JJapan Trips

Should I change anything

  • August 26, 2025

hey, im planning to go to japan in dec-jan (3 weeks) from doing some research i was given this Itinerary

πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ 21-Day Japan Winter Itinerary
πŸ“ Tokyo (Days 1–5)
Day 1: Arrival β†’ check into hostel β†’ evening walk in Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho, neon lights).Day 2: Explore Asakusa (Senso-ji) β†’ Ueno β†’ hidden gem stroll at Yanaka Ginza.Day 3: Morning Tsukiji Outer Market β†’ TeamLab Planets β†’ Odaiba waterfront.Day 4: Modern Tokyo: Harajuku (Takeshita St.) β†’ Omotesando β†’ thrift shops in Shimokitazawa β†’ Shibuya Sky at night.Day 5 (Day trip): Kawagoe (β€œLittle Edo”) OR Nikko (shrines + snow in winter).

πŸ“ Kyoto (Days 6–9)
Day 6: Travel Tokyo β†’ Kyoto (~2.5 hr Shinkansen) β†’ evening in Gion geisha district.Day 7: Sunrise at Fushimi Inari Taisha β†’ Nanzen-ji Temple & aqueduct β†’ walk Philosopher’s Path.Day 8: Arashiyama: Bamboo Grove, Monkey Park, Togetsukyo Bridge β†’ hidden gem Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple(hundreds of quirky stone statues).Day 9: Kurama to Kibune hike (snowy mountain temples) β†’ soak in an onsen.

πŸ“ Osaka (Days 10–12)
Day 10: Kyoto β†’ Osaka (~30 min train) β†’ Osaka Castle β†’ food crawl at Shinsekai.Day 11: Umeda Sky Building β†’ Kuromon Ichiba Market β†’ neon overload at Dotonbori at night.Day 12 (Day trip): Kobe (harbor views, try Kobe beef) OR Nara (giant Buddha + free-roaming deer).

πŸ“ Hiroshima & Miyajima (Days 13–14)
Day 13: Osaka β†’ Hiroshima (~2 hr Shinkansen) β†’ Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome.Day 14: Day trip/ferry to Miyajima β†’ Itsukushima Shrine torii gate β†’ hike or ropeway up Mt. Misen β†’ stay late to see it without crowds.

πŸ“ Takayama & Shirakawa-go (Days 15–17)
Day 15: Travel Hiroshima β†’ Takayama (~5 hr with transfers) β†’ explore old town sake breweries.Day 16: Day trip to Shirakawa-go β†’ fairy-tale snow village.Day 17: Morning markets in Takayama β†’ Hida Folk Village β†’ evening train toward Hakone/Fuji area.

πŸ“ Hakone / Fuji Five Lakes (Days 18–21)
Day 18: Hakone loop – Lake Ashi pirate ship, ropeway to Owakudani volcanic valley.Day 19: Hakone Open-Air Museum β†’ check into a ryokan with onsen (soak in hot spring while it snows!).Day 20: Day trip to Kawaguchiko (Fuji Five Lakes) β†’ visit Iyashi no Sato thatched village β†’ Kawaguchiko Music Forest.Day 21: Final morning near Mt. Fuji β†’ return to Tokyo for flight.

is there any place i should go instead or cut one day out and put it somewhere else? as well im 20 and looking to experience the city life but also want to spend time outside the hectic areas and enjoy the nature of japan. any reccomendations please

by Deep-Sun5702

4 comments

  1. Did you plan this trip with ChatGPT? I can start to see a certain pattern with itineraries recently… especially the “Takayama: explore old town sake breweries” part and the emojis…

    What do YOU wanna see? Any specific things that interest you, eg. Pokemon, Chiikawa, Snoopy, Moomin, Sanrio, Ghibli? Maybe start with that.

    Also, Ueno is pretty big, there is the park itself, the zoo in the park, Tokyo National Museum etc. Condensing all of that into one word “Ueno” isn’t very helpful. What do you wanna see there?

  2. Line breaks please!!!

    Overall this is a well-organised itinerary. Just some small points:

    Day 1: As a local I have to tell you that Shinjuku at night is overrated, and there [are many other](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/tokyo-alleyway-guide) nighttime food and drink spots that are far less touristed than Omoide Yokocho or the rest of Kabukicho. But if you’re staying in the area, then yes it makes sense to take it easy and wander around Shinjuku on your first night.

    Day 4: You can add Meiji Jingu to the start of this day, it opens very early.

    Day 4: Thrifting in Tokyo is [much misunderstood](https://www.reddit.com/r/TokyoTravel/comments/1hweyq6/comment/m60p30y/?context=3), and you may not want to bother. However, Shimokitazawa is absolutely worth visiting for [the best live music scene on Earth](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/14sum76/how_to_access_live_music_in_japan_and_why_it/).

    Day 5: I would put Kamakura over Kawagoe as a day trip option. The entire area is beautiful, more than just Kawagoe’s small ‘old town’, and in December the skies may be clear enough to see Mt. Fuji.

    For further nighttime entertainment, see [this nightclub guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/1e2u25w/a_music_lovers_guide_to_tokyo_nightclubs/).

  3. No notes on the itinerary itself, but be aware that Jan 1-3 are usually super busy on touristy areas and temples because of Hatsumōde. Plan any transports ahead of time, hotels are also more expensive those 3 days.

    Miyajima is amazing, I’d recommend sleeping there if you plan to stay late to see it without the crowds.

  4. def prioritise Otagi temple, I love that place. Otherwise if you are wanting to see deer I would forgo Nara as you’re going to Miyajima and they’re way more chill there. Depending on the weather you might want to rent an e bike for Miyajima, there’s a place on the island near the ferry port & it’s a great way to see more of the island minus crowds

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