Hi everyone! Please prepare yourselves for a long read!
After 10 years of dreaming, my girlfriend and I are finally planning our dream fall trip to Japan, and we’d love your feedback on our itinerary! We’ll be there for 22 full days between late October and early November (not counting arrival and departure days).
We’ve spent the last four months planning and have booked all accommodations via Agoda (with flexible cancellation), so we can still tweak plans based on your tips. The itinerary focuses on minimizing travel time while still letting us experience a wide variety of places.
WARNING: This itinerary was NOT generated on Chat-GPT or any other AI model but I did use them to help me write this post!
About Us:
- Age & fitness: Both in our mid-twenties, in decent shape, and love walking.
- Pace: We want a balance between packed sightseeing and slower, more relaxing days. We don’t mind early mornings, but we’re not aiming to wake up at dawn (5:00/6:00) every day.
- Japan experience: First visit! We want to see the major sights but are happy to skip overrated spots for hidden gems.
- Budget: €3,500–4,000 each. Happy to splurge on experiences that are worth it, but aiming to stay under budget.
Priorities & Interests:
Nature & Scenery
- Want to visit a mountain region, a coastal town or beach, and at least one waterfall.
- Mt. Fuji is a dream of ours and a priority while in the area.
- Want to see peak autumn foliage if possible.
Culture & History
- Want to visit 1-2 Castles (Preferably in their original state).
- Want to visit temples that feel unique in setting, architecture, or atmosphere.
- We love museums and unique art.
Personal Interests
- I’m fascinated by samurai history, and enjoy anime & video games.
- My girlfriend loves shopping, especially for personalized & unique souvenirs.
Food
- We love trying a wide variety of local dishes, often splitting meals to try more without getting full too fast.
- We have liked every single Japanese dish we have tried to date.
- My girlfriend can't handle spicy food.
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So, with all that in mind, here’s our itinerary:
Arrival – Monday: Kansai Airport → Osaka
- Arrive Kansai Airport (15:50) → Immigration via QR code → Withdraw money from ATM (Revolut/Wise)
- Train to Tennoji → Hotel check-in next to Tennoji Station
- Depending on energy:
- If tired, quick dinner & sleep right away
- OR Visit Abeno Harukas (21:30 last entry) for sunset/night view
- &/OR Walk to Shinsekai for dinner/light exploring
Day 1 – Tuesday: Osaka
- Metro to Daikokucho → Visit Namba Yasaka Jinja (6:00 opening time)
- Walk Namba Parks → Nipponbashi Denden Town → Kuromon Market (food)
- Metro to Nippombashi → Explore Nakanoshima Park: Children’s Book Forest, Rose Garden & Central Public Hall
- Metro to Shinsaibashi → Explore Shinsaibashisuji & Amerika-mura
- Explore Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho & visit Hozenji Temple
- Metro to Tennoji → Back to hotel
Day 2 – Wednesday: Katsuoji Temple & Minoh Falls
- Wake up early (~7:00)
- Metro to Minoh-Kayano → Bus to Katsuo-ji Temple (8:00 opening) → Visit temple
- Taxi/Uber to Minoh Falls → Explore falls & hike down to Mino-o Station
- Train to Ishibashi Handai-Mae → Train to Osaka-Umeda → Metro to Tennoji → Back to hotel
Day 3 – Thursday: Osaka
- Metro to Tanimachi Yonchōme → Explore Osaka Castle area
- Metro to Nakazakichō → Explore Nakazakicho neighborhood
- Walk to Osaka Station City and explore: Ghibli Store, Pokémon Center, Nintendo Osaka & Grand Green Osaka (Optional: Visit Umeda Sky Building & Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum)
- Train to Bentencho → Metro to Osakako → Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (17:30 entry) → Ride Tempozan Ferris Wheel (21:30 last entry)
- Metro to Bentencho → Train to Tennoji → Back to hotel
IMPORTANT: Our plan is to buy the JR Kansai + Hiroshima Pass for the next 5 day stretch of the trip.
