Hi everyone! My husband and I are planning a 3-week trip to Japan. We're aiming for a mix of city energy and more relaxed/chill vibes, and we’re also trying not to cram too much in — quality over quantity!

🇯🇵 Tokyo (5 nights)

Day 1 – Arrival (Nov 9)
Day 2 – Shibuya + Harajuku

• Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park
• Takeshita Street stroll
• Shibuya Scramble & Sky Deck
• Optional: teamLab Borderless

Day 3 – Asakusa + Ueno

• Senso-ji Temple
• Nakamise shopping street
• Ueno Park + Tokyo National Museum
• Dinner in Asakusa or vegan ramen spot

Day 4 – Central Tokyo

• Imperial Palace East Gardens
• Ginza for upscale shopping or tea
• Tsukiji Outer Market (for fun snacks)
• Tokyo Tower or Hamarikyu Gardens

Day 5 – Free day / Optional day trip to Hakone

🏞 Nikko (2 nights)

Day 6 – Travel to Nikko (Nov 14)

• Tobu Railway or Shinkansen + local train
• Visit Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa
• Onsen

Day 7 – Shrines & Nature

• UNESCO site: Toshogu Shrine complex
• Walk to Kanmangafuchi Abyss
• Optional: Kegon Falls + Lake Chuzenji (bus ride up Irohazaka road)

🏯 Kyoto (5 nights)

Day 8 – Travel to Kyoto (Nov 16)

• Afternoon check-in
• Evening stroll in Gion (geisha district)
• Dinner in Pontocho alley

Day 9 – Arashiyama

• Bamboo Grove
• Tenryu-ji Temple
• Hozugawa River walk

Day 10 – Higashiyama

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka historical streets
• Kodai-ji Temple + Zen gardens
• Yasaka Shrine at sunset

Day 11 – Day trip to Uji

• Byodo-in Temple
• Uji River walk
• Matcha tasting experiences

Day 12 – Northern Kyoto

• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• Ryoan-ji Zen rock garden
• Optional: Philosopher’s Path walk

🍜 Osaka (3 nights)

Day 13 – Travel to Osaka (Nov 21)

• Settle in, explore Dotonbori at night

Day 14 – Day trip to Nara

• Todai-ji Temple (giant Buddha)
• Nara Park (friendly deer)
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine
• Return to Osaka for dinner

Day 15 – Osaka City

• Osaka Castle
• Shinsekai district (retro vibes)
• Kuromon Ichiba Market
• Optional: Umeda Sky Building

🏔 Takayama (2 nights)

Day 16 – Travel to Takayama (Nov 24)

• Scenic train via Gifu
• Explore Sanmachi Historic District
• Stay in a ryokan (traditional inn)

Day 17 – Chill & Culture

• Takayama Morning Market
• Hida Folk Village (open-air museum)

🎎 Kanazawa (2 nights)

Day 18 – Travel to Kanazawa (Nov 26)

• Kenroku-en Garden
• Kanazawa Castle
• 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Day 19 – Shirakawa-go day trip

• Scenic bus to Shirakawa-go
• Explore preserved thatched-roof village
• Return to Kanazawa for dinner

🌸 Tokyo (2 final nights)

Day 20 – Travel to Tokyo (Nov 28)

• Optional: day trip to Hakone (onsen + views of Mt. Fuji)
• Or take it easy with café-hopping or last-minute shopping in Tokyo

Day 21 – Departure (Nov 30)

• Early transfer to airport (flight ~10:40 AM)

Are we staying in Tokyo or Kyoto for too long? We initially had Hiroshima in the itinerary, but it felt a bit too rushed and out of the way for this trip. So we decided to remove it and instead added an extra night each in Takayama and Kanazawa to slow things down a bit.

Would love any feedback on this route — does the pacing seem reasonable? Are there any places you'd recommend cutting, extending, or swapping out for something else?