Hi everyone!
This will be my first time traveling to Japan, I will be staying for 2 weeks (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagano). I’m a little overwhelmed and worried that my first week is a little too ambitious. This is also my first time doing an itinerary. My dates are Dec 20nd – Jan 2nd, I’m hoping those dates are good for visiting the places I want to visit. Any and all advice/comments are appreciated!
Here’s an excel sheet: [https://i.imgur.com/5NY1AJn.png](https://i.imgur.com/5NY1AJn.png)
# Day 1: Arrive at NRT on 20th Dec morning at 9 AM
* Pick up JR pass, SIM card, IC card
* Locate hotel, check in
* See what’s around the hotel
* Visit Asakusa (is it possible?)
* JR pass begins
# Day 2: Tokyo (Wed, 21st)
* Toyosu Outer Market – Any idea about the timings?
* Imperial palace
* Tokyo Tower
# Day 3: Tokyo (22 Dec)
* Senso Ji Shrine
* Tokyo Skytree
* Tokyo National Museum
# Day 4: Tokyo (23 Dec)
* teamLab Planets
* Akihabara
* Tokyo Water Bus
# Day 5: Tokyo (24 Dec)
* Ueno Park
* Odaiba
* Asakusa
# Day 6: Tokyo (25 Dec)
* Mt Fuji – TBD
* Hakone – TBD
**Question:** Is it possible to visit Mt. Fuji / Hakone as a day trip starting from Tokyo? We’re planning to leave in the morning and come back by night.
# Day 7: Kyoto (26 Dec)
* Fushimi Inari Taisha
* Kinkaku-ji / Kiyomizu-dera
* Arashiyama / Kyoto Railway Museum
# Day 8: Kyoto (27 Dec)
* Nakasendo Trail / Hike
# Day 9: Osaka (28 Dec)
* Osaka Castle
* Nara Deer Park
* Dotonbori
# Day 10: Osaka (29 Dec)
* Universal Studios – Full day
# Day 12: Osaka (30 Dec)
* Umeda
* Hiroshima Day Trip – TBD.
**Question:** Is Hiroshima trip possible?
# Day 13: Nagano (31 Dec)
* Shiga Kogen Ski Resort – planning to stay in a Ryokan / Onsen to get that experience
* Monkey Park
# Day 13: Nagano (1 Jan)
**Question:** This day is currently unplanned. Not sure what else to do around here. Any recommendations?
# Day 14: Travel back to Tokyo (2 Jan)
* Reach Tokyo, maybe do some light shopping, and then leave for the hotel near airport.
* JR pass ends
# Day 15: (3 Jan)
* Check out hotel
* Travel back to India. Flight leaves at 9 AM
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I have some other questions too:
* I also wanted to visit a volcano, but I’m unsure if it’s possible to squeeze that into my itinerary. Would that be possible? I don’t want to have a jam-packed schedule and not be able to enjoy the places properly.
* My friend and I don’t know skiing, but are planning to spend a day in a ski resort to just get the experience. Is that a stupid idea? We’re hoping to get some training and maybe do some activities.
* Are there any places that we should drop and replace with something else that’s a must-do?
Japan is a beautiful country and I’m really excited for the trip but I’m unsure if I’ve made any obvious mistakes. Also, a bit worried if I’m visiting in the wrong season. Thanks in advance for any help!
5 comments
Yes it is possible to go to Hakone as a day trip from Tokyo.
Where exactly do you want to go on the Nakasendo ? The known spots are not especially close to Kyoto.
Yes, Hiroshima is possible as a day trop. Actually, If you don’t go, I have doubts that the JR Pass would save you much money. Did you check to make sure it would be worth getting it ?
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The best known active volcano like Mount Aso or Sakurajima are quite far, so not realistic. Technically speaking, Mout Fuji is a volcano and going to Hakone, if you go to Owakudani, that is a an area that have some volcanic activity.
There is no way I am clicking on your excel sheet.
What do you mean ‘JR pass begins’ on Day 1?
You are planning on several days at the start of your tour in Tokyo.. you do realize there are many other options to get around the dozens of Wards/cities (..and far more efficient) than trying to navigate with a (national) JR Pass? Have a search for Tokyo Metro and Tourist cards in the Google. Far more useful and depending on the type of day pass you use, far cheaper.
Be prepared Shiga Kogen and the Hakuba valley will be very busy this period. Be absolutely certain your hotel arrangements are locked down
And – Dec 30th in to about Jan 2nd (the New Years period) is a very intense time in Japan. Be careful with arranging things as public transport could be limited and many businesses closed. I am seeing other people ask about dinners and similar for New Year’s Eve..there is a lot of uncertainty as the country has barely been open for two months
Edit- the question about is it possible to visit Hakone as a day trip out of (west) Tokyo comes up weekly here as well. Lots of answers and depending on your goals. It is ‘possible’ ..but considering timing & what you wish to do it is a pressured and fast trip. I would wonder why you would wish to do this as ‘Hakone’ is a large region with many mountain towns and villages with different attractions. The region is developed as an over night destination focusing on Onsens. Hoping to catch a glimpse in Fuji is very uncertain due to weather and the location of mountain viewpoints
>JR pass begins
Day 1 to 5 are all around Tokyo and NRT, it is not worthy to use JR PASS around Tokyo: You could buy some Tokyo multiple day pass like [this one](https://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/tickets/subway.php) plus another 24 hour subway ticket. Then activate 7 day JR Pass at Day 6.
Although it will expired at Nagano, Shinkansen between Nagano and Tokyo is 8140 JPY, 7 day Pass plus it still cheaper than 14 days.
> Question: Is it possible to visit Mt. Fuji / Hakone as a day trip starting from Tokyo? We’re planning to leave in the morning and come back by night.
Day trip to one of them is possible. Or you can stay at Hakone or Odawara for one night then go to Kyoto from Odawara Station without going back to Tokyo.
> Day 13: Nagano (1 Jan)
Is it Day 14? You could visit Zenkoji Temple to join the queue of Hatsumoude at 1 Jan, or Take a day trip to Karuizawa.
Another possibility is Matsumoto (for Matsumoto Castle). But it would be a little off route since you need take slower Chuo Line to Tokyo after Matsumoto (You could visit Mt.Fuji on the way, if One more empty day is possible).
Skip toyosu, go to Tsukiji. They’re about 10-15 minutes apart but Toyosu is just giant warehouses. Tsukiji outer market has the quaint, busy, outdoor market atmosphere that I think you are looking for. Feel free to hmu with more questions.
For day 9, you should allocate a full day to Nara. The temple complex you call a deer park is huge, and there’s lots to see in the city proper. The deers are aggressive and unpleasant, and aren’t worth the trip if you’re not interested in the huge range of other sights in the city.
Go to the Tokyo National Museum on the same day as Ueno Park, as the museum is on the edge of the park.