Hey everyone! I'm planning my first trip to Japan with friends from start of November to mid November 2025 and would really appreciate your feedback on our itinerary. We're aiming to catch the autumn foliage season and explore both touristy spots and some hidden gems. Any suggestions, tips, or corrections would be incredibly helpful!

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Day 0: Arrival in Osaka

• Activities: Arrive at night, check into hotel, optional quick dinner at Dotonbori (takoyaki, okonomiyaki)
• Notes: Booked hotel near Osaka Station for easy train access. Planning to rest after the flight.
• Foliage Status: Early autumn colors, not yet peak

Day 1: Osaka

• Morning: Osaka Castle (museum and grounds)
• Afternoon: Dotonbori (canal, street food)
• Evening: Ura-Namba (non-touristy izakayas, kushikatsu)
• Notes: Planning to explore Ura-Namba for authentic, non-touristy dining
• Foliage Status: Early autumn colors in castle park

Day 2: Day Trip to Himeji & Kobe

• Activities:
  • Himeji Castle (UNESCO World Heritage site)
  • Kokoen Garden
  • Afternoon in Kobe Harborland
• Travel: Shinkansen to Himeji (1 hr), local train to Kobe (30 min)
• Foliage Status: Early to mid-autumn foliage at Himeji

Day 3: Travel to Kyoto

• Morning: Travel to Kyoto
• Afternoon: Fushimi Inari Taisha (iconic torii gates)
• Evening: Gion district (geisha area, Hanami-koji, Yasaka Shrine)
• Travel: 30 min to Kyoto via Hankyu/Kyoto Osaka Sightseeing Pass
• Notes: Booked hotel near Kyoto Station. Evening geisha spotting in Gion
• Foliage Status: Peak red maples at Fushimi Inari

Day 4: Kyoto

• Morning: Kiyomizu-dera (UNESCO temple with amazing views)
• Afternoon: Higashiyama District (Kodai-ji Temple, Nishiki Market)
• Evening: Momiji Tunnel (Maple Tree Tunnel)
• Notes: Planning to visit Maruyama Park near Kodai-ji for quieter autumn views
• Foliage Status: Peak foliage at Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji

Day 5: Arashiyama

• Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple (UNESCO)
• Afternoon: Otagi Nenbutsu-ji (1,200 stone statues), Jojakko-ji Temple
• Notes: Focusing on non-touristy temples in the afternoon
• Foliage Status: Peak foliage in Arashiyama, maple-lined temples

Day 6: Day Trip to Nara

• Activities:
  • Nara Park (interact with the deer!)
  • Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha)
  • Isuien Garden
• Travel: Train (1 hr each way)
• Notes: Will buy deer crackers. Return to Kyoto by evening.
• Foliage Status: Peak foliage in Nara Park and Isuien

Day 7: Travel to Kanazawa

• Morning: Travel to Kanazawa
• Afternoon: Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle
• Evening: Higashi Chaya District (geisha area), Omicho Market
• Travel: Thunderbird JR West (2.5 hrs)
• Notes: Booked hotel near Kanazawa Station. Planning to try seafood at Omicho Market
• Foliage Status: Early to mid-foliage in Kenrokuen

Day 8: Travel to Kawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji Area)

• Morning: Travel to Kawaguchiko
• Afternoon: Lake Kawaguchi, Chureito Pagoda, Oshino Hakkai
• Evening: Relax at ryokan with onsen
• Travel: Shinkansen to Tokyo (3 hrs), then bus to Kawaguchiko (1.5 hrs)
• Notes: Will check Japan Meteorological Agency for Mt. Fuji visibility. Booked ryokan early!
• Foliage Status: Some autumn colors, likely past peak

Day 9: Travel to Tokyo

• Morning: Travel to Tokyo
• Afternoon: Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa), Nakamise Street
• Evening: Ueno Park, Akihabara (electronics/anime)
• Travel: Bus/Train (1.5 hrs to Tokyo)
• Notes: Planning to explore Yanaka near Ueno for historic charm
• Foliage Status: Early foliage in Ueno Park (ginkgo trees)

Day 10: Tokyo

• Morning: Meiji Shrine
• Afternoon: Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky observation deck
• Evening: Harajuku (Takeshita Street, shopping)
• Notes: Planning to try ramen in Shibuya's backstreets
• Foliage Status: Early foliage at Meiji Shrine

Day 11: Day Trip to Nikko

• Activities:
  • Toshogu Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage)
  • Kegon Falls
  • Irohazaka Road
• Travel: Train (2 hrs each way) – pass available
• Notes: Packing warm clothing for higher elevation
• Foliage Status: Peak foliage in Nikko

Day 12: Day Trip to Kamakura

• Activities:
  • Great Buddha at Kotoku-in Temple
  • Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
  • Komachi Street shopping
• Travel: Train (1 hr each way) – pass available
• Notes: Planning to visit local cafes on Komachi Street
• Foliage Status: Some coastal foliage

Day 13: Tokyo

• Morning: Rikugien Garden
• Afternoon: Shopping in Ginza (luxury), Harajuku (fashion), Akihabara (electronics/anime)
• Notes: Will visit Tsukiji Fish Market for sushi
• Foliage Status: Mid-foliage in Rikugien

Day 14: Last Full Day in Tokyo

• Morning: Tsukiji Fish Market (sushi breakfast!)
• Afternoon: Shopping in Ginza, Odaiba (Gundam Base, Tokyo Bay views)
• Notes: Last-minute shopping day. Considering Sumida River cruise for non-touristy views

Day 15: Departure

• Morning: Depart from Narita/Haneda airport
• Travel: Bus/Train to airport (1-1.5 hrs)

Questions and Advice Needed

Would really appreciate your feedback on the following:

1. Foliage timing: We're visiting start of November to mid November. Will we catch peak autumn colors in most places, especially Kyoto and Nikko?
2. Transportation passes: Should we get a JR Pass or are regional passes better for our route? Any recommendations on which rail passes to buy?
3. Food recommendations: We have one vegetarian in our group. Are there good vegetarian options at the places we're visiting?
4. Hidden gems and low-key spots: Are there any must-visit non-touristy places or low-key gems we're missing on our routes? We'd love to explore some spots that are off the beaten path!
5. Anything we should skip or spend more/less time on? Any adjustments you'd suggest to the itinerary?
6. Any other tips, warnings, or suggestions? This is our first time to Japan and we want to make the most of it!