I’m heading to Japan for the first time and put together a 2-week itinerary.I’ve tried to balance the must-see spots with some free time to just wander and stumble into random encounters. Would love to hear if this looks doable or if I’m cramming too much in or too little. I’ll be there from October 19th to November 1st, so if there are any must-see events or activities during that time, please share. Thanks in advance!
Day 1 – Tokyo (Shibuya)
Morning: Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Crossing, Parco, do anything nearby till hotel checkin
Afternoon: Explore Shibuya, shopping
Evening: Shibuya Sky (sunset/night), dinner & nightlife
Day 2 – Tokyo (Central & East)
Morning: Imperial Palace Gardens, Chidorigafuchi Park, Yasukuni Shrine, Kanda Myojin Shrine
Afternoon: Akihabara (Animate, Mandarake, Kotobukiya, Super Potato, arcades)
Evening: Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, Godzilla, Golden Gai, metropolitan observatory deck)
Day 3 – Tokyo
Morning: teamLab Borderless
Afternoon: Free
Evening: Tokyo Tower, Zojo-ji Temple
Day 4 – Tokyo → Kyoto
Morning: Travel to Kyoto via shinkansen
Afternoon: Free
Late afternoon to Evening: Higashi Hongan-ji, Nishi Hongan-ji
Day 5 – Nara Day Trip
Morning: Kofuku-ji, Nara Deer Park, Kasuga Taisha, Todai-ji
Late Afternoon: Return to Kyoto
Evening: Fushimi Inari Shrine
Day 6 – Kyoto (Higashiyama & Gion)
Morning: Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Yasaka Shrine, Gion streets
Afternoon: Nishiki Market
Evening: Free time
Day 7 – Kyoto (Arashiyama & Eastern Walk)
Morning: Monkey Park, Tenryu-ji, Bamboo Grove, Okochi Sanso Villa, Saga-Toriimoto Street, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji
Afternoon(if I'm not tired): Nanzen-ji, Philosopher’s Path, Eikan-do, Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
Evening: Free
Day 8 – Kyoto → Osaka (Namba)
Morning: Travel to Osaka
Afternoon: Namba Yasaka Shrine, Hozenji Temple
Evening: Dotonbori
Day 9 – Osaka (Castle & City Walk)
Morning: Osaka Castle, Hokoku Shrine
Afternoon: Kuromon Ichiba Market
Evening: Shinsekai, Abeno Harukas Observatory
Day 10 – Osaka
Morning–Evening: Full day at Universal Studios Japan
Day 11 – Osaka → Tokyo (Asakusa)
Morning: Travel to Tokyo
Afternoon: Senso-ji Temple
Evening: Free
Day 12 – Tokyo
Morning–Evening: Full day at Tokyo DisneySea
Day 13 – Tokyo (Free + Halloween)
Morning: Shopping / temples (Togo Shrine, Gotoku-ji Temple)
Afternoon: Free
Evening: Halloween in Shibuya
Day 14 – Departure
Morning: Check out & head to airport, bye japan 🙁
Foods to Try
Tokyo: sushi, ramen, yakitori, crepes
Kyoto: kaiseki, matcha sweets, yatsuhashi
Nara: kakinoha-zushi, Miwa somen
Osaka: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu
General: taiyaki, melonpan, mitarashi dango
by Narrow_Meaning7704