus (study abroad) friends is getting married in October. She and her fiancé are both Japanese, and are getting married in Tokio. She has invited me and my boyfriend to her wedding, and we have decided to take the opportunity to extend our trip and visit Japan.

As first timers, and with the help of friends, tiktok/instagram recommendations and google, we have decided on the following itinerary:

5th/6th October: Flying from Barcelona to Narita airport we arrive at ~ 9am.

6th October: After going through the passport/security checks in the airport, we wanted (if possible) to send our bags to the hotel. We are staying close to the Tokio station.
We also wanted to visit Asakusa and Sumida, and Senso-Ji during the day.

7th October: Visit Roppongi and the tokio tower. We have been recommended to eat in Gonpanchi.
Then we wanted to walk around Shinjuku and Harajuku (visiting Yoyogui park and Meji sanctuary)
If we have enough time, visit Shibuya.

8th October: Visit the imperial palace, and the Tsukiji market. Stroll around Ginza.

9th October: Wedding. My friend is getting married in the morning. If we have time in the afternoon (not sure how long is a wedding in Japan usually), visit the Tokio Lab Planets (I have seen there are 2, but I don’t know wich is better to visit. We are a couple (25-30yo)).

10th October: visit Ueno and Akihabara.

11th October: Mt. fuji daytrip.

13th October: Trip to Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Jinja, walking around Gion and Miyagawacho. Ginkaku-ji.

14th October: Hiroshima daytrip.

15th October: Nara and Fushimi Inari

16th October: Arashiyama, Iwatayama, Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji. In the afternoon, visit the imperial palace and the Nijo castle.

17th October: Trip to Osaka. Dotonburi, and Osaka castle. Watch the sunset from Umeda Sky Building.

18th October: Visit Tennoji park, Sumiyoshi Taisha, Isshinji Tennoji and Shi-Tennoji. In the afternoon/evening walk around Dendentown.

19th October: Universal studios Japan.

20th October: Trip to Kanazawa. In the afternoon walk around Higashi Chaya and Kazuemuchi Chaya.

21st October: Visit the Kenrokuen gardens, walk around Kanzawa castle. Visit the Maeda Seisonkaku, Oyama sanctuary and the Myoryuji temple.

22nd October: trip back to Tokio (and celebrate my birthday)

23rd October: flight back to Barcelona.

I am concerned some days have too much activity and some might have too little. I am also looking into wether the JrPass would be worth it for this trip.

I would appreciate feedback on everything.

Thank you very much for reading!!

4 comments
  1. * Make sure you get the “Welcome Suica” card to make traveling between train/metro alot easier instead of buying individual tickets
    * 7 Day JR Pass might be worth it : Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Osaka-Nara-Osaka-Tokyo?
    * Where exactly are you staying?
    * You need to use a JR pass calculator to make sure it’s worth it or breaks even.
    * **IF YOU BUY THE JR PASS – BUY IT BEFORE THE OCTOBER 1st Price Increase**

  2. **6th October: After going through the passport/security checks in the airport, we wanted (if possible) to send our bags to the hotel. We are staying close to the Tokio station. We also wanted to visit Asakusa and Sumida, and Senso-Ji during the day.**

    Re: Yes you can forward your luggage to your hotel

    https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/service/svc_05

  3. **17th October: Trip to Osaka. Dotonburi, and Osaka castle. Watch the sunset from Umeda Sky Building.**

    **18th October: Visit Tennoji park, Sumiyoshi Taisha, Isshinji Tennoji and Shi-Tennoji. In the afternoon/evening walk around Dendentown.**

    Re: Get the Osaka 2 day amazing pass

    [https://www.osp.osaka-info.jp/en/about/about_2day.html](https://www.osp.osaka-info.jp/en/about/about_2day.html)

    [https://www.osp.osaka-info.jp/en/facility/free](https://www.osp.osaka-info.jp/en/facility/free)

    [https://www.osp.osaka-info.jp/en/model/model01.html](https://www.osp.osaka-info.jp/en/model/model01.html)

    ^^ Itinerary

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