Itinerary check! First time in Japan for 2 weeks in January

Hey Everyone!

I am planning to visit Japan for the first time this January with my brother. I’ll be there from the 7th of Jan 2024 to 20th of Jan 2024. After a bunch of research (from the very helpful sidebar and reddit posts), I have come up with the below itinerary and would love to have it reviewed by anyone willing.

I do plan to visit Japan again in the future but would definitely like to make the most of this trip since I am going with my brother as well.

The itinerary below is based off of the Golden Route. I am open to increasing the time in Tokyo (although I do have 1 extra day at the end), because I would like to take my time experiencing the city more and I am not sure if I cramped too much in the 4 days.

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Questions/Suggestions:
* Me and my brother are both anime fans as well as gamers.
* I understand that winter time might not be the best time to see natural beauty in Japan, so if there are any places that seem like they might not be worth a visit in Jan below, please let me know.
* I would like to experience Rural Japan as well so if anyone has any suggestions of hidden gems around this route that I can/swap for something else, please feel free to suggest it!
* I haven’t yet researched a lot of places to try the food, so if anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it a lot!

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**Sun, Jan 7 2024 – Arrive in Tokyo**

* Airbnb/Hotel near Sensoji Temple
* Sensoji Temple
* Omiya Bonsai Village??

**Mon, Jan 8 2024 \[Tokyo\]:**

* Meiji Shrine
* Roam around Shibuya
* Roam around Shinjuku

**Tue, Jan 9 2024 \[Tokyo\]:**

* Imperial Palace
* Roam around Ginza
* Visit Akihabara
* Ueno Park

**Wed, Jan 10 2024 \[Tokyo\]:**

* Roam around Ikebukuro
* Visit Joypolis
* Visit Tokyo Skytree

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**Thu, Jan 11 2024 – Travel to Hakone:**

* Open Air Museum
* Hakone Ropeway
* Lake Ashinoko

**Fri, Jan 12 2024 – Travel to Kyoto:**

* Nijo Castle
* Nishiki Market
* Kyoto Manga Museum

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**Sat, Jan 13 2024 \[Kyoto\]:**

* Kiyomizudera Temple
* Philosopher’s Path

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**Sun, Jan 14 2024 \[Kyoto\]:**

* Hozugawa River Boat
* Roam around Arashiyama
* Kamo Shrines
* Ginkaju Temple??

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**Mon, Jan 15 2024 – Travel to Osaka:**

* Osaka Castle
* Roam around Amerikamura
* Roam around Minami at night

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**Tue, Jan 16 2024 \[Osaka\]:**

* Osaka Aquarium
* Sumiyoshi Shrine

**Wed, Jan 17 2024 \[Osaka\]:**

* Universal Studios
* Roam around Shinsekai at night – is it safe?

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**Thu, Jan 18 2024 – Travel to Kanazawa:**

* Omicho Market
* Ninja Temple
* Ishiura Shrine
* Kanazawa Castle
* Higashi Chaya District

**Fri, Jan 19 2024 – Travel back to Tokyo:**

* Nothing planned, any suggestions?

**Fri, Jan 20 2024 – Travel back home.**