Hi Everyