EDIT based on first Redditor’s feedback I will revisit and repost tomorrow.

We are travelling to Japan for the first time 18th – 27th October; me, my wife and 15 yr old son. We have flights, accommodation booked and point to point trains (I need to firm up times). This is the proposed itinerary, and I wonder if it is realistic?

A few specific questions, I am not sure there is enough time in Nara; can we do Hakone loop in reverse, am I missing anything obvious?

Japan Itinerary: October 17–27, 2025

Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Nara

Oct 18 (Sat): Arrival – Narita to Tokyo

• 12:55 PM – Arrive at Narita
• 2:30 PM – Narita Express (N’EX) to Tokyo Station
• 3:30 PM – Taxi to Hotel (~15 min)
• 4:00 PM – Check-in, rest
• 6:00 PM – short stroll arounsd Ginza/Shimbashi

Oct 19 (Sun):

• 9:00 AM – Subway/taxi to Senso-ji Temple
• 11:30 AM – Train to Shibuya
• 12:00 PM – Shibuya Scramble + Pokemon Center Shibuya
• 1:30 PM – Lunch in Shibuya
• 5:30 PM – Head to Shinjuku
• 6:00 PM – Explore Omoide Yokocho & Kabukicho lights
• 7:00 PM – Dinner in Shinjuku
• 8:30 PM – Golden Gai + Karaoke experience

Oct 20 (Mon):

• 9:00 AM – Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine
• 10:30 AM – Stroll Harajuku / Takeshita Street
• 12:00 PM – Taxi/train to Imperial Palace East Gardens
• 1:30 PM – Lunch near Marunouchi
• 2:30 PM – Walk/short taxi to Kabukiza Theatre (
• 5:00 PM – Train to Ikebukuro – explore Sunshine City, Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, or shopping
• 7:00 PM – Dinner in Ikebukuro

Oct 21 (Tue): Views, Shopping & Akihabara

• 9:00 AM – Train/taxi to Tokyo Skytree
• 12:30 PM – Lunch near Tokyo Station
• 2:00 PM – Shopping stop: Seiko (something I specifically asked to include!)
• 3:00 PM – Explore Akihabara
• 6:30 PM – Dinner in Akihabara or Ginza

⛰️ Oct 22 (Wed): Tokyo → Hakone (Ryokan Night)

(luggage forwarded to Kyoto, backpacks only)

• 7:30 AM – Shinkansen to Odawara Station (~35 min)
• 9:00 AM–5:00 PM – Do the Hakone Loop:
  • Train/ropeway to Owakudani
  • Ropeway down to Lake Ashi
  • Visit Hakone Shrine
• 5:30 PM – Arrive at Ryokan (Gora)
• 6:00 PM – Onsen soak + kaiseki dinner

Oct 23 (Thu): Hakone → Kyoto

• 9:00 AM – Train to Odawara → Shinkansen to Kyoto (~2 hrs)
• 12:00 PM – Check into Hotel
• 2:00 PM – Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• 4:00 PM – Walk Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka streets
• 6:00 PM – Evening in Gion

Oct 24 (Fri):

• 9:00 AM – Taxi to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• 11:00 AM – Taxi/bus to Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
• 12:00 PM – Walk the Philosopher’s Path
• 1:30 PM – Lunch nearby
• 3:00 PM – Return to central Kyoto for free time/shopping
• Evening – Optional Gion walk or Kyoto Tower views

🎍 Oct 25 (Sat): Arashiyama Day

• 8:30 AM – Train to Arashiyama
• 9:00 AM – Visit Bamboo Grove + Tenryu-ji Temple
• 11:00 AM – Ride the Sagano Romantic Railway
• 1:00 PM – Lunch by Katsura River
• 2:00 PM – Optional Monkey Park hike or riverside stroll
• 4:30 PM – Return to Kyoto
• Evening – Dinner in Kawaramachi

Oct 26 (Sun): Nara + Fushimi Inari

• 8:30 AM – JR train to Nara (~1 hr)
• 9:30 AM – Visit Todai-ji Temple (giant Buddha)
• 11:00 AM – Nara Deer Park stroll
• 12:30 PM – Quick lunch in Nara
• 1:30 PM – Train back to Kyoto
• 2:30 PM – Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha
• 6:00 PM – Return to Kyoto

Oct 27 (Mon): Departure – Kyoto → Kansai Airport

• Morning: walk by Kamo River or last shopping in Kyoto Station
• 12:00 PM – Check out of hotel
• 12:30 PM – Train/taxi to Kansai Airport (~1.5 hrs)
• 3:30 PM – Arrive at airport
• 5:55 PM – Flight departs