Hello! I’m the planner in the group and I’ve really enjoyed reading the last trip reports so I thought this would be a nice time to post the trip I’ve planned for October next year (11 Oct – 1 Nov 2024).
**About us**: we’re a group of 5-6 people (still figuring out work leave) in our later 20s-early 30s. We’re Spanish, Mexican and Norwegian and love food and drinks. We also like history and having different experiences. I especially love art and culture (spoiler: many temples).
**Vibe**: Energetic but chill, we have no issue walking and visiting museums, but also like a bit of drinking and partying. I don’t want to overcrowd our schedule as we also like to just wander and discover the place by ourselves. I’ve tried to arrange chill activities the day after going out partying.
**Overall remarks:** Nothing besides the flights are booked, so we’re still flexible. I’ve booked the trip so we’ll be able to be in Kyoto for **Jidai Matsuri (Oct 22)**, which I’m incredibly happy about. So that’s the only immovable day. I’d love to **collect stamps from the stations** and some of the temples (goshuin?) if possible. We would like to hit good restaurants/food markets and we don’t mind splurging a bit in some meals.
I’ve allocated **maximum time for big attractions** like temples and museums, considering that I like to take my time in those. I’m mentioning them in case I absolutely booked too much or too little time.
# Questions
* Jiday Matsuri in Kyoto- Things to take into account during this festival? I haven’t found much online, I understand there’s only the parade and there will be crowds.
* Ryokan at Kawaguchiko – I have seen lots of people going to Hakone to stay at a ryokan in this subreddit. I’ve been recommended to go to Lake Kawaguchiko, specially for the sights. Are there any other areas we should consider?
* What is your experience with JR pass? Is it really a good deal? I need to check again when the itinerary is final but I’m doubting if it applies to us, but right now it seams too expensive.
* Opinions on getting bikes to explore Kyoto? We’re very used to biking and I’m considering getting bikes to get to places. Are bikes usually stolen? Is it difficult to navigate? Is it worth it or would you rather just walk a bunch?
* Are there key areas/ attractions I’ve missed in Kyoto?
* Food places we absolutely cannot miss? We’re doing research on this still. We love food, have people can eat a lot, and we’re mostly not afraid of trying “strange” food.
* Books or podcasts that are interesting to prepare going to the cities/areas
# Itinerary
Day 1, Saturday – Tokyo
* Arriving around 9 am from Europe at Narita airport. Send our bags from the airport to the hotel, pick up internet and transport cards/JR pass.
* Go to **Team Lab Borderless** (it’s supposed to re-open in 2024 afaik)
* **Itoya Ginza stationary store**, which I can go alone if everyone is super jetlagged,
* If possible, go to a **Kabuki performance** \- this also depends on tickets, might change the day/evening.
Day 2, Sunday – Tokyo
National Museum of Western Art, explore Asakusa Area
Day 3, Monday – Travel to Kawaguchiko
Travel early to Kawaguchiko (around 3h of travel). The idea is to **stay at a Ryokan**, **if possible with an Onsen** (extra points if we can see Mount Fuji from it, but that might be wishful thinking). Otherwise we’ll go to a public onsen. I’m still searching for accommodation for this one – recommendations are welcome.
Day 4, Tuesday – Kawaguchiko, then back to Tokyo
If we have time, go to **Chureito Pagoda**. Otherwise, just be in the area/ onsen until we head back to Tokyo (3h)
Day 5, Wednesday – Tokyo
Visit **Tokyo National Museum** and later do a self guided tour in **Ueno Park**. I’ve planned to be a maximum of 3h in the museum, as I like to take my time in museums and see everything.
Day 6, Thursday – Tokyo, Studio Ghibli Museum!
* **Studio Ghibli** day, depending on tickets we might switch this date. Is it really as small as I’ve read and 2h is enough to see everything?
* Exploring the **Shimokitazawa Area**, so if it takes longer we have buffer time.
Day 7, Friday – Travel to Kyoto!
