Another itinerary check! My partner and I are heading to Japan in April for the first time. We've done a few drafts of the itinerary now but are still unsure if we're missing essential things or not spending enough time in certain areas. This is for a late 20's couple, with the understanding that we probably won't be back for a very significant amount of time, so trying to cover a bit of everything. We will be pre-booking experiences, including express passes for parks. Any thoughts?
6 NIGHTS TOKYO
Day 1 (Thurs) — Arrival / Jet Lag Light Day
Morning: Flight arrives 9:45 AM, travel to to Shinjuku, short rest
Afternoon: Visit Senso-ji Temple, walk Nakamise Street
Evening: Explore Asakusa, early bed
Day 2 (Fri) – Harajuku / Shibuya / Shinjuku Nightlife
Morning: Meiji Shrine, walk Takeshita Street
Afternoon: Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko Statue, shopping
Evening: Shinjuku Kabukicho nightlife, arcade gaming (e.g., Taito Station)
Day 3 (Sat) – Tsukiji Market / Ginza / Akihabara / Ueno
Morning: Tsukiji Market, explore Ginza shopping
Afternoon: Akihabara Pokémon Center, arcades, anime shops
Optional: Ueno Zoo if time permits
Evening: Free for nightlife or casual strolling
Day 4 (Sun) — Ghibli & teamLab Borderless
Morning: Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Afternoon: teamLab Borderless
Evening: Tokyo Tower visit (~10-min walk), dinner in Roppongi
Day 5 (Mon) — Disneyland
Full day Tokyo Disneyland
Day 6 (Tues) – DisneySea
Full day Tokyo DisneySea
1 NIGHT FUJI
Day 7 (Wed) – Mount Fuji
Morning: Travel to Kawaguchiko
Afternoon: Lake Kawaguchi, Chureito Pagoda
Evening: Stay at lakeside ryokan with onsen and Fuji view
Day 8 (Thurs) – Kawaguchiko → Kyoto
Morning: Breakfast, morning view of Fuji.Travel to Kyoto by train.
Afternoon: Arrive, check in to new hotel.
Evening: Gion & Pontocho Alley.
3 NIGHTS KYOTO
Day 9 (Fri) — Arashiyama & Golden Pavilion
Morning: Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, and Monkey Park.
Afternoon: Kinkaku-ji
Evening: Back to Gion.
Day 10 (Sat) — Fushimi Inari / Nishiki Market / Nijo Castle
Morning: Fushimi Inari Taisha. Back to Nishiki Market.
Afternoon: Nijo Castle.
Evening: Free time.
Day 11 (Sun) — Hiroshima Day Trip
Morning: Travel to Hiroshima. Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome.
Afternoon: Unsure of what to put here!
Return to Kyoto.
3 NIGHTS OSAKA
Day 12 (Mon) – Arrival & Dōtonbori
Morning: Travel to Osaka.
Afternoon/Evening: Dōtonbori & Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade.
Day 13 (Tues) — Universal Studios Japan
Full day at USJ.
Day 14 (Wed) — Nara + Museum
Morning: Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Afternoon: Return to Osaka, Osaka Museum of History.
Evening: Dinner in Dōtonbori or Umeda.
Day 15 (Thurs) — Departure
Morning: Café brunch or last-minute souvenirs.
Afternoon: ???
Travel to Osaka airport for 6pm.
Questions we have:
– What is the temperature like in April? Does the humidity make it feel warmer? Coming from Ireland so a bit confused about wardrobe (F).
– Can I take a standard sized suitcase (suitable for checking) on the train, or is that too big? Don't have exact measurements now.
– Any other recommendations for Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto? Might be overdoing Gion in Kyoto.
– Do we have enough for our day in Mount Fuji? Do people typically do Hakone as well?
by AlmostQuill