21 Day itinerary – Hiroshima start.

This is our first trip to Japan: we’re flying from the UK to Hong Kong for a few days of hiking (which may affect our early days in Japan due to fatigue), then onward to Japan.

I wanted to visit Jigokudani Yaen-Koen to see snow monkeys in the onsen, but the Shiga Kogen route is closed when when we go Nov 19 (Day 17), would have slept in Yudanaka and I’m unsure if late-autumn temps will be cold enough for them to bathe.

If it’s viable, we’d do one night in Kusatsu and one in Yudanaka, renting a car to drive there. But it feels like too much for a first visit with low odds of success. I could still get a 1949 International Driving Permit.

Alternative from my original plan: Fujikawaguchiko for Mt. Fuji, then drive to Yutatsu.

In cities, my girlfriend’s main focus is bakeries she’s marked; I’m planning 1-3 key attractions per day, with stops at her bakeries along the way.

I’ve added buffer time where I could think of it, but not sure if everywhere.

Day 1, Nov 3, Hiroshima

• Arrive at 13:45 -> At accommodation in Hiroshima Centre 16:00 (hopefully not
  delayed too much due to national holiday).
• Peace Memorial Park (Naka Ward)
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum: Exhibits + audio guide (Naka Ward)

Day 2, Nov 4, Hiroshima/Miyajima

• Itsukushima Shrine: Floating Torii (Miyajima Ward)
• Mt. Misen: Ropeway + short hike (Miyajima Ward)
• Miyajima: Deer, Daisho-in (Miyajima Ward)

Day 3, Nov 5, Hiroshima → Himeji → Kyoto

• Himeji Castle – Koko En Garden
• Note: Leave Hiroshima at 11:00, arrive Himeji Castle Grounds at 12:50, leave Himeji
  at 17:00, arrive Kyoto at 19:50 in Higashiyama Ward
• Local part or just walk to Gion?

Day 4, Nov 6, Kyoto

• Kiyomizu-dera,
• Nanzen-ji (more exploring the way to it)
• Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) but the street to it

Day 5, Nov 7, Kyoto

• Bishamondō Temple
• Muji shop Yamashina

Day 6, Nov 8, Kyoto

• Kinkaku-ji: Golden Pavilion gardens (Kita Ward) at 6 am
• Ninnaji: Temple (Ukyo Ward) might leave it out
• A Bamboo grove, any.
• Tenryuji Temple (Ukyo Ward) might leave it out
• Toei Park Event after sunset (this is something that the misses wants to do)

Day 7, Nov 9, Kyoto → Nara → Osaka

• Nara: Deer Park, Tōdai-ji Temple (Nara Ward)
• Note: Leave Kyoto at 09:30, arrive Nara 11:25, leave Nara at 16:00, arrive Osaka at
  18:30

Day 8, Nov 10,

• Osaka Castle: Visit grounds (Chuo Ward)
• Umeda Sky Building: Observation deck (Kita Ward) (not necessary, more in to low
  street scenes)
• Possibly move Day 11 shopping here.

Day 9, Nov 11, Osaka

• Universal Studios Japan: Theme park (Konohana Ward)

Day 10, Nov 12, Osaka → Arima

• Arima Onsen – Ryokan Stay
• Arima Ropeway

Day 11, Nov 13, Arima → Osaka (not sure, maybe fit in on other days? If so head to

Tokyo earlier, rent a car and go to Fujikaguchiko?)
– Kuromon Market,
– Dontonbori,
– Shinsekai
– Tower Knives (Shinsekai): Browse Sakai blades (Naniwa Ward)
– Warehouse & Co. (Den Den Town): Selvedge jeans (Chuo Ward)
– Mandarake Grandchaos (Amerikamura): Anime figures, manga (Chuo Ward)
– Den Den Town (Nippombashi): Anime figures, cosplay (Chuo Ward)
– Taito Station Namba: Crane games, UFO catchers (Chuo Ward)
– Round1 Namba: Crane games, big claw machines (Chuo Ward)

Day 12, Nov 14, Osaka → Tokyo

• Note: Leave Osaka at 12:00, arrive at Tokyo 16:00 accommodation next to
  Tawaramachi station.
• Asakusa: Senso-ji temple, Nakamise-dori (Taito Ward, East)
• Kappabashi Dougu Street: Kitchen knives shopping (Taito Ward, East)

Day 13, Nov 15, Tokyo

• AmiAmi Akihabara Radio Kaikan Store: Anime figures, apparel (Chiyoda Ward,
  Central)
• Mandarake Akihabara: Anime collectibles, doujinshi (Chiyoda Ward, Central)
• GiGO Akihabara 3: Crane games, big claw machines (Chiyoda Ward, Central)
• Taito Station Akihabara: Crane games, UFO catchers (Chiyoda Ward, Central)

Day 14, Nov 16, Tokyo

• Ueno Park (Taito Ward, East)
• Tokyo National Museum: Exhibits (Taito Ward, East)

Day 15, Nov 17, Tokyo

• Tokyo DisneySea: Theme park (Urayasu Ward, East) (never been to a Disney)

Day 16, Nov 18, Tokyo → Kusatsu Onsen

• Leave 10am
• Ueno to Urawa: Drive to Urawa Station, pick up Nissan DAYZ (~24 km,
  ~30 min)
  (Urawa-ku Ward)
• option to be able to go to Mount Haruna on the way
• Ryokan

Day 17, Nov 19, Kusatsu Onsen – Not sure if to spend another night here

• Ryokan

Day 18, Nov 20, Kusatsu → Onsen Tokyo

• Aim to return by 14:00

Day 19, Nov 21, Tokyo

• Shibuya Parco
• One Piece Main Store
• Harajuku (window shopping looks neat)
• Meiji Jingu (is it okay to go there?)
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building ?

Day 20, Nov 22, Tokyo

• teamLab Borderless: Immersive art at Azabudai Hills (Minato Ward, South)
• Azabudai Hills – architecture

Day 21, Nov 23, Tokyo

• Uniqlo Flagship Ginza: Jeans shopping (Chuo Ward, Central)
• Tsukiji Outer Market: Food stalls, shopping (Chuo Ward, Central) just to see it.
• Glitch Coffee
• Walk around

Day 22, Nov 24, Tokyo/Narita

• Flight is at 21:00, so arrival at airport 17:00
• Narita-san Shinshoji Temple (Narita Ward)
• Yamato no Yu Onsen: Public bath (Narita Ward)