Pls critique our itinerary and sorry for the long post.
We are a couple travelling 1st time to Japan and would be greatly appreciative for suggestions on what to add, what to remove or what to change in our itinerary.
Our itinerary in itself is flexible however Airport location (ARR/DEP at Haneda- flights booked) and hotels mentioned are set (for variable reasons).
We are foodies, love history and the epitome of Japanese culture. We also don't mind the usual tourist spots (and will try to avoid peak hours of it if we can) but open to your version of underrated places and strategies.
2 concerns that we have:
*Tokyo Day Trip- unsure on what's worthwhile for a day trip between Nikko vs Sendai vs Kawagoe.
* Osaka day trip- the part where we'll do day trips on Culture Day (Sunday) and the Public Holiday after that (Monday) in terms of transport and crowds. Happy to change plans if you can suggest a better way.
Your feedback, insight and suggestions are welcome! Thank you so much!
Tokyo
Day 01 (Oct.26) Tokyo -Arrival at Haneda in the evening and check in at Shinjuku (Keio Plaza). Rest day.
Day 02 (Oct. 27) Tokyo-explore Nishi-Nippori, Ueno, Asakusa, Akihabara, Ginza.
Points of Interest: Senso ji Temple, Nezu Shrine,Yanaka Ginza, Ameyokocho District
Day 03 (Oct. 28) Tokyo-Team Lab Borderless, Shibuya, Shin-Okubo and more of Shinjuku.
Points of Interest: Borderless, Meiji Shrine, Hachiko, Harajuku.
Day 04 (Oct. 29)- Day trip to Nikko (Edo wonderland) vs Day trip to Sendai (Samurai) vs Day trip to Kawagoe + use luggage transfer to send to Kyoto hotel
Kyoto
Day 05 (Oct. 30)- Travel to Kyoto. Start at Nishiki Market, then Potoncho and Gion before checking in at hotel located in Shimogyo ward (Hilton Garden Inn).
Day 06 (Oct. 31)- Tourist spots of Kyoto.
POI: – Arashiyama early morning start, then Kinkankuji and Nebutsu-ji Temple. Fushimi Inari will be in later afternoon.
Day 07 (Nov.01)- Day trip Nara for half a day, back to Kyoto then Gear Show @ 7pm.
POI: Deer Park, Mochi in Nara, Gear Show
Osaka
Day 8 (Nov. 02)- Travel to Osaka hotel with luggage. Leave it at hotel (Swissotel Nankai) then explore surrounds. Check-in later.
POI: Kuromon Market in the afternoon, Explore Dotonburi at night
Day 09 (Nov. 03: Culture Day Sunday)- Day trip to Uji, Katsuoji temple in Osaka
Day 10 (Nov. 04: Public Holiday)- Day trip Hiroshima
Day 11 (Nov. 05)- Day trip Himeji and Kobe + use luggage transfer to send to Haneda Airport hotel.
Hakone
Day 12 (Nov.06)- Travel to Hakone ryokan. Rest day.
Day 13 (Nov.07)- Hakone Loop
Haneda Airport
Day 14 (Nov. 08)- Travel to Haneda Airport Hotel. Checkin overnight stay.
Day 15 (Nov. 09)- flight back
by nikvan_c