* Thu, Nov 9 Haneda, Tokyo 4:40AM arrival!
Check-in to airbnb, stock up at konbini, nap, public bath, view from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, sushi, Omoide Yokocho, bedtime ramen
​
* Fri, Nov 10 Tokyo
Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Yoyogi-koen, Meiji-jingu, Harajuku, Tokyu Honten, Shibuya Crossing
* Sat, Nov 11 Tokyo
Ikebukuro & free-explore/wandering, possibly Shimokitazawa for jazz
​
* Sun, Nov 12 Tokyo –> Kyoto 3 hour train
Check into airbnb, get bikes, Pontocho & Central Kyoto / nightlife and dinner
​
* Mon, Nov 13 Kyoto
Jishu Jinja Shrine (before Kiyomizu-deru) & Kiyomizu Temple (Kiyomizudera), Higashiyama district, Kodai-ji, Yasaka Shrine-Maruyama park/Shoren-in temple, Eikando Temple(Zenriji Temple), Gion nightlife
​
* Tue, Nov 14 Kyoto <–> Nara 45 min train each way,
Deer
​
* Wed, Nov 15 Kyoto
Tenryu-Ji, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, Jojakko-ji, Lunch next to Togetsukyo Bridge, Arishiyama Bamboo Forest, possibly Daigoji temple
​
* Thu, Nov 16 Kyoto
Ippodo Tea Market, Kyoto Antiques Market & other antiques in this area, Walk/bike through Sento Imperial palace Gardens on way to Kinkakuji, Nishiki Market on way back, Dinner and drinks in Nakagyo Ward
​
* Fri, Nov 17 Kyoto –> Onomichi 2 hour train
Fushimi-Inari Shrine, Guankyo Bridge area lunch, Tofuku-ji Temple, Rengeoin Sanjusangendo, Leave backpacks at station, ropeway, check into Airbnb, relax and explore the small port town
​
* Sat, Nov 18 Ikuchi
Begin bike ride, 5 hour+ liesurely bike with stops along the way, stay on Ikuchi
​
* Sun, Nov 19 Imabari –> Osaka (1.5 hour bus + 2 hour train)
Finish remaining 5 hour bike route, 1.5 hour bus from Imabari to get our backpacks, then 2 hour train to Osaka, check into airbnb, Amerimura/Shinsaibashi
​
* Mon, Nov 20 Osaka
Osaka Castle / Gardens, Karahori shopping street, Shinsaibashisuji, Kuromon MarketShitennoji temple / Tennoji Park, Sumiyoshi Taisha Temple, Shinseikai area, kushikatsu and Hozenji Yokocho Alley & temple, Rikuro Cheesecake until asleep
​
* Tue, Nov 21 Osaka –> Tokyo 3 hour train
Check into airbnb, new Tskukiji Market, free-roam & explore
​
* Wed, Nov 22 Tokyo
Yanaka Ginza (including breakfast/brunch), Senso-ji Temple, Explore traditional side of town and shops, Akihabara exploring, Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace region
​
* Thu, Nov 23 Tokyo Depart Haneda 9:15PM
Shopping before flight: Isetan, Tokyu Hands, Don Quijote, & a backpack full of those konbini pancakes
​
Hi!
My 4th trip, girlfriend’s 1st trip! She’s super into biking, so I was considering adding the Shimanami Kaido bike route (in addition to the musts: Tokyo and Kyoto, especially in autumn).
A concern and question is whether or not the itinerary is overly enthusiastic (flight RT from Haneda), and entail too many transportation hours and too frequent of bounces between Airbnb’s. But considering the massive JR price-hike, I also thought this could be the time to squeeze the destinations together… (My rough math indicates a 14 day JR pass would be worth it for this itinerary?)
Is there a way to more comfortably fit Shimanami Kaido roundtrip from Tokyo and include Kyoto?Or skip Osaka in lieu of your other off-the-beaten-path recommendations to revise the itinerary for? (was considering Miyajima, but just seems to add even more travel time – too difficult to comfortably fit?)
Or should we just save Shimanami Kaido for a separate trip, where we fly into Osaka and then out of Tokyo?
Thank you so much in advance for your critique and advice!