Hello! I am a planning two week trip to Japan in October last week – November first week. I am travelling with my partner and this is our first trip to Japan. We are interested in art, history, culture , quiet countryside, Japanese temples, cat – dog and unique themed cafes and other places – looking for a quaint Japan experience. I am sharing my itinerary below and looking for feedback
- Is the weather suitable for the plan as below
- Am I missing out on major / significant places / landmarks
- What should I do differently
- Anything that I should avoid (from the list below or anything else)
Please feel free to share any other advice / suggestion for a first timer. Looking forward to this trip!
Plan
Japan Itinerary (28 Oct – 9 Nov)
Day 1 – Mon, 28 Oct – Arrive in Osaka
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Day 2 – Tue, 29 Oct – Osaka City Tour
• Osaka Castle
• Tsuruhashi
• Abeno Harukas 300
• Shinsekai
• Namba & Dotonbori
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Day 3 – Wed, 30 Oct – Hiroshima Day Trip
• Bullet train Osaka → Hiroshima
• Miyajima Island: ferry ride, Itsukushima Shrine, Itsukushima Jinja
• Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Dome, Peace Museum
• Return to Osaka in evening
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Day 4 – Thu, 31 Oct – Osaka → Kyoto
• Local train Osaka → Kyoto (on own)
• Join Gion walking tour (2 hrs) in evening
• Overnight Kyoto
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Day 5 – Fri, 1 Nov – Kyoto / Arashiyama Tour
• Jojakko-ji Temple
• Sagano Bamboo Grove
• Tenryu-ji Temple
• Togetsukyo Bridge
• Yakatabune boat ride
• Return to Kyoto
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Day 6 – Sat, 2 Nov – Kyoto & Nara Tour
• Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
• Fushimi Inari Shrine (torii gates)
• Nara Deer Park
• Optional: Todaiji Temple (entry ¥800 not included)
• Return to Kyoto
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Day 7 – Sun, 3 Nov – Free Day in Kyoto
(open for day trip – e.g. Himeji Castle)
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Day 8 – Mon, 4 Nov – Free Day in Kyoto
(open for day trip – e.g. Uji – or slow city exploration: Philosopher’s Path, Nishiki Market, backstreets)
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Day 9 – Tue, 5 Nov – Kyoto → Tokyo
• Visit teamLab Kyoto (if available)
• Bullet train Kyoto → Tokyo
• Check-in hotel (Tokyo)
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Day 10 – Wed, 6 Nov – Tokyo City Tour
• Meiji Jingu Shrine
• Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge)
• Odaiba (Rainbow Bridge views)
• Japanese buffet lunch included
• Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple + Nakamise Street)
• Tokyo Skytree (350m deck)
• Tour ends in Shinjuku
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Day 11 – Thu, 7 Nov – Mt. Fuji Excursion
• Mt. Fuji 5th Station (weather permitting) OR Oshino Hakkai
• Owakudani Valley
• Hakone Ropeway
• Lake Ashi Cruise
• Hakone-en stop
• Return to Tokyo
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Day 12 – Fri, 8 Nov – Free Day in Tokyo
(flexible for shopping, kitchen street, cat café, parks etc.)
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Day 13 – Sat, 9 Nov – Depart Tokyo
by geriatrixa