Hi everyone!
I'm planning a trip to Japan and have put together an itinerary (pasted below). I'd love to get your recommendations and any critiques you might have.
Are there must-see places I'm missing? Any hidden gems or local tips for the areas I'm visiting? Suggestions for adjustments to make the trip smoother?
Thanks in advance for your help. Also thanks as reading this reddit helped a lot creating this draft itineray!
Tokyo
November 6
Arrival and Shinjuku Evening
Arrival at the hotel and explore the area during the day
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4BxQxD2Q1rhvJbha9
Then go to Shinjuku in the afternoon and evening:
Omoide Yokocho alley to eat yakitori
https://goo.gl/maps/sXkePi6AxWKV63og7
Golden Gai
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4fUP8pqFeC6mquAx9
See the gorilla head
https://goo.gl/maps/Vv2bFTTdvMsfSEpD7
Cat billboard
https://goo.gl/maps/cGqkpQknUtK4YtvL6
Possible concert at Shinjuku LOFT
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cb58ZWRWCiNSfKNb9
November 7 – Ginza and Shibuya
Ginza:
Tsukiji Fish Market, the earlier the better
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5xfBv5asKwDstqir7
Cat and dinosaur shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/beHrHKvFc51rfnKo6
Imperial Palace and gardens
https://maps.app.goo.gl/o1ooZqesRViBcgHy8
Huge Uniqlo store
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VGTUXC6uFcV5WXi56
See Hibiya Park with autumn trees
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z7KLgjxtrYTQgBVj7
Watch a traditional 20-minute performance at Kabukiza
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RbRRkRfGAQzLHNvq9
For lunch, cat-themed izakaya
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ktydaZQvjwNR9jt19
Shibuya:
Visit Pokémon Store, Nintendo, Don Quijote, Tower Records, Hachiko statue, Shibuya Sakura Stage
Souvenir and stationery shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qXgW1ey37njebjTr5?g_st=ic
November 8 – Kamakura and Yokohama
Kamakura:
Light hike in Kamakura
https://japon-secreto.com/kamakura-senderismo-daibutsu-hiking-course/
https://losdosviajeros.com/excursion-a-kamakura-desde-tokio/
Yokohama:
Visit Chinatown
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HFHuc9KrhbdCC4C96
November 9 – Cat Temple and Shinjuku
Cat Temple and stroll through Setagaya, including the castle
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Msyp6Jzrz1PxFBbX9
Shinjuku:
Eat fish here
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RV5ShkHMU94EZFb59
Rest in Shinjuku Gyoen Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Um1aPuP3vLKDuDXK6
Takashimaya Times Square, food and shops
https://maps.app.goo.gl/27uJ35Gr4JH4F37k8
Kabukicho Tower, go up to the 17th floor for views
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sePMzyfLqvh4RP629
Free entry to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5xWbs271q17LVBV88
November 10 – Asakusa and Ueno
Asakusa:
Sensō-ji Temple
https://maps.app.goo.gl/f7pbqWuEXuGn63U77
Nakamise Street
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CeebUtKMaewoixTr5
Kappabashi Kitchen Tools Street
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9eq8sVjwLJDNmuN9A
Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Noz3Wh5ZnQfuKQo37
Kimono shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sMKVSD1C5L9gBhmp7
Climb opposite the Skytree (see Instagram post)
Have beer and views at Asahi Tower, perhaps at sunset
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NiVMfefHVHeTBJTD7
Meal:
Sumo-themed restaurant (it's a bit far)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VwSu4aM7xkoqPpuDA
November 11 – Meiji Shrine and Omotesando
Morning:
Send luggage to Kyoto
Meiji Shrine and park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oFxXeBtSAzvR38fJ7
Afternoon:
Walk along Omotesando Avenue, luxury shops, iconic buildings
https://japonismo.com/blog/itinerarios-por-tokio-arquitectura-omotesando-aoyama
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7mYG6yhrnAdW4pXF7
Have artisanal Coca-Cola on Cat Street
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GRVziWi9xvKPvUn69
Optional:
Visit Round1 Stadium for games
November 12 – Travel to Kyoto
Morning:
Tokyo Station Marunouchi Square
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4t5yw3d9YLcWkXUs9
Mofusand
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CSBb2CaCQxSdeES86
Buy food for the train (Suggestions on where?)
