11 Day Itinerary – First Timers [3 Nov – 13 Nov]

Hello everyone, this is our first time in Japan itinerary for an 11 day trip (3-Nov to 13-Nov). My partner and I have planned a typical Tokyo – Osaka trip with day trips to Fuji and Kyoto. Please share any feedback or suggestions.

We are in our late 20s, early risers and plan to use public transport. We will be pre-booking everything as much as possible from buses to trains to sight seeing.

Our plan with this itinerary is to get as much of the Japan experience we can in our 11 days, and catch some glimpse of fall foliage in Kawaguchiko/Kyoto but sad to hear that the autumn is setting in late November this year (but a man can hope).

Day 1 – Monday – Tokyo

Land Tokyo (HND) T3 at 7 55 AM

Take train to Shimbashi and then Cab to Hotel

Check-in at hotel in Akasaka

Rest

Explore Shibuya (Crossing, Hachiko, Karaoke, Shopping)

Day 2 – Tuesday – Tokyo

TeamLabs Planets

Explore Ginza (Seiko Museum, Itoya Stationary, Flagship stores, Viewing Deck)

Day 3 – Wednesday – Day Trip to Kawaguchiko

Bus to Fujisan (early morning)

Chureito Pagoda

Maple Corridor, Oishi Park (maybe rent e-bike/cycle)

Oshino Hakkai (by bus)

Bus back to Tokyo (bus around 6pm)

Day 4 – Thursday – Tokyo

Senso-ji Temple

Imperial Gardens

Shopping in Nakano Broadway

Explore Shinjuku (late afternoon to Evening)

Day 5 – Friday – Tokyo

Train to Railway Museum – Saitama

Ameyoko Street

Explore Akihabara

Day 6 – Saturday – Travel to Osaka

Shinkansen to Osaka

Check in to Hotel in Namba

Namba Yasaka Shrine

Kaiyuken Aquarium

Tempozan Ferris Wheel

Evening in Dotonbori

Day 7 – Sunday – Day Trip Kyoto

Train to Kyoto

Early Morning Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka Street Walking

Tea Ceremony Maikoya

Explore Kyoto (Pokemon and Nintendo stores)

Late evening train back to Osaka (9/10pm)

Day 8 – Monday – Half day trip to Katsuoji

Early morning train to Minoh-kayano stn

Cab/Bus to Katsuoji Temple

Cab to Minoh Falls

Hike down to Mino-o stn

Tsutenkaku tower slider and Shinsekai – if not tired from hike

Day 9 – Tuesday – Osaka

Universal Studios

Day 10 – Wednesday – Day Trip Kyoto

Early morning Fushimi Inari

Eikan-dō (Zenrin-ji) Temple

Hokan-ji – Buddhist Temple

Explore Kyoto – if time permits

Day 11 – Thursday – Osaka

Morning souvenir shopping

Check-out

Late night flight from KIX

Questions:

  1. Would we be able to see any autumn colors around this time anywhere in our itinerary?
  2. Are the 2 separate day-trips to Kyoto practical? We planned to minimize carrying luggage around
  3. Is Day 3 (Kawaguchiko day trip) too packed/ambitious?
  4. People who have been to Katsuoji, how easy is it to get cabs?

by DinoDanceBoi