I’m (26M) planning a 16-day trip to Japan this November with my girlfriend. It’s going to be my second time visiting Japan and the first time for my girlfriend. Some feedback on the amount of things we have planned would be greatly appreciated (too much?), as well as some food and drink recommendations! We are keen on enjoying nature views (specially autumn foliage) and local food and culture.
03/11 Tokyo
\- Arrive at HND airport 15:25
\- Explore Shin Okubo / Ikebukuro area
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04/11 Tokyo
\- Ueno – Ameyayokocho, maybe Ueno Park
\- Asakusa – Senso-ji, Nakamisedori
\- Sunset at Tokyo Sky Tree and Solamachi shopping
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05/11 Tokyo
\- Yoyogi Park, Meiji shrine
\- Harajuku – Takeshita Dori
\- Shinjuku – Omoide Yokocho
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06/11 Nikko Day-trip
\- Catch first limited express train from Asakusa – arrive 08:30 at Nikko station
\- Temples: Toshugu, Taiyu-in, Sanbutsudo / Kanmangafuchi Abyss
\- Oku-Nikko: Kegon Falls, Chuzenji lake, Ryuzu falls, Senjogahara hiking, Yudaki falls
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07/11 Yamanouchi
\- Depart 06:20 from Ueno Station, ETA 09:15 at Yamanouchi
\- Jigokudani Monkey Park
\- Ryokan Stay
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08/11 Kyoto
\- Depart from Yamanouchi station in the morning
\- Fushimi Inari Taisha
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09/11 Kyoto
\- Arashiyama – Bamboo Groove, Tenryu-ji, Senko-ji
\- Kinkaku-ji
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10/11 Kyoto
\- Ginkaku-ji, Philosopher\`s path, Zenrin-ji, Nanzen-ji
\- Kiyomizu dera
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11/11 Koyasan
\- Depart from Kyoto station in the morning
\- Explore Okunoin cemetery
\- Tokugawa mausoleum
\- Temple Lodging maybe, depending on prices
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12/11 Osaka
\- Depart from Koyasan in the morning
\- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
\- Dotombori, Umeda Sky Building
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13/11 Nara day-trip
\- Nara park
\- Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Isuien, Yoshikien garden
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14/11 Hiroshima
\- Depart from Osaka early in the morning
\- Peace Park
\- Shukkeien garden
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15/11 Miyajima day trip
\- Itsukushima Shrine
\- Mount Misen, Momijidani park
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16/11 Tokyo
\- Depart from Hiroshima early in the morning by airplane (or November 15th at night)
\- Kanagawa day trip (half day) – meet girlfriend\`s family in Japan
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17/11 Tokyo
\- Team Lab
\- Shibuya
\- Omotesando Hills
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18/11 Tokyo
\- Tsukiji fish market
\- Ginza shopping
\- Akihabara
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19/11 Tokyo
\- In the morning: souvenir shopping
\- Depart 06:00PM from HND
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Some questions I have:
\- Regarding Nikko, is my planned schedule doable? I’m aware it may be a little crammed and that we may face some crowds because of autumn foliage. My initial plan would be Kyu-Nikko in the morning (considering the temples have limited schedules) and Oku-Nikko in the afternoon. Would be willing to prioritize some of the places I chose.
\- Is temple lodging at Koyasan worth the price?
\- Should I sacrifice one day in Tokyo for a night at Hakone? Wanted some Fuji views and one more traditional Ryokan/Onsen experience, although it would increase our accommodation costs substantially.
Thank you in advance!!