Itinerary check – 15 days (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakuba)

Hi! We’re going to Japan for the first time in Winter over the new years, and wanted to get our itinerary checked please!

We’re going to be doing 6 nights in Tokyo (split up) and will be there for new years, 3 nights in Hakuba snowboarding, 3 nights in Kyoto and 3 nights in Osaka.

I’ve read the posts and comments on new years in Tokyo, but if anyone has any other bonus tips, that would be great! Also looking for advice on any changes to our resort choices at Hakuba, we’re early intermediate level boarders.

I’ve left out the majority of the food destinations, but we’re big on eating everything we can, so I tried to keep the itinerary light (not sure if I was successful).

Also, just for a peace of mind check, I’m pretty sure JR pass isn’t worth it for us with this? If anyone could please confirm, that’d be great!

Edit: dates are 28-Dec to 12-Jan

Day 1: Arrive in Japan (from Korea)
* 11:20am arrival, planning for 2-3pm check in in Shinjuku
* Grab food, then Shinjuku Gyoen National Park
* Explore Shinjuku, around Toho cinemas area
* Omoide Yokocho at night

Day 2: Tsukiji Markets/Ginza
* Early morning Tsukiji market
* teamLab Planets
* Explore Ginza, maybe shopping

Day 3: Shibuya/Harajuku
* Walk around Harajuku, Meiji Jingu shrine, Omotesando in the morning
* Walk around Shibuya in afternoon, d47 museum, Hachiko statue, explore the shops
* Kabuchiko at night

Day 4: New Years Eve
* Suga Shrine Otokodan in the morning
* Yoyogi park in the afternoon
* Golden Gai at night
* *Not sure what our exact NYE plan would be*

Day 5: Travel to Hakuba
* Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen) detour
* Check in to hotel at Hakuba and onsen

Day 6: Snowboarding
* Happo One in the morning
* Tsugaike Kogen in the afternoon
* Ryokan at night

Day 7: Snowboarding
* Goryu/47 in the morning
* Iwatake in the afternoon
* Onsen at night

Day 8: Travel to Kyoto
* Check in around 2:30pm
* Nishiki market
* Walk around Hanamikoji Street, Gion, Yasaka Shrine/Maruyama Park

Day 9: Fushimi Inari Taisha
* Planning to go at sunrise
* Kawaramachi-Dori Street
* Afternoon: Kiyomizudera and Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka

Day 10: Arashiyama
* Planning to go at sunrise, bamboo forest
* Sagano Romantic train (not sure about this)
* Kinkakuji
* Kyoto Imperial Palace

Day 11: Travel to Osaka
* Osaka castle
* Izakaya Toyo
* Dotonbori

Day 12:
* USJ? I’m not sure if we want to spend a day in Osaka here to just explore and eat
* Alternatively: Umeda Sky, Cup noodle museum

Day 13:
* Shopping day
* Shinsaibashi
* Amerikamura
* teamLab Botanical Garden at night

Day 14: Travel to Tokyo
* Sushi Omakase

Day 15:
* Senso-ji , Nakamise-Dori / Sumida park
* Souvenir shopping, Ameyoko, Akihabara

Day 16: Departure