Hello everyone!
I am traveling to Japan for 8 days in late September with my wife. We want to come up with a loose plan that will allow us to be flexible and enjoy our trip without getting exhausted.
We will probably skip the JR pass. We did the math and looks like based on the current plan we are barely breaking even unless we stop at Fuji Station to enjoy views of Mount Fuji. That is something we still need to decide on.
**Itinerary**
Day 0
Narita -> Kyoto
\- Arrive at Narita around 3:30pm + get the pocket wifi
\- Narita Express to Tokyo + shinkansen to Kyoto
\- Check in at the hotel near Gion
Day 1
\- Kinkakuji
\- Nishiki Fish Market
\- Walk around Gion + visit Kiyomizu-dera
\- Yasaka-jinja Shrine (maybe some others if time allows, open to recommendations)
Day 2
\- Fushimi Inari
\- Nara
\- Head to Osaka for an evening hangout + dinner in Dotonbori
Day 3
\- Visit shrines/temples
\- Shinkansen to Tokyo
\- Switch trains and stop at Fuji Station on the way to Tokyo? Is it worthwhile?
\- Check in at the hotel in Ginza
\- Head out for dinner + drinks
Day 4
\- Meiji Jingu
\- Harajuku
\- Shinjuku
\- Lunch
\- Ghibli Museum at 2-2:30pm (already bought the tickets)
\- Shopping at Kichijoji + dinner at Harmonica Yokocha Alley?
Day 5
\- Teamlab Planets (planning to buy morning tickets)
\- Tsukiji Fish Market (should we visit Toyosu instead?
\- Ginza
Day 6
\- Asakusa
\- Nakamise-dori Street
\- Senso-ji
\- Orange Street
\- Mori Art Museum
\- Tokyo National Museum
Day 7
\- Shibuya Crossing
\- Shibuya Sky
\- Pokemon center
\- Kabukicho + Golden Gai
Day 8
\- Extra time until noon for shopping or whatever we planned but couldn’t do
\- Arrive at Narita at 2pm
2 comments
>Day 2
– Fushimi Inari
– Nara
– Head to Osaka for an evening hangout + dinner in Dotonbori
3 prefectures in a single day? Kyoto and Nara is very walk heavy, you will be very tired.
I think you are spending too much time in Tokyo and too little in Kyoto/Osaka. In addition, you are trying to squeeze-in Nara on a rushed day. Your Day 5 and 7 can be one day essentially with still some time remaining. Consider a day trip to Mt Fuji / Kawaguchiko to make the most out of your Tokyo stay.
We just returned from our 8 day Japan trip. We weren’t too impressed by Kiyomizu-dera after a long uphill walk. We infact like Ninnaji (close to Kinkakuji) a lot more which was less crowded and had a beautiful pagoda.
In general, we found [japan-guide.com](https://japan-guide.com) recommendations and ratings for Japan’s attractions quite on point.