* Travel early to Kyoto (3h 15min).
* Visit **Ginkaku-ji temple,**
* **Philosopher’s Path**.
Day 8, Saturday – Kyoto temple day!
* **Kinkaku-ji**
* **Ryoan-ji**
* **Kitano Tenmangu Shrine**
Day 9, Sunday – Kyoto
* Hike Through Torii **Gates at Fushimi Inari** in the morning (I’m expecting at most 5h?)
* Explore **Higashiyama Area**
* In the evening, **Kiyamachi-dori**.
Day 10, Monday – Kyoto temple day, here we go again!
* There’s a discount ticket for 3 locations for **Kodaiji Temple**, Sho Art Museum, **Entokuin Temple**, but despite wanting to go to both temples, I don’t think we’ll do the art museum as much as it pains me, so I’m still considering.
* I’d love to hit **Kodaiji Temple** as well this day
* A **tour in Gion, the geisha district** in the evening/night.
Day 11, Tuesday – Kyoto
* Wake up early and go to the **Temple Otagi Nenbutsuji.**
* Later, go to see **monkeys and bamboo at Arashiyama**.
* **Tea house** if possible.
Day 12, Wednesday, October 22nd – Jidai Matsuri parade!
* See the **Jidai Matsuri!** I’m very excited for this one.
* Dine at **Pontocho Area** in the evening. This might not be the only day we go to have dinner there as I’m expecting it might be crowded that day because of the parade.
Day 13, Thursday – Trip day to Nara
* Early travel Kyoto – Nara (1h)
* See the **Daibutsu** (Giant Buddha) in **Todaiji temple**.
* Go to **Kofukuji** (temple complex)
* **Kasuga Taisha**.
* If it’s open, see the **Mochi Pounding** at Nakatanido.
* Then travel back to Kyoto (1h)
Day 14, Friday – Nijo Castle and travel to Hiroshima
* Go to **Nijo Castle** as soon as it opens, and stay there for max 2h.
* Then travel to Hiroshima (1h 45min) for a night, send our bags there.
Day 15, Saturday – Hiroshima (?)
Hiroshima is the trip I’m most hesitant about. If Nara or Kyoto is overcrowded with activities, this day is the one I might cut out and save for another trip. I’d rather explore in depth fewer places than maximize “being” in cities.
* Visit **Sanctuary Itsukushim** the first half of the day,
* **Peace Museum**
* **Daishoin Temple.**
* At the end of the day, travel from Hiroshima to Osaka (1h 25min).
Day 16, Sunday – Osaka
* Spend a maximum 3h in **Osaka Castle** (is that too little?)
* Eeat the **Kuromon Market**
* **Tennoji park**.
* **Dotonburi area** in the evening
Day 17, Monday – Universal Studios Japan, night out
* Only day in Osaka that does not fall in weekend, so it’s **Universal Studios Japan**. Interested in Harry Potter, but planning to spend the day there.
* Later we want to go out **partying in Osaka**. Not sure about our energy levels on this one, or going out on a Monday in Osaka.
Day 18, Tuesday – Osaka and then travel to Tokyo
* Take it chill while visiting **Shitennō-ji** and **Sumoishi Taisha**’s garden.
* Traveling back to Tokyo (3h 20min)
Day 19, Wednesday – Tokyo, night out
* Explore **Shibuya Area**, including **Yoyogi Park** and **Shibuya Crossing.**
* **Karaoke and partying in Tokyo**! No idea where to go partying yet, as I still haven’t researched specific places.
Day 20, Thursday – Tokyo
* Regain a bit energy while exploring shops **Akihabara district**.
* **Muscle girl Maid Cafe** in the afternoon (or another maid cafe, but we have gym bros in the group so that might be fun).
Day 21, Friday – Tokyo,
**Shinjuku Area**, visit the garden at **Shinjuku Gyoen**.
Day 22, Saturday – Leave 🙁
Departing, flight, travel. We have Sunday to regain a bit of energy.
Thanks for reading!