Day 4 – Friday: Nara
- Wake up early (~7:00)
- Train to Tsuruhashi → Train to Kintetsu-Nara → Explore Sanjo Dori Street (Most shops open at 10:00, try mochi at Nakatanidou)
- Walk around exploring Nara Park: Kofukuji, Yoshikien, Isuien, Todaiji (7:30 opening, visit main hall & Nigatsudo/Sangatsudo), Tamukeyama Hachimangu, Kasuga-taisha & hike Wakakusayama Hill (sunset)
- Train to Tsuruhashi → Train to Tennoji → Back to hotel
Day 5 – Saturday: Himeji & Kurashiki
- Wake up early (~7:00)
- Metro to Shin-Osaka → Shinkansen to Himeji → Visit Himeji Castle (9:00 opening) & Kokoen Garden
- Shinkansen to Okayama → Train to Kurashiki → Explore Kurashiki Bikan Quarter: Ohara Art Museum, other museums, shops & do a canal boat ride
- Train to Okayama → Shinkansen to Hiroshima → Hotel check-in next to Hiroshima Station
Day 6 – Sunday: Miyajima
- Wake up early (~4:30)
- Train to Miyajimaguchi → Ferry to Miyajima (First departure at 6:25)
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine (6:30 opening) → Explore Momijidani Park → Ropeway to Mount Misen → Hike down through Daisho-in Temple
- Ferry to Miyajimaguchi → Train to Hiroshima → Back to hotel
Day 7 – Monday: Hiroshima
- Walk to Inarimachi Station Shrine → Tram to Genbaku Dome-Mae → Visit Peace Memorial Park & Museum
- Free/optional exploration: Orizuru Tower, Art Museum, Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden & Toshogu Shrine (close to Hiroshima Station)
- Back to hotel
Day 8 – Tuesday: Kyoto
- Wake up early (~8:00)
- Shinkansen to Kyoto → Leave bags at hotel next to Kyoto Station & early check-in (if possible)
- Visit Kyo-o-gokoku-ji, Nishi & Higashi Honganji, Sanjūsangen-dō (16:30 last entry) & Shorinji Temple → If still not tired also visit Tofukuji Temple & Komyo-in
- Back to hotel
Day 9 – Wednesday: Kyoto
- Wake up early (~4:30)
- Bus to Kiyomizu-michi → Visit Kiyomizu-dera (6:00 opening)
- Explore Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka → Glanta Custom Ring Workshop (reservation required 2 months in advance)
- Visit Yasaka Koshin-do, Kodaiji, Kenninji & Yasaka Jinja
- Explore Hanamikoji Street & Pontocho Alley
- Bus to Shiokoji Takakura → Back to hotel
Day 10 – Thursday: Kyoto
- Wake up early (~7:30)
- Train to Saga-Arashiyama → Taxi/Uber to Otagi Nenbutsuji → Visit Otagi Nenbutsuji (9:00 opening) & Adashino Nenbutsuji
- Walk down Saga Toriimoto Street → Arashiyama Bamboo Forest → Tenryuji Temple
- Boat ride on Katsura River → Walk Togetsukyo Bridge → Hike Arashiyama Monkey Park
- Train to Kyoto Station → Back to hotel
Day 11 – Friday: Kyoto + Uji
- Wake up early (~5:30)
- Train to Inari → Hike Fushimi Inari
- Train to Uji → Visit Uji Bridge, Byodo-in, To-no-shima Island, Kosho-ji, Uji Shrine & Ujigami Shrine
- Train to Kyoto Station → Back to hotel
Day 12 – Saturday: Kyoto
- Wake up early (~7:00)
- Bus to Kinkakuji-michi → Visit Kinkakuji Temple (9:00 opening)
- Bus to Okazaki Jinja-mae → Visit Okazaki Jinja
- Bus to Ginkakuji-michi → Visit Ginkaku-ji
- Walk Philosopher’s Path → Visit Zenrinji, Nanzenji & Tenjuan → Finish at Keage Incline
- Metro to Karasuma Oike → Metro to Kyoto Station → Back to hotel
Day 13 – Sunday: Hakone
- Shinkansen to Odawara → Train to Hakone-Yumoto → Ryokan check-in
- Visit Fukazawa Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine → Relax at private onsen (Reservation required)
- Private kaiseki dinner at 18:30
Day 14 – Monday: Hakone
- Wake up early (depending on breakfast schedules)
- Bus to Hakone-jinja-iriguchi → Visit Hakone Shrine
- Explore Narukawa Art Museum, Old Tōkaidō Road, Onshi Hakone Park & Hakone Checkpoint
- Pirate Boat to Togendai → Ropeway to Owakudani → Explore & eat black egg
- Ropeway to Sounzan → Cable Car to Gora → Explore Gora: Hakone Museum of Art, Gora Park, Museum of Photography, Open-Air Museum (Choose on the day)
- Train to Hakone-Yumoto → Train to Odawara → Train to Ofuna → Train to Kamakura → Hotel check-in next to Kamakura Station (Last check-in at 00:00)
Day 15 – Tuesday: Kamakura
- Wake up early (~7:00)
- Train to Hase → Visit Hase-dera (8:00 opening) & Kotoku-in (8:00 opening)
- Depending on energy (1 option):
- Taxi/Uber to Sasuke Inari OR Zeniarai Benten
- OR Train to Kamakura
- Lunch at Komachi-Dori
- Depending on energy and how much time we have until sunset (1 option or none):
- Train to Kita-Kamakura → Walk down to Meigetsu-in and visit temples and shrines on the way down
- Bus to Jomyoji → Visit Hokokuji Temple
- Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu → Walk Danzakura → Yuigahama Beach for sunset (16:38)
