Hey all! Planning a trip next April, looking to get some feedback on the below itinerary. The travel plan is for my gf and I, and we're living out of 40l travel backpacks to make transit a little easier.
I'm hoping to keep a moderate pace, accommodations are already planned for each city below. Really just looking to see if I missed anything or if any days feel too crowded. Rough ideas of meals are also included, anything more high-end or reservation required is marked with an asterisk *
JAPAN ITINERARY: April 9-23, 2026
TOKYO FIRST LEG (Ikebukuro)
April 9 (Thu) – Arrival Activities:
- 15:00 Arrive in Tokyo
- Transit to Ikebukuro (~2 hours including arrival procedures)
- Hotel check-in
- Optional brief station area walk
Meals:
- Dinner: Mutekiya Ramen or Seibu Food Hall options
April 10 (Fri) – Shinjuku/Shibuya Activities:
Day:
- Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens
- Shinjuku shopping areas
Afternoon:
- Transit to Shibuya
- Shibuya Sky (time for sunset)
- Shibuya Crossing
- Hachiko Statue
Meals:
- Lunch: Takashimaya Times Square Food Hall
- Dinner: Shibuya Sky Restaurant [*]
April 11 (Sat) – Harajuku/Shinjuku Activities:
Day:
- Meiji Shrine
- Takeshita Street
- Omotesando
Evening:
- Golden Gai exploration
- Omoide Yokocho (optional)
Meals:
- Lunch: Harajuku crepes and small bites or Cafe Kitsuné
- Dinner: Bar hopping style at Golden Gai stalls
April 12 (Sun) – East Tokyo Activities:
Day:
- Senso-ji Temple
- Nakamise Shopping Street
Afternoon:
- Ueno Park
- TeamLab
Meals:
- Lunch: Asakusa tempura at Daikokuya
- Dinner: Uogashi Standing Sushi in Ikebukuro
April 13 (Mon) – Travel Day Activities:
Morning:
- Check-out
- Train to Takayama (~4 hours total)
- Shinkansen to Nagoya
- Limited Express Hida to Takayama
Evening:
- Check-in
- Old Town exploration
Meals:
- Lunch: Ekiben on train
- Dinner: Takayama ramen or soba noodles at Old Town
TAKAYAMA (near Kokubun-ji Temple)
April 14 (Tue) – Spring Festival Activities:
Day:
- Morning Festival processions
- Old Town district
- Morning markets
Evening:
- Karakuri puppet shows
- Illuminated floats viewing
Meals:
- Lunch: Morning market street food
- Dinner: Festival food stalls & sake tasting
April 15 (Wed) – Takayama/Transit Activities:
Morning:
- Festival viewing
- Checkout
- Transit to Gero Onsen
Meals:
- Lunch: Light meal at Takayama Station
- Dinner: Included at ryokan
GERO ONSEN (April 15-17) Activities:
- Public foot baths
- Town walks
- Onsen bathing
- Optional: Gassho village visit
Meals:
- Lunches: Local cafes/restaurants
- Dinners: Included at ryokan
OSAKA/KYOTO (near Dotonbori)
April 17 (Thu) – Osaka Arrival Activities:
Day:
- Transit from Gero
- Check-in
- Dotonbori area exploration
Evening:
- Shinsaibashi shopping
- Dotonbori night views
Meals:
- Lunch: Station or train bento
- Dinner: Dotonbori food exploration
- Ichiran Ramen
- Mizuno Okonomiyaki
- Street food (kushikatsu, yakitori)
April 18 (Fri) – Eastern Kyoto Activities:
Day:
- Early start to Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Gion District
Evening:
- Return to Osaka
- Kuromon Market area
Meals:
- Lunch: Local temple area restaurants
- Dinner: Sushi Kaneyoshi [*]
April 19 (Sat) – Western Kyoto Activities:
Day:
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (early morning)
- Tenryu-ji Temple
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Evening:
- Return to Osaka
- Umeda Sky Building (optional)
Meals:
- Lunch: Arashiyama vegetarian temple cuisine
- Dinner: Unagi specialty restaurant or izakaya
TOKYO RETURN (Ikebukuro)
April 20 (Mon) – Return/Tsukiji Activities:
Day:
- Morning train to Tokyo
- Check-in
Afternoon:
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- Ginza exploration
Meals:
- Lunch: Tsukiji sushi/sashimi
- Dinner: Ginza yakitori or high-end sushi
April 21 (Tue) – Kamakura Day Trip Activities:
Day:
- Great Buddha
- Hase-dera Temple
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Afternoon:
- Komachi-dori Shopping
- Return to Tokyo (~17:00)
Meals:
- Lunch: Local udon or tempura
- Dinner: Ikebukuro department store restaurant floor
April 22 (Wed) – Modern Tokyo Activities:
Day:
- Nakameguro cherry blossom canal
- Local boutique shopping
Afternoon:
- Roppongi Hills
- National Art Center (optional)
- Tokyo Midtown
Meals:
- Lunch: Cafe in Nakameguro
- Dinner: Ukai-tei teppanyaki in Roppongi [*]
April 23 (Thu) – Departure Activities:
- Check-out
- Depart Ikebukuro ~11:00
- 15:00 Departure
Meals:
- Early lunch at hotel or station before departure
by wayne_enterprise