Hello!
My friend (31m) and I (34f) are gonna travel to Japan first time, from 8 to 22 Nov this year. We are from Singapore. We love anime, nature, food, cultural experience, and fun!
We would love to hear your feedback and opinions on our proposed itinerary, especially on which venue/itinerary we can book in advance, and how early we can do so. Thank you!
**OSAKA (4 NIGHTS)**
Day 1 (Weds)
– Arrive at KIX around 9am, get IC card and Esim card, put luggage at hotel near Kitahama Station before going for lunch
– Hotel check in at 3pm
– Dinner and explore nearby area
Day 2 (Thurs)
– Osaka Castle
– Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
– Dotombori
Day 3 (Fri)
– Universal Studio Japan
– Umeda Sky
Day 4 (Sat) – Nara Day Trip
– Nakatanidou, Isui-en Garden, Tōdai-ji
– Nara Park, Naramachi
**KYOTO (3 NIGHTS)**
Day 5 (Sun)
– Hotel check out at 11am from Osaka, hotel check in at 3pm near Shijō Station
– Fushimi Inari, 1k Torii Gates
Day 6 (Mon)
– Kiyomizu-dera, Nineizaka, Sannenzaka
– Kodai-ji, Ishibei-koji, Maruyama Park, Yasaka Shrine
– Nanzen-ji, Philosopher’s Path, Gion
Day 7 (Tues)
– Arashimaya Bamboo Forest > Tenryuji
– Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
– Pontocho Park
**HAKONE (1 NIGHT)**
Day 8 (Weds)
– Hotel check out at 11am from Kyoto, hotel check in at 3pm at Hakone
– Free and easy
**TOKYO (6 NIGHT)**
Day 9 (Thurs)
– Hotel check out at 11am from Hakone, hotel check in at 3pm near Shinjuku Station
– Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky
Day 10 (Fri)
– Disneysea
Day 11 (Sat)
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Cute Cube Harajuku
– Number Sugar, Suga Jinja, the infamous Stairs from Your Name!
Day 12 (Sun)
– Asakusa, Yae Kimono
– Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Nakamise
– Kabukicho
Day 13 (Mon)
– Ikebukuro, Cat Cafe Mocha
– Sunshine City (Pokemon Center)
– Milkyway Cafe
Day 14 (Tues)
– Teamlab Planets Tokyo
– Akihabara
Day 15 (Weds)
– Hotel check out at 11am, depart at HND around 3pm
3 comments
I have a similar itinerary, but in reverse order (October). I’m skipping the amusement parks and emphasizing the eating and drinking, but otherwise very similar plans!
Day 6 seems a little packed unless you get up very early. Maybe do Gion or something else on day 7.
Day 8 – not sure if you wanted to do the Hakone Loop but you probably won’t have time if you want to check into hotel first at 3pm. You could ship your luggage to Tokyo hotel and live off backpacks for one night in Hakone and complete the loop before checking in to hotel, or stay an extra night.
For DisneySea and Universal, I’d personally try to rearrange schedules to try going on a different weekday instead of Friday to avoid crowds. I’m not a local, but IMO amusement park experiences are heavily dependent on crowds, so I’d rather optimize for that instead of say, Osaka Castle.
If shipping luggage, might consider staying in a Lake Kawaguchi ryokan.
Kyoto -> Hakone -> Gotemba Premium Outlets -> Lake Kawaguchi
Will need to take the first train out of Kyoto, and slightly more traveling for the day. But the morning view of the lake with Mt Fuji in the background is worth it.