12-Day Japan Itinerary (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara)

Hi everyone! I’m doing my first solo trip to Japan this November and I’d love to get your thoughts on my itinerary — should I stay longer in Osaka? is it doable, am I missing something, and do you have any must-try restaurants or food spots to recommend?

Day 1 – Sun | Arrival → Osaka (Namba)

•     Morning – Arrive Narita Airport (11:35 AM)

• Buy Suica Card + load

• Travel from Narita Airport → Tokyo Station

• Travel from Tokyo → Shin-Osaka

• Travel from Shin-Osaka → Namba, check-in

• Walk to Namba Yasaka Shrine → Kuromon Ichiba

• Evening – Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi shopping

• Dinner: Ichiran Ramen

• Return: Walk back to hotel

Day 2 – Mon | Namba Yasaka → Osaka Castle → Shinsekai → Nipponbashi → Shinsaibashi → Umeda

• 7:30 AM – Visit Namba Yasaka Shrine (photo stop)

• Travel to Morinomiya

• 9:00 AM – Osaka Castle (photo stop outside only)

• 11:15 AM – Shinsekai stroll + Tsutenkaku Tower outside

• Walk to Nipponbashi, explore Den Den Town

• Walk to Shinsaibashi, stroll shopping arcade

• Lunch near Dotonbori or Shinsaibashi

• Travel to Umeda

• 3:00 PM – Umeda Sky Building escalator photo stop

• 3:30 PM – Shopping in Umeda

• 7:00 PM – Dinner: Yakiniku M Dotonbori

• Return to Namba

Day 3 – Tue | Kyoto & Nara (Klook)

• 7:00 AM – Breakfast

• 7:30 AM–7:00 PM – Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama + Nara Park

• Lunch (included/self-pay)

• Evening – Dinner in Namba

• Return: Walk to hotel

Day 4 – Wed | Osaka → Tokyo (Asakusa)

• 9:00 AM – Travel to Shin-Osaka

• Travel from Shin-Osaka → Tokyo

• Travel from Tokyo → Asakusa, check-in hotel

• 4:00 PM – Senso-ji Temple + Nakamise Street

• 6:30 PM – Dinner: Tempura Daikokuya

• Return: Walk to hotel

Day 5 – Thu | Kamakura Day Trip

• Early morning – Travel to Fujisawa Station

• Enoden Line to Kamakurakokomae Station – Slam Dunk railway crossing with ocean backdrop

• Enoden Line to Hase Station

• Great Buddha

• Hase-dera

• Travel to Kamakura Station

• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

• Lunch at Komachi Street

• Optional: Yuigahama Beach stroll

• Return to Asakusa

Day 6 – Fri | Mt. Fuji (Klook)

• 7:00 AM – Pickup in Tokyo

• 8:30 AM–6:00 PM – Kawaguchiko, Oshino Hakkai, Chureito Pagoda

• 7:30 PM – Dinner near Asakusa

• Return: Walk to hotel

Day 7 – Sat | Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku (Earlier Start + Night View)

• 8:00 AM – Travel to Shibuya

• 9:00 AM – Hachiko Statue + Shibuya Crossing

• 10:00 AM – Shibuya Sky

• 11:30 AM – Explore Shibuya Center Street / light snacks

• 12:30 PM – Travel to Harajuku

• 12:45 PM – Meiji Shrine

• 2:00 PM – Takeshita Street snacks

• 3:00 PM – Optional quick stop at Omotesando

• 4:00 PM – Travel to Shinjuku

• 4:15 PM – Shinjuku Gyoen Garden / shopping

• 6:00 PM – Omoide Yokocho dinner

• 7:30 PM – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building – free night city view

• 9:00 PM – Return to Asakusa

Day 8 – Sun | Akihabara & Ginza

• 9:00 AM – Travel to Akihabara

• 9:10 AM – Explore Akihabara (anime stores, arcades, cafes)

• 1:00 PM – Travel to Ginza – luxury shopping

• 4:00 PM – Return to Asakusa

• Evening – Souvenir shopping in Nakamise Street

Day 9 – Mon | Tokyo DisneySea

• 8:00 AM – Travel to Maihama

• 9:00 AM–8:00 PM – DisneySea

• 8:30 PM – Dinner at Ikspiari

• Return to Asakusa

Day 10 – Tue | Odaiba

• 9:00 AM – Travel to Odaiba

• 10:00 AM – TeamLab Planets

• 1:00 PM – DiverCity (Gundam), Palette Town, Aqua City

• 5:00 PM – Sunset at Odaiba Seaside Park

• 6:30 PM – Dinner

• Return to Asakusa

Day 11 – Wed | Free Tokyo Day

• Use for missed spots, Yokohama trip, or extra Akihabara time

Day 12 – Thu | Last Day → Flight Home

• Morning – Pack, breakfast

• Midday – Quick stroll in Asakusa

• Travel to Narita Airport

by _elysiaaan

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