We are an early 30s couple going to Japan for the first time next month. I’m looking for suggestions, feedback, insights regarding the feasibility of our plans and recommendations for activities we should add to the trip or skip. We’ll be there through Christmas and I’ve heard that Christmas is considered the most romantic holiday in Japan, so I’d greatly appreciate any suggestions for romantic Christmas-y activities! We will have the JR Pass and will get the Hakone Free Pass for the 2 days we are in Hakone.
Thanks in advance!
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* ***Day 1: Tokyo***
Land and get settled in at Tokyo hotel
**\[EVENING ACTIVITY\]** Check out Roppongi Hills (Mori Tower, Mohri Garden, Tokyo Midtown Lights, Roppongi Hills Christmas Illumination on Keyakizaka Street)
**\[DINNER\]** Teppanyaki Keyakizaka
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* ***Day 2: Tokyo***
**\[MORNING ACTIVITY\]** Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
**\[LUNCH\]** Ramen Mutekiya
**\[AFTERNOON ACTIVITY\]** Sakurai Tea Experience
**\[DINNER\]** Rokkasen
**\[EVENING ACTIVITY\]** Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai)
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* ***Day 3: Tokyo >> Osaka***
Breakfast in our Tokyo hotel before checking out after rush hour. Travel from Tokyo >> Osaka (\~3 hrs 30 min travel time). Check in to Osaka hotel at 3PM
**\[AFTERNOON ACTIVITY\]** Umeda Sky okonomiyaki, Umeda Sky Observatory
**\[EVENING ACTIVITY\]** Explore/shop Osaka station and Shin-Osaka Station
**\[DINNER\]** M of grilled meat Fukushima
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* ***Day 4: Osaka***
**\[BREAKFAST\]** 7/11
**\[MORNING ACTIVITY\]** Osaka Aquarium (as early as possible)
**\[LUNCH\]** Gyukatsu Motomura Namba
**\[LATE AFTERNOON ACTIVITY\]** Osaka Castle (outside only), Osaka Castle Illuminage (maybe), Boulangerie & Cafe Gout
**\[EVENING ACTIVITY / DINNER\]** Explore Dontonburi
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* ***Day 5: (Day Trip) Osaka >> Himeji >> Kobe***
Travel from Osaka >> Himeji (\~1 hr travel time)
**\[BREAKFAST\]** Hamamoto Coffee
**\[MORNING ACTIVITY\]** (8am) Himeji Castle (outside only), Kokoen Garden
Travel from Himeji >> La Shomon (\~ 45 min travel time)
**\[LUNCH\]** La Shomon
Travel from La Shamon >> Kobe Herb Garden (\~ 45 min travel time)
**\[AFTERNOON ACTIVITY\]** Kobe Herb garden, Kobe Port
Travel from Kobe >> Osaka to rest at hotel
**\[DINNER\]** Open. Maybe travel back to Kobe for more Kobe beef.
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* ***Day 6: (Day Trip) Osaka >> Kyoto***
Travel from Osaka >> Kyoto (\~1 hr)
**\[MORNING ACTIVITY\]** (7am) Fushimi Inari Shrine
**\[BRUNCH\]** (9:30 am) Nishiki Market
**\[AFTERNOON ACTVITIY\]** Explore Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove, Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenru-ji Temple/Garden, maybe Monkey Park)
**\[DINNER\]** Itoh Dining
**\[EVENING ACTIVITY\]** (7pm) GEAR nonverbal theater
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* ***Day 7: (Day Trip) Osaka >> Nar***a
**\[BREAKFAST\]** 7/11
Travel from Osaka >> Nara (\~1 hr)
**\[MORNING ACTIVITY\]** Nara Deer Park (won’t stay long), Todai-ji temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Ukimido, Nakatanidou
**\[LUNCH\]** Nino Pizza
Travel back to Osaka to rest at hotel
**\[EVENING ACTIVITY / DINNER\]** Explore Dontonburi
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* ***Day 8: Free Day***
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* ***Day 9: (Day Trip) Osaka >> Hiroshima***
**\[BREAKFAST\]** 7/11
Travel from Osaka >> Hiroshima (\~1.5 hrs)
**\[MORNING ACTIVITY\]** (8:30am) Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Peace Museum
Ferry to Miyajima Island
**\[LUNCH\]** (11am) Yakigaki No Hayashi
**\[AFTERNOON ACTIVITY\]** Explore Miyajma Island (Torii Gate, Itsukushima Shrine)
Ferry back to Hiroshima
**\[LATE AFTERNOON / EVENING ACTIVITY\]** Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden
**\[DINNER\]** Oknonamimura
Travel back to Osaka
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* ***Day 10: Osaka >> Hakone***
**\[BREAKFAST\]** 7/11
Check out of Osaka hotel \~ 9AM. Travel from Osaka to Gora Station (\~3 hr ).
**\[LUNCH\]** Gyoza Center or Watanabe Bakery
**\[AFTERNOON ACTIVITY\]** Hakone Open-Air Museum
Check in to ryokan \~3PM
**\[DINNER\]** in ryokan
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* ***Day 11: Hakone***
**\[BREAKFAST\]** in ryokan
**\[MORNING ACTIVITY\]** Hakone Ropeway, Chisuji Falls
**\[AFTERNOON ACTIVITY\]** Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi, Amasake Tea House, Jinja Shrine
**\[DINNER\]** in ryokan
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* ***Day 12: Hakone >> Tokyo***
**\[BREAKFAST\]** in ryokan
Check out of Hakone ryokan \~ 10AM. Travel from Hakone to Yurakucho Station (\~3 hr ).
**\[LUNCH\]** Tokyo Ramen Street
**\[AFTERNOON ACTIVITY\]** Explore Tokyo Station
Check in Hotel
**\[EVENING ACTIVITY\]** Explore Ikebukuro, Hitachino Brewing Lab
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* ***Day 13: Tokyo***
**\[BRUNCH\]** Tsukiji Market
**\[AFTERNOON ACTIVITY\]** Explore Odaiba or Akhibara
**\[EVENING ACTIVITY\]** Explore Asakusa (Don Quijote, Sensoji Temple)
**\[DINNER\]** Hoppi-Dori Street
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* ***Day 14:***
Check out, fly home