14 Day Trip [November 2022] Itinerary UPDATED

16 comments

1. You’re really, really rushing Kyoto. I ordinarily recommend 3 full days just as a starting point for a quick run through of the highlights, and November (especially mid-late November) is the height of fall foliage season, which is arguably the most beautiful time to visit and therefore even more reason not to rush it.

2. Can you share a link for the Nara walking itinerary?

   Also I agree that Kyoto is very condensed with only one day out in Arashiyama and no time in the rest of the city. I think the attraction of Kyoto is less “things to do” and more “things to see,” as in a lot of wandering through the streets and sightseeing at temples and shrines.

   You’ll be in Kawaguchiko during the fall leaves festival. I think if you’re only going there for one night, you’ll need to leave Osaka very early to make the most of the day.

3. If you are able Kamakura has some gorgeous shrines/temples and it’s fun to watch the hawks dive bomb peoples food.

4. $5-$6k each? Damn are you planning on staying at 5 star hotels your entire trip?

5. One thing I regret was spending only 4 days in Kyoto. Though I am not a big temple fan the highlight of my 3 week trip was Kyoto due to the fact that it had such a relaxed and nice vibe. The place was a mix of big citiy and small local town with greater sights. Great place.
   If it’s your first trip I would recommend spending more of your time there. Well for 14 days it does seem very packed. 2 days Kyoto and 3 -4 days Tokyo is kinda short. But if you know what you like then it’s good. Other than that solid itinerary.

6. Honestly I think just 2-3 days in Tokyo is scratching the surface. It is unlike any other city I’ve ever visited, makes NYC look like a baby. While there might not be a lot of “touristy” landmarks, the culture in each of the prefectures is worth exploring (fashion, outside markets, restaurants, cafes, shopping districts).

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9. Here’s my feedback:

   Nov 12: Can you book a flight from Canada that flies direct into Osaka (KIX) airport? If you book a multi-city flight that arrives into KIX on Nov 12 and departs out of Tokyo on Nov 25th you’ll save a lot of time and cost on train travel in Japan. It takes about an hour to get from either airport in Tokyo to Tokyo or Shinagawa station where you have to get on the Shinkansen to go to Kyoto so taking the train to Kyoto after a long international flight will be really rough.

   Or, if you’ve already booked your international flight as a round trip in/out of Tokyo, see about just booking a domestic flight on Nov 12 from Tokyo to either KIX or Itami. It’ll be a lot simpler to overall as then you don’t have to lug large suitcases on the train and navigate crowded train stations when you’re tired after your long fight. After arriving KIX or Itami you can take the limousine bus from the airport to Kyoto station which again is so much easier when you have large luggage.

   – [Domestic Air Travel in Japan ](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2365.html)
   – [Access to Kyoto from KIX ](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2033.html?aFROM=2033_2158)
   – [Access to Kyoto from Itami Airport ](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2433.html?aFROM=2158_2433)

   I highly recommend staying in the Higashiyama/Gion districts in Kyoto as you are walkable to so many sites, lots of great restaurants, and it’s gorgeous at night. Especially this time of year when Kiyomizudera, Kodaiji, and more sites in this area have evening illuminations for the autumn leaves season.

   – [Inside Kyoto: Districts ](https://www.insidekyoto.com/kyoto-districts)
   – [My Trip Report: Autumn Leaves Illuminations in Kyoto ](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mjt5yf/kyoto_autumn_night_illuminations_at_temples_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)

   Nov 13: I do not recommend Arashiyama today as you will be jet lagged and likely need to take a rest at your hotel in the mid-afternoon. Instead, spend the day exploring the Southern and Northern Higashiyama district, take a nap as needed, and then see a few of the evening illuminations in this area. It’ll feel good to walk and have a more flexible day today than rush off to Arashiyama first thing.

   Nov 14: Do your Arashiyama day today. If you can, get tickets on the sightseeing train and riverboat ride too. It’s gorgeous in the fall.

   – [My Trip Report: Arashiyama Scenic Railway and Riverboat Cruise ](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mibm8t/kyoto_sagano_scenic_train_hozugawa_riverboat/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)

   Nov 15: Check out of Kyoto Hotel and do Nara as a day trip here on your way to Osaka. If you really want to spend 7 hours in Nara you’d be better off just spending the night in Nara itself. There’s a wide range of accommodation price points and Nara has some great autumn leaves too. You can either use baggage delivery to ship your large luggage to Osaka or store your suitcases in the luggage lockers at Nara station.

