First of all, thank you for all the wonderful posts, comments from the everyone here- it helped me immensely to plan my itinerary.
Couple-31 & 32.
First ever trip to Japan. Coming in 1st half of October. We love to experience culture, no party, local food, moderate pace and won't be doing universal studios or are interested in anime.
Flights & hotels are locked except for the 13–15 Oct “Osaka or not?” bit—keen for advice there.
Day 1 – Sapporo (Arrival)
- Arrive and settle in central area
- Odori Park & Akarenga stroll
- Dinner ramen; optional parfait
Day 2 – Sapporo (Subway pass day)
- Hokkaidō-jingū (forest walk)
- Shiroi Koibito Park
- Late lunch at Japanese Ramen Noodle Lab Q
- Easy dinner near base
Day 3 – Sapporo (Otaru + Mt. Moiwa)
- JR to Otaru: Canal → Sakaimachi → Music Box/LeTAO
- Back to Sapporo, rest
- Mt. Moiwa ropeway for blue hour
- Soup Curry GARAKU late dinner
Day 4 – Fly to Kansai → Kyoto
- Airport rail → Kyoto
- Evening: Nishiki graze → lantern-lit Higashiyama stroll
Day 5 – Kyoto (Fushimi → Tōfuku-ji → Sanjūsangendō)
- Dawn at Fushimi Inari (to Yotsutsuji)
- Tōfuku-ji paid areas
- Sanjūsangendō
- Easy Gion PM coffee loop/dinner
Day 6 – Kyoto (Arashiyama dawn + teamLab night)
- Bamboo grove early → Tenryū-ji → Katsura riverside coffee
- Long siesta
- teamLab Biovortex (evening slot)
Day 7 – Kyoto (Nara day trip)
- Kōfuku-ji → Tōdai-ji → Deer Park → Kasuga-taisha
- Lunch in Naramachi
- Return; easy evening
Day 8 – Kyoto (North temples + Nijō + traditional stay)
- Kinkaku-ji → Ryōan-ji → Genkō-an
- Daitoku-ji sub-temples
- Nijō Castle (last entry timing)
- Check into traditional stay (soak/kaiseki)
Day 9 – Travel to Tokyo (holiday day)
- Station bento
- Shinkansen to Tokyo (reserved seats)
- Gentle garden walk to decompress
Day 10 – Tokyo (Imperial core outside + KITTE + Yurakuchō)
- Nijūbashi & Outer Gardens
- KITTE rooftop
- Seiko Flagship & Bic Camera
- Dinner around Tokyo Station
Day 11 – Tokyo (Fuji day or Kamakura fallback)
- If clear: Shinjuku BUSTA → Kawaguchiko bus → e-bike lake loop
- If not: Kamakura & Enoshima (JR Yokosuka Line)
Day 12 – Tokyo (East Gardens + bay-side calm)
- Imperial Palace East Gardens
- Hamarikyu tea house or Sumida cruise → Asakusa
- (Avoid Nikkō today: festival crowds)
Day 13 – Tokyo (teamLab Borderless → Odaiba)
- Morning timed entry at Borderless (Azabudai Hills)
- Yurikamome ride to Odaiba; evening lights
Day 14 – Tokyo (Shinjuku → Meiji/Yoyogi → Shibuya Sky)
- Shinjuku Gyoen; Tocho free view
- Meiji Jingu forest walk → Cat Street to Shibuya
- Shibuya Sky at sunset (pre-book)
Day 15 – Tokyo (Departure)
Questions/Feedback
- Days 9–10 (holiday): Should I add Osaka or go straight to Tokyo? If Osaka, is 1 night enough — or do 2 nights (which squeezes Tokyo to 4 nights on a first trip)? Which choice gives better value for this itinerary?
- Days 11–12: Should I keep Fuji (Kawaguchiko) mid-week, or swap with Nikkō if the Fuji visibility forecast looks poor? (Plan to decide the day before using the forecast.)
Thank you very much to the whole community.
by Juggernot94