We're planning a 2 ½ week (17-18 days) vacation for Japan in October. After doing research, we came up with these Japan Destinations to get an good overall Japan experience. We are not exactly sure how many days at each destination but below is approximate based on things we hope to do and experiences we want. We're not at the logistics stage yet, just trying to lock down the actual destinations.
We want to make sure our time is Japan is spent wisely and not to chaotic moving from destination/hotel to destination/hotel. We're a middle-aged couple in our 50 and this will probably be our only trip to Japan.
Things to Do and Day trips are randomly listed but grouped accordingly and not in any specific order. This is just a high level overview with estimated time and length on what we hope to see and do at each destination to determine length off trip. We are not sure where to add the extra days to make it a full 2 1/2 weeks and looking for advice. We're not the type to plan every single day on schedule but plan on what we'd like to do overall.
Is this a good route or can I switch cities around for better flow? We haven't looked on how to get around yet so not exactly sure if this is feasible
Arrival in Tokyo from U.S. —Tokyo —Hakone (Mt Fuji) –>> Takayama Gifu (Japanese Alps) –>> Kyoto –>> Tokyo for Japan Departure U.S.
Our thought on that route was:
Logical east → west progression
Gradual shift from urban → nature → rural → cultural
4 nights/5 days – Tokyo – high energy, modern/pop culture Japan, urban
Day Trip(s): (Do one or 2 day trips)
- 1 day – Kamakura or Nikko day trip (or both?)
Things to Do:
- ½ day – Meiji Shrine (forest oasis)
- 1 day – Asakusa & Sensō‑ji (historic heart)
- 1 day Shibuya and/or Shinjuku and/or Harajuku (modern Tokyo, all 3?)
- ½ day tsukiji Outer Market or Toyosu (food)
2 nights/3 days – Hakone (Mt Fuji) – nature, landscape, onsen & ryokan stay, nature
Things to Do:
- Ryokan stay w/ onsen (in Gora)
- 1 day – Lake Ashi Cruise & Hakone Shrine & Old Tōkaidō Cedar Avenue
- 1 day – Hakone Ropeway & Owakudani (volcanic valley)
- Mishima Skywalk on Departure? Weather dependent?
3 nights/4 days – Takayama Gifu (Japanese Alps) – rural, scenic, cultural, rural, mountain, fall colors.
Day Trip: do 1 or 2 day trips?)
- 1 day – Shirakawa
- Or other possible Kamikōchi or Gujo Hachiman Day trip (do 1 or 2)
Things To:
- ½ day – Old Town Sanmachi Suji (edo-era streets) + Miyagawa river
- 1 day – morning market , Takayama Jinya , Hida Folk Village, Higashiyama Walking Course
4 nights/5 days – Kyoto – classic Japan, temples, geisha districts, cultural
Day Trip: (do 1 or 2 day trips?)
- 1 day – Nara trip (Tōdai‑ji- Great Buddha, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha (lantern shrine)
- Other possible day trips instead or additional – Uji , Himeji, Amanohashidate? (do 1 or 2)
Things to do:
- ½ day – Gion District (Geishas, Hanamikoji Street, Shirakawa canal areas)
- 1 day – Eastern Kyoto with Kiyomizu‑dera temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka preserves streets, and Higashiyama district
- 1 day – Arashiyama Bambo Grove, Katsura River walk, Tenryū‑ji Gardens, Kinkaku‑ji (Golden Pavilion)
- 1 day – Fushimi Inari Shrine with walk through Torri gates & Philosopher’s Path canal walk
3 nights – Miyajima w/ Hiroshima Daytrip – reflective, modern history, meaningful ending. (REMOVING THIS LAST STOP FROM OUR ORIGINAL ITENIARY. NOT SURE ITS WORTHWHILE CONSIDERING HOW FAR OUT IT IS to CATCH FLIGHT OUT OF TOKYO).
Questions:
- Which of the listed destinations makes sense to add 2-3 days to make it 2.5 weeks, if we remove Miyajima w/ Hiroshima due to distance.
- Is removing Miyajima w/ Hiroshima a mistake?
- Are we missing out by not going to Kanazawa, Kawaguchiko or Osaka or anywhere else not listed .
- Looking for recommendations on Day Trips selected above and the other listed as possible. Also, any recommendations Day trips not listed but highly recommend. ,
- Recommendations on Neighborhoods/City Zones for hotel stay at each destination.
- Do we have things on our list that should be skipped and not worthwhile.
- Is there something NOT on our list that is considered a Must See destination
- Is this to many different destinations for 2.5weeks (17/18 days)
ALL OPINIONS, RECOMMNEDATIONS AND ADVICE ARE WELCOME
by Afraid-Carry4093