   – [Autumn Leaves in Nara ](https://livejapan.com/en/in-kansai/in-pref-nara/in-nara_ikoma_tenri/article-a2000161/)
   – [Lockers and Luggage Storage at Nara ](https://www.narastation.com/lockers-luggage-storage-at-the-nara-stations/)

   Nov 16: I’d do Osaka first before Koyasan. Day 1 just explore Osaka itself including Dotonbori and Shinsekai at night. It’ll be a nice big city/lights experience after the temples/shrines of Kyoto and Nara.

   – [Osaka’s 10 Best Fall Foliage Spots ](https://matcha-jp.com/en/2692)
   – [8 Best Things to Do in Osaka at Night ](https://jw-webmagazine.com/best-things-to-do-in-osaka-at-night/)
   – [Best Things to Do in Osaka at Night ](https://theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/articles/the-best-things-to-do-in-osaka-at-night/)

   Nov 17: Universal Studios Japan will be an all day thing. Plan to stay til just before closing for the night parade. It’s worth it.

   Nov 18: Do your Koyasan overnight today. This way you can take full advantage of the [Koyasan World Heritage Ticket](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_012.html) which covers roundtrip train travel from Namba station in Osaka to Koyasan.

   Nov 19: Checkout Koyasan temple stay and travel back to Osaka to catch train towards Kawaguchiko. This will be a long travel day so I’m wondering if your better served by skipping Kawaguchiko and either adding one more day to Kyoto (as 3-5 days is much better than 2) or heading straight to Tokyo? Do you just want to see Mt. Fuji? If yes, you’ll see it from the Shinkansen if it’s a clear day. Or do you want more time in nature? If yes, maybe try staying in a ryokan in Hakone instead of the Lake Kawaguchiko area. It’s a 2 hour Shinkansen ride from Osaka to Odawara station. Lots to see do in Hakone and good bus/rail links make it a bit easier to get around without a car than the Lake Kawaguchiko area. You’ll have good views of Mt. Fuji from the lake in the early morning too.

   – [JapanGuide: Hakone Access ](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_012.html)
   – [Hakone Navi ](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/)
   – [Hakone Fall Foliage Spots ](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/article/2734)
   – [6 Best Views if Mt. Fuji in Hakone ](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/article/2514)

   If you’re looking for a nice ryokan with private outdoor onsen huts you and your friends can use together I recommend the [Kowakudani Mizunoto Ryokan ](https://goo.gl/maps/CWUuXkW7GzXDZxAp7). You can also look on. [Selected Ryokan ](https://selected-ryokan.com/ryokan/location/hakone-hot-spring) for other places with private onsen in Hakone.

   Nov 20: Spend morning/day sightseeing in Hakone after hotel checkout and then train to Tokyo for hotel Checkin.

   – [Hakone Access to Tokyo ](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5206.html)

   Or skip the overnight in Hakone or Kawaguchiko entirely and just add an extra night to Kyoto as I think you are cutting it close there and will likely find lots more to do than you think.

   Nov 21 – 24: Tokyo sightseeing. I would chose a district/area and sightsee around there each day or one area in the morning and one area in the afternoon/evening. There should also be some autumn illuminations in Tokyo too. If into anime, I recommend Nakano Broadway over Akihabara which you can combine with a visit to Kichijoji fir the Ghibli Museum and some awesome restaurants/coffee shops in the area voted Tokyo’s most liveable neighborhood. Enoshima and/or Kanakura are popular day trips but you may be all templed/shrined out already so play this by ear. Odaiba is a fun area with Team Lab Borderless and Planets, the Miraikan Science Museum, and lots of shopping/arcades and is perfect on a rainy or very cold day as it’s all indoors. Depending on weather, you may also see roses along the Arakawa Streetcar Line. Lots to see/do in Tokyo.

   – [Top 25 Tokyo Day Trips ](https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/easy-day-trips-from-tokyo/)
   – [Who Needs Akihabara when You’ve Got Nakano Broadway? ](https://tokyocheapo.com/lifestyle/nakano-broadway-akihabara/)
   – [Kichijoji: Tokyo’s Most Livable Neighborhood ](https://savvytokyo.com/kichijoji-guide/)
   – [20 Best Things to Do in Odaiba ](https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-odaiba/article-a0000132/)
   – [Tokyo Day Trip: Roses in the Arakawa Retro Streetcar ](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/nf7hgc/tokyo_day_trip_rose_spotting_on_the_toden_arakawa/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
   – [5 Best Places for autumn leaves at night in Tokyo ](https://jw-webmagazine.com/best-places-to-see-autumn-leaves-in-tokyo-at-night/)

   If you do the above, no need to purchase a JR Rail pass. Just use local trains/buses in Kyoto and to get tp Nara then Osaka. The Koyasan Heritage ticket to get to/from Koyasan. Then a one way Shinkansen ticket from Shin-Osaka to Odawara. Hakone Free Pass to get around Hakone and back into Tokyo and then local subway/trains to get around in Tokyo. Will be cheaper overall than a 7 day JR Pass and the Koyasan and Hakone tickets will cover travel on the private lines/buses that a JR Pass wouldn’t cover anyways.

