Hi Everyone
Planned a trip with my gf to Japan for the first time for both of us next April 4th – 17th. Was hoping for some advice on the itinerary and some restaurant recommendations. Decided to stay in Osaka instead of Kyoto due to the upcoming tax in 2026. Flying from Melbourne to Osaka and returning from Tokyo Narita.
4/4/2026 – Arrival in Osaka around 2:45pm
- CHECK IN to hotel around 4-5pm.
- Look at Dotonbori and have dinner.
5/4/2026 – OSAKA CITY
- Osaka Castle for Cherry Blossom
- Onitsuka tigers
- Shinsaibashi
- Sakai – knife shopping (if time allows)
6/4/2026 – Kyoto Day 1
- Bamboo forest
- Fushimi Inari
- Nijo Castle
- Nishiki Market
7/4/2026 – Osaka or Kyoto
(Having trouble deciding whether to visit Kyoto again or Stay and explore Osaka further)
8/04/2026 – Check out of Osaka early – Train to Shizuoka
- Shizuoka station then pick up hire car.
- Lake Tanuki
- Shiraiito Falls
- Obuchi Sasaba
- Drive to Izu Shoenji and check into Hotel
- Dinner
09/04/2026 – Check out of Hotel
- Explore western side of IZU
- Izu Shaboten Zoo
- Toi Gold Mine
- Down to Dogoshima Cave tour
- Cape Irozaki if there is time
- Check into Kawazu hotel.
10/04/2026 Explore surrounding Eastern Izu pennisula.
- Drive up the East Coast
- Izu Teddy Bear museum
- Mt Omuro
- Drive to Atami and return the car. Shinkansen Train from Atami to Tokyo
- Go to Tokyo Check into Tokyo Mitsui Garden Nihonbashi Premier
11/04/2026 – Tokyo – Staying near Shin-Nihombashi station
- Sensoji Temple
- Asakusa street stores
- Tokyo Skytree Sumida Aquarium
- Dinner
12/04/2026
- Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Parco Center
- Shinjuku: 3D cat billboard
- Omoide Yokocho for food
- Omotesando Hills
- Shinjuku Gyoen
- Shibuya: Famous crossing, Hachiko statue, Shibuya Sky at night time
13/04/2026
- Tokyo Disney Sea day (hoping to get tickets for this day)
- Dinner recs maybe near or on the way back to Shin-Nihombashi station
14/04/2026
- Sunshine City Mall
- Explore Ikekuburo
- Tobu Department Store
- Sanrio store and cafe
15/04/2026
- Day trip to Kamakura
16/04/2026
- Imperial Palace
- Visit Hobonichi Tobichi store
- Lunch
- Akihabara
- Ginza: Loft, Uniqlo, Itoya, Seiko, Ginza 6 etc.
- Dinner
17/04/2026
- Morning flight back from Narita to Melbourne.
Any advice would be appreciated. Also assuming on the way back from Izu there is no time for Kamakura. Not sure if there are any other places I should explore in Tokyo instead of heading to Kamakura for day trip. Decided not to visit Hakone this time.
Thanks everyone!
by ninjaskill1601