Hello! Wanted to get a itinerary check from you experts. It’ll be my first time in Japan and I will be visiting a friend who moved there recently. I just wanted to make sure the itinerary makes sense, especially the logistics of traveling between cities. I tried to spread things out so I wasn’t too rushed.
**Day 1 (11/18):**
Land at HND in afternoon. Activate eSim. Plan to check in, grab dinner, and just relax.
**Day 2 (11/19):**
Free day. Possibly Studio Ghibli? DisneySea vs DisneyLand. Or Akihabara.
**Day 3 (11/20):**
**AM:** Tsukiji market -> TeamLab
**PM:** Roppongi
**Day 4 (11/21) :**
**AM:** Meiji Jingu
**PM:** Shibuya and Harajuku -> Kabukicho
**Day 5 (11/22)**
**AM:** Kimono rental in Asakusa -> Senso-ji
**PM:** Shinjuku -> Golden Gai?
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**Day 6 (11/23)**
Thanksgiving day with friends
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**Day 7 (11/24)**
Kamakura Day Trip
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**Day 8 (11/25) – This is where I start needing help**
I booked a night at Kashiwaya in Shima Onsen. I’m finding it hard to get clear directions there as there are two methods. One requires multiple transfers (doesn’t seem to be covered by JR at all) and the other is the limited Kusatsu line (which is covered by JR Rail pass?). Does anyone have first hand experience with using a JR rail pass to get up there or use that train line?
**Day 9 (11/26)**
**AM:** Return to Tokyo
**PM:** Free / Do laundry.
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**Day 10 (11/27)**
**AM:** Train to Kyoto
**PM:** Explore Gion
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**Day 11 (11/28)**
**AM:** Fushimi Inari + Rengeo-in Temple
**PM:** Photoshoot with Esperanto (geisha makeover)
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Day 12 (11/29)
**AM:** Arashiyama Forest + Tenryuji + Kinkakuji – > Lunch by Katsura River
**PM:** Free
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**Day 13 (11/30)**
AM: Kiyamizudera + Eikando (for momiji)
PM: Free
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**Day 14 (12/1)**
Day trip to Himeji
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**Day 15 (12/2)**
**AM:** Morning train to Osaka – > Shittenoji
**PM:** Dotonbori and Ferris Wheel
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**Day 16 (12/3)**
**AM:** Train back to Tokyo
**PM:** Free
**Day 17 (12/4)**
Fly back home.
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I’ve done all the JR pass calculators and unfortunately none of them include this Kusatsu line for the onsens. I think before the price increase, the JR rail pass would be very, very slightly cheaper. However, if it does cover the Kusatsu round trip, then it was cheaper to buy the rail pass.
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