Hi! My fiancée and I are planning a trip to Japan for March 2026. It's our first time traveling there and I was wondering if someone would be able to give our itinerary a review! We're relatively laidback, and just like to explore rather than having a strict to-do list, but as we've never been we would love to know if we have enough time/too much time in certain areas or anything you would recommend! This is the first draft, so we're really open to suggestions and advice. We'll be travelling mostly by train, and want to stay in at least one Ryokan either in Kanazawa/Takayama or Kyoto. Thank you in advance and sorry if I spelt anything wrong 🙂
In total, this trip includes: 10 days in Tokyo (including Kamakura & Hakone day trips and excluding the 2 flight days), 2 days in Kanazawa, 2 days in Takayama, 4 days in Kyoto (including Nara) & 3 days in Osaka.
- Day 1 – Arrive in Tokyo in the evening
- Day 2 – Shibuya & Harajuku (Shopping and Shibuya Sky)
- Day 3 – Shinjuku (Exploring and Shopping)
- Day 4 – Kamakura Day Trip (Temples)
- Day 5 – Akihabara (Shopping)
- Day 6 – Tokyo Disneysea
- Day 7 – Tokyo Disneyland
- Day 8 – Travel to Kanazawa & explore the Samurai District
- Day 9 – Kanazawa Castle & explore/relax
- Day 10 – Coach to Takayama, stopping to visit Shirakawago
- Day 11 – Full day in Takayama (Morning market, Hida Folk Village)
- Day 12 – Travel to Kyoto & Explore Gion District
- Day 13 – Kyoto (Arashiyama)
- Day 14 – Kyoto (Manga Museum & Fushimi Inari)
- Day 15 – Day trip to Nara
- Day 16 – Travel to Osaka & Explore Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori
- Day 17 – Osaka Aquarium, Tenmangu Shrine & Umeda Sky Building
- Day 18 – Universal Studios Japan
- Day 19 – Travel back to Tokyo, mostly a rest/explore day
- Day 20 – Day trip to Hakone
- Day 21 – Tokyo (Tsukiji Market & teamLabs)
- Day 22 – Ghibli Museum & Shop for Souvenirs
- Day 23 – Fly home at 9AM
by MiniNoodles