First time in Japan – 2 week itiniary check – Kyoto/Kinosaki Onsen/Osaka/Tokyo

Hi all, me and my girlfriend are a month and bit away from our dream 2 week trip to Japan (first-timers). We are keen travellers and not afraid to walk 30k steps a day on holidays.

Could you please have a review of our itinerary and see if it's realistic/add suggestions/anything else!

We have been researching on here a lot so know about common tips like suica card etc. but any feedback/tips would be amazing.

🇯🇵

19 Nov – 2 Dec 2025

Day 1 – Wed 19 Nov | Arrival → Kyoto

Land Tokyo 9 AM → Shinkansen to Kyoto (~2h30).

Evening: Explore Gion geisha district & Pontocho alley.
🏨 Stay: Kyoto Airbnb
🎟️ Book Ahead: JR Pass (before Japan). Reserve Shinkansen seat when you land.

Day 2 – Thu 20 Nov | Kyoto – Arashiyama & Golden Pavilion

Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & riverside walk.

Afternoon: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).

Optional: Togetsukyo Bridge & Monkey Park.
🏨 Stay: Kyoto Airbnb
✅ No bookings required, but arrive early for Bamboo Grove.

Day 3 – Fri 21 Nov | Kyoto Temples & Old Streets

Morning: Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Afternoon: Kiyomizu-dera Temple + Higashiyama old streets.

Evening: Kamo River stroll.
🏨 Stay: Kyoto Airbnb
🎟️ Optional: If visiting autumn night light-ups (e.g. Eikan-do, Kiyomizu), check dates and pre-book.

Day 4 – Sat 22 Nov | Kyoto → Kinosaki Onsen

Train (~2.5h) to Kinosaki.

Stroll town in yukata, bathhouse hopping.

Kaiseki dinner at ryokan.
🏨 Stay: Tsukimotoya Ryokan
🎟️ Book Ahead: Confirm dinner & bath access with ryokan.

Day 5 – Sun 23 Nov | Kinosaki → Osaka

Train (~3h via Kyoto).

Afternoon: Osaka Castle Park (🍁 autumn leaves).

Evening: Dotonbori street food crawl.
🏨 Stay: Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre
✅ No bookings needed.

Day 6 – Mon 24 Nov | Nara Day Trip

Train (~45 min).

Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Shrine forest, Nara Deer Park (be careful of deer virus going round!)

Evening return to Osaka.
🏨 Stay: Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre
🎟️ Optional: Todaiji Temple entry ticket (can buy on the day, no need to pre-book).

Day 7 – Tue 25 Nov | Osaka Highlights

Morning: Kuromon Market.

Afternoon: Shinsekai retro streets or optional Himeji Castle.
🏨 Stay: Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre
🎟️ Optional: Himeji Castle entry (buy at gate, no pre-book needed).

Day 8 – Wed 26 Nov | Osaka → Tokyo

Early Shinkansen (~3h30).

Afternoon: Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park.

Evening: Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky.
🏨 Stay: Gate hotel Asakusa
🎟️ Book Ahead: Shibuya Sky (reserve sunset slot).

Day 9 – Thu 27 Nov | Traditional Tokyo

Morning: Asakusa – Sensō-ji Temple + Nakamise shopping street.

Afternoon: Ueno Park (🍁 leaves).

Evening: Yanaka old town.
🏨 Stay: Gate Hotel Asakusa
✅ No bookings needed.

Day 10 – Fri 28 Nov | Tokyo Gardens & Nightlife

Morning: Shinjuku Gyoen.

Afternoon: Explore Ginza / Ikebukuro.

Evening: Omoide Yokocho & Golden Gai.
🏨 Stay: Gate Hotel Asakusa
✅ No bookings needed.

Day 11 – Sat 29 Nov | Modern Tokyo + Akihabara

Morning: Harajuku → Omotesandō.

Afternoon: Akihabara.

Evening: Shibuya nightlife.
🏨 Stay: Gate Hotel Asakusa
✅ No bookings needed.

Day 12 – Sun 30 Nov | Mt Fuji Day Trip – Kawaguchiko

Train/bus to Lake Kawaguchiko.

Chureito Pagoda, Momiji Tunnel (🍁 leaves + Fuji).

Return to Tokyo.
🏨 Stay: Gate Hotel Asakusa
🎟️ Book Ahead: Reserve highway bus/train tickets (esp. weekends).

Day 13 – Mon 1 Dec | Tokyo Free Day

Options: TeamLab Planets, Odaiba, Yokohama.

Farewell dinner in Shinjuku.
🏨 Stay: Gate Hotel Asakusa
🎟️ Book Ahead: TeamLab Planets (very popular, book weeks ahead).

Day 14 – Tue 2 Dec | Departure

Morning flight 10 AM.

Narita Express / Skyliner to airport.
✅ Reserve seats in advance if possible.