Hi all, my wife and I are traveling to Japan November 21-30.
We know this itinerary is a bit ambitious. We wanted a mix of city and country + I like to drive in the countries I travel to so planned this way. Any suggestions/recos welcome but especially if something doesn’t seem practical. Thanks in advance!
Nov 21 – Arrive Kyoto (Evening)
17:00–18:30 – Matcha dessert near Kyoto Station
18:30–19:30 – Kyoto Station rooftop deck (LED staircase)
19:30 – Dinner near Kyoto Station
20:15 – Walk to Higashi Hongan-ji Temple (illuminated)
Stay: near Kyoto Station
Sat, Nov 22 – Nara Day Trip + Gion Evening
09:00 – JR Nara Line Kyoto→Nara (45 min)
10:00–12:30 – Nara Park & Tōdai-ji Temple (Great Buddha)
12:30–14:00 – Lunch in Naramachi area
14:00–15:30 – Kofuku-ji Temple, return to Kyoto
18:00–21:00 – Gion (Yasaka Shrine, Hanamikoji, Shirakawa Canal)
19:30 – Dinner in Pontocho Alley
Stay: Kyoto station
Sun, Nov 23 – Fushimi Inari + Sake District
06:30–08:30 – Fushimi Inari Taisha (early visit)
08:30–12:30 – Fushimi Sake Brewery area (boat ride, tastings)
12:30–14:00 – Lunch nearby
14:00–17:00 – Optional head spa or Kyoto Manga Museum
18:30 – Dinner near Kyoto Station
Stay: Kyoto station
Mon, Nov 24 – Kyoto → Arashiyama → Kinosaki Onsen
07:30–10:30 – Arashiyama: Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge
10:30–11:00 – Return to Kyoto Station
11:00–12:30 – Lunch at station area
13:25–15:49 – Train Kyoto→Kinosaki Onsen (Ltd. Exp. Kinosaki 7)
16:00 – Check in, stroll in yukata, foot bath
18:00 – Kaiseki dinner
20:00 – Optional onsen visit or night walk
Stay: Kinosaki Onsen
Tue, Nov 25 – Kinosaki Onsen Leisure Day
08:00 – Breakfast, check out / store luggage
09:15–11:00 – Ropeway to Onsenji Temple & viewpoint
11:00–12:30 – Optional: Marine World or café break
12:30–13:30 – Lunch in town
14:00–17:30 – Onsen-hopping with public pass
17:30–18:00 – Lantern-lit stroll, souvenir shopping
18:00–21:00 – Dinner & final onsen soak
Stay: Kinosaki Onsen
Wed, Nov 26 – Kinosaki → Nagoya → Takayama (Drive)
06:45 – Walk to Kinosaki Station
07:11–10:42 – Train: Hamakaze 2 → Himeji → Shinkansen → Nagoya
10:45–12:00 – Early lunch near Nagoya Station
12:00–14:00 – Drive Nagoya→Gujō-Hachiman (scenic canals)
15:00–17:15 – Drive Gujō→Takayama
17:30–19:30 – Explore Takayama Old Town (Sanmachi Suji)
19:00 – Dinner (Hida beef or noodles)
Stay: Takayama Old Town
Thu, Nov 27 – Takayama → Shirakawa-go → Kawaguchiko
06:40 – Depart Takayama
08:00–10:00 – Shirakawa-go village & viewpoint
10:00–16:30 – Drive to Kawaguchiko (with rest stop & lunch)
17:00 – Check in, dinner & onsen
Stay: Kawaguchiko
Fri, Nov 28 – Tokyo Day 1 (Shinjuku → Harajuku → Omotesandō → Shibuya)
09:00 – Arrive Shinjuku, drop bags
09:30–10:30 – Tokyo Metropolitan Govt. Building observatory
10:50–11:40 – Meiji Jingu Shrine
11:40–13:00 – Harajuku/Takeshita Street
13:00–14:00 – Lunch Omotesandō
14:15–16:30 – Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko, shopping
16:30–17:45 – Shibuya Sky (sunset)
18:00–22:00 – Dinner/drinks around Shibuya (Miyashita Park, Nonbei Yokocho)
Stay: near Shinjuku station
Sat, Nov 29 – teamLab → Ginza → Tsukiji → Shinjuku Bar Hop
07:30 – Breakfast nearby
08:00 – Metro to Azabudai Hills
09:30–11:00 – teamLab Borderless
11:15–13:30 – Ginza shopping
13:40–14:40 – Lunch at Tsukiji Outer Market
15:10–17:30 – Rest at hotel
19:00–22:00 – Shinjuku bar hop (Golden Gai / Omoide Yokocho)
Stay: near Shinjuku station
Sun, Nov 30 – Departure Day
06:30 – Breakfast
07:15 – Check out, head to airport
08:30–09:00 – Arrive Narita
10:50 – Flight departure
In Tokyo – We might have some extra time but one of us wants to do shopping and the other go to asakusa. Will wing it depending on time.
by npunnoose93