Travel:
Go to the hotel in Kyoto
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WiENyE9EKhehnSLq5
Afternoon/Evening:
Stroll through the center (Pontocho, Gion), wander and have dinner
Visit an illuminated temple open until 9 PM
https://en.japantravel.com/kyoto/kodai-ji-autumn-illumination/16526
Kyoto
November 13 – Bikes in Fushimi and River
Morning:
Rent bikes with Cogicogi
Very early visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CBAy525LxYfUZHbd9
Afternoon:
Leisurely ride back along the river, stopping at temples
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7nELFb86jkBkmiXZ7
Eat here
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4yeMpAUwFz5SRo1j8
Rabbit Temple and surroundings, take the quieter side path
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cG4XMDMWYcLTRt7R7
Stepping stones on the Kamo River
https://maps.app.goo.gl/t4AzgyRSsvVBsj6B8
Kyoto Gardens
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3tGYGap85pj8X4Ki8
Botanical Garden (closes at 5 PM)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kKopEtX9woa8iE7w8
November 14 – Arashiyama
Morning:
Boat ride along the river near Arashiyama (2 hours)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xzoWuDyncsRZQU4Z8
Early visit to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
https://goo.gl/maps/W7wCRHtWJeA3udx97
Afternoon:
Walk from Takao to Kiyotaki
https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/gateway-to-kansai/181024.html
Visit temple with bamboo grove if the other is crowded
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ame13sEAnDu2mygs5
Night:
Kimono Forest illuminated
https://goo.gl/maps/qJXX5eQP9koXwHz6A
November 15 – Eastern Temples
Morning:
Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ujRvoyPz5m94F9sM6
Walk through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yewQa4mcFyjSW5TV6
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VSJbrdZyDRbyqFzv8
Another nearby temple
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vS6qXWfjNRXfSdTP6
Peter Rabbit shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/a8uBW3k3z99nF9Hz7
Evening:
Dinner at a yakiniku restaurant (reserve in advance)
November 16 – Nijo Castle and Kamo River
Morning:
Nijo Castle
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kjMpP7xG7swPMLKi7
Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/42LqnBhzX7oFmCVB6
Kitano Tenmangū Shrine
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pVKnunDh94HcKsVK7
Afternoon:
Rest at the hotel and send luggage to Osaka
Evening:
Walk to Pontocho
Ring-making experience
https://maps.app.goo.gl/axxB66zSvXG2ftE9A
Pontocho area
https://maps.app.goo.gl/An4JtUN46DkYSBo19
November 17 – Travel to Kinosaki
Travel:
Train to the hotel in Kinosaki
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qPij8cdBRJiVdHFk9
Reserve private bath
Afternoon:
Kinosaki Ropeway
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pqxeHCKTdYdJyGiS6
November 18 – Relax in Kinosaki
Activities:
Strolls, shopping, try crab dishes
Public and private hot spring baths
Goshono-yu for the last onsen of the day
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pSKMraRR5B96aHwA8
November 19 – Travel to Fukuoka
Activities:
Ohori Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/s61LSqZEowyswBBy8
Fukuoka Tower
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GTtJhGNDua2saKxx5
Evening:
Dinner at Nakasu Yatai Yokocho
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rKdiVv1WQRKHFwwu7
November 20 – Nanzoin and Sumo
Morning:
Nanzoin Temple
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aTsDbdJcyuqXZSm1A
Afternoon:
Sumo tournament (buy tickets on September 14, 2024)
https://www.buysumotickets.com/
November 21 – Travel to Hiroshima
Morning:
Head directly to Miyajima as early as possible
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5GfAZhPdV2DcANve6
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vZJvEKPkmQAJfC9G9
Meal:
Eat seafood
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fBDZRx1fXkFssx1bA
Afternoon:
Ferry to visit the Atomic Bomb Memorial and Museum and Hiroshima Castle
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MVnW9z7PL1Nezc87A
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cDitVEgYrGEsBfG38
Evening:
Dinner of okonomiyaki
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qe4JiJiXdaRD3QZG6
November 22 – Stop in Himeji on the way to Osaka
Morning:
Himeji Castle and gardens
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WQx1asAavErmbQVTA
Meal:
Burgers
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HujqN7C5YPBFRm7d7
November 23 – Nara
Activities:
Tōdai-ji Temple
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EMXv4X9eEyqqufQQ9
Nara Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8kcCTmXpaxAeBUvf6
November 24 – Kobe
Itinerary:
https://thenavigatio.com/kobe-day-trip-itinerary/
Activities:
Visit Kitano district, 19th-century Western-style houses
Ride the cable car up and walk down (Nunobiki Herb Gardens)
Ikuta Shrine
Lunch in Chinatown or try Kobe beef
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZqxbKphYpv4wwZmF6?g_st=ic
Kobe Port and Harborland
November 25 – Osaka
Purchase 2-day transport and attractions pass
https://www.osaka-amazing-pass.com/
Morning:
Osaka Castle (opens at 9 AM)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bpipVNjBYuP6uLam9
Boat ride around the castle (opens at 10 AM)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6jtMu3gnUZKvcGP17
Photos from the castle garden
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eMVgK4FJuNpHwWtKA
Figure Museum inside the castle
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RZ8hfM2ASqcQes7f8
Optional:
Osaka Museum of History
https://maps.app.goo.gl/T81ob9JMyjwVTHvB8
Umeda Area:
Umeda Sky Building (before 3 PM)
by octancio
