Japan Travel Itinerary – October 22 – November 14, 2025
Itinerary Overview
| Date | Location | Travel Time | Morning Activities | Afternoon Activities | Evening Activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 22 | Tokyo | Arrival day | Airport arrival, immigration | Hotel check-in, rest/unpack | Light walk around hotel area (optional) |
| Oct 23 | Tokyo | – | Shibuya Crossing experience, Hachiko Statue | Shibuya Sky observation deck, Harajuku exploration | Takeshita Street shopping, dinner in Shibuya |
| Oct 24 | Tokyo | – | Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa), Nakamise Shopping Street | Ueno Park (autumn colors), Tokyo National Museum | Imperial Palace East Gardens, Ginza district |
| Oct 25 | Nikko (Day Trip) | 4 hours total | Tobu Express to Nikko, Toshogu Shrine complex | Rinnai-ji Temple, Lake Chuzenji scenic area | Kegon Falls viewing, return to Tokyo |
| Oct 26 | Mt. Takao (Day Trip) | 2 hours total | Keio Line to Takaosanguchi, Mt. Takao hiking trails | Yakuo-in Temple visit, summit views (weather permitting) | Return to Tokyo, Shinjuku Golden Gai exploration |
| Oct 27 | Fuji Five Lakes | 2.5 hours | Travel to Kawaguchi-ko, Lake Kawaguchi boat cruise | Mt. Fuji 5th Station (weather permitting), Chureito Pagoda | Onsen (hot springs) experience, ryokan stay |
| Oct 28 | Matsumoto | 2 hours | Travel from Fuji area to Matsumoto | Matsumoto Castle (original castle), castle grounds | Nawate Street (Frog Street) exploration, local izakaya |
| Oct 29 | Takayama | 2.5 hours | Travel to Takayama, Takayama Morning Markets | Sanmachi Suji historic district, Takayama Jinya | Sake breweries tour, Hida beef dinner, ryokan stay |
| Oct 30 | Shirakawa-go & Takayama | 1 hour each way | Day trip to Shirakawa-go UNESCO village | Ogimachi Village, gassho-zukuri farmhouses tour | Observatory deck views, return to Takayama |
| Oct 31 | Kanazawa | 2.5 hours | Travel from Takayama to Kanazawa | Kenroku-en Garden (peak autumn), Kanazawa Castle Park | Higashi Chaya District, traditional tea houses |
| Nov 1 | Kanazawa | – | 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art | Nagamachi Samurai District, traditional crafts | Gold leaf workshops, kaiseki dinner |
| Nov 2 | Kanazawa | – | Omicho Market (fresh seafood breakfast) | Myoryu-ji Temple (Ninja Temple – advance booking), D.T. Suzuki Museum | Local sake tasting, traditional restaurant |
| Nov 3 | Kyoto | 2.5 hours | Travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto | Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka streets | Gion district exploration, geisha spotting |
| Nov 4 | Kyoto | – | Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion – early arrival), Ryoan-ji zen garden | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple | Pontocho Alley dining, traditional atmosphere |
| Nov 5 | Kyoto | – | Fushimi Inari Shrine, thousands of torii gates hike | Nijo Castle, traditional tea ceremony experience | Kaiseki dinner, traditional multi-course meal |
| Nov 6 | Kyoto | – | Philosopher's Path walk, Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) | Nanzen-ji Temple complex, Heian Shrine and gardens | Kyoto Station area exploration, shopping |
| Nov 7 | Kyoto | 1 hour each way | Option A: Nara day trip – Todai-ji Temple, Great Buddha | Option A: Nara deer park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine | Option B: Inner Kyoto temples (Kuramadera, Kifune) |
| Nov 8 | Osaka | 1 hour | Travel from Kyoto to Osaka, Osaka Castle | Osaka Museum of History, castle grounds exploration | Dotonbori district, street food tour (takoyaki, okonomiyaki) |
| Nov 9 | Osaka | – | Kuromon Ichiba Market, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine | Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Tempozan Harbor Village | Shinsekai district, kushikatsu, izakaya hopping |
| Nov 10 | Tokyo | 3 hours | Travel from Osaka to Tokyo (shinkansen) | Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park autumn colors | Omotesando Hills shopping, Yakitori in Omoide Yokocho |
| Nov 11 | Tokyo | – | Shinjuku Gyoen (peak autumn colors), Tokyo Metropolitan Building | Akihabara electronics/anime district, Kanda Shrine | Karaoke night in Shibuya, local restaurants |
| Nov 12 | Tokyo | Day trip varies | Kamakura: Great Buddha, bamboo temples (1h each way) | Hakone: Lake Ashi, Mt. Fuji views (2h each way) | Tokyo: Yanaka, Kagurazaka neighborhoods exploration |
| Nov 13 | Tokyo | – | Imperial Palace area, final temple visits | Ginza luxury shopping, souvenir hunting, Tokyo Station | High-end farewell dinner (sushi/teppanyaki), night views |
| Nov 14 | Tokyo | Departure day | Hotel checkout, last-minute shopping | Airport transfer, departure preparations | Flight departure |
I am visiting first time and overwhelmed, this itenary is based on keeping in mind that i want to experience fall colors as well as normal touristy japan and little off beat japan and balance it all out, Does this seem too much? too little? not doable? i have used healp of my research and chatgpt ofcourse, so need some real person help on feaseability, please help
by ActualSuspect8