I’m looking to travel to Japan for the first time (solo, 30M) this May and have put together a rough draft for my itinerary below. I could extend the end of my trip by two days if you think it would be worthwhile!
I’m generally interested in exploring nature, mythology, culture, and the food of Japan, and I’m not interested in clubs/nightlife. I am a sucker for crane games and arcades, though!
I’d love to fit in some time to watch traditional music performances (big tsugaru shamisen fan, here!), but I’ve struggled to find resources to help me plan that.
I’ve considered adding a day trip from Kyoto to Osaka, but I’m still undecided. Please feel free to recommend more or less activities: I like to go with the flow when I travel, so if a day seems way too light, I’d be happy to pad it out
Day 0-1 Fly into Haneda in the evening and sleep at hotel
Day 2 Travel to Hiroshima in the morning via Shinkansen, explore Peace Park
Day 3 Travel to and explore Miyajima, return to Hiroshima in the evening
Day 4 Day trip to Ohkunoshima, then continue on to Kyoto
Day 5 (5/15) Explore Kyoto during Aoi Matsuri
Day 6: Arashiyama: Transit to Otagi Nenbutsuji, then walk downhill to explore the town proper, check out Bamboo Grove, try to get on a Hozu River Boat Ride if possible
Day 7: Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, then Fushimi Inari at sunset
Day 8 Day trip to Nara: Primeval Forest hiking trails, visit Todai-ji Temple
Day 9: Travel to Hakone for Round Course, stay overnight
Day 10: Finish up in Hakone in the morning, return to Tokyo and check out Ueno (Ameyoko Bazaar, Akihabara, Shamisen Kato?)
Day 11 (5/21) Explore Tokyo during Sanja Matsuri
Day 12 Tsukiji Outer Market, Teamlab Planets
Day 13 Shinjuku and Ikebukuro
Day 14 Day trip to Kamakura and Enoshima
Day 15 Free day/Shopping Day
Day 16 Fly home from Haneda
Thank you for your help!