Japan Itinerary Check: Mid November – Early December (First time!)

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could give me some feedback/advice/suggestions for my itinerary for this fall (mid November – early December). I’m open to trying just about anything, as I just want to try, see, and taste new things (is there anything here that I might not normally be able to do/experience in the States?). I’m hoping to find a Michelin restaurant (with bib or stars) to eat at for the experience as well.

Each day I’m aiming to have one or two “highlights” or main things to do/see and I’d fill in the remainder of the day exploring and eating lol. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

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Day 1: Arrival

* Have luggage sent to Tokyo, take train into Tokyo from NRT.
* Check in to hotel, wander around Akihabara and get settled

Day 2: Shibuya

* Meiji Jingu
* Tokyo Midtown (Shopping)
* Hachiko Memorial Statue / Shibuya crossing / Shibuya Sky

Day 3:

* East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
* DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
* GiGo Akihabara (1?)

Day 4:

* Tokyo Skytree
* Senso-ji
* Explore Asakusa

Day 5:

* Explore Yokohama, maybe visit the Cup noodle museum or Nissan Museum
* Yokohama Chinatown for lunch
* Explore Kamakura
* Send luggage to Kyoto

Day 6:

* Early morning departure to Mt. Fuji / Lake Kawaguchiko
* Cycle, explore, etc
* Aokigahara Forest, if it’s reasonable to do on the same day?

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I’m going to have a “loose” schedule while I’m in Tokyo so I can go to Mt. Fuji on a clear day. So visiting Yokohama on Day 6 if Day 5 looks like it’ll be clear but not Day 6.

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Day 7:

* Head over to Kyoto, check-in, & explore
* Nishiki Market

Day 8:

Not entirely sure what to do for this day. Either:

* Head to Kinkaku-ji
* Umeda Sky Building
* Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping St.

or

* Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple

or

* Kinkaku-ji & hike at Daimonji-yama

or something else, I’m open to suggestions if anyone has any for me!

Day 9:

* Keage Incline
* Yasaka-jinja Shine
* Kiyomizu-dera
* Pontocho alley (for dinner)
* Send luggage to Osaka (Would doing this the next day work as well?)

Day 10:

* Nara Park
* Todai-ji

Day 11:

* Head to Osaka & check-in
* Osaka Castle
* Kuchu Teien Observatory

Day 12:

* Osaka Aquarium
* Visit: Dotonbori, Shinsekai
* Send luggage back to Tokyo (Could I do this the next day?)

Day 13:

* Himeji Castle
* Kobe Chinatown (dinner)

Day 14:

* Head back to Tokyo
* Ueno Park

Day 15:

* Fly back home (Flight at \~6:00PM JST)

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Extra logistical things:

Budget:

* I’ve (over?) budgeted $5000 USD for the trip, which included the cost of the flight (which I partially paid for with points. Came out to \~$900, with $200 worth of points.), accommodations (\~$1k), and food, activities, and shopping ($3k, but I’m expecting to spend much less).

Transport:

* I’m planning on reserving shinkansen tickets in person as needed. Unfortunately I couldn’t justify getting the JR pass because of how few places I’d be able to use it between in this time frame
* I’m getting a digital suica card on my phone, and using my Discover CC and Sofi debit (for withdrawing cash and otherwise buying things).

Other:

* I’m planning on using Yamato Transport for sending my luggage between cities (little nervous about this, but I’ll figure it out).
* Getting an e-sim (not sure which one yet) for internet

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Thanks for taking the time to read! I might post follow-ups after the trip, and hopefully help some other folks here as well 😊

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