First-time Japan Itinerary Feedback (November 2024 Trip)
Hi everyone,
My wife and I (both 27) are visiting Japan for the first time this November, and we’re really excited! We prefer adventure-style holidays and don’t mind being on the move a lot. However, we’re worried our itinerary might be a bit packed and would appreciate any feedback or suggestions for improvement. We’ve been using Wanderlog for planning and are open to adjusting things if needed.
Day 1 – 11/11
- Depart from the UK
Day 2 – 12/11 (Considering moving some items to later days)
- Arrive in Tokyo
- Possibly staying at Hotel Gracery (Godzilla head hotel)
- Explore Shinjuku:
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Hanazono Shrine
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (light show 7pm)
- Omoide Yokocho
- Shinjuku Golden-Gai
- Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
Day 3 – 13/11
- Explore Shibuya & Harajuku:
- Meiji Jingu
- Takeshita Street
- Tokyu Plaza Omotesando
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya (for the crossing view)
- Hachiko Memorial Statue
- Pokémon Center Shibuya
- Nintendo Tokyo
- Shibuya Sky
Day 4 – 14/11
- DisneySea (whole day)
Day 5 – 15/11
- Asakusa & Ueno:
- Senso-ji
- Tokyo Skytree
- Disney Store
- Pokémon Center Skytree Town
- Takagi Shrine
- Ueno Park
- Train to Kyoto
Day 6 – 16/11
- Explore Kyoto:
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Komyo-in Temple
- Ninenzaka
- Hokan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda)
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Ghibli Studios Shop Kyoto
- Sannenzaka
- Nishiki Market (Yuuzen chopstick shop)
- Kichi Kichi Omurice
- Okazaki Shrine
- (THISIS)SHIZEN
- Shimogamo Shrine
- Kinkaku-ji
Day 7 – 17/11
- Day trip to Nara:
- Nara Park
- Mizuya Chaya
- Kasuga Taisha
- Todai-ji
- Todai-ji Namdaimon (Grand South Gate)
- Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum
- Kofuku-ji
- Nakatanidou
Day 8 – 18/11
- Explore Arashiyama:
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
- Arashiyama Monkey Park
Day 9 – 19/11
- Train to Osaka
- Explore Osaka:
- Shin Sekai (New World)
- Shitenno-ji
- Namba Yasaka Jinja
- Umeda Sky Building
- Dotonbori
- Hozenji Yokocho
Day 10 – 20/11
- Universal Studios Japan (whole day)
Day 11 – 21/11
- Explore Osaka:
- Katsuoji
- Henn na Hotel Osaka Namba
- Train back to Tokyo
Day 12 – 22/11
- Day trip to Hakone:
- Hakone
- Yumoto
- Amasake Tea House
- Hakone Shrine
- Motohakone
- Togendai Station
- Owakudani
- Sounzan Station
- Chokokunomori Station
- The Hakone Open-Air Museum
- Hakone-Yumoto Station
Day 13 – 23/11
- Explore Tokyo:
- teamLab Borderless
- Pokémon Center Tokyo DX
- Pokémon Café Tokyo Nihonbashi
- Imperial Palace
- Hie Shrine
- Tokyo Tower
- Zojo-ji
Day 14 – 24/11
- Day trip to Fujiyoshida:
- Fujiyoshida
- Chureito Pagoda
Day 15 – 25/11
- Explore Odaiba:
- DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
- Fuji Television Headquarters
- AQUA CiTY Odaiba
- Tokyo Joypolis
- Statue of Liberty
- Gotokuji Temple
Day 16 – 26/11
- Final day in Japan
Any thoughts on balancing our itinerary or recommendations for must-see places we may have missed? Thanks for the help!
by MrNeski