14 days in Tokyo/Kyoto/Nara/Osaka/Hakone: Itinerary Recommendations?

Hi all!

I am planning to visit Japan from April 5th – April 21st 2024 for the first time with a couple of friends.

Need some help planning a couple of things in the itinerary as it is seriously overwhelming.

I have been a huge anime and all things japanese all my life and this trip is like a dream come true!

Need help in planning day 2 (8 April) in tokyo as to what to do after Ueno park in the evening as well as any suggestions for 19th april in tokyo. I want to keep akihabara / nakano broadway visit at the end because we are planning to do a lot of anime related shopping. Is it feasible to do both in one day? Which of the tokyo days can I fit the Museum Studio Ghibli? Since its cherry blossom season is there any other place where we can see cherry blossoms during our dates of the trip? Also for the last day since our flights are late in the evening looking for any suggestions for a place for anime lovers.

Please do give any other suggestions that you have! Thanks in advance

6-Apr-2024: Arrive at 13:50/ 15:55 Tokyo HND Reach hotel and rest, dinner

7-Apr-2024: Tokyo

Yoyogi Park, pokemon center Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Harajuku, Cat Street, Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya center gai, and Shibuya Sky.

8-Apr-2024: Tokyo

Asakusa – kaminarimon gate, nakamise, sensoji, ueno park, Need to plan what to do after

9-Apr-2024: Kyoto

Leave early in the morning for Kyoto on shinkansen. Store bags at station/hotel.
Tenryuji, Bamboo Groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, Monkey Park, Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, and Ninnaji.”

10-Apr-2024: Kyoto

Ginkakuji, Philosopher’s Path, Nanzenji, Keage Incline, Heian Shrine, Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji Temple, Higashiyama Streets, and Kiyomizudera.

11-Apr-2024: Nara

kofuku-ji chukondo, kofuku-ji, Nara park, Todai-ji Nandaimon gate & hall & Nigatsudo, Mt Wakakusa, Kasuga-Taisha.

12-Apr-2024: Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nishiki Market, and Nijo Castle

13-Apr-2024: Osaka

Shinsekai, Nipponbashi Den Den Town, Kuromon Market, Doguyasuji Shotengai, Hozenji Yokocho, Dotonbori.

14-Apr-2024: Osaka Himeji

Travel to Himeji for part of the day.
Mount Shosa, Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden.
Evening is Osaka

15-Apr-2024: Osaka yoshino

Mt Yoshino, kinpusenji Temple, Yoshimizu-jinja Shrine.

16-Apr-2024: Osaka

Osaka Castle, Umeda, Hep Five Ferris Wheel, Umeda Sky building, Osaka Aquarium.

17-Apr-2024: Hakone

Travel to hakone, loop around hakone, stay in ryokan

18-Apr-2024: Fuji

Oshino Hakkai, Chureito Pagoda, Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, Oishi Park, Fuji Sengen Shrine.

19-Apr-2024: Tokyo

Teamlab planets, tsukiji, ginza (suggestions here)

20-Apr-2024 Tokyo

Akihabara, Nagano broadway, ghibli

21-Apr-2024 Tokyo Depart in the evening

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1 comment
  1. > its cherry blossoms season

    The “new normal” seems to be peaking in the last week of March in Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka. Sakura is very fickle and basically only lasts for a week, so if it’s a warm winter then by the time you begin your trip in the second week of April it’ll only be the late-opening varieties or higher altitudes – I wouldn’t expect to make blossoms a focus of your trip unless you’re willing to head into Tohoku or carve out a day for Mt Yoshino for instance.

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