Hi there!
I'm going to Japan with my partner in late April to early May next year (yes we'll be there during Golden Week). I've been to Japan a couple times before on longer trips but this will be my partner's first time going so would like to hear your thoughts on our itinerary so far.
Some notes:
– We're in our 20s and both pretty active. Does our itinerary look balanced?
– Flights have been booked, will be flying from Australia so jet lag will not be an issue
– We both want to enjoy sightseeing (preferably not the overcrowded spots, or go early instead) and try heaps of different foods
– We've never been to Kanazawa or the Hokuriku region so definitely want to visit while doing the Golden Route
– We're well aware that Golden Week will be busy (esp. for hotels, shinkansen seats) and can't change the dates. Are there any events in Tokyo or maybe Osaka during Golden Week that you'd recommend?
Day 1: Flight/Osaka
– Arrive in Osaka at night and take train to hotel
– Grab a quick conbini meal and tuck in for the night
Day 2: Osaka
– Osaka Kaiyukan
– Shopping in Umeda area
– Umeda Sky Building
– Dinner in Dotonbori/Namba area
Day 3: Himeji/Osaka
– Himeji Castle
– (Maybe?) Koko-en, Otemae Park
– Lunch in Shinsekai area
– Chill early at hotel or check out Denden Town
– Dinner in Dotonbori/Namba area
Day 4: Osaka
– Ship luggage to Kyoto hotel
– Universal Studios Japan (all day)
– Dinner in Dotonbori/Namba area
Day 5: Miyajima/Kyoto
– Check out of Osaka hotel. Take early train/ferry to Miyajima
– Itsukushima Shrine
– (Maybe?) Take ropeway to Mt Misen
– Walk around for food and souvenir shopping
– Take shinkansen from Hiroshima to Kyoto. Check into Kyoto hotel and find dinner nearby
Day 6: Kyoto
– Kiyomizu-dera
– Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka for food and souvenir shopping
– Yasaka Shrine for street food
– Dinner in Gion area
– Kodaiji for night-time illuminations
Day 7: Nara/Kyoto
– Fushimi Inari Taisha in early morning (probably not the full hike)
– Todaiji
– (Maybe?) Kasuga Shrine or walk around Nara Park
– Dinner in Pontocho Alley
– Walk down Shinkyogoku Shopping Street
Day 8: Kanazawa
– Check out of Kyoto hotel and take early morning train to Kanazawa
– Kenroku-en
– Walk around Higashi Chaya District for lunch
– Check into Kanazawa hotel
– Omicho Market for food
Day 9: Kanazawa
– Kanazawa Castle Ruins
– 21st Century Museum
– Nagamachi District
– Chill at hotel, find dinner near Omicho Market
Day 10: Takayama
– Check out of Kanazawa hotel and take early morning train to Takayama
– Hida no Sato
– Walk around Sanmachi Suji and surrounds for food
– Takayama Showa-kan Museum
– Check into hotel and find dinner nearby
Day 11: Takayama/Okuhida
– Miyagawa Morning Market
– Shinhotaka Ropeway
– (Maybe?) Visit Hirayu no Mori for onsen and dinner
Day 12: Tokyo
– Check out of Takayama hotel and take early trains to Tokyo. Drop off luggage at Tokyo hotel
– Akihabara (half-day) for anime goods shopping
– Check into hotel and find dinner nearby
Day 13: Tokyo
– Ginza shopping
– Art Aquarium Museum
– Flexible half-day, could visit Shibuya for Nintendo/Capcom/Pokemon Centre or more Akihabara or chill
Day 14: Tokyo
– Asakusa (Nakamise-dori, Sensoji in morning)
– (Maybe?) Tokyo Skytree
– Walk around Ueno Park
– Ameyokocho
Day 15: Ashikaga
– Day trip to Ashikaga Flower Park (Great Wisteria Festival)
Day 16: Tokyo/Osaka
– (Maybe?) Meiji Shrine for Golden Week performances
– Take shinkansen to Osaka. Late night flight home
Thank you for reading, would appreciate any feedback or suggestions!
by gradgamer