Hi all! We are a couple in our mid-20s going on our first trip to Japan in a few weeks. We’ve been lurking in this subreddit for the past 2 months and picked up quite a lot of tips from you guys to plan our itinerary, but we are a little concerned that we might miss out on anything important/ if our plan makes sense and would appreciate any advice on our itinerary!
We’re generally quite flexible with our plans – the only confirmed bookings right now are our flights, hotels (cancellable), and Ghibli Museum tickets.
Here are some of our concerns:
1. We have a free day in each city which we’re not too sure about but we’ve come up with a few activities we could do on those days. Would appreciate any recommendations 🙂
2. Do we need to book any tickets in advance? e.g. for USJ/ Team Lab Planets/ Shibuya Sky or Shinkansen tickets? We will be carrying one large luggage and one large backpack between cities
3. Kyoto – wondering if we might get tired of seeing too many temples/ shrines
4. We’re not sure if staying overnight on Day 17 is necessary or if it’s fine to catch the first train at 5 am from Asakusa to Narita Airport?
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**\[ Itinerary \]**
**Day 1-3: Tokyo (stay at Shinjuku)**
* Day 1 – Arrive at Narita airport early morning, buy Welcome Suica and head to Shinjuku for lunch/ check-in, Shinjuku: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Suga Shrine, Tocho Observation Deck, Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho
* Day 2 – Shibuya: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku (Takeshita Street & Omotesando), Shibuya Pokemon Centre, Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky
* Day 3 – 12 PM Ghibli Museum, Shirohige Cream Puff Factory, Ikebukuro OR Nakano Broadway
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**Day 4-5: Kawaguchi**
* Day 4 – Travel to Kawaguchi by Express Bus, Fuyi Yurari Hot Spring, Fujisan Herb Garden, Arakurayama Sengen Shrine/Park (Chureito Pagoda), Optional: Oshino Hokkai
* Day 5 – Rent bikes and cycle around Lake Kawaguchi, Kawaguchiko Natural Life Museum, Blueberry Farm, Kawaguchiko Cheesecake Garden
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**Day 6-9: Kyoto**
* Day 6 – Travel to Kyoto (3h), check-in, Kiyomizudera, Kodaiji Temple, Higashiyama District (Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Yasaga Pagoda), Gion
* Day 7 – Fushimi Inari, Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), Philosopher’s Path, Nanzenji, Keage Incline, Heian Shrine, Yasaka Shrine
* Day 8 – Arashiyama Bamboo Groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, Hozu River Walk, Iwatayama Monkey Park, Arashiyama Shopping Street, Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street, Kinkaku-ji
* Day 9 – Free day (Options: Kamogawa River/ Teramachi Street/ Railway Museum/ Shijo Avenue/ Ryoan-ji Temple (rock garden)/ Nishiki Market/ Nijo Castle/ Pontocho Alley/ Kyoto Station/ Kawaramachi/ Kifune Shrine)
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**Day 10-13: Osaka + Nara**
* Day 10 – Travel to Osaka (30 mins), check-in, Shinsekai, Shinsaibashi, Nipponbashi Den Den Town, Dotonburi
* Day 11 – Universal Studios Japan – not planning to splurge on an express pass
* Day 12 – Nara (Nara Park, Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofukuji, Yoshikien Garden, Naramachi, Nakatanidou Mochi Shop)
* Day 13 – Free Day (Options: Solaniwa onsen/ Minoh Park/ Osaka Cup Musuem/ Osaka Castle/ Sumiyoshi Taisha / Umeda Sky/ Harukas 300)
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**Day 14-18: Tokyo (stay at Asakusa)**
* Day 14 – Travel to Tokyo (3h), Asakusa: Sensoji Temple, Denboin-Dori, Nakamise Shopping Street, Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street, Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
* Day 15 – Tsujiki Fish Market / Toyosu Fish Market, TeamLab Planets, Odaiba – Joypolis, Gundam, Rainbow Bridge, DECKS, DiverCity
* Day 16 – Ueno/ Akihabara: Ueno Park, Ameyoko Shopping Street, Akihabara Electric Town
* Day 17 – Free day: Souvenir + last minute shopping, 8 PM Travel to Narita, Check-into hotel near Narita Airport
* Day 18 – 6 AM Arrive at Narita Airport, 8 AM Fight home
Would love to hear what you all think. Thanks in advance for your advice! 😁