Hello,
First time traveler here, doing solo trip to Japan from November 21st to December 10th.
I’m aiming at somewhat relaxed, slow-paced vacation, focusing heavily on Tokyo where I plan to stay 8 full days, while rest would be Osaka (2 full days), Kyoto (2 full days) and Hiroshima (1 full day). Counting travel days each city would effectively get an extra half day.
Staying in each city to be as fresh as possible.
Interests: mostly modern shopping districts with modern cafes, lounge bars and malls, scenic city and nature views from observatories, cable cars, ferries wheels, parks and gardens. Of course, still want to experience traditional Japan as well, that’s why spending almost three days in Kyoto. I would like to visit one of traditional villages where locals live as well, suggestions are welcome 😊
Less interest: Anime and similar stuff; temples, shrines, museums.
Even though itinerary covers several cities, my intention is to take it easy, slowly exploring and maybe even revisiting areas and districts of interest, with no desire to ‘’visit everything’’. In that sense, I hope this itinerary is ok, feel free to critique though and let me know if something should be included or cut out. I know most stuff I mentioned here are somewhat generalized as ‘’explore x district’’ but that is because a) still in a process of finding points of interests and b) want more relaxed approach with no sense of urgency or timetable.
1. Regarding Tokyo, is it too many days, would you suggest cutting my stay there and introduce a new city to itinerary?
2. Also, is it a bad idea to be that far from Toyo and Haneda airport on return date (spending last day in Hiroshima), should I shuffle my itinerary, move one Tokyo day to last day?
Thanks in advance
21.11. Tuesday- Day 1
Morning flight from Sarajevo
Connecting flight at Frankfurt or Istanbul airport
22.11. Wednesday- Day 2
Morning arrival at Haneda airport
Take Suica, JR Pass, activate e-sim, exchange money
Tobu Levant hotel check in (Sumida area, chosen for great hotel view of Skytree tower)
Relax, rest, take a nap
Light late afternoon and evening stroll in Sumida City
23.11. Thursday- Day 3
Western Tokyo:
Explore Shinjuku
Shinjuku Gyoen
Explore Harajuku
Explore Aoyama
Explore Shibuya
Shibuya Sky in dusk or evening
(maybe split this in two days if too much)
24.11. Friday- Day 4
Central Tokyo:
Explore Akihabara
Explore Ginza
Tokyo Station area and Imperial palace (optional, not sure about these two)
25.11. Saturday- Day 5
Northern Tokyo:
Explore Asakusa
Ueno Park
Explore Ikebukuro
Rikugien garden
26.11. Sunday- Day 6
Southern Tokyo:
Explore Roppongi
Roppongi Hills
Explore Akasaka
Explore Tokyo Bay (take Ferris Wheel)
Rainbow bridge
Odaiba
Hama Rikyu
Note: maybe move Tokyo Bay and Odaiba for another day if too much
27.11. Monday- Day 7
Yokohama day trip:
Minato Mirai 21
Sky Garden Tower
Cosmo clock 21 Ferris Wheel
Yamashita park
Osanbashi pier
Chinatown
(not sure about order of these or if doable in a day)
28.11. Tuesday- Day 8
Hakone day trip (ropeway ride) or some other town/village with nice scenic views and cable car
OR day trip to one of traditional villages where locals still live to get the most unique feel of old Japan (any suggestions?)
29.11. Wednesday- Day 9
Revisit some districts (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza)?
OR
Explore Ebisu, Daikanyama, Meguro, Shimbasi, Shiodome, Hamamamatsucho, Shinagawa (not sure as still don’t know anything about these areas)
30.11. Thursday- Day 10
Revisit some districts (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza)?
01.12. Friday- Day 11
Revisit some districts?
02.12. Saturday- Day 12
Take Nozomi shinkansen to Osaka
Osaka Excel Tokyu hotel check in (Chuo-ku ward)
Relax then light city stroll in hotel area (Chuo-ku area)
03.12. Sunday- Day 13
Explore Kita (Umeda) downtown
Umeda Sky building
Osaka Castle (optional)
Explore Osaka Bay, take Tempozan Ferris Wheel
04.12. Monday- Day 14
Explore Minami (Namba) downtown
Dotonbori
Hozenji Yokocho
Namba Parks
Abeno Harukas observation deck (optional)
Kobe day trip (optional)
05.12. Tuesday- Day 15
Shinkansen to Kyoto
Hotel Granvia check in (Kyoto station)
Explore Kyoto station and hotel area
Explore Downtown Kyoto
06.12. Wednesday- Day 16
Explore Higashiyama and Gion, go early and in the evening
Ginkak-ji temple (optional)
Arashiyama (still not sure, maybe move it for next day?)
07.12. Thursday- Day 17
Day trip to Amanaohashidate (worth it?), take ropeway ride and chair lift
Kyoto Tower
08.12. Friday- Day 18
Shinkansen to Hiroshima
Hotel Knot check in (Naka ward)
Late afternoon and evening explore Downtown Hiroshima- main street
09.12. Saturday- Day 19
Continue exploring Downtown Hiroshima (visit main WW2 historic sites if didn’t do day before)
Hiroshima observation deck (Orizuru or other)
(optional) Visit Miyajima, while there take ropeway ride
10.12. Sunday- Day 20
Visit Miyajima if didn’t do day before, perhaps visit Rabbit island instead
Light city stroll later
Afternoon hotel check out
Take Nozomi shinkansen to Tokyo
Late night flight from Haneda airport
Afternoon arrival home next day