Greetings, fellow travelers! My three friends and I have put together a 13-day high-level itinerary for our upcoming journey to Japan. We are eagerly seeking your insights and recommendations to refine it further. We are on the cusp of immersing ourselves in Japan’s captivating culture, rich history, and awe-inspiring attractions. Here is our preliminary agenda:
**Period**:
November 15th – 30th, 2023.
**Preliminary Itinerary Summary \[13 full days\] :**
6 destinations: Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hakone
16th: Arrival at *Narita* around 17:55
17th – 19th: Tokyo **(3 days)**
20th: Nikko **(1 day) \*\*NOT SURE**
21st – 24th: Kyoto **(4 days)**
25th: Nara **(1 day)**
26th – 27th: Osaka **(2 days) \*\*NOT SURE**
28th: Hakone **(1 day) \*\*NOT SURE**
29th: Tokyo **(1 day)**
30th: Flight departs from *Haneda* around 00:00
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***\*\*Transportation\*\* NOT SURE***
**Considering the following destinations**:
Narita to Tokyo: 1,000-3,000 yen
Tokyo to Nikko **(roundtrip)**: 5,000-11,000 yen
Tokyo to Kyoto: 13,000-13,500 yen
Kyoto to Nara **(roundtrip)**: 1,400 yen
Kyoto to Osaka: 500 yen
Osaka to Hakone: 12,000-12,500 yen
Hakone to Tokyo: 1,500-3,500 yen
|Our Total |34,400-45,400 yen||
|:-|:-|:-|
|7-day Japan Rail Pass |29,650 yen|pays off|
|14-day Japan Rail Pass |47,250 yen|close call|
Using [https://www.japan-guide.com/](https://www.japan-guide.com/) calculator and **excluding Tokyo transportations**
While aiming to maximize savings with the 7-day JR Pass for this itinerary is appealing, our current plans might not completely align within that time frame, unlike the 14-day JR Pass. In fact, this option would necessitate rescheduling by extending our stay in Tokyo for an additional 2 days. This would involve moving the Nikko visit to the 22nd (with a compensation of two days to be made for the subsequent destinations), and planning a late departure to Tokyo on the 28th. Your insights and suggestions on this would be highly appreciated.
**The guidelines we used for contributing to the itinerary:**
\- Place below every name of a city the places you’d like to visit
\- If a place is already placed, please put an \* near to it
\- If it’s a full day activity, place a mark ❗
\- If it’s a night activity, place a blue moon emoji ☾
\- If you have a “can’t miss” place, put a °
**Experiences not city related**
\- Karaoke ° ☾
\- Maid café ° ☾
\- Savor High
\- Quality Sushi ☾
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**Days 15-16 (flight and accomodation)**
We will be arriving at Narita Airport at 17:55, November 16th and probably reach Tokyo (Shibuya/Ueno) hotel between 20:00 and 21:00
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**Destination 1: Tokyo (Days 17-19)**
\- Kamakura’s Big Buddha ° ❗
\- Akihabara ° ❗
\- Meiji Jingu Sanctuary and Tranquil Park- Shinjuku °
\- Shibuya (Hachiko) °
\- Kabuki-cho- Tokyo Tower
\- Skyline from parliament building- Fish Market- Explore Odaiba and Gundam °
\- Asakusa Shrine
\- Tokyo Imperial Castle
\- Square Enix- Skytree
\- Roppongi’s Nightlife- Ghibli Museum ° ❗
\- Harajuku
\- Cat or Owl Café- Shibuya / Akihabara Concert ° ☾
\- Ueno °
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***\*\*Destination 2: Nikko Day Trip and Return to Tokyo (Day 20)\*\* NOT SURE***
\- Nikko Sanctuary ❗
\- Tamozawa Goyōtei
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**Destination 3: Kyoto (Days 21-24)**
\- Ascend to Fushimi Inari’s Summit ° ❗
\- Theatrical Arts and Performances- Kiyomizu-dera Temple °
\- Golden Pavilion (Kinkakujin)- Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji)
\- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove °
\- Ryoan-ji, Nanzen-ji, and Daitoku-ji
\- Gion °
​
**Destination 4: Nara (Day 25)**
\- Nara’s city ° ❗
\- Todaiji Temple °
\- Nigatsudo at Todai-ji
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***\*\*Destination 5: Osaka (Days 26-27)\*\* NOT SURE***
\- City Center (Dotonbori)
\- Crab delicacies at Local Restaurants
\- Osaka Castle
\- Hoshida Park
\- Mozu Tombs’ Historical Significance
\- Izakaya
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***\*\*Destination 6: Hakone (Day 28)\*\* NOT SURE***
\- Bath in hot springs
\- Gaze upon Ashinoko Lake
\- landscape of Owakudani
\- Hakone Shrine
\- Odawara Castle
\- Hakone Tozan Train
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**Tokyo (Day 29)**
An opportune day to catch missed attractions before leaving Tokyo at 19:30 in order to head to Tokyo Haneda Airport.
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I’m extremely grateful for your time and suggestions. Thank you in advance!
3 comments
I don’t suggest going to any exotic animal cafes including the owl one, they’re super unethical and just really sad honestly.
I would suggest swapping out Nikko and doing a day trip to either Kamakura or Fujikawaguchiko.
Fuck the animal cafes, as already noted. Unless you are into cruelty. Osaka Castle is a reconstructed piece of concrete shit. Nanzen-ji and Daitoku-ji are monasteries: you wont get much out them unless you are in them.