   – [Get an Iacoca IC card in Kyoto. ](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html) or if you have a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch [set up mobile Suica.](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html) This lets you scan in/out as you enter/leave stations and buses throughout Japan and easily add more money to your card/app as needed.
   – Or, look into day passes but these can be confusing as they don’t cover all lines, so using an IC card or mobile Suica app is easier I think in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Tokyo as then you just take the most direct route Google maps shows you and don’t have to worry about which train line or bus company it is.
   – [Kyoto Day Passes ](https://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes)
   – [Osaka Day Passes ](https://osaka-info.jp/en/page/travel-passes)
   – [1 Day Transport Passes in Tokyo ](https://matcha-jp.com/en/4041)

   Happy Planning!

10. You know you cannot climb Mt. Fuji, right?

11. Just something I would add to the bamboo forest. If you want to spend your entire or almost a full day there, then you should go left after the main bridge. That way you’re getting away from all the tourists and its like climbing a small hill with a great view of Kyoto at the end. ^^
    I actually spend one day just being there and watching everything and it’s much better the main route. (with a small disgusting part, but that was a Spanish tourist)

12. This may be a bit too detailed advice, but I don’t recommend the Nippombashi shopping district. Akihabara is a better choice. I often go to Nippombashi, but due to the recession, many stores have gone out of business. If you are interested in electronics and want to buy a lot of IC chips, you should visit Digit in Nippombashi.

    Heijo Palace is also good if you are interested in Nara. It is far from the station and you will have to walk for about 30 minutes, but it is more interesting than watching deer for hours. You can travel back 1300 years.

13. How long did it take you to plan and map out?

14. Hey… I LOVE your enthusiasm. I have been to Japan, I have traveled bmy whole life and it is by far my favorite country I have been to. I hate to sound so critical but I would like to repost your itinerary with some minor changes so that you might better understand what you are attempting.

    November 11 – Leave Japan

    November 12/Night 1 – Arrive in NYC, process at airport and hop on train to DC, Arrive DC and crash

    November 13/Night 2 – DC all day, primarily Smithsonian, and surrounding area

    November 14/Night 3 – DC, go to Hilton Head, Sit on Beach Just one night, we want to meander the streets

    November 15/Night 4 – Leave Hilton Head, arrive Orlando, Fl spend the night in Orlando, probably hit up one our planned places to see.

    November 16/Night 5 – Universal Studios, primarily super mario world

    November 17/Night 6 – Full day Orlando, we have quite a few pinned destinations including the castle at Magic kingdom.

    November 18/Night 7 – Ft. Lauderdale Day Trip. We found an amazing 7ish hour walking itinerary. This is super high on our list.

    November 19/Night 8 – Leave Orlando and head to Vermont This is quite a long trip time wise, we are thinking this day is a bit of a write off. We will travel today, and book a cheap hotel.

    November 20/Night 9 – All day at Vermont and overnight at a private resort.

    November 21/Night 10 – Leave Vermont and spend the rest of the day seeing NYC

    November 22 – November 24/Night 10 – Night 13 – All NYC days, we have quite a bit we’d like to see and do – does anyone have any highly recommended day trips like our Ft. Lauderdale one that are around NYC? We would definitely take a day trip on one of these days!

15. First, I’m super jealous that you’re going to Japan. I really want to go back to Japan so bad. As for your question, I’m going to be honest I didn’t read your itinerary. I looked at the map and was overwhelmed. Someone else has mentioned splitting your trip to 3 cities and I totally agree with that. I hate wasting my day on traveling as it kills my mood to do anything (maybe I’m just old LOL). There are a lot of things to do in Japan and spending a rushed day to do the tourist stuff will leave you with the regret of not spending an extra day or two+ to explore the city a little more.

16. Hey hey. My fiancé and I are planning a possible November honeymoon to Kyoto in 2022. It doesnt seem like US citizens or anyone really can travel to Japan.

    Any insight is appreciated