Hi all,
I’m looking for any critique or comments regarding my upcoming trip to Japan. I am a solo traveler (30s male), leaving from USA on 11/1. I do have experience in solo travelling. I’m open to any suggestions on any blanks in my itinerary. I want to see the fall color leaves, culture, and FOOD. I don’t really have a budget (within reason) but all my hotels are basically booked (but with free cancellation). Also, I initially planned to get the JR Pass, but it’ll have to be a 14-day pass. I calculated briefly and the JR Pass may not be worth it, but please correct me if I’m wrong. Probably going to travel by rail/metro for the most part, where possible.
I have every day split into morning, noon/afternoon, and evening. I’m skipping Imperial Palace as I’ve been there during a prior layover. I do have a few ??? in there, so if anyone has any “do not miss” maybe I can add it.
NOV 1 – Travel
* Leave USA
NOV 2 – Arrival
* Arrive at Narita Airport approx 4PM
* Take Narita Express, go to hotel (Shinjuku)
NOV 3 – Tokyo (hotel in Shinjuku area)
* Morning: Shibuya area, Shibuya crossing, Shibuya Sky, Shibuya Center
* Afternoon: Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Omotesandao Hills, Yoyogi Park (?)
* Evening: Shinjuku area, Gyoen Garden, Tokyo Metropolitan Gov Building (?), Shinjuku Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho, Kabukichu
NOV 4 – Tokyo (hotel in Shinjuku area)
* Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market, temple nearby, teamLab planets
* Afternoon: ????
* Evening: ????
NOV 5 – Tokyo (hotel in Shinjuku area)
* Morning: Asakusa, Kaminarimon Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Dori Street, Kappabashi, Dongu Street
* Afternoon: Ueno Park, Ueno Garden, Tokyo National Museum (?)
* Evening: Akihabara
NOV 6 – to Lake Kawaguchi (hotel in Kawaguchiko area)
* Morning/Afternoon: Find a way to Lake Kawaguchi, likely highway express bus?
* Evening: Wander around Lake Lawaguchi
NOV 7 – Lake Kawaguchi (hotel in Kawaguchiko area)
* Morning: Arakurayama Sengen Park
* Afternoon: Oishi Park
* Evening: Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
NOV 8 – to Kyoto (hotel in Gion area)
* Morning: travel to Kyoto (bus/Shinkasen, or rail/Shinkasen)
* Afternoon/Evening: Kiyomizu-Dera, Shoren-In, Kodaiji Temple, Nishiki Market, Pochonto Alley, Gion area
NOV 9 – Kyoto (hotel in Gion area)
* Morning: Fushimi Inari Taisha (go early)
* Afternoon: Higashiyama, Jisho-Ji, Philosopher’s Path, Nanzen-ji Temple
* Evening: Kyoto Tower and central Kyoto?
NOV 10 – Kyoto (hotel in Gion area)
* Morning: Arashiyama, Togetsu-kyo bridge, Tenryu-ji
* Afternoon: Kinkaku-ji golden temple, Ryoanji Temple?
* Evening: ??
NOV 11 – to Osaka (hotel near Umeda Station)
* Morning: JR to Osaka
* Afternoon: Umeda Sky Building or Osaka Aquarium (suggestions? also weather dependent)
* Evening: Sinsekai Area
NOV 12 – Osaka (hotel near Umeda Station)
* Morning: Osaka Castle, Nishinomaru Garden
* Afternoon: Kuromon Ichiba Market, Shinsaibashi-Suji
* Evening: Namba, Dotonbori
NOV 13 – Himeji/Kobe (hotel near Umeda Station)
* Morning: Train to Himeji, Himeji Castle
* Afternoon: Train to Kobe, wander Harbourland, chinatown
* Evening: Wander Kobe, train to Osaka
NOV 14 – Nara (hotel near Umeda Station)
* Morning: Train to Nara, Kofuku-ji Temple, Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Nara Park
* Afternoon: Nara Park, Mochiidonocho Higashimuki
* Evening: Train to Osaka, wander Osaka/Umeda
NOV 15 – Hiroshima (hotel near Hiroshima Station)
* Morning: Train to Hiroshima
* Afternoon/Evening: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb dome museum
NOV 16 – Hiroshima/Miyajima (hotel near Hiroshima Station)
* Morning: Ferry to Miyajima
* Afternoon/Evening: Grand Torii Gate, Daishoin (?), Mount Misen (?)
* Evening: Ferry to Hiroshima
NOV 17 – Tokyo (hotel in Ginza area)
* Morning: Train from Hiroshima to Tokyo
* Afternoon: Harry Potter Studio Tour (2PM, tickets purchased)
* Evening: Harry Potter Studio Tour and Ginza area
NOV 18 – Tokyo
* Morning: ?? likely shopping
* Afternoon: Head to Narita (flight at 5:30PM)
Thank you!!
3 comments
Don’t bother with Osaka castle, seeing as you plan on going to Himeji. Osaka is a reproduction while Himeji is original. You can get an English tour of Himeji, but get there really early as there are only 10 spots available and they go quick!
Just a suggestion – if you haven’t booked things – why not go to Nara after Fushimi Inari hike. Start early and you can do both. This will then give you an extra day back.
As it stands, you are doing Fushimi Inari hike and then getting back to Kyoto area for the philosopher path and other stuff.
In Kyoto – check out Gion Tanto. Excellent food at an excellent price. It closes early by north american standards.
If you drink – house of Ki No Bi ( gin place ), bar Finlandia (for excellent cocktails) and Feel Kyo Good
For Tokyo – keep an eye on Team Labs borderless. It is about to open. Also, I would not pair (personal preference) Tsukiji with Planets. I like to avoid the crowds and the way it stands, you will hit crowds at one of the spots.
Umeda sky is well worth it and that area has tons of shopping.
Double check your evening plans for their opening times – you have Gyoen Park and Mt Fuji ropeway as evening activities but they close at 4pm.