Hi all,
My husband and I are planning our honeymoon to Japan next March (8–17, 2026) and I think I’ve finally nailed down the itinerary. We want a mix of sightseeing, food, and traditional experiences — with a little big-city flavor but not too much. Our budget is around $3,000–$5,000 per person (not including flights).
Main priorities:
• See the Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka (Haru Basho, March 8–22).
• Stay in a traditional ryokan in Kyoto.
• Enjoy food, shopping, and sightseeing without feeling rushed.
• Keep hotel changes to a minimum.
We’re flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka (KIX) to avoid backtracking.
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Itinerary Overview
Hotel changes: 3 (Tokyo → Osaka → Kyoto hotel → Kyoto ryokan)
Mar 8–10 (3 nights): Tokyo – Shinjuku
• Hotel: Hotel Century Southern Tower (great views, steps from Shinjuku Station).
• Highlights: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing, Samurai/Ninja Museum, Asakusa (Senso-ji & Nakamise Street), Ginza shopping.
Mar 11–13 (3 nights): Osaka – Namba
• Hotel: Cross Hotel Osaka (between Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi).
• Day trip options: Nara (deer park, Todai-ji) or Himeji Castle.
• Sumo Tournament Day (March 13): EDION Arena Osaka, arrive ~2 pm for top matches.
• Plenty of street food — takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu.
Mar 14 (1 night): Kyoto – Ryokan
• Ryokan: Hiiragiya Bekkan (historic, beautiful, central).
• Note: Annex currently says meals are not included — will confirm before booking.
• Afternoon Gion walk, evening bath/soak, and relaxing night in a tatami room.
Mar 15–17 (2 nights): Kyoto – Hotel
• Hotel: Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo (pretty, modern-Japanese, great location).
• West Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).
• East Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nishiki Market, Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka lanes.
• Morning of Mar 17: Train to KIX (~75 min direct on JR Haruka) for flight home.
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Trains & Transport
• Tokyo → Osaka: Tokaido Shinkansen (Nozomi ~2.5 hrs, reserve seats).
• Osaka → Kyoto: JR line (~15–30 min).
• Kyoto → KIX: JR Haruka Limited Express (~75 min).
Budget Check (lodging for 2)
• Tokyo: ~$660–780 total
• Osaka: ~$540–630 total
• Kyoto hotel: ~$240–300 total
• Kyoto ryokan: ~$350–400 total
Total lodging: ~$1,790–2,110 — leaves plenty for trains, food, and activities within budget.
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Questions for you all:
1. Does this pacing make sense for a honeymoon that’s meant to feel relaxed?
2. Would you do the Kyoto ryokan on the first night there (so we can enjoy it without rushing to the airport the next morning) or later?
3. Is Hiiragiya Bekkan worth it without meals included, or should we swap to a similar-budget ryokan that offers kaiseki?
4. For the Osaka day trip — would you recommend Nara or Himeji in mid-March?
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