Hello all! I’m spending 21 days in Japan starting towards the end of October and am curious to hear thoughts on my itinerary. I was born in Japan (moved overseas as a toddler) and speak Japanese, but this will be my first solo trip around the country (early 20s). I’ve planned a general itinerary but have a JR Pass for three weeks and am fairly flexible, so would love to hear people’s thoughts and advice. Cheers!
Day 1 – Day 5: Tokyo
Travelling in from Narita Airport in the morning, staying in Asakusa (super close to a JR station). Besides the odd shrine or two, I’m planning to get my shopping and manga/anime fix while in Tokyo.
Day 1
– Shinjuku
– Harajuku
– Meiji Jingu
– Shibuya
Day 2
– Akihabara
– Ueno (Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Park)
– (If time permits) Nakano Broadway
Day 3
– Ghibli Museum
– Ikebukuro
– Free time (recommendations?)
Day 4
– Senso Ji early morning
– Asakusa
– Free time (recommendations?)
Day 5
– Free time, meeting with family in Tokyo for lunch.
Day 6 – Day 10: Kyoto
Travel in from Tokyo in the morning. Staying near Kyoto Station. I’d like to get my shrine and temple fix while in Kyoto, but dedicate my time to a few rather than try and visit every single one.
Day 6
– Kyoto Gyoen
– Kyoto Gosho
– Nijo Jo
– General central Kyoto
Day 7
– Nanzenji Temple (early morning, I hear it’s an Autumn must)
– Eikando Temple
– Philosophers Path
– Ginkaku Ji
– General eastern Kyoto (recommendations?)
– It’s also Halloween this date, so anything interesting in Kyoto?
Day 8
– Fushimi Inari (early morning)
– Undecided: head to Kurama Temple and Kifune Shrine
Day 9
– Day Trip to Nara
Day 10
– Arashiyama
– Tenryuji
– Kinkaku Ji (undecided)
– Evening travel to Kumamoto
Day 11 – Day 18: Kyushu
I have family in Kumamoto so will be spending a week or so there. Also I’m a huge One Piece fan so will be making the most of being in Kumamoto for that lol. Otherwise, I have a JR Pass and am thinking about heading to Aso, Fukuoka, and Hiroshima on day trips.
Day 19: Osaka
Travel up from Kumamoto in the morning. Stay the night in Osaka. No real plans yet. I’ve visited Osaka before so don’t feel like I have to spend a huge amount of time here.
Day 20: Hakone
Travel up from Osaka in the morning. Stay the night in Hakone.
Day 21: Tokyo and departure
Travel up from Hakone in the morning. Head to Narita Airport and depart in the evening.
1 comment
> autumn must
Nanzenji on Halloween will still be green, it’s not an autumn must until late November when the leaves actually turn red/orange. In fact you are perfectly missing foliage season everywhere on your trip.
If you want fall colors you’ll have to head north or to higher elevation. The easiest for your trip might be somewhere like Nikko.