Hey everyone- taking my first trip to Japan in just over a month. Putting the finishing touches on an itinerary and appreciate feedback / a sanity check. A little concerned my pacing might be a little ambitious, but I’m traveling solo and can shuffle things around if it makes sense to do so (the only confirmed bookings right now are my flights, hotels, and JR Pass). I would really appreciate any advice on my itinerary in Kyoto and how to structure my time there (I’m generally a fast walker).
**Day 1 (Sat Oct 14 – TOKYO)**
* Arrive HND around 15:00 from IAD, withdraw money from ATM @ Airport, transfer to hotel in Shinjuku.
* Explore Shinjuku a bit, visit Tocho-Mae observation deck, dinner in Shinjuku, bed.
**Day 2 (Sun Oct 15 – TOKYO)**
* AM: Ueno Park / Asakusa area. Visit Tokyo National Museum and Shitamachi Museum, walk along Kappabashi-Dogu, visit Senso-ji Temple. Explore / lunch in Asakusa.
* PM: Sumida Hosukai and Sword Museums, venture back to hotel, disco nap at hotel, explore Shibuya, with dinner and drinks there (would like to do a semi-splurge meal since it’s my actual birthday).
**Day 3 (Mon Oct 16 – TOKYO)**
* AM: Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast, TeamLab Planets.
* PM: Late-ish lunch in Ginza, check out Uniqlo, head back to hotel via Imperial Palace area for a disco nap. Venture to Yoyogi Park / Meiji Shrine if it’s open.
**Day 4 (Tue Oct 17 – TOKYO / KAMAKURA)**
* AM: Get early train to Kamakura (leave Shinjuku Station NLT 9:00), visit shrines and temples in Kamakura, lunch in Kamakura.
* PM: Return to Tokyo NLT 15:30, belated birthday Omakase dinner (still need to book).
**Day 5 (Wed Oct 18 – TOKYO / KYOTO)**
* AM: Check out of hotel, catch early Hikari to Kyoto. Store bag on arrival, visit Kyoto Railway Museum, To-ji Temple, get lunch near Kyoto Station
* PM: Pick up bag and drop-off at hotel in Sanjo (check-in if possible). Walk through Gion, and up Philosopher’s Path, visiting shrines and temples along the way. Dinner in Pontocho.
**Day 6 (Thu Oct 19 – KYOTO)**
* AM: Wake early and head to Fushimi Inari shrine. Visit Fushimi Inari before it gets too crowded, visit Daigo-ji Temple. Return to hotel and have lunch at Nishiki Market.
* PM: Laundry near hotel. Drop clean clothes, then see Kinkakuji. Dinner+drinks near hotel.
**Day 7 (Fri Oct 20 – KYOTO / NARA / OSAKA)**
* AM: Check out of Kyoto hotel and depart for Nara via Kintetsu. Store bag, and visit Nara Park shrines+temples, lunch.
* PM: Nara National Museum, train to Osaka (leave NLT 15:30), check into hotel in Namba. Food / Izakaya tour.
**Day 8 (Sat Oct 21 – OSAKA)**
* AM: Osaka Castle / History Museum, explore Kuromon Market, lunch near market.
* PM: Gamba Osaka match, explore Dotonbori in the evening. Dinner in Dotonbori.
**Day 9 (Sun Oct 22 – OSAKA / HIROSHIMA)**
* AM: Check out of hotel, take Hikari / Sakura to Hiroshima lunch (Ekiben) on train.
* PM: Arrive Hiroshima, drop bag at hotel, check in if possible. Peace Museum, Peace Park, A-Bomb Dome.
**Day 10 (Mon Oct 23 – HIROSHIMA)**
* AM: Depart for Miyajima. Explore shrines and island. Lunch on Miyajima.
* PM: Return to Hiroshima. Find post office and ship things home.
**Day 11 (Tue Oct 24 – HIROSHIMA / HIMEJI / TOKYO)**
* AM: Check out of hotel, take Shinkansen to Himeji. Visit Himeji Castle.
* PM: Take Hikari to Tokyo. Lunch (Ekiben) on train. Check into hotel in Shinjuku, dinner in Shinjuku / Yoyogi / Shibuya area.
**Day 12 (Wed Oct 24 – TOKYO)**
* AM: Check out of hotel, transfer to HND for 10:55 flight to IAD.
2 comments
What is a disco nap?
Why not go to Nara after Fushimi Inari ? They are on the same JR line. This would free up some time the following day.
For context – a few days ago , I did the Fushimi Inari climb, came back down and then went to Nara. On the return, I stopped at Uji for Byodin temple and some matcha. Was back in Kyoto by 5 ish.