JJapan Trips

Traveling to Japan for the first time for 18 days – need help with itinerary!

  • September 8, 2025

Hi chat! My partner and I are traveling to Japan, for his 30th birthday; I'm planning everything for him 🙂 Did some research online and built this itinerary. Would be grateful if any of you can vet this or help refine it! Thank you so much in advance!

Day 1 – October 31, 2025 | Tokyo → Hakone (Night Stay in Hakone)

  1. Arrive in Tokyo
  2. Transfer to Hakone
  3. Check-in & Relax

Day 2 – November 1, 2025 | Hakone Sightseeing (Night Stay in Hakone)

  1. Hakone Ropeway & Owakudani: Ride ropeway to active volcanic valley, try black eggs.
  2. Lake Ashi Cruise: Cruise on pirate-themed boat, enjoy Mount Fuji views if clear.
  3. Hakone Shrine: Visit iconic torii gate and serene shrine.
  4. Optional: Hakone Open-Air Museum: Explore over 100 sculptures amidst nature.
  5. Transfers: Use Hakone Freepass for ropeway, cruise, buses.

Day 3 – November 2, 2025 | Mt. Fuji Day Trip → Kyoto (Night Stay in Kyoto)

  1. Morning: Mt. Fuji Area: Visit Kawaguchiko or Fujiyoshida; Mt. Fuji 5th Station.
  2. Visit Chureito Pagoda for iconic views
  3. Explore Kawaguchiko's Oishi Park for autumn foliage
  4. Afternoon: Explore: Visit Chureito Pagoda, Kachi Kachi Ropeway.
  5. Evening: Transfer to Kyoto: Train from Odawara to Kyoto (~3 hrs).

Day 4 – November 3, 2025 | Northern Kyoto Temples (Night Stay in Kyoto)

  • Fushimi Inari Shrine: Walk through thousands of torii gates early morning.
  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Visit the gold-leaf Zen temple beside a reflective pond.
  • Maruyama Park & Yasaka Shrine: Explore park and historic shrine.
  • Evening: Gion District: Stroll through geisha district, spot geiko/maiko.

Day 5 – November 4, 2025 | Eastern Kyoto & Arashiyama (Night Stay in Kyoto)

  1. Morning: Kiyomizu-dera: Visit UNESCO site and historic streets.
  2. Afternoon: Arashiyama: Explore Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, Optional: Iwatayama Monkey Park.

Day 6 – November 5, 2025 | Nara Day Trip from Kyoto (Night Stay in Kyoto)

  1. Travel: JR or Kintetsu train to Nara (~45 min).
  2. Nara Park: Feed sacred deer.
  3. Todai-ji Temple: Visit the Great Buddha.
  4. Kasuga Taisha Shrine: Walk through lantern-lined paths.

Day 7 – November 6, 2025 | Kyoto → Osaka (Night Stay in Osaka)

  1. Morning: Travel: Train from Kyoto to Osaka (~1 hr), check-in.
  2. Midday: Osaka Castle: Explore castle and city views.
  3. Afternoon: Kuromon Market: Try seafood, skewers, local specialties.
  4. Evening: Dotonbori: Explore neon district and street food.

Day 8 – November 7, 2025 | Osaka Highlights (Night Stay in Osaka)

  1. Umeda Sky Building: Panoramic views from Floating Garden.
  2. Shinsekai District: Visit Tsutenkaku Tower, try kushikatsu.
  3. Optional: Sumiyoshi Taisha: Visit historic Shinto shrine.
  4. Shinsaibashi Shopping: Browse shopping arcade.

Day 9 – November 8, 2025 | Hiroshima & Miyajima Day Trip (Night Stay in Osaka)

  1. Morning: Shinkansen to Hiroshima (~1.5 hrs)
  2. Peace Memorial Park: Visit A-Bomb Dome, museum.
  3. Miyajima Island: Take ferry, explore Itsukushima Shrine, Mt. Misen ropeway.
  4. Evening: Return to Osaka

Day 10 – November 9, 2025 | Osaka → Tokyo (Night Stay in Tokyo)

  1. Travel: Shinkansen (~3 hrs), look for Mount Fuji views.
  2. Explore: Tokyo Station area, Marunouchi, Ginza, or Imperial Palace gardens.

Day 11 – November 10, 2025 | Modern Tokyo Highlights (Night Stay in Tokyo)

  1. Shibuya Crossing: Experience iconic scramble.
  2. Harajuku & Takeshita Street: Explore youth fashion and cafes.
  3. Meiji Shrine: Find tranquility in forest shrine.
  4. Omotesando: Stroll architecture-lined boulevard.

Day 12 – November 11, 2025 | Old & New Tokyo (Night Stay in Tokyo)

  1. Asakusa: Visit Senso-ji temple and shops.
  2. Tsukiji Outer Market: Lunch with sushi and seafood.
  3. Digital Art Museum: Explore teamLab Planets or Borderless.

Day 13 – November 12, 2025 | Nikko Day Trip (Night Stay in Tokyo)

  1. Morning: Travel (~2.5 hrs)
  2. World Heritage Sites: Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge.
  3. Lunch in Nikko Town: Try yuba dishes.
  4. Lake Chuzenji & Kegon Falls: Explore lakeside and waterfalls.
  5. Optional Onsen Soak: Relax at local onsen.
  6. Evening: Return to Tokyo

Day 14 – November 13, 2025 | Tokyo Shopping & Pop Culture (Night Stay in Tokyo)

  1. Ginza: Luxury shopping.
  2. Akihabara: Electronics, anime, manga stores.
  3. Ikebukuro: Pokémon Center and entertainment.
  4. Tokyo Station: Character Street: Shops for popular franchises.

Day 15 – November 14, 2025 | Tokyo Views & Parks (Night Stay in Tokyo)

  • Tokyo Skytree: Panoramic views, shopping.
  • Ueno Park: Museums, zoo, autumn foliage.
  • Yanaka: Traditional shops, temples.

Day 16 – November 15, 2025 | Tokyo DisneySea (Night Stay in Tokyo)

  1. Explore Key Areas: Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, American Waterfront, Mermaid Lagoon.
  2. Tips: Arrive early, use official app, buy tickets in advance.

Day 17 – November 16, 2025 | Rest Day in Tokyo (Night Stay in Tokyo)

  • Relaxation: Spa or onsen in Shinjuku or Odaiba.
  • Light Activities: Parks, gardens, cafes.
  • Evening: Special dinner or river cruise.

Day 18 – November 17, 2025 | Departure from Tokyo

by Turbulent_Card86