Hello,
I’m 18 (f) and planning to travel around Japan for about a month. I’ve been taking a gap year, saved quite a bit of money, and would love to travel a bit before University. I’m aware that I won’t really be able to go out drinking, clubbing ect. (I’ll still try though), and so I’ve planned an itinerary of things I think I’ll enjoy.
I’m just a bit confused about if I’m staying at places too long, or if I should just miss towns entirely. I’ve been to Japan once before for a school trip, and especially loved Kyoto + the temples, and shopping in the markets. I’d love some help with changing my itinerary if it sounds horrible, and have included everything I’m interested in doing at the different locations.
I’m planning to go to Japan from 05/12/2023 to 08/01/2023. This means it’s Winter which might change what I can do, but I’m really open to anything. I love the arts, nature, and culture, and I used to watch anime so I wouldn’t mind looking around at a bunch of different things. I’m not worried at all about traveling alone, and I’m confident I can make it around 🙂
I’ve taken Japanese for about 5 years, so I’m hoping I’ll know enough to get around. I also adored the countryside last time I was in Japan, so wouldn’t mind some suggestions there!
I guess my major concerns are transportation costs, getting bored from seeing too many temples, and spending unnecessary time in places.
TOKYO – 4 DAYS
Yayogi Park + Meiji Jingu Shrine -Shibuya Crossing + Shopping + Shibuya Sky -Godzilla Head -Ghibli Studio -Harajuku
Togo Shrine -Sumida River/Park
Not super sure what else to do in Tokyo…any ideas??
NAGANO – 3 DAYS -Zenko-Ji Temple -Togakushi Shrines + Mountain
Matsumoto and Matsumoto castle -Taisho Pond
Yamanouchi -Karuizawa
NAGOYA – 5 DAYS
Nagoya castle
Atsuta jingu shrine
Osu kannon temple
Sumo tournament?
Toganji temple
Eat Nagoya food (Nagoya mesh)
Toyota techno museum
Nagoya science museum
Shirotori garden
Kiso valley
Inuyama
NARA – 3 DAYS -Todaiji Temple -Horyuji Temple -Omizutori -Usuien Garden -Kasuga Taisha -Nara Park -Wakakuasa Yamayaki -Yakushiji Temple -Nara national museum -Kofuku Ji Temple
Naramachi
KYOTO – 8 DAYS (I’ll be here for Christmas and New Years, and heard about things shutting down during this time. Not sure how this will go.)
Nico castle
Sento palace
Nishiki Market
Kyoto imperial palace
Kiyomizudera
Higashiyama and lion
Ginkakuji
Kyoto national museum
Nanzenji temple
Fushimi inure shrine
Daigoji temple
Tofykuji temple
Tori temple
Kinkakuji
Shugakuin villa
Ninnaji temple
Kibune
Karuma – rural
Kokedera
Katsura villa
Yoshiminedera
Himeji
Kiyomizu dera temple
Philosophers path
Kodaiji temple
Kyoto botanical gardens
Kyoto international manga museum
Arashiyama
Otagi
monkey park
Ohara – rural
HIROSHIMA – 3 DAYS
Peace park and dome
Shukkeien garden
Hiroshima downtown
Hiroshima castle
Miyajima island + mt risen
Onomichi
Omotesando
OSAKA – 3 DAYS
Universal Studios -Minami -Osaka Aquarium -Osaka castle -Shinsekai -Mime park -Mount Kaya
I’m so sorry if I spelt anything wrong. But I’d love some advice on things I should miss out on, or maybe even other places I should go!
You May Also Like
Updated Itinerary with Tips!! May 2023
Hello folks!! You may recall my original rough itinerary that went on for a mile with details, and…
Trip report: Geezer first-timers–May 8-June 5. Last of 3 parts: Tokyo, Nikko, Kamakura
For independent western travelers, Japan demands more planning than, say, a trip through Europe. But the corresponding rewards…
does the ikebukuro animate accept debit card?
HI!!! for context, im staying in the center of ikebukuro and i was planning to go to the…
3 comments
Im planning my itinerary (20 Oct to 10 Nov), this is not really an advice because I know nothing more than you, but here are my 2cents:
– Start lookin at accommodation asap, not only tourists but Japaneses will travel around that time as well, I was looking at some cheap and highly rated hotels for fun today, all booked in 2 weeks before and after new years.
– No love for Hokkaido?, if my trip was in winter, I would def go to Sapporo first.
– Kyoto looks quite pack in term of temple, visiting alot in a short time would get you bored real fast.
– Looking at the events you like and design your trip around that, granted you will have xmas and new year but where would you prefer to stay during that time.
– Budgeting, lot of hidden cost when you stay that long, but your accommodation will def eat up alot.
– Lot of place required advance booking (anything related to Ghibli, Kokedera…)
– The city where I will fly out ( in my case Tokyo) will be where I spend the last 4,5 days of the trip to avoid any potential delay if I were in different city.
I absolutely LOVE living in Nagoya, but I feel like 5 days may be a bit much for tourists! Consider spending time in takayama and/or Gero onsen since they’re super easy to get to from Nagoya! I believe sumo is only in the summer in Nagoya.
I think three days in Nara is too much as well. I would personally do that as a day trip instead.
With how much time you have, I would restructure and add in Hiroshima!
My best friends are traveling to Japan for Christmas-new years and I’m curious to see how it all is too! I think the first few days after NY are the roughest in terms of what will be open. Do your fushimi inari/other stuff that is in nature/always open then.
If you are still going to be in Nara for 3 days, I highly recommend going to Yoshino for a temple hike on the Yoshino Mountain, especially check out Kinpuzen ji and its goshunin cho.
Also Uji is in between Nara and Kyoto, it’s a cool tea town to explore especially with a couple highly known temples such as Byodoin and Uji Jinja. My personal favourite is Manpuku Ji though, as it’s very different to the other temples you would have seen in Kyoto/Nara
And see if any flea markets are opening during your stay , especially in Kyoto where they are hosted in temple grounds. You can usually find sime very interesting Japan only vintage.