- Train to Shinjuku → Train to Mejiro → Hotel check-in next to Mejiro Station
Day 16 – Wednesday: Tokyo
- Train to Yoyogi → Visit Meiji Shrine (6:10 opening)
- Depending on how tired we are (1/2 options or none):
- Explore Harajuku (Takeshita Street & Togo Shrine)
- Explore Yoyogi Park
- Explore Omotesando (Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Omokado Mirror Entrance, Espace LV, Zenkoji Temple & Cat Street next to Gyra)
- Explore Shibuya: Shibuya Crossing, Miyashita Park & Hachiko Statue → Visit Shibuya Sky → Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho
- Train to Shinjuku → Light shows at Tokyo Metropolitan Government → Explore Shinjuku: Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, Hanazono Shrine & Godzilla Head
- Train to Mejiro → Return to hotel
Day 17 – Thursday: Tokyo
- Train to Ebisu → Metro to Naka-Meguro Breakfast → Starbucks Reserve Roastery (7:00
- opening)
- Walk along Meguro River → Visit Daikanyama T-Site, Kyu Asakura House & Teien Art Museum (17:00 last entry) → Dinner at Ebisu Yokocho
- Train to Mejiro → Return to hotel
IMPORTANT: The next two days are where we have the most questions and could really use your input! We definitely want to see Mount Fuji, but we know the weather can be unpredictable. To stay flexible, we booked accommodation with a good cancellation policy so we can check the forecast a week before and decide whether to go or not.
That said, we’re on the fence about renting a car. We’re fairly experienced drivers (we drive almost every day), but we’ve never driven on the left side of the road. Plus, Toyota Rent-a-Car requires cancellations 7 days in advance, which doesn’t give us much flexibility.
How realistic is it to rent a car closer to the date instead? And if we don’t rent one, would it still be enjoyable to explore the area by bicycle?
Days 18 – Friday: Fujikawaguchi
- Wake up early (~6:00)
- Train to Shinjuku → Depending on ticket availability:
- Train to Fujikawaguchiko → Toyota Rent-a-car OR Rent a bicycle
- Bus to Fujikawaguchiko → Toyota Rent-a-car OR Rent a bicycle
- Train to Otsuki → Toyota Rent-a-car → Drive to Fujikwaguchiko
- Drive/Ride to Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway & Oishi Park
- IF we have a car check other interest points saved on google maps (we can explore further into the 5 lakes district)
- Drive/Ride back to hotel and check-in
Days 19 – Saturday: Fujikawaguchi
- Wake up early (~6:00)
- Drive/Ride to Chureito Pagoda → Drive/Ride to Fuji-Q Highland
- IF we have a car drive to Oshino Hakkai → Drive to Hirano Beach in Lake Yamanaka
- Depending on our chosen method of transportation:
- Drive to Fujikawaguchiko → Return car → Train to Shinjuku
- Drive to Fujikawaguchiko → Return car → Bus to Shinjuku
- Drive to Otsuki → Return car → Train to Shinjuku
- Train to Akihabara → Hotel check-in next to Akihabara Station
Day 20 – Sunday: Tokyo
- Metro to Jimbocho → Walk around Jimbocho
- Walk back to Akihabara & explore/shopping
- Train to Tokyo Station → Walk Ginza and explore/shopping
- Train to Hamamatsuchō OR Metro to Daimon → Explore Tokyo Tower & Zojoji at night
- Train to Akihabara → Back to hotel
Day 21 – Monday: Tokyo
- Train to Okachimachi → Visit Ameyokocho & Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple
- Walk Kappabashi Kitchen Street → Walk Nakamise-Dori → Visit Senso-ji
- Sumida River Walk → Optional: Sumida Aquarium (19:00 last entry) → Tokyo Skytree (21:00 last entry, tickets reservation 30 days in advance)
- Train to Asakusa → Visit Senso-ji again at night
- Train to Akihabara → Back to hotel
Day 22 – Tuesday: Tokyo
- Wake up early (~6:00)
- Metro to Kamiyacho → Visit teamLab Borderless (8:00 opening, tickets reservation 2 months in advance)
- Explore Azabudai Hills → Walk to Roppongi & visit Mori Art Museu → Visit National Art Center OR 21_21 Design Sight
- Walk to Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue (autumn colors)
- Metro to Daimon → Metro to Tenkubashi → Hotel check-in inside Haneda Airport
Departure – Wednesday: Haneda Airport → Kansai Airport
- Wake up early (~7:00)
- Train to Terminal 1 → Flight to Kansai (Departing at 08:45)
- Flight back home (Departing at 17:40)
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That’s our rough itinerary for now, and I’d really appreciate any advice, suggestions, or adjustments you think could make it better.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for taking the time to read through everything! It means a lot!
I’m really looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Wishing you all a great day!
by APauloRTS98