I’d love to get some advice on a 2-week itinerary for the last 2 weeks of November for our first time travelling to Japan. My partner and I are interested in food, nature + hiking, sightseeing and shopping. We also want to make the most of the Autumn colour while out there.
This is currently a rough and quick itinerary but wanting to know if this is feasible so we can get hotels booked.
**Sun, Nov 19 – TOKYO**
* Arrive in Tokyo in the morning, travel to Shibuya and leave bags at the hotel
* Some light exploring around the Shibuya area (Shibuya Center-Gai, Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing) and trying to fight off the jet lag
**Mon, Nov 22 – TOKYO**
* Travel over to teamLab planets (will probably get the 9am or 10am tickets)
* Explore east Tokyo
**Tue, Nov 21 – TOKYO**
* Exploring west Tokyo (Meiji-Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen Garden)
**Wed, Nov 22 – TOKYO**
* We’re currently unsure of what to do on this day and would love recommendations (Debating between more Tokyo places or a day trip to Fujikawaguchiko to get a different perspective of Mount Fuji compared to Hakone)
**Thu, Nov 23 – TOKYO (NIKKO)**
* Day trip to Nikko
* We’re aware that Autumn colour might be past it’s peak during this time
**Fri, Nov 24 – TOKYO > HAKONE**
* Check out of the hotel, and get the train to Hakone in the morning
* Explore Hakone (Hakone Shrine, Lake curise, Owakudani etc.)
* Stay in a hotel, enjoy a private onsen
* **Sat, Nov 25 – HAKONE > KYOTO**
* Any last-minute exploring and relaxing before checking out
* Train to Kyoto
* Explore Kyoto’s Imperial Palace, Nishiki Market, Gion neighbourhood
**Sun, Nov 26 – KYOTO**
* Head over to Arashiyama
* Explore Bamboo grove, Togetsukyo Bridge
* Head over to Kinkaku-ji in the afternoon
* Maybe Fushimi Inari-Taisha if we get time
**Mon, Nov 27 – KYOTO**
* Day trip: Himeji Castle
* Go via Kobe for lunch on the way back
* Spend the afternoon exploring more of what we haven’t seen yet
**Tues, Nov 28 – KYOTO > OSAKA**
* Train in the morning to Osaka
* Head to Dotombori Area and explore
* TeamLab in the evening
**Wed, Nov 29 – OSAKA**
* Universal studio Japan
* Explore Osaka Castle
**Thu, Nov 30 – OSAKA > NARA > TOKYO**
* Train to Nara
* Explore Nara park
* Train to Tokyo
* Spend afternoon/evening doing anything we didn’t get a chance to
**Fri, Dec 1 – FLIGHT HOME**
* Flight is at 11:30am, so will head to airport first thing in the morning
1 comment
Looks good to me but I would consider moving one or two of your Tokyo start days to the end. I don’t think you will get much of an afternoon in Tokyo if your doing Osaka – Nara – Osaka – Tokyo given travel times, wait times and from / to hotel times. As you are leaving early the next day I would appreciate some time in Tokyo before departing.
Kyoto will be good for autumn leaves when you are there. Watch out for night autumn illuminations at many of the temples / shrines / gardens at that time.
Mt Fuji sometimes does not play nice and is partly / fully covered by cloud. November is one of the better months though.
Factor in sunset will be around 4.50pm when are there.