Hi!!! I am planning a graduation trip with my partner and it is my partner’s first time in Japan! As it is our first time traveling to Japan during the Golden Week, we were looking to see if our itinerary made sense and if there are any suggestions to improve it. We have already booked our flight tickets (In and out of Osaka). We are worried about how things will be during Golden Week. I have specifically timed our week in Tokyo to be within Golden Week as I heard that it’ll not be as crowded as other cities.
**Day 1: Osaka (Dontonbori)**
* Arrive at KIA in the afternoon and check in at our hotel
* Explore Dontonbori (Lunch)
* Visit Teamlab Osaka
* Return to Dontonbori for dinenr
**Day 2: Osaka/Tokyo (Shibuya/Shinjuku)**
* From Osaka to Tokyo in the morning
* Visit Meiji Jingu (Shibuya)
* Visit Shinjuku (Tokyo Metropolitian Building & Shopping)
* Also to purchase the bus ticket to Kawaguchiko.
* Dinner at Shin Udon
**Day 3: Day Trip to Kawaguchiko**
* Cheito Pagoda
* Explore the area
**Day 4: Tokyo (Tsukiji/ Ginza)**
* Tsukiji in the morning
* Teamlab Tokyo after lunch
* Akihabara
* Visit Ginza (Shopping and food)
**Day 5: Day trip to Tateyama Alpine Route**
* Take the morning train to Tateyama
* Start the route from Tateyama station
* End at Nagano before heading back to Tokyo.
**Day 6: Tokyo (Shimokitazawa/Harajuku/Shibuya Sky)**
* Day of Thrifting and shopping (Shimokitazawa/Harajuku)
* Ending the day at Shibuya Sky & more shopping at Shibuya
**Day 7: Day trip to Nagoya**
* Studio Ghibli Park (We have already bought the tickets)
* Nagoya Castle
**Day 8: Tokyo/Kyoto**
* Asakusa
* Traveling to Kyoto
* Nijo Castle
**Day 9: Kyoto (Arashiyama)**
* Sagano Scenic Railway
* Hozugawa River Cruise
* Arashiyama forest
* Exploring the area
**Day 10: Kyoto (Inari)**
* Exploring Mt. Inari
* Visiting Hokanji
* Kiyomizudera
* Etc. (Have not fully researched on things to do)
**Day 11: Kyoto/Osaka**
* Visiting Ninenzaka in the morning
* Traveling to Osaka
* Orange Street (Thrifting)
**Day 12: Osaka (USJ)**
* USJ
**Day 13: Osaka (Rest)**
* Visiting Osaka Castle
* Shopping
* Solaniwa Onsen
**Day 14: Day trip to Nara**
* Nara Park
* Sagi-ike pond
* Kofuji Temple
* Todai-ji
**Day 15: Osaka (Going Home)**
* Dontonbori for more food
* Home
Our main concern is the Tateyama Alpine route and the booking of the Shinkansen. I am unsure whether Tateyama Alpine Route would be crowded as the day we are going is Greenery Day and a public holiday in general. I am also not sure whether it would be wise to purchase the tickets online or proceed to Tateyama station to purchase them. Additionally, as we are planning to get the JR pass, we are not sure whether we will still be able to reserve seats when we are traveling to Tokyo and out of it. Are there also any train passes or sightseeing passes we can utilize?
1 comment
Why not do the Alpine Route en route from Osaka to Tokyo?
Day 2: Checkout of hotel in Osaka and ship large luggage from your hotel front desk direct to your hotel in Tokyo using the [baggage delivery service.](https://trulytokyo.com/luggage-shipping-the-smart-way-to-travel-in-japan/) You can’t travel with large luggage on the Alpine Route so just pack a backpack with the essentials for one night.
Travel from Osaka to Toyama to begin the Alpine Route. You will need to leave as early as possible though as it’ll be a long day. See [the Access page for an overview of the route from Osaka.](https://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport/access.html)
Do the Alpine Route starting from Toyama across the mountain one way and end in Matsumoto. I’d suggest spending the night in Matsumoto as it’s a long day of travel and you’ll likely be tired of being in constant movement. *Definitely* [book tickets online in advance for the Alpine Route.](https://tateyama-kurobe-webservice.jp/AlpenTour/html/VW001W0010.html) If you don’t do this you may not be able to get tickets the day of.
The next morning you can also visit [Matsumoto Castle](https://visitmatsumoto.com/en/) which is just one of 12 remaining original construction castles in Japan. I’d also recommend eating at the Storyhouse Cafe and exploring the shops and old buildings a bit. You could even [stay overnight here](https://www.booking.com/Share-ZrOd7e) and try your hand at some archery.
There’s a [limited express train that will take you right from Matsumoto into Shinjuku Station in Tokyo.](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6053.html) After arriving at Shinjuku you can buy your bus tickets to Fuji if needed. Then you can just do your Tokyo days.
For Day 7, why don’t you just spend the night in Nagoya? Seems odd to back track all the way to Tokyo just to go right back past Nagoya the next day on your way to Kyoto???
I’d also recommend doing your day trip in between Kyoto and Osaka. Checkout if your Kyoto hotel, travel to Nara, [store luggage in lockers at Nara Station,](https://www.narastation.com/lockers-luggage-storage-at-the-nara-stations/) sightsee in Nara, pickup luggage and onwards to Osaka for hotel checkin.