Hi! My wife and I are traveling to Japan for the first time. I used this guide as a reference but trimmed it down a lot. Would just like some thoughts on this plan and anything that should be cut/added.
The tail end is a bit fast-paced; we also head back to Narita a day early because we both agreed we wanted to wake up near the airport with all of our luggage. I think we make up for this by seeing some of the attraction in Narita itself.
Day 1 Tokyo
Arrive at Narita airport mid afternoon. Check into hotel in Shibuya. See Shibuya Crossing and shibuya sky as both are walking distance.
Day 2 Tokyo
Takeshita, Harajuku, Meji Shrine in the morning/early afternoon. Listlessly explore Shibuya for the rest of the day. Visit clubs/bars at night
Day 3 Tokyo
Imperial Palace, Marunouchi, Lunch @ Tokyo Station, Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge @ sunset, optional Golden Gai night
Day 4 Tokyo
Explore Ueno Park. See the zoo and/or tokyo national museum. Lunch in Ameyoko. Optionally walk around Tanaka. In the late afternoon/early evening, go to Akihabara and shop, eat, cafe, visit arcades into the night. Optionally, if we have energy or tire out of Akihabara early, walk Asakusa.
Day 5 Tokyo (Nikko Day Trip)
Day trip to Nikko and see the shrines there.
Day 6 Hakone
Morning breakfast/coffee in Shibuya. Head to Hakone/Gora to arrive around 1 PM. Visit the Open Air Museum or do an early onsen soak.
Check into Ryokan around 3. Dinner/onsen/early night.
Day 7 Hakone
Hakone loop. Cable car, ropeway, Lake Ashi boat cruise, see the Hakone Shrine. Head back to ryokan for dinner/soak/early bed time.
Day 8 Kyoto
AM onsen soak/breakfast. Leave Hakone in the afternoon to arrive at Kyoto around 5:30 PM. Check in, settle in, and optionally walk Gion/Shirakawa canal.
Day 9 Kyoto
Early start to Ginkaku-ji. Walk Philosopher's Path. Wander Higashiyama and see shrines. Dinner then wander Pontocho and find a chill sake bar.
Day 10 Kanazawa
Coffee/walk Kamogawa. Optionally, see Nishiki Market.
Late morning head to Kanazawa. Arrive around 3pm. Drop bags, then walk Nagamachi district and get dinner.
Day 11 Kanazawa
Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Omicho Market, Ninjadera, Higashi Chaya District. Dinner then chill at a bar/cafe until we head back to hotel.
Day 12 Takayama
Breakfast in Omicho market. Depart for Takayama (Toyama > Takayama) around 1. Arrive, check-in, then wander Sanmachi Suji. Get hida beef dinner. Stroll old town at night.
Day 13 Narita
Walk old town + morning market. Around noon begin the trek to Narita. Arrive around 6pm for dinner + short walk around hotel.
Day 14 Departure Day
Wake up early to visit Naritasan Shinshoji/Omotesando. Get to airport around 3pm for a 5pm flight back to the US.
by Erisrand