Hello Everyone!
My wife and me are going to Japan in November for the first time. Overall I would say we are pretty fit and we like walking, most of our trips we walk upwards of 20k steps on average with a few slower days. I love pourover coffee so its a goal to visit as much specialty shops as possible and my wife has some non negotiables such as Disney Sea and teamlabs visits.
Also, food is always top priority as those tend to be one of the most memorable experiences. We love hiking too and I think these preferences mean that we will have less time in Tokyo than preferred but I guess that just means we will have to come back. Below is the itinerary, there are some pretty set in stone days but not everything is a must, if we feel tired we will just chill instead:
• Nov 3 Tokyo (arrival) - The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa
Afternoon arrival at Narita → hotel check-in.
Evening: Sensō-ji at night without the crowds, dinner nearby.
• Nov 4 Tokyo (birthday)
Morning: Coffee in Fuglen, Ueno Park and National Museum
3–4 PM: Kikanbo ramen near Akihabara (birthday meal) and Glitch coffee after if time allows
Evening: Akihabara window shopping probably and go to bed early
• Nov 5 Nikko day trip
Morning: Tobu Limited Express to Nikko.
Visit Shinkyo Bridge, Rinnoji, Toshogu Shrine.
Bus to Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji (yuba lunch).
Afternoon: Ryuzu Falls → Yumoto Onsen footbath (optional).
Evening: return to Tokyo.
• Nov 6 Tokyo → Osaka (Hotel The Flag Shinsaibashi)
Early: Tabi to Coffee and Benitsuru Pancake
Chef knife shopping in Kappabashi
Nozomi Shinkansen to Osaka around 3pm to possibly see Mt. Fuji
Evening: Dotonbori and Takoyaki
• Nov 7 Osaka exploring
Morning: LiLo coffee roasters and Osaka Castle.
Afternoon: Umeda Sky Building.
Evening: free (Namba or Shinsekai?)
• Nov 8 Day Trip - Himeji and Kobe
Morning: Himeji castle and park
Afternoon: Back to Kobe, sightseeing, herb gardens
Evening: Back to Osaka. (Namba or Shinsekai?)
• Nov 9 Day trip - Minoh Falls + Katsuo-ji Temple
Hike to Minoh Falls
Visit Katsuo-ji Temple (Daruma temple, autumn leaves).
Evening return to Osaka.
• Nov 10 Osaka → Miyajima (Oyado Tsukiosagi)
Early morning coffee (Mel coffee or Glitch Osaka) then Shinkansen to Hiroshima → ferry to Miyajima around 1pm
Afternoon: Mt Misen ropeway up and hike down Daisho-in route and visit the temple
Evening: There will be high tide, check out O-Torii gate
• Nov 11 Miyajima + Hiroshima → Kyoto (Rinn Gion Hanatouro)
Morning: Wake up for sunrise as there will be low tide and walk out to the Torii gate, visit Itsukushima shrine as it opens early and maybe Daigan-Ji
Midday: Hiroshima peace park and museum
Evening: Early okonomiyaki dinner and get to Kyoto by 9pm, maybe stroll around Gion but get to bed early
• Nov 12 Kyoto (Fushimi Inari + Uji)
06:30: Early Fushimi Inari climb to the top.
Train to Uji: Byodo-in Temple + matcha tasting.
Afternoon: back to Kyoto → Yasaka Shrine will be open, check that out possibly.
• Nov 13 Kyoto
Morning: Early trip to kiyomizu-dera and must definitely visit Enkouji Temple, which will need to be reserved
Afternoon: Ginkakuji and Maruyama Park, eat in newly opened sukiyaki jyuniten
• Nov 14 Kyoto (Kurama–Kibune + Northern Kyoto)
Morning: Kurama–Kibune hike (2 hrs).
Afternoon: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji.
Evening: free.
• Nov 15 Nara Festival (day trip)
Morning: Kyoto teamlabs Biovortex
Afternoon: train to Nara.
Visit Todaiji + Deer Park.
Evening: Autumn in Nara Festival (Kasuga Taisha lanterns, illuminated temples).
Return to Kyoto late.
• Nov 16 Kyoto → Kawaguchiko (Onsen Konanso Ryokan)
Morning: Possible Arashiyama Bamboo forest if we are not too tired and then travel to Kawaguchiko, check-in at Konanso Ryokan. If we are tired then just Kurasu morning coffee and travel to kawaguchiko
Evening: Momiji Corridor autumn leaves festival (illuminated).
Onsen on our balcony + kaiseki dinner.
• Nov 17 Kawaguchiko
Morning: Chureito Pagoda.
Afternoon: lakeside stroll/cycling.
Evening: Onsen + kaiseki dinner.
• Nov 18 Kawaguchiko → Tokyo (The Blossom Hibiya Hotel)
Morning relax.
Early Afternoon: transfer to Tokyo, check-in at The Blossom Hibiya, Shibuya or Shinjuku for the evening
• Nov 19 Tokyo (DisneySea)
Full day at Tokyo DisneySea as requested by the missus.
• Nov 20 Tokyo
Daytime: Tokyo free time or Kamakura day trip?
21:00: Dinner at Sushisho Masa (reservation confirmed).
• Nov 21 Tokyo
Morning: TeamLabs Borderless
Afternoon: Shibuya
• Nov 22 Tokyo (last day)
Morning: shopping in Ginza / Uniqlo / Tokyo Station.
Last sushi + coffee.
Evening: depart Narita 23:30.
I think that would be it, if you had any recommendations for the trip I would be very grateful, especially there are a few days in Tokyo where I am not sure what to visit but maybe thats not a bad thing to be just wandering around. I would be also grateful if you could recommend a place to buy chef knives, should I try to do it in Tokyo or Osaka?
I think the hikes and the morning coffees everyday are pretty much set in stone and Sushisho Masa dinner but nothing else.
Thank you very much in advance!
by Epididymis23