I’m planning a two-week trip to Japan in fall 2025 and wanted to get your thoughts on whether this route is paced well.
Looking for feedback on:
Am I spending the right amount of time in each city?
Am I trying to fit in too many cities for two weeks?
Any suggestions for pacing or order?
Tentative Route & Duration
Day 1 – Tokyo (Half day, arrival)
Arrive Narita, train to Tokyo, check in
Evening walk & dinner nearby
Day 2 – Tokyo (Full day)
Morning: Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Street
Afternoon: Rikugien Garden
Evening: Akihabara arcades
Day 3 – Tokyo (Full day)
Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market
Afternoon: Imperial Palace East Gardens
Evening: Tokyo Skytree
Day 4 – Tokyo → Kanazawa (Half day)
Travel by Shinkansen, drop bags
Afternoon/evening: Omicho Market dinner
Day 5 – Kanazawa (Full day)
Morning: Kenrokuen Garden
Afternoon: Higashi Chaya District
Evening: Kanazawa Castle illumination (if running)
Day 6 – Kanazawa → Kyoto (Half day)
Travel to Kyoto, check in
Afternoon/evening: Nijo Castle & dinner in Gion
Day 7 – Kyoto (Full day)
Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji
Afternoon: Sagano scenic walk
Evening: Downtown Kyoto dinner
Day 8 – Kyoto (Full day)
Morning: Fushimi Inari Shrine
Afternoon: Kiyomizudera & historic streets
Evening: Tea ceremony or Gion stroll
Day 9 – Kyoto → Osaka day trip
Morning: Osaka Castle
Afternoon: Dotonbori/Shinsekai food crawl
Evening: Return to Kyoto
Day 10 – Kyoto → Matsumoto (Half day)
Travel to Matsumoto, check in
Afternoon: Matsumoto Castle
Day 11 – Kamikochi day trip
Morning: Hike Kappa Bridge to Taisho Pond
Afternoon: Explore Tashiro Pond area
Day 12 – Hirayu Onsen/Northern Alps day trip
Morning: Soak at Hirayu-no-Mori
Afternoon: Shinhotaka Ropeway for mountain views
Day 13 – Matsumoto → Tokyo (Half day)
Travel to Tokyo
Afternoon: Shopping in Ginza or Shibuya
Day 14 – Tokyo (Departure day)
Morning: Easy stroll, souvenirs
Depart for Narita
Nights in Each Location
Tokyo: 3 nights (first stay) + 1 night before departure
Kanazawa: 2 nights
Kyoto: 4 nights (with Osaka day trip)
Matsumoto area: 3 nights (with Kamikochi & onsen day trips)
Would love your thoughts on pacing, city order, and whether I’ve allocated my time well!
by Bikeman2017