JJapan Trips

Itinerary Check – Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, Tokyo [29 Dec – 8th Jan]

  • November 26, 2025

Important details

  • DOA: 29th Dec 2025 at Narita ~ 8am.
  • DOD: 9th Jan 2026 early morning from Narita.
  • Pass Info: JR Whole area pass – 29th Dec – 4th Jan (7 days)
  • Travellers – me & my wife (both in early 30s)
  • Airbnbs – booked non-cancelable
    • 29th Dec – 2nd Jan – Kyoto, near JR Tofukuji sta.
    • 2nd Jan – 9th Jan – Tokyo, near JR Kameido sta.
  • Preference: Nature, outdoors, history, shrines, culture.
  • This itinerary may seem a bit too stretched, but we are looking forward to make most of our time.
  • Cuisine preference – Non-Vegetarians, but avoid pork and beef.

Itinerary

  • 29th Dec (On JR Pass)
    • Arrive at Narita around 8am. Activate JR pass at Narita. Transfer via NEX to Tokyo/Shinagawa. Take Shinkansen to Kyoto. Arrive at Kyoto by 2.30pm.
    • Lunch, afternoon at Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji temple, and Togetsukyo bridge.
    • Dinner and back to hotel by 9pm.
  • 30th December (On JR Pass)
    • Early morning sunrise at Fushimi Inari (~6.30am). Back to hotel.
    • Afternoon – lunch and head to Kinkakuji temple
    • Evening Kiyomizu dera (strech). Alternate – walk the Gion district.
    • Dinner and back to hotel by 8pm.
  • 31st December (On JR Pass)
    • Morning 8am visit to the To-ji temple.
    • Head towards Nara via the JR Nara line from Kyoto.
    • Explore Nara park, Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha.
    • Return to Kyoto by evening and dinner by 8pm and rest.
    • NY celebration – Gion district – Yasaka Shrine. Back to hotel by 1pm by taxi. (Stretch. Not sure if this is possible.)
  • 1st Jan (On JR Pass)
    • 7am morning shinkansen to Hiroshima from Kyoto.
    • Arrive at Hiroshima by 9am.
    • 9.30/10am special Great Torii ferry to Miyajima island.
    • Omotesando arcade walk, Itsukushima shrine, Senjokaku pavillion and Momjidani park. If time permits ropeway to and back Mt. Misen.
    • Return from Miyajima by ferry at 5pm.
    • Shinkansen back to Kyoto.
  • 2nd Jan (On JR Pass)
    • Breakfast and check out of hotel. Store luggage in locker/airbnb.
    • Head to Osaka. Explore Osaka and Dotonbori.
    • Depart for Tokyo by Shinkansen by evening.
    • Arrive at Tokyo hotel by late evening. Dinner and rest.
  • 3rd Jan (On JR Pass)
    • Nigata Gala Yuzawa – whole day plan via Shinkansen to Gala Yuzawa and back by late evening.
  • 4th Jan (On JR Pass)
    • Morning – Head to Kamakura from Tokyo – Kotoku in.
    • Afternoon – Lunch and Hasedera temple.
    • Take Enoden line to Enoshima and head to Enoshima island for sunset.
    • Return to Tokyo by evening.
  • 5th Jan
    • Relaxed exploration of Tokyo
    • Morning – Asakusa and Senso ji and surrounding areas.
    • Afternoon – Tokyo Skytree.
    • Evening – Shopping and dinner.
  • 6th Jan
    • Explore Tokyo
    • Morning – Meiji Jingu, Harajuku
    • Afternoon – Shibuya scramble and lunch.
    • Evening – Dinner and shopping.
  • 7th Jan
    • Guided Day trip to Hakone, Oshino Hakkai and Lake Yamanaka.
  • 8th Jan
    • Full day at Disney Sea.

Seeking advice for:

  • Closures, noticeable events at certain places during this period (worthy of checking out).
  • Insta spots, overrated spots we can avoid – alternate places
  • Totally unrealistic schedules.
  • If we are missing out on worthy spots – special Hatsumode venues / events.
  • Food recs – we are clueless on this one. Given our focus is on seeing and visiting, we are okay to walk into granpa-grandma run shops eating set menus, simple food.

Thanks much.

by arnabkaycee