Hey!
My partner and I are off to Japan next weekend and would love some opinions on our time there. I have looked up some things to do each day but unsure if there was anything different we should be doing or how these things will go based on the time we are there.
We have booked our Disneyland tickets and in the process of buying the Universal studios ones.
We have purchased a JR pass and will be getting an IC card as well.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
**17th September – Tokyo**
Arrive 6.05pm
**18th September – Tokyo**
Zoo, Nakamise Street, Senso-ji temple, Tokyo Skytree, Akihabara shops/claw machines, Manseibashi, Baseball
**19th September – Tokyo**
Disneyland
**20th September – Tokyo**
Shibuya and Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Hedgehog Café, Shibuya Crossing/Scramble Square, Metropolitan Government Building (sunset)
**21st September – Tokyo/Hakone**
unknown??
Travel to Hakone
**22nd September – Hakone**
Cable car to Sounzen. From there, you’ll board a ropeway to Owakudani where you can check out the volcanic activity and sample some sulphuric eggs, and then continue on the ropeway to Togendai. Next up: a pirate ship! Yes, really. You’ll be able to grab a ride on the boat that sails across Lake Ashi from Togendai to Hakone-machi, and then walk around the lake to Moto Hakone. From there, you’ll be able to jump on a bus to the starting point! It’s an easy circular journey that’ll expose you to pretty views of Mount Fuji and the surrounding area.
Travel to Kyoto
**23rd September – Kyoto**
Fushimi Inari Taisha (EARLY!!!), Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu temple, Higashiyama or Gion
**24th September – Kyoto/Hiroshima**
unknown?
Travel to Hiroshima
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
**25th September – Hiroshima/Osaka**
Ferry – Miyajima Island (deer), Great Torii of the Itsukushima Shrine, Shukkei-en Garden, Children’s Peace Monument
Travel to Osaka
**26th September- Osaka**
Osaka Castle, Night aquarium, Umeda Sky Building, Yodobashi Umeda electronics store
**27th September – Osaka**
*Universal Studios*
**28th September – Osaka/ Tokyo**
Travel to Tokyo (staying at Narita Airport Hotel)
**29th September**
Fly Home 10am
15 comments
I see you have both major theme parks in there but really only one day in Kyoto. It’s worth at least 2 days (if not more!)
I enjoyed spending a full day on Miyajima island (first ferry there, last ferry back) since I did the hike up Mount Misen, ate the delicious street food (maple pastry and oysters were really good), and followed the tide chart to walk up to the floating torii. The shinto shrine was incredibly peaceful and beautiful close to the closing time as well. I stayed in Hiroshima for two nights as a result.
I did my sightseeing for the half day prior to Miyajima as well as the half day after, which I considered enough time for Hiroshima. They have a special style of okonomiyaki, which I recommend trying.
I’ve been to Japan twice (one month the first time, three weeks the second) and I still haven’t had any interest in going to Osaka. I would second the recommendation to spend more time in Kyoto than just one day.
Any chance to hit Sapporo? I just went and it was sooo lit. It’s actually a pretty romantic city as well. Autumn fest will be going on until the end of September, so Odori Park will be happening!
This may not bother you but just bear in mind Japan is still insanely hot even in September. Prepare to sweat!
The only heads up I’ll give you is that the zoo is closed on Mondays, so you wouldn’t be able to go on the 18th
I highly recommend DisneySea over disney land but be prepared to spend $100 to skip lines. Disney sea is a one of a kind park and aimed towards adults vs Disneyland. Source: I just visited both last week. As for Kyoto I’m still here and 4 days wasn’t enough. I absolutely loved it. Check out the samurai Museum and Nishiki Market.
Osaka to Tokyo is like 3 hours tops. A whole day just to travel seems too much.
I’m planning a similarly stacked day in Kyoto and I’d be curious to know how you go with your 1.5 day itinerary.
For my Kyoto trip,
I’m planning to train in from Osaka and arrive at about 8:30am to 9:00am and clim Fushimi Inari first, before moving along to Higashiyama, Philosopher’s Path and Nikishi Market for lunch.
After lunch, planning to try and squeeze in Kinkakuji Temple but the commute is quite long.
If it doesn’t pan out, my plan is to visit downtown and loiter around Gion into the evening before heading back to Osaka.
I’m also planning a half day in Nara the next day, and heading back to Kyoto for an evening – to try and squeeze in Arashiyama Bamboo grove and possibly a dip at Fu-fu-no-yu Onsen before heading back to Osaka.
Hi!
I don’t know where you are copying and pasting from regarding Hakone on 9/22, but just be prepared that 1) You might not seen Mt. Fuji. Views are not even close to guaranteed. I’ve been to Moto Hakone and Owakudani a good 2 or 3 times in decent Fuji viewing months and weather, (March and October) and didn’t see Mt. Fuji. 2) The Pirate Boat is not that exciting. It’s a boat that looks like a pirate ship, yes, but there is no dressing up like pirates or singing pirate songs or anything, It’s kitschy and I personally find it the least fun part of the Hakone loop.
I’ve noticed it is a trend for people to pack itineraries and want to do Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizudera in one day. I think it is a disservice to both locations, but not my money, not my trip.
EDIT: I just want to make clear I’ve been to Hakone more than 2-3x. Those are just from what I remember the number of times I went to areas during months when Mt Fuji is sometimes visible. I am not counting Hakone trips where it would not ever be physically possible to see Mt Fuji and/or ones in June. September doesn’t rate highly for chances to see Mt. Fuji either:
https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-fuji_mountain/in-mount_fuji/article-a0002532/#:~:text=It%20is%20visible%20from%20Tokyo,visible%20from%20autumn%20to%20winter.
Good luck!
I would add Ginza
I came back a week ago from a two week trip.
First of all: you are going to have a great time.
My advice: try not to do it all. The best thing about Japan is that it will nearly always pleasantly surprise you if you turn different corners. Plenty of great tourist attractions for sure, but so many more amazing discoveries once you start wandering around aimlessly.
I think you have to drop something from the Kyoto day. Going from Kyoto to Fushimi, doing the hike to the top I assume and going back. Then back to Kyoto Station, and on to maybe Nijo? Doing Nijo. That’s already a big part of the day.
Check out the open air museum in Hakone and stay at a ryokan. You could also skip the overly touristy cable car/ship/bus thing and just do some hikes in the area and enjoy the vibes
If you have time in Hakone, the open-air meusem is great. Lots of really beautiful sculptures and a good Picasso exhibit, it all exceeded my expectations by quite a lot.
Hi! Have you booked the baseball on Sep/18? Since that’s a public holiday in Japan, the stadium should be full of people and so I would recommend to book it in advance. If you’re not done yet, I think you can talk to [them](https://www.japansportsticket.com) , quite helpful.
anyway, enjoy your Japan trip!