I will be in Japan for 8 days around mid-November–I'll be travelling alone and staying in hostels to do things as cheaply as possible, and my goal is to squeeze as much as I can into each day without being completely overwhelmed (I'm pretty young and don't mind walking/long days). Everything I have as "consider" is something I may do depending on time/how things go (would also love feedback on if any of those should be considered must-sees instead!)
Day 1: Arrive/Tokyo
Arrive 3:30 PM (Narita)
Bus/train to Tokyo Station—Nihombashi Bridge
Check in to hostel in Asakusa
Nightlife in Shibuya—Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Hachiko statue, Shibuya 109, Nonbei Yokocho, Dogenzaka Hill, Lion Café
Day 2: Tokyo
Senso-ji Temple as early as possible
Ueno Park temples, Ueno Tosho-gu, Tokyo National Museum, consider Ameya Yokocho, Yanaka
Tokyo Skytree—go around sunset (4:30PM), then Tokyo Solamachi after, possibly Oshinari Park
Tokyo Bay at night
Day 3: Fuji (if think good view, otherwise may switch with day 2/4)
Take bus to Kawaguchiko Station (about 2 hours)
Omni bus around lake
Panoramic Ropeway
Consider Momiji Tunnel for fall leaves, Ide Sake Brewery
Fujikyu Railway line Kawaguchiko to Shimo-Yoshida Station (10 mins), Arakura Sengen Shrine/Chureito Pagoda
Return to Tokyo—Senso-ji temple at night
*Kamakura and Great Buddha statue day trip instead if views of Fuji are going to remain poor*
Day 4: Tokyo
Ginza (Mitsukoshi Ginza, Ginza Six, Kabukiza, consider Hama-Rikyu Gardens)–not too into shopping so will probably not be here long
Meiji-jingu shrine
Consider Yuten-ji Temple, Meguro riverside, Yebisu Garden Place, Harajuku
Koishikawa Korakuen garden, Akihabara (Chuo-dori Avenue)
Shinjuku—Shinjuku Gyoen during day (earlier fall leaves), Kabukicho at night, Golden Gai, consider Ikebukuro, Omoide Yokocho
Day 5: Toyko to Kyoto (in AM)
Check out of hostel, take train to Kyoto in the morning—consider Higashi Hongan-ji near Kyoto Station
Check in to hostel—Northern Higashiyama
Hein-jingu, Nanzen-Ji temple, Ginkaku-ji, Eikan-do, Path of Philosphy, consider Honen-in
Nijo Castle
Late afternoon/evening: Southern Higashiyama—Kiyowizu-dera to Yasaka-jinja along Sannen-zaka/Ninen-zaka, then around geisha district/Gion at night to Ponto-cho, Kodai-ji at night (consider Chion-in, Sanjusangen-do, Shoren-in during daytime, shopping district)
Day 6: Kyoto/Osaka
Southern Kyoto—Fushimi-Inari (early in AM), consider Tofuku-ji (pretty fall leaves)
Train to Osaka, Osaka Station City
Osaka-jo castle, consider Nishinamaru Garden and Gozabune Boat ride
Amerika-Mura through Dotombori at night
Consider Shin-Sekai, Abeno Harukas vs Umeda Sky Building, Misono Building, Naka-no-shima island, Tenma, Tenjinbashi-Suji
Train back to Kyoto
Day 7: Kyoto to Tokyo (in PM)
Check out of hostel, store luggage
Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji (early in AM), Myoshin-ji, consider Ninna-ji
Tenryu-ji, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, consider Okochi-Sanso
Togetsu-kyo bridge, Arashiyama Monkey Park, consider Sagano Scenic Railway
Consider Daitoku-ji
Consider Daigo-ji
Take train back to Tokyo that night, check in to hostel
Day 8: Tokyo/Home
Check out of hostel, store luggage
TeamLab Borderless
Imperial Palace (90 min walking tour) East Gardens
Depart 8:25 PM from Haneda
by witchhazelss