Hi everyone, my wife and I are traveling to Japan and April just prior to golden week. Hoping to catch some cherry blossoms but we understand we may be timing the blooming wrong but it's not a deal breaker. Otherwise I'd appreciate some feedback on our itinerary!
14-Day Japan Trip (April 19 – May 2) — Tokyo In/Out
Route: Tokyo → Sapporo → Sendai → Hakone → Kyoto → Tokyo
Tokyo (Apr 19–22, 3 nights)
Explore Shinjuku, Ginza, Asakusa, Ueno/Akihabara, Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku
Evening izakayas & Golden Gai crawl
Fly to Sapporo on April 22 (morning)
Sapporo (Apr 22–25, 3 nights)
Odori Park, Susukino nightlife, Beer Museum, Clock Tower, Hokkaido Shrine
Day trips: Otaru canal town or Furano/Biei countryside
Fly back to Tokyo on April 25 (morning), then shinkansen to Sendai
Sendai (Apr 25–26, 2 nights)
Zuihoden Mausoleum, Matsushima Bay cruise, Yamadera temple hike
Morning shinkansen April 27 → Tokyo, then local train to Hakone
Hakone (Apr 27–28, 2 nights)
Luxury ryokan with private onsen
Lake Ashi cruise, Hakone Ropeway, Mt Fuji views
Kyoto (Apr 29 – May 1, 3 nights)
Nishiki Market, Gion stroll, Higashiyama temples
Optional Arashiyama bamboo grove or Nara/Osaka day trip
May 2 morning shinkansen → Tokyo, fly home
by wet_puddle