Hello, we are getting very close to our trip, the itinerary is pretty much established (hotels, dinners and paid activities/tickets are all booked and possibly tricky to move around), but any suggestions for things to see or drop and any flags for days that are too packed with sightseeing and too much travel around are welcome! This has been long-time in the planning and we are getting properly excited!
Here is a bit of context about what type of trip we are trying to do too:
First timers in Japan, so keeping it to the main locations/Golden route bits, as we have only two weeks, which seems the minimum amount of time. Looking for a memorable trip, worth calling a honeymoon! We like travelling at comfortable pace, balancing relaxation with exploration. We want a blend of touristy and authentic experiences, modern and traditional culture, and don't want spend our time only at the most popular places surrounded by crowds. We are foodies and would like to Japanese cuisines beyond just sushi and ramen.
A big thank you in advance for your time and tips!
Itinerary:
Day 1 – Tokyo (AM Arrival)
Haneda Airport → Shimbashi/Hibiya hotel
Hibiya & Ginza stroll
Ginza/COREDO: Izakaya dinner
Ikebukuro: Bar/show
Day 2 – Tokyo
Asakusa: Senso-ji & Nakamise-dori
Asakusa: Sumo Show + Chanko Nabe
Rest at hotel in Shimbashi/Hibiya
Tokyu Kabukicho Tower (Shinjuku): Dinner + arcade
Day 3 – Tokyo
Toyosu: teamLab Planets
Tsukishima: Lunch + neighborhood walk
Rest at hotel
Roppongi/Central: Dinner
Day 4 – Tokyo
Aoyama: Nezu Museum & Garden
Ginza: Kabuki-za performance
Ginza: Omakase dinner
Day 5 – Kyoto
Shinkansen Tokyo → Kyoto
Shimogyo: Hotel check-in
Higashiyama: Kiyomizu-dera + slopes
Gion: Tempura dinner
Day 6 – Kyoto
Ryoan-ji & Kinkaku-ji
Kamigyo Ward: Ramen cooking class
Demachiyanagi: Sake tasting
Gion-Shijo: Dinner
Day 7 – Kyoto
Fushimi Inari-taisha
Philosopher’s Path
Higashiyama: Tea ceremony
Gion-Shijo Area: dinner
Day 8 – Kyoto
Final sightseeing
Check-in to Ryokan in Gionmachi Minamigawa
Yasaka Shrine stroll
Kaiseki dinner
Day 9 – Osaka
Kyoto → Osaka
Midosuji: Hotel check-in
Street food tour
Day 10 – Nara + Osaka
Nara Park, Todai-ji, gardens
Osaka Shinsekai: Kushikatsu dinner + drinks
Day 11 – Hakone
Osaka → Odawara
Gora: Ryokan check-in + onsen
Kaiseki dinner
Day 12 – Hakone
Hakone Open-Air Museum
Hakone Ropeway
Onsen + Kaiseki dinner
Day 13 – Tokyo
Odawara → Shinagawa
Hotel check-in near Shinagawa Station
Sengakuji or Tokyo Metropolitan Gov. Observatory
Omotesando: Yakiniku dinner
Day 14 – Departure AM
Shinagawa → Haneda Airport
Edit: streamlined itinerary with less text
by vinyls_6