JJapan Trips

2 Week Japan Itinerary Tips?

  • September 20, 2025

Hello, this will be my first time in Japan so wondering if anybody has any advice/concerns. I will be traveling together with a group of 5 for most of the trip, doing the typical Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Tokyo loop with a number of day trips mixed in. I understand that some days are pretty jam-packed so we will be flexible depending on how we're feeling/doing on time. The trip will be from November 8th to November 23rd and we have not yet finalized lodging, transportation, etc.

*Throwaway account because my main account is bugged

  1. Arrive Saturday night (11/8) in Tokyo

  2. Sunday (11/9)

    1. Shibuya Crossing & Hachiko Statue – aim for 9am
    2. Shibuya Parco Mall (Pokemon & Nintendo Stores) – aim for 10am (5 min walk)
    3. Downtime for shopping/lunch
    4. Gyoen National Garden – 3pm latest (45 min walk or 30 min train)
    5. JR Station 3D Cat – aim for 5-6pm (10 min walk)
    6. Omoide Yokocho – aim for 6-7pm (5 min walk)
    7. Golden Gai – aim for 8-9pm (10 min walk)
      1. Could do next day if tired

  3. Monday (11/10)

    1. \**Consider Mt. Fuji if visibility good (swap with 11/21)****
    2. Senso-Ji – aim for 8:30am
      1. Nakamise Shopping Street – 5 min walk
    3. Sanrio Gift Gate – aim for 10am (5 min walk)
    4. Tokyo Skytree – aim for 11am (20 min walk)
      1. Book timed entry ahead of time
    5. Pokemon Center Skytree – aim for 12pm (5 min walk)
    6. Imperial Palace East Gardens – aim for 2-3pm (30 min train)
    7. Tokyo Character Street – aim for 4-5pm (15 min walk)

  4. Tuesday (11/11)

    1. Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen – aim for 9am
    2. Kinkakuji – aim for 3pm
    3. Try every day for Nintendo Museum (best to check at 12-1am ET)
      1. Shift things around if we can get tickets

  5. Wednesday (11/12)

    1. Fushimi Inari Taisha – aim for 6am
    2. Pokemon Center – aim for 10am (20 min train)
    3. Nishiki Market – aim for 11am (10 min walk)
    4. Samurai Ninja Museum – aim for 4pm (5 min walk)

  6. Thursday (11/13)

    1. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – aim for 8am
    2. Monkey Park – aim for 9am (15 min walk)
    3. Kokedera – aim for 11:30am (15 min bus)
      1. Book timed entry ahead of time

  7. Friday (11/14)

    1. Hike from Kurama to Kibune – aim for 9am
      1. Consider onsen, river dining
      2. 3 people in the group doing day trip to Hiroshima instead

  8. Saturday (11/15)

    1. Kiyomizudera – aim for 8am
    2. Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park – no rush
    3. Eikando – aim for 5:30pm
      1. This is the first day the night lighting-up begins

  9. Sunday (11/16)

    1. Visit Koyasan (can maybe do something in Kyoto in the morning) – aim for 3pm check-in (3 hour train from Kyoto, may want to drop bags in Osaka)
      1. Staying at Daien-In
    2. Okunoin Temple – aim for 4pm (15-45 min walk)
      1. Can do tomorrow morning if arriving too late

  10. Monday (11/17)

    1. Leave Koyasan – aim for 11am-12pm
    2. Flexible evening – consider moving these around based on preference/time
      1. Osaka Aquarium – aim for 3-4pm (3 hour train)
      2. Tenmangu Shrine
      3. Dotonbori

  11. Tuesday (11/18)

    1. Day trip to Nara – Start with Nara Park – aim for 9am (1 hour train)
    2. Todaiji – aim for 10am (5 min walk)
    3. Kasuga Taisha – aim for 12pm (5 min walk)
    4. Isuien Garden – aim for 1pm (10 min walk)
    5. Kuchu Teien Observatory at night – aim for 6pm (1 hour train)

  12. Wednesday (11/19)

    1. Himeji castle – aim for 9am (1 hour train)
      1. 2 people in the group doing Universal Studios instead

  13. Thursday (11/20)

    1. Osaka Castle
    2. Osaka to Tokyo Shinkansen
      1. \**Consider stopping at Mt. Fuji if visibility good — adds a lot to travel time****

  14. Friday (11/21)

    1. Visit Kawaguchi, Oishi Park (2.5 hour train)
      1. Consider Ryokan onsen visit

  15. Saturday (11/22)

    1. \**Consider Mt. Fuji if visibility good (swap with 11/21)****
    2. Rikugien Garden
    3. Sanrio Puroland?
    4. Shimokitazawa (thrifting district)?

  16. Leave Sunday evening (11/23) from Tokyo

by Particular_Touch3486