Hi please review my Japan Itinerary:
Arrival – Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025
– Flight: ANA NH117 – Seattle → Tokyo (Haneda)
– Depart: 3:40 PM → Arrive: 7:15 PM
– Notes: Transfer to hotel in Asakusa, check-in, light dinner if desired
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Day 1 – Wednesday, Nov 12 – Traditional Tokyo
Morning – Asakusa (Walking area from hotel)
– Senso-ji Temple (Historic Buddhist temple, opens 6 AM)
– Nakamise Street (Traditional shops & snacks)
– Traditional Japanese breakfast nearby
Afternoon – Harajuku & Shibuya
– Takeshita Street (Fashion & snacks)
– Shibuya Parco & LOFT
– Shibuya Crossing & Hachiko Statue
– Meiji Jingu Shrine (Shinto shrine, closes ~4:30 PM)
– Transit: ~30 min from Asakusa to Shibuya
Evening – Shinjuku
– Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (closes 4:30 PM – visit first)
– Kabukicho, Godzilla Head, Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Observation deck open till 11 PM)
– Transit: ~5 min from Shibuya
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Day 2 – Thursday, Nov 13 – Modern Tokyo & Pop Culture
Morning – Azabudai Hills
– teamLab Borderless (Digital art museum, 9:00-9:30 AM entry, booked)
– Spend ~2-3 hours exploring
Afternoon – Akihabara
– Yodobashi Akiba (Electronics mall)
– Animate & Gacha machines
– Pokémon Café (Nihombashi)
– Transit: ~20 min from Azabudai Hills
Evening – Asakusa
– Kappabashi Dougu Street (Kitchenware shopping, shops close 5-6 PM)
– Walk along Sumida River
– Transit: ~5 min from Akihabara
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Day 3 – Friday, Nov 14 – Mt. Fuji Day Trip
Full Day – Kawaguchiko Area
– Early departure from Shinjuku (7-8 AM)
– Lake Kawaguchiko (Scenic lake views)
– Chureito Pagoda
– Oishi Park
– Return to Tokyo evening
– Transit: ~2 hrs via JR Chuo + Fuji Excursion or highway bus
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Day 4 – Saturday, Nov 15 – Shopping & Travel to Kyoto
Morning – Tokyo Shopping
– Checkout from APA Hotel by 10 AM
– Explore Ginza, Harajuku, or Don Quijote
Afternoon – Shinkansen to Kyoto
– Depart Tokyo/Shinagawa ~2-3 PM (Nozomi Shinkansen, 2 h 15 min)
– Arrive Kyoto ~4-5 PM
Evening – Kyoto
– Check into hotel
– Dinner nearby
– Optional stroll around Gion district
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KYOTO & KANSAI REGION
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Day 5 – Sunday, Nov 16 – Historic Kyoto
Morning – Temples & Old Streets
– Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Historic Buddhist temple, 6 AM-6 PM)
– Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka Streets (Traditional Kyoto streets)
Afternoon – Cultural Experience
– Kimono Tea Ceremony & Samurai Experience (pre-booked)
Evening – Nishiki Market & Gion
– Nishiki Market (Local food & souvenirs, closes 5-6 PM)
– Explore Gion district for evening walk
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Day 6 – Monday, Nov 17 – Fushimi Inari & Nara
Morning – Kyoto Flexible / Local
Late Morning – Fushimi Inari Taisha (Shinto Shrine)
– Early visit to avoid crowds, hike through torii gates (1-2 h)
Afternoon – Nara Day Trip
– Kyoto → Kintetsu-Nara (Limited Express, ~34 min)
– Tōdai-ji Temple & Great Buddha Hall (closes 5 PM)
– Nara Deer Park & traditional streets
Evening – Return to Kyoto
– Kintetsu-Nara → Kyoto (~37 min)
– Dinner & Gion night stroll
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Day 7 – Tuesday, Nov 18 – Arashiyama & Osaka (Return to Kyoto)
Morning – Arashiyama (Kyoto)
– Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple (1,200 whimsical stone statues)
– Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
– Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Togetsukyo Bridge
– Transit: JR Sagano Line (~18 min from Kyoto Station)
Afternoon – Osaka Day Trip
– Travel to Osaka (~1.5 hr total)
– Osaka Castle & Park
– Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine (lion head shrine)
Evening – Dotonbori District
– Explore streets & Glico Running Man sign
– Street food: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu
– Return to Kyoto for the night
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Day 8 – Wednesday, Nov 19 – Departure Day
Morning – Kyoto
– Breakfast or café visit
– Pack & prepare for Shinkansen
Afternoon – Return to Tokyo
– Shinkansen Kyoto → Tokyo/Shinagawa (~2 h 15 min)
– Transit to Haneda (~30 min)
Evening – Flight Home
– ANA NH118 – Tokyo (Haneda) → Seattle
– Arrive Haneda by 7 PM for check-in
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by cyborg-genos