Hi! We will be flying to Japan in two weeks and I would like to hear your feedback, comments or suggestions regarding our 15-day trip to Japan
Background: We are a family of four, all adults. It is also our first time travelling in Japan so we would really appreciate some tips.
Day 1:
– Arrival in KIX at around 12-1PM
– Will exchange our JR Passes and pick up pocket wifi
– Head straight to Tokyo via Shinkansen
Day 2:
– Tokyo Disney Sea for the whole day
Day 3:
– Explore Ueno and Akihabara from 9AM-1PM
– Spend the rest of the day in Yokohama (Gundam Factory, Yamashita Park, Red Brick Warehouse, Chinatown)
Day 4:
– Mt. Fuji day trip from 7am to 4pm
– Roppongi hills at night to see the illuminations
– Option to drop by Tokyo Tower just for quick photos
Day 5:
– Explore Shibuya & Harajuku Area from 9am-4pm
– Head to Warner Bros Studio for 5:30 tour
Day 6:
– Explore Asakusa and Ginza area from 9am-1pm
– Team Labs from 2-5pm (could spend less time here)
– Stop by Odaiba to see Rainbow Bridge and Statue of Liberty
– End the night in Shinjuku
Day 7:
– Ride early Shinkansen to Kyoto
– Fushimi Inari Shrine 1pm-3pm
– Explore Gion/Pontocho Alley
Day 8:
– Will mostly walk around to visit temples and roam around Central Kyoto
– Start at Kiyomizu Dera, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka
– For temples we have a few options in mind mostly the one with gardens since my parents enjoy that a lot (Nazenji Temple & Garden, Honen in Temple, Ginkakuji Temple)
– End at Shijo Dori Street
Day 9:
– Explore Arashiyama Area
– Places in mind are Arashiyama Garden, Monkey Park, Okochi Sanso Garden, Saga Toriimoto, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji temple, Tenryu-ji, Kimono Forest
– Head to Osaka
Day 10:
– USJ for the day
– Dotonbori for dinner (only 2 mins away from our hotel)
Day 11:
– Kuromon Market
– Namba Shrine
– Jujutsu Kaisen Cafe at 11:20am
– Toho Cinema
– Denden Town
Day 12:
– Day trip to Nara
– Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, Nakatanidou Mochi
– Back to Osaka for Umeda Sky
– Dotonbori Cruise (optional)
– Don Quijote Namba
Day 13:
– Day trip to Kobe
– Herb Garden, Kobe Harborland, Steakland, Higashimon Street
– Back to Osaka – Osaka Castle
– Stroll around Shinsaibashi area for shopping
Day 14:
– Dedicated for shopping day. Will most likely spend this in Shinsaibashi area, Umeda, and Rinku (if we have time)
Day 15:
– Departure from Japan :(((
Notes:
We alloted most of our shopping time in Osaka since we don’t want to travel with lots of baggage all the time.
Do you guys think that the schedule per day is too packed? Or is it doable? I avoided putting an hour-by-hour schedule to keep it flexible. I just made sure that we have a set area to roam around per day.
Please tell me what you guys think hehe
4 comments
Following for similar iten
Is there a reason you go from KIX to Tokyo by Shinkansen and then back to Kyoto/Osaka?
Why not start with the Kyoto/Osaka part first?
Also, while this itinerary looks good, I’d personally save an extra day in Kyoto at the expense of Osaka, just to explore things not on the top of tourist itineraries.
Day 7, Gion/Pontocho alley is great to wander in the evening (you may see some Geishas about from 6pm). Pontocho especially with little bars and restaurants to explore.
The fushimi Inari shrine is great but could take a little longer depending on how much of the mountain you want to walk and where you want to pause, take in sights etc.
Depending where you’re staying and how quick you are, you may be able to get to Kiyomizu-dera after fushimi inari, which could lighten the travelling on day 8. Maybe worth a look!
Himeji?