11 Day Itinerary Check [Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo-Kawaguchiko]

Hi, a few people asked for the whole itinerary so I’ve somewhat completed but still not sure about it. Would love some feedback on it so far. I have some questions if you are able to answer!

* Is it feasible to do Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, The Golden Pavillion and Fushimi Inari in one day? I’ve watched people do it on youtube but want your thoughts on it. My SO is not a morning person so doing two days in a row, I think would kill him aha.
* If so, is Fushimi Inari good to visit in the evening/night? Will there be any of the restaurants or shops open as we hike higher?
* I am aware we are changing hotels often which I tried to avoid but everything is locked in now and so we cannot change it so please don’t mention this. The reason we have two in Tokyo is because we decided to add an extra day there but our first accommodation booked in Shinjuku couldn’t add another day. Somehow, I still think it would work as we can explore the east side of Tokyo.
* The main things we want to do are Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, the illuminations in Kyoto, clothes shopping, parents want a new phone/misc., eat good food, Teamlabs, and a few gaming things.
* Osaka looks packed, maybe? This is mainly because I want to get the most out of the Osaka Amazing Pass. I’m not too sure though, it is our honeymoon and I don’t want to stress or force anything. What are your thoughts on getting the pass? Should we or should we just go with the flow and choose as we go?
* I have also bought an attraction pass for Tokyo. I bought 4 which in hindsight may have been too many! We’ve mainly decided on Tokyo Teamlabs, Shibuya Sky, Tokyo Skytree and Red Tokyo Tower.

The travel itinerary for the honeymoon trip to Japan is as follows:

**- Nov 23rd, Thu**: Perth → Kuala Lumpur.
Leave Airbnb at 9am, arrive home, get an Uber to Perth Airport, withdraw Yen, check-in to flight, depart Perth at 4pm, arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 10:45pm.

\- **Nov 24th, Fri**: Kuala Lumpur → Osaka (Namba Airbnb).
Depart Kuala Lumpur at 1:55am, arrive in KIX at 9:30am.In Namba area, explore Kinji Osaka, Namba Nanan Town, Den Den Town, Kuromon Ichiba Market, and Dotonbori Street/Shinsaibashi.

**- Nov 25th, Sat**: Osaka.
In North Osaka, visit Umeda Sky Building, shopping arcade, Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, Pokemon Centre, Kaiyukan Osaka Aquarium, and Tempozan Ferris Wheel.

**- Nov 26th, Sun**: Osaka.
In South Osaka, explore Osaka Castle/Park, Osaka-Jo Gozabune Boat at 6am, Shitennoji Temple, Osaka Tennoji Zoo, Tsutenkaku Tower, Tower Slider, Shinsekai Market, Ebius Tower Ferris Wheel, and PC and Retro Bar Space Station.

**- Nov 27th, Mon**: Osaka → Kyoto (Ryokan).
Travel to Kyoto at 5:30am, drop bags off at KANADE Ryokan till 3pm, hire rental bikes for today and tomorrow, and explore Higashiyama.

**- Nov 28th, Tue**: Kyoto (Hotel).
Change hotel, visit Fushimi Inari (Hike) at 7am, explore Higashiyama Ward, Gion, Pontocho Alley, Kōdaiji Temple (Illuminations), and Eikando Temple (Illuminations).

**- Nov 29th, Wed**: Kyoto.
Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove/Area at 7am, have breakfast at Bread, Espresso and Arashiyama Garden Cafe, explore Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavillion), Nijō Castle, Nishiki Market, and Kiyomizudera (Illuminations).

**- Nov 30th, Thu**: Kyoto → Tokyo (Sumida Airbnb).
Explore Central Kyoto and Asakusa, take the Shinkansen to Tokyo in Asakusa at 12pm, check-in at Sumida Airbnb, visit Tokyo Skytree, Asahi Beer Head Office Building, and take a night walk around Senso-ji Temple.

**- Dec 1st, Fri**: Tokyo (Shinjuku Airbnb).
Check-out and store luggage at Asakusa station for the morning, visit Nakamise-dori Street, Akihabara, return to Asakusa, explore Shinjuku, and check-in at Shinjuku Airbnb.

**- Dec 2nd, Sat**: Tokyo.
Explore South Tokyo, visit Tsukiji Outer Market, Ginza Shopping District, Red Tokyo Tower, and TeamLab Planets at 6:30pm.

**- Dec 3rd, Sun**: Tokyo.
Explore West Tokyo, visit Meijing Shrine, Harajuku (Takeshita Street), Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Shibuya Sky, and Shimokitazawa for shopping.

**- Dec 4th, Mon**: Tokyo → Kawaguchiko → Tokyo.
Visit Kawaguchiko’s Fuji Q for the day, take the bus back to Shinjuku, do some last-minute shopping, have dinner, and take the Airport Bus to Haneda before midnight.

**- Dec 5th, Tue**: Tokyo → Ho Chi Minh → Perth.
Depart Tokyo at 2:30am, arrive in Ho Chi Minh at 7:20am, depart Ho Chi Minh at 1:35pm, and arrive in Perth at 9:20pm.

Feel free to give any advice or criticisms. I’ve been working so hard on making sure this honeymoon goes well that I’m scared I’m overplanning!

TIA x

4 comments
  1. Unfortunately, I have already taken Nara off of the itinerary even though it was one of the places I was most excited about. Mainly due to the Osaka days being filled from the pass!

  2. * Yes doing Arashiyama, Golden Pavillion and Fushimi Inari in one day is very possible. You wouldn’t even need to go that early in the morning unless you want to beat the crowds.

    * You could do Fushimi Inari in the night/evening if that’s you thing. There would be nothing open after 5pm, and there aren’t many restaurants within the compound itself. I wouldn’t recommend hiking higher than the middle viewpoint as there is nothing much to see, unless you just want to enjoy the climb

    * Japanese markets are mostly more busy in the morning to early afternoon. If you go in the evening many stalls would be closed

    * Osaka pokemon center is at Umeda so you may want to do that before heading to your other attractions on 25th

    * Your Osaka and Kyoto seems pretty packed. Make sure you are fit enough for this as there will be a lot of walking or consider removing some items from your itinerary

  3. The last time our son took the bus from the Kawaguchiko area back to Tokyo (in August) the bus was three hours late arriving because there was an accident in one of the tunnels between Yamanashi and Tokyo. Take trains if you can.

    The rest of your Tokyo days look OK. I myself wouldn’t go to Shimokitazawa for shopping if I were looking for bargains. Twenty years ago I did, but the place has become effectively upscale of late; I’d go to the Kichijoji or Koenji areas. All of the joints you’ll be visiting on that Sunday will be very crowded, with Takeshita Street crammed full of junior high school students.

  4. If you’re going to Akiba in Tokyo, don’t bother going to Den Den town in Osaka its basically a downgrade

    But damn, you are gonna be sooooo tired

    There is a TON of walking in Japan, your feet will be lead

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