Hi everyone!
I will be travelling to Japan from March 16 to March 31 and am looking for feedback on the itineray I have planned so far.
# Context
I’m a solo-traveller in my mid-twenties and will be meeting up with a friend who lives in Tokyo. He has to be in Osaka for a day during the middle of my trip and afterwards will show me the city and the surrounding area for a few days. So my plan is the first stay in Tokyo for a bit and do some hiking and nature-viewing in the surrounding area (based on the [2023 dates](https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0001033/), I expect the cherry blossoms will already be flowering), then 2 days in Nikko, then go to Osaka from which I want to do day trips to Kyoto, Nara, and Himeji. Ultimately, for the last few days I will return to Tokyo and explore the city.
I’m quite open to shuffle things around a bit depending on the circumstances, e.g. if the weather is bad or the cherries aren’t flowering yet I might explore the city more on my first stay in Tokyo and do cherry-blossimg viewing the second time. Also, I might spontaneously change things based on what my friend recommends based on his local knowledge.
# Itinerary Plan
**Day 1 – Arrive in Tokyo**
I will be arriving at Narita airport in the evening, so just get some money, an ic card and a sim at the airport and then check-in at the hotel and go to sleep asap.
**Day 2**
I’m planning to take it easy on this day to recover from eventual jetlagg. Basically I just plan on visiting the Ghibli Museum and then leisurely wandering through the city.
**Day 3 – Hike at Mt Mikase or Mt Takao**
I lean towards Mt Mikase and also visiting the Musashi Mitake shrine.
**Day 4 – Day trip to Lake Kawaguchi**
See the Chureito Pagoda, Kawaguchi Asama Shrine and then Hike along the lake, viewing Mt Fuji.
**Day 5 – Travel to Nikko and visiting the shrines**
In the morning I will take the train to Nikko and check into a hostel there. Then I’ll do sightseeing in the city: the Shinkyo bridge, Shoyoen garden, Rinnoji temple, Toshogu shrine, Futarasan shrine and the Tamozawa Imperial Villa. (Basically, I’m just copying [this itineray](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3822_nikko_town_full.html) from japan-guide).
**Day 6 – Nikko National Park and travel to Osaka**
Take a boat across lake Chuzenji, hike through the Senjogahara marshland up to Lake Yunoko; Maybe hike even further to the Yumoto Onsen if I feel like it. (This route is also taken from [japan-guide](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3822_okunikko_full.html)). Then I will travel to Osaka (probably by regular train to Tokyo and a Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka). I’m planning to start the hike in the morning so I can be back in Nikko in the late afternoon to have a buffer if I miss one of the trains.
**Day 7 – Osaka**
Explore Shinsekai, visit Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine, Shitennoji Temple, and Osaka castle. In the evening, explore Dotonbori.
**Day 8 – Day trip to Himeji**
See Himeji Castle and Kokoen garden.
**Day 9 – Another Osaka day**
Options include the Osaka aquarium, the history museum, and the Mozu tombs. I’m particularly open to suggestions for other good activities in Osaka.
**Day 10 – Day trip to Kyoto**
Hike up to the Fushimi Inari shrine. Then visit the Kiyomizudera temple, from there walk to the Heian Shrine. Then walk up to the Nanzenji temple. Walk up the philosopher’s path to Ginkakuji.
If I can squeeze it in, it would also be nice to see the bamboo forest and the monkey park, but I’m not sure if there will be time.
**Day 11 – Day trip to Nara**
Visit Todaiji temple, Kasuga Taisha shrine, and Nara park
**Day 12 – Back to Tokyo**
Back to Tokyo via Shinkansen. Imperial Palace, Rikugien Landscape Garden, Tokyo National Museum
**Day 13 – Explore Shinjuku and Shibuya**
Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Jingu
**Day 14 Asakusa and Akihabara**
Visit Tokyo Sky Tree; In Asakusa: Kaminari-Mon and Senso-Ji; Explore Akihabara
**Day 15 Tokyo free day**
I don’t have specific plans for this day yet. Some things that seem interesting are the Hokusai Museum and the TeamPlanet Labs exhibition.
**Day 16 – Fly back :(**
# Questions
**Food and Nightlife recommendations:** Most of my plans are for daytime hiking and sightseeing activities. I guess in the evenings, I will explore Dotonbori in Osaka and Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Roppongi in Tokyo (depending on where exactly my hotel is located). I would welcome any recommendations for bars or clubs or just how to have a good time at night. Food recommendations (any time of day) are also very welcome 🙂
**Luggage**: I will check out of the Nikko hostel in the morning of the 21st and then go hiking before travelling to Osaka. So I’m wondering what the best way to store my luggage during that time is. I will travel with one medium-sized suitcase (and a backpack that I don’t mind taking on the hike). I read that you can store luggage at train stations but that they might not have lockers that fit larger suitcases. Is it likely that I will be able to store my luggage at Nikko station? Alternatively, I could store it at a station in Tokyo, since I will be transferring there on my trip to Osaka anyway.
**Public transport and rail passes**: To be honest, I am a bit overwhelmed by the big selection of rail passes. It seems that the full JR pass is not worth it since the price increase. Given that I will be doing a lot of day trips, should I look into passes for the Kansai or Kanto regions?
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Thanks a lot for reading! Any advice and suggestions are very appreciated 🙂