Hello! My partner and I (32 and 33) have 20 days booked in Japan in April. Most of the itinerary is pencilled in with flexible hotel bookings etc, looking for a sense check any obvious mistakes. We are not massive foodies so I have not accounted for eating plans – we're perfectly happy with 7/11s if needed, although appreciate that's a criminal culinary approach on a Japan trip!
We're keen to see the major sights but aren't massive nightlife people, so things like Dotonbori/Golden Gai aren't essentials.
In particular I'm wondering:
- If the itinerary seems too packed in general and if so, whether to cut out Kanazawa or turn Osaka into a day trip
- What the best way to see Mt Fuji would be – is it a day trip to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo, instead of Kamakura? Or spending a night in Kawaguchiko earlier in the trip? Or staying in Hakone towards the end?
- If there are any tourist attractions / journeys we currently have planned that will be particularly busier on weekends, which could be moved to weekdays
Thurs 9 Apr – Arrival in Tokyo from London
- Arrive 7am at HND
- Head towards accommodation in Asakusa
- Try and stay awake for as long as possible, lightly exploring nearby e.g. Ueno Park
Fri 10 April – Full day in Tokyo
- Likely early wake up with jet lag, head to Senso-ji (near accommodation) as early as possible to beat crowds
- Tokyo Skytree
- Ameyoko street
- If energy, visit Imperial Gardens/Book Town before Akihabara in the evening
Sat 11 April – Full day in Tokyo
- Shibuya Crossing
- Walk through Takeshita Street
- Visit Pokemon Center
- Visit Meiju Jingu
- See lights in Shinjuku/Kabukicho
- Wander through Golden Gai
Sun 12 April – Kamakura
- Train from Tokyo Station to Kamakura
- Walking tour of main sights including great Buddha, Hokokuji temple and waterfront
- Explore Asakusa area in evening if time
Mon 13 April – Full day in Tokyo
- Later start, then head for TeamLAB planets
- General wandering in Roppongi/Minato
- Tokyo Tower
Tues 14 April – Tokyo to Kanazawa
- Check out of hotel and forward luggage to Kyoto hotel
- Direct Shinkansen from Tokyo station to Kanazawa
- Check into hotel, explore nearby areas
Weds 15 April – Full Day in Kanazawa
- Kenroku-en Garden
- Kanazawa castle Grounds
- Omicho market Nagamachi Samurai District incl. Nomura-ke Samurai Heritage Residence Myouryuji Ninja Temple
- General exploration
Thurs 16 April – Kanazawa to Kyoto
- Shinkansen to Kyoto, check into hotel (close to Pochonto street)
- Explore Pochonto Street
- Wander around Gion district
- Kenninji and Yakasa shrines and Kodaji temple if time
Fri 17 April – Full day in Kyoto
- Early start (6am), getting to Fushimi Inari, aiming to do full Torii gate hike
- Head back towards Kiyomizu if still early enough to avoid bulk of crowds
- Explore Sannenzaka and Ninnezaka
Sat 18 April – Full day in Kyoto
- Early start (7am) for Arashiyama bamboo forest
- Explore Arashiyama Park, Katsura River and Iwatayama Monkey Park
- Head to Golden Pavilion
- Return to central Kyoto and rest/explore, possibly visit Kiyomizu in evening if not already seen
Sun 19 April – Full day in Kyoto
- Visit Nintendo Museum
- Explore Uji
- Return to Kyoto for evening
Mon 20 April – Nara day trip
- Visit deer park
- Todai-ji Temple
- Kasugataisha Shrine
- Yoshikien Garden
Tues 21 April – Full day in Kyoto
- Visit silver pavilion
- Walk Philosopher's path and visit accompanying temples
- Final exploration of main Gion and Higashiyama districts
Weds 22 April – Kyoto to Hiroshima
- Check out of hotel and forward luggage to Osaka hotel
- Early Shinkansen to Hiroshima and check in to hotel (close to peace park)
- Explore peace park
- Atomic dome and other monuments
- Peace memorial museum
Thurs 23 April – Full Day in Hiroshima
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- Daisho-in Temple
- Evening in Hiroshima
Fri 24 April – Hiroshima to Osaka via Himeji
- Shinkansen to Himeji, explore Himeji castle Grounds
- Shinkansen onto Osaka, check into hotel in Namba
- Visit Dotonbori at night
Sat 25 April – Full day in Osaka
- Walking tour of Osaka including Osaka castle and grounds, Namba Shrine and Shinsekai
Sun 26 April – Osaka to Hakone
- Check out of Osaka hotel, Shinkansen up to Odawara station and check into hotel
- Stay in Ryokan with Onsen and do as little as possible!
- Hopefully spot Mt Fuji
Mon 27 April – Hakone to Tokyo
- Shinkansen from Odawara to Tokyo station
- Check into hotel in Minato, general wander/return to any favourite Tokyo areas
Tues 28 April – Tokyo to London
- Flight back to London departing 1pm from Haneda
by TezRoll