Two couples in their 40’s , first time in Japan traveling from USA
10/27 Arrive at Haneda at 2: 20 pm
dinner, drinks and most likely sleep
10/28 Tokyo
Meiji Shrine
discover shibuya
Team Labs
shibuya sky
10/29 tokyo
senso ji temple
ueno Koen park
Tokyo national museum
ashai beer hall
pub crawl golden gai district
10/30 tokyo
free day
10/31 train to Kyoto
head to arashiyama and bamboo grove
11/01 kyoto
golden pavilion
evening in the Hanami Koji street
11/02 kyoto
walking tour
ninen Zaka shopping district
Nijo castle
11/03 day trip to osaka explore castle and museum
11/04 leave Kyoto to hiroshima
hiroshima peace museum
atomic bomb dome
11/05 free day
11/06 train to hakone
visit a hot spring
open air museum
11/07 cable car
sight seeing boats
tea house
11/08 back to Tokyo
11/09 Tokyo to usa
QUESTIONS
1. Should we get a JR pass or any?
2. Is the itinerary too packed?
3. This isn’t a budget trip so im interested in saving time not money
4. Critique away
2 comments
1. Since you are going to and from Kyoto and to and from Hiroshima, a JR pass could be worth, with the new prices this is the bare minimum to make it worth it imo, plus a day trip to Osaka, you can take an unreserved car which is nice.
2. I think it’s fine, if you run out of time, you run out and miss out on w/e is at the end of your day but you should mostly be fine
1. You should get a JR Pass since the price will nearly double from October. Especially if you are visiting Hiroshima, it is better. But the point is to buy by the end of September at your location. The following may be helpful.
[https://tani.substack.com/p/64-japan-rail-pass-update](https://tani.substack.com/p/64-japan-rail-pass-update)
2. I don’t think it is too busy.
3. Regarding Shibuya Sky, it is tough to find places in the evening. Early booking is recommendable. Alternatively, you can go to the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for free.