Hi guys!
I’m going to Japan next February with a friend! I was wondering if you could look at this itinerary that me and my friend did! If its to ambitious or it’s good!
Could you suggest things we could add or somethings in here that wouldn’t be worth it?
Also, do you have any activity suggestions?
Destination
Tokyo
Week 1: Tokyo and Surroundings
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, explore the local neighborhood.
Day 2: Visit popular attractions in Tokyo such as Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya Crossing.(shibuya ward morning)- Tokyo Tower
Day 3: Take a day trip to Nikko to visit Toshogu Shrine and enjoy the beautiful nature.(2h45)
Day 4: Explore the historic Asakusa area, including Senso-ji Temple and the nearby Ueno Park.
Day 5: Visit the upscale neighborhood of Ginza and explore the shopping streets.
Day 6: Explore other attractions in Tokyo, such as the teamLab Planets digital art museum or the Tokyo Skytree.(during the morning(head) and evening we head to to Hakone)
Day 6: Take a day trip to Hakone to experience hot springs, scenic views of Mount Fuji, and enjoy an onsen experience. (2h)
Week 2: Kyoto and Osaka
Day 8: Travel to Kyoto from Hakone, visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden
Pavilion), Nijo Castle, and the Gion district.(2h23)
Day 9: Explore the Arashiyama district, visit the famous bamboo forest and the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge.
Day 10: Take a day trip to Nara to see the famous Todai-ji Temple and the friendly deer in Nara Park.(1h08)
Day 11: Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its thousands of torii gates, and explore the Higashiyama district.
Day 12: Travel to Osaka, visit Osaka Castle, Dotonbori for food and entertainment, and the Umeda Sky Building.(43min)
Day 13: Take a day trip to Himeji day trip is the perfect addition to any Japan itinerary. With one day in Himeji, you can easily visit many top attractions including Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, and Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple.(1h49min)
Week 3: Kanazawa and Tokyo
Day 14: Travel to Kanazawa, visit Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, and the samurai district of Nagamachi.(2h14)
Day 15: Experience a traditional tea ceremony and explore the Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa.
Day 16: Return to Tokyo to Chill around Tokyo(3h20)
Day 17: Return to Tokyo, visit the Tsukiji Fish Market, the Imperial Palace, and the trendy neighborhood of Harajuku.
Day 18: Take a day trip to the historic city of Kamakura, visit the Great Buddha and the beautiful Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.(1h44)
Day 19: Akihabahara
Day 20: Spend the day in the vibrant district of Shinjuku, known for its shopping, entertainment, and nightlife.
Day 21: Depart from Tokyo
Thanks!
4 comments
Never been but copying it for myself👉😏👉
Do you know where you’ll be staying in Tokyo? What airport you’ll be flying into? Where are you coming from? If you’re flying from the Americas jet lag will really put a damper on your first day or two most likely.
My suggestion is to have a more specific point of interest to avoid disappointment. Shibuya is vast and there so many interesting things to see there such as Shibuya Sky, Magnet Shibuya, Shibuya Parco, myriad of food options.
I think you’re fine in nailing the major sights, but need to refine anything that you want to see.
Ginza shopping is nice but there are some flagship stores there such as UNIQLO, Muji, and very interesting architectute.
I think you missed Shinjuku here. Lots of sights and interesting neighborhood to see. Omeide Yokocho, Golden Gai, Shinjuku Goen.
Tokyo Cheapo, Timeout, Live In Japan website, Youtube area guide, Reddit are your best bet to get next level of granularity.
Tokyo Skytree is too tall so imo views arent great. How about Shibuya Sky instead? Also, maybe move Nikko to Day 4/5 so that if ever you feel jetlagged, you can just take it slow in a cafe or something.
Because you’re going back to Tokyo at the end of the trip, I actually suggest the shopping districts (with the exception of Shibuya) to be placed at the end because you might get tempted to shop and would not want to lug around stuff.
Also, checking out the sites online and prioritizing which castle/historical district/temple you’re interested in the most and diversifying the landscapes you visit (mountain, sea, forest, city) is important for a long trip in my opinion because they will all start to look alike at some point 🙃