JJapan Trips

18 day itinerary check, 1 extra day to allocate

  • August 17, 2025

Hi All, I am seeking some input on our itinerary. We are going on our first visit to Japan at the end of October. We are very excited.

We're looking for feedback in three areas:

  • We have one free day (day 10) and are unsure how to use it. We have assumed it would likely be day 10, but we could put the free day anywhere if we don't have enough time at any of the locations. We have a couple of ideas outlined.

  • We are looking to throw in a hike to break up the trip. We have been looking at the Takao to Hozokyo trail or the Kurama to Kibune trail. Any advice or other recommendations would be great!

  • We would love for someone to tell us if the itinerary looks like too much.

Thank you in advance for any inputs or comments, they are sincerely appreciated!!

 

Day 1-3 – Tokyo (Shinjuku)

1.       Arrival at 5:00 AM on day 1. Explore Tokyo Shinjuku and Shibuya areas

  1. Explore Shibuya, Harajuku (Ura-Harajuku and Cat Street, avoiding Takeshita), Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen

  2. Explore Shibuya: Scramble Crossing, Miyashita Park, Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Sky or theGovernment building. Maybe Yoyogi Park

Day 4-8 – Kyoto

  1. Downtown and east Kyoto, Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Pontocho

  2. West Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, Kinkaku-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge, Hozugawa Boat ride + Sagano Scenic Train

  3. North Kyoto, Philosopher’s Path, Ginkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera

  4. Fushimi Inari + Uji day trip

 

Day 8-9 – Osaka

  1. Day trip to Nara on the way from Kyoto; Dotonbori, Shinsekai, street food

  2. Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, Travel depending on day 10

 

Day 10 – Free Day (seeking recommendations)

  • Option: an extra day and night in Osaka
  • Option: an extra day and night Fukuoka
  • Option: Rise the Shimanami Kaido

 

Day 11 – Fukuoka

11.   Sumo tournament (pending confirmation), Visit Canal City, Ohori Park, yatai dinner

  •  If we don’t get Sumo Tickets this day, then a half-day trip to Dazaifu

 

Day 12 – Fukuoka → Yokohama (late flight)

  1. Sumo tournament (pending confirmation), Free morning/afternoon in Fukuoka, Flight from Fukuoka to Haneda at 9:00 PM and the travel to Yokohama

* If we don’t get Sumo Tickets this day, then a half-day trip to Dazaifu
* The purpose of the late night flight is to position us to get to Hakone early the next day,

 

Day 13 – Hakone

  1. Lake Ashi cruise,Old Tokaido, Owakudani Open Air Museum, Relax at an onsen ryokan

 

Day 14- 18 – Tokyo (Asakusa)

  1. Visit Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise-dori shopping street, and explore the side streets of Asakusa

  2. Day Trip to Nikko – Explore Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge, and Kegon Falls, Return to Tokyo

  3. Ginza, Nihonbashi, or Tokyo Station underground malls. Maybe Mt. Takao hike or explore Yanaka Ginza and Ueno Park

  4. Free day for extra shopping, markets, Ghibli Museum (tickets pending), or rest; visit Shimokitazawa or Daikanyama

  5. Free day and Flight from Haneda at 7:45 PM

 

by Trick2727

Leave a Reply