Hi all,
I’m currently in the midst of trying to plan my first trip to Japan in mid-November and getting a bit overwhelmed looking at different blogs and videos etc. I’d really appreciate it if you could take a look over my tentative itinerary and give your feedback, recommendations and answer a few questions.
This is what I have so far:
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**Nov 11: Kansai Airport > Osaka**
Arrive at KIX 5.30pm.
Dinner around Dotonbori (hotel nearby)
Tombori river walk
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**Nov 12: Osaka > Kyoto**
Osaka Castle
Shinsekai
Shinsaibashisuji & Ghibli Store
Hozenji/Hozenji Yokocho
Travel to Kyoto after dinner
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**Nov 13: Kyoto**
Fushimi Inari (aiming to get there for 6/6.30am)
Nishiki Market
Kiyomizu dera
Higashiyama
Walk down towards Yasaka Jinja
Explore Gion and Pontocho
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**Nov 14: Kyoto**
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (around 6am)
Sagano train
Bookbinding workshop (2h)
Higashiyama Jisho-ji
Philosopher’s Path
**Nov 15: Kyoto > Tokyo**
Not quite sure with this day, I have 2 options
*Option 1* \- leave Kyoto early > Nara > Tokyo late evening arrival (would send luggage via delivery)
I feel like this might be too much though
*Option 2* \- take it easy and spend the morning doing anything we missed in Kyoto
Leave Kyoto around 1/2pm for Tokyo
Explore Senso-ji shrine and Asakusa (hotel in Asakusa)
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**Nov 16: Tokyo**
Shirohige’s cream puff factory
Meiji Jingu
Shinjuku
Harajuku
Shibuya
Shibuya Sky
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**Nov 17: Tokyo**
TeamLab Planets
Tsukiji Market
Ginza
Roppongi?
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**Nov 18: Tokyo > Yokohama > Kamakura > Tokyo**
Cup Noodles Museum (only reason for visiting yokohama lol is it worth it?)
Kamakura
**Nov 19: Tokyo > Hakone > Tokyo**
Hakone jinja shrine
Lake Ashi boat trip
Owakudani
(Tokyo days are interchangeable so will check forecast for Fuji visibility and go that day)
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**Nov 20: Tokyo**
Yanaka
Ueno Park
Kanda Jinbocho
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**Nov 21: Tokyo**
Museum day but not decided yet.
Probably do a cooking or craft workshop
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**Nov 22: Tokyo > Narita airport**
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How feasible is this itinerary? Am I over/under estimating how long I’ll be spending in each place?
A bit concerned about Nov 16th with Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya being on the same day but made sense on the map. I’m not a big shopper, so I don’t anticipate spending too much time in the stores, but who knows… I’ll probably do Harajuku and maybe Shibuya on the last day if needed, as don’t really have anything planned then.
Am I missing anything that’s a definite “must see/do”?
Also, the hotel I’ve booked is in Asakusa (free cancellation), but having looked at travel around Tokyo, I think it might be better to stay near a stop on the Yamanote line. Which area would you recommend or would Asakusa be okay?
Any advice or recommendations would be much appreciated! Thanks 😊