Hi, I’m currently planning a trip to Japan and South Korea for mid to late June. I’ve just booked my flights, so 14 days in Japan. I’ve never been so would appreciate help with my itinerary. Overall I love history, and some of the things I really want to do are to see castles, visit an onsen, and go to a tea ceremony. I also want to have some time to do some clothes and skin care shopping, and chill in cute cafes and maybe check out some nightlife one or two of the nights.
I’ve not picked specific cafes or restaurants each day, happy to discover nearby places as I go about. I’ve tried not to overstuff it so I’m not just hustling around all day.
I am travelling solo.
Here’s what I have so far as a rough draft. I am trying to be more descriptive to meet the sub rules but I don't want to plan my time down to the minute
Day 1, – Sunday, – Fly to Tokyo.
Day 2 – Arrive at Haneda airport at around 10, not planning anything because expecting jet lag so will just chill in hotel, have a little wander around the area local to the hotel and have dinner somewhere nearby hotel.
Day 3 -Nakimase street to Sensjo-ji in the morning, then Tokyo Observation deck. In the Afternoon Ueno park and Ameyoko market
Day 4 – Visit Meiji shrine in the morning. Have lunch, explore Harajuku in the afternoon – walk along Takeshita Dori window shopping along Omotesando, and maybe Ota Memorial Museum of Art.
Then Shibuya in the evening. Go to Parco shopping complex, walk along Center Gai, Spain slope, have some dinner
Day 5 – Unsure, have been wanting to book get nails done and looking at different insta so if I can make an appointment in advance, do so this morning. Then head to Shinjuku in the afternoon/Evening but might leave this day more open ended.
Day 6 Train to Hakone, and check into a ryokan for an onsen and a kaiseki dinner.
Day 7 – In the morning, a trip on Lake Ashi, then Hakone Ropeway. In the afternoon take Shinkansen to Kyoto and check in, then have an evening stroll around Gion.
Day 8 Go to Fushimi Inari in the morning, then in the afternoon explore the Higashiyama district and maybe visit Kenniji temple.
Day 9 – I want to go to a tea ceremony in the morning. Then in the afternoon, the Philosopher Path.
Day 9 Train to Arashiyama and go to Bamboo Grove, then back to hotel. Not to long a day planned becuase a lot of stops tomorrow.
Day 11 Leave Kyoto and take train to visit Hijime Castle, and Koko-en in the morning. In the afternoon take the train to Hiroshima.
Day 12 Go to the Peace Memorial Museum and Park. Have Okonomiyaki for dinner.
Day 13 Day trip, take ferry to visit Miyajima and see the floating Tori gates. Take the ropeway to the summit of Mount Misen, then back to Hiroshima.
Day 14 Travel to Osaka in the morning. Time to check into my hotel. Dotonbori food and walk around in the evening.
Then on Day 15 I will fly to Seoul.
Happy for any critiques / recommendations / if there is anything I have missed off which is a must do for first timers that is easily achievable !
What area would you recommend me to stay in in Tokyo? The area I was considering was Shibuya. Because I've got a long trip planned with most of it out and about, I'd rather somewhere cheap. I don't mind staying in a hostel so I can meet people in like common areas, as long as there's options for private rooms haha
Thank you for any help !
by UgliestBirtch