Hi! My husband and I are planning our first Japan trip this November (Nov 21–30). I’ve put together an itinerary and would love your feedback. Here’s the plan–
DAY 1 {Arrival + Tokyo to Kawaguchiko}
*Land in Tokyo (Haneda) at 6:40am, forward luggage to Kyoto via Yamato > Head to Shinjuku for breakfast > Travel to Kawaguchiko via shinkansen/bus (~noon arrival)
*Afternoon: Lake Kawaguchi cruise, Mt. Fuji Ropeway, Oishi park, onsen
*Overnight stay in Kawaguchiko
DAY 2 {Kawaguchiko to Kyoto}
*Sunrise, scenic breakfast, and Chureito Pagoda in the morning
*Go to Mishima > take Tokaido shinkansen to Kyoto (~4 hrs); alternatively take a bus
*Check in at Kyoto hotel (in Shimogyo Ward) by afternoon, pick up luggage (which should have reached by now)
*Evening stroll in Gion / Pontocho Alley
DAY 3 {Osaka sightseeing}
*Head to Osaka
*Osaka day trip (Osaka Castle > Shinsekai + Umeda Sky > Dotonbori street food + neon)
*Return to Kyoto in the evening
*Note: This day is a holiday in Japan (Labour Thanksgiving day)
DAY 4 {Hiroshima day trip}
*Day trip to Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park, Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome)
*Afternoon ferry to Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine, Mt. Misen ropeway, if time)
*Return to Kyoto in the evening
DAY 5 {Kyoto sightseeing}
*Arashiyama Bamboo Grove > Tenryu-ji in the morning
*Fushimi Inari, Sanjusangendo > Kiyomizu-dera + Higashiyama walk > Tea ceremony and dinner)
DAY 6 {Kyoto to Tokyo}
*Take shinkansen to Tokyo > Check in at the Tokyo hotel (in Taito ward)
*Explore Tokio National Museum (before 5pm), followed by Ueno Park > Dinner in Ueno
*Note: This day is our second wedding anniversary <3
DAY 7 {Tokyo: Sightseeing}
*Morning: Asakusa (Senso-ji temple, Nakamise Street, Tokyo sky tree)
*Afternoon: teamLab Borderless
*Evening: Shibuya (Scramble, Mag's Park rooftop, Shibuya Sky at sunset, Meiji Jungu and evening stroll)
*Night: Dinner in Shinjuku (Golden Gai, Kabukicho neon), followed by a visit to Don Quijote Shinjuku
DAY 8 {Tokyo: Disney Sea}
*Tokyo DisneySea; dinner inside the park
*Back to our hotel in Taito
DAY 9 {Tokyo: Shopping}
*Imperial Palace in the morning
*Ginza: Uniqlo, Itoya, Tokyu Plaza, Loft
*Tokyo Station: Yaesu Shopping Mall
*Ueno: Ameyoko Market for last-minute souvenir/gift shopping
Day 10 {Departure}
*Lave for the airport by 7am to reach the Haneda airport by 8:15am > Fly out at 11:45am
Questions:
1. Does this pacing feel realistic or doable? Anything you'd like to add/subtract/modify?
2. Are days 7 and 9 in Tokyo overstuffed? Should we skip Disney Sea on day 8 and redistribute the activities across days 7-9?
Thankyou! ^
by mamushi123