Hey everyone,
I’ve put together a detailed 2-week Japan itinerary for next October.
Trying to balance classic highlights, traditional experiences (ryokan, temples), and some organized tours to reduce travel stress.
Would love feedback — does this flow well, or should I slow down / skip something?

📅 Itinerary

Day 1 – Oct 22
Flight BRI → HND (11:20 → 10:25 +1)
✈️ Overnight in flight

Day 2 – Oct 23 – TOKYO
Arrival → city walk (Nippori / Asakusa) → TeamLab Planets (late afternoon) → sumo dinner show

Day 3 – Oct 24 – KAMAKURA (day trip)
07:40 train Tokyo → Kamakura (~1h10)
Visit Great Buddha, Hase-dera, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Komachi-dori
Back to Tokyo → evening walk Ueno Park + Ameyoko Market

Day 4 – Oct 25 – KANAZAWA
08:40 Shinkansen Tokyo → Kanazawa (2h30)
Omicho Market → Kanazawa Castle → Kenrokuen Garden → dinner in Higashi Chaya District

Day 5 – Oct 26 – SHIRAKAWA-GO & TAKAYAMA
Morning Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go (bus) → Takayama
Visit village + viewpoint → check-in ryokan → onsen + kaiseki dinner
Evening walk in Sanmachi Suji

Day 6 – Oct 27 – TAKAYAMA → KYOTO
Limited Express Hida to Nagoya → Shinkansen to Kyoto (~3h total)
Nishiki Market lunch → walk Higashiyama, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Kiyomizu-dera → Gion night walk

Day 7 – Oct 28 – KYOTO + NARA + FUSHIMI INARI + ARASHIYAMA
Full-day bus tour (8:00–19:00) covering Nara deer park, Fushimi Inari, and Arashiyama (bamboo forest, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge)

Day 8 – Oct 29 – KYOTO WEST / MONTE HIEI (choice)
A) Kinkaku-ji → Ryoan-ji → Nishiki Market → Gion free afternoon
B) Same start → then cable car to Mount Hiei → stay overnight at Enryaku-ji monastery

Day 9 – Oct 30 – OSAKA
Train to Osaka → walking tour (Dotonbori, Osaka Castle) → nightlife & karaoke

Day 10 – Oct 31 – HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA
07:00 Shinkansen Osaka → Hiroshima (1h40)
Full-day guided tour: Peace Memorial Park, ferry to Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, oysters & momiji manju
Back to Hiroshima → overnight

Day 11 – Nov 1 – TOKYO
Flight (15:30) or train Hiroshima → Tokyo
Afternoon/evening free in Tokyo

Day 12 – Nov 2 – TOKYO or NIKKO (optional tour)
Full-day Nikko tour (07:30–19:00): Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, Shinkyo Bridge
Or free exploration in Tokyo

Looking for feedback:

• Is the overall pace realistic?
• Would you skip Kanazawa/Takayama or keep them for the traditional touch?
• Is Mt. Hiei overnight worth it vs. staying in Kyoto?