My partner and I (From the US early 30’s M +F) have a trip to Japan coming up next month that we are so excited about! This will be our first trip to Asia. We didn’t realize that our last 4 days fall on GW when we booked, but we’re determined to have a good attitude and make the most of it.Below is our itinerary, although we’re the slow traveler types and are fine with changing our plan to be less ambitious. We’re both in great shape and are used to full days of walking, so that isn’t an issue for us, but we want to avoid the feeling that we’re just checking off boxes. We are not interested in a lot of shopping, theme parks, or anime, so we didn’t include these things in our itinerary.I’d love any feedback on the itinerary below, but especially would like to slim down our plan for Kyoto. We had a hard time knowing which shrines and temples we should prioritize. Also, if our GW days would be more tolerable by extending our stay in Kyoto by one night, doing a day trip to Nara on Saturday, and going back to Tokyo on Saturday 4/26, we’re open to that as well even though it means missing out on Hiroshima. From what I read it sounds like Tokyo can absorb the GW crowds better than other places-if you have opinions on this option or GW travel tips in general I would love to hear them!
**DAY 0 April 17 – Wednesday & Thursday**
SFO->NRT 1500 landing (+1 day)
**DAY 1 April 18 – Thursday**
*Staying in: Tokyo*
*Hote: Hotel Risvelgio Akasaka*
Dinner + lite explore
**DAY 2 April 19 – Friday**
*Staying in: Tokyo*
*Hotel: Hotel Risvelgio Akasaka*
Morning: Tsukiji Fish Market
Afternoon: Imperial Palace & Gardens
Evening: Tokyo Tower & Roppongi
**DAY 3 April 20 – Saturday**
*Staying in: Tokyo*
*Hote: Hotel Risvelgio Akasaka*
Morning: Yanaka & Ueno Park
Afternoon: Okonomiyaki, Asakusa & Senso-Ji Temple
Evening: Dinner & Drinks in Golden Gai and Piss Alley
**DAY 4 April 21 – Sunday**
*Staying in: Hakone at night, spending day in Tokyo*
*Hotel: Hakone Onsen Yuyado Yamanoshou*
Morning: Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park , National Garden
Afternoon: Shibuya & Omotesando , Shumbuya Scramble
Afternoon: go to Hakone – 1.5 hrs via romance car
**DAY 5 April 22 – Monday**
*Staying in: HakoneHotel: Hakone Onsen Yuyado Yamanoshou*
Hakone Travel pass
Hakone Tozan Cable Car
Walk along the lake south from Togendai station to Hakone-en Station.
Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine via Hokone Komagatake Ropeway
Walk back south to Hakone Shrine from Hakone-en Station.
Hakone Shrine to Amasake Tea House
Relax at hotel’s onsen baths.
Traditional kaiseki ryokan dinner at hotel or head out to a local izakaya pub.
**DAY 6 April 23 – Tuesday**
*Staying in: Kyoto at night, spending the day in Hakone*
*Hotel: Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo*
\*\*Depending on energy levels, either relax in onsen or explore Hakone:\*\*Pirate ship lake tour
Hakone Checkpoint, Onshi-Hakone Park, Narukawa Art Museum
Hakone Open Air Museum
Head to Kyoto
Dinner in Kyoto
**DAY 7 April 24 – Wednesday**
*Staying in: Kyoto*
*Hotel: Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo*
Fushimi Inary Shrine
Kiyomizudera Temple
Kodaiji Temple
Yasaka-Jinja Shrine
Lunch at Maruyama Park
Chion-in Temple
Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Explore temple and gardens
Dinner in Gion
**DAY 8 April 25 – Thursday**
*Staying in: Kyoto*
*Hotel: Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo*
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Okochi Sanso Villa/Okochi Sanso Garden
Tenruji Temple
Kinkakuji
Nijo Castle
Visit Nishiki Market \*\*\***(should we move this to first thing in the morning?)**
**DAY 9 April 26 – Friday**
*Staying in: Osaka at night still in Kyoto for the day*
*Hotel: Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka*
Morning: Half-day trip to Kurama/Kibune
Ginkakuji
Path of Philosohy
Nanzenji Temple
Evening:
Daimaru basement – for souvenir shopping
Kyoto station for souvenir shopping.
Go to Osaka
Dinner in Osaka
**GW** **DAY 10 April 27 – Saturday**
***S****taying in: Osaka*
*Hotel: Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka*
Day trip to Nara:
Kofuku-ji
Nara Park
Todaiji
Nara Museum of Buddhist Art:
Kasuga Taisha
Buddhist Museum
Drinks and dinner in Osaka
**GW** **DAY 11 April 28 – Sunday**
*Staying in: Osaka*
*Hotel: Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka*
Osaka Castle
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine + Taiko Bridge
Kuromon Market
Dinner and Drinks: Dotonbori Street
Kuromon Market
**GW** **DAY 12 April 29 – Monday**
*Staying in: Osaka*
*Hotel: Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka*
Daytrip to Hiroshima
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Hiroshima Peace Park
Bomb Dome
Hiroshima Castle
Shukkeien Garden
Dinner in Osaka
**GW** **DAY 13 April 30 – Tuesday**
*Staying in: TokyoHotel: Mystays Premier Akasaka*
Early train back to Tokyo
Sugamo
Harajuku
**GW** **Day 14 May 1 – Wednesday**
Breakfast + lite explore, head to NRT at 1200
17:10pm flight from NRT
by Minute_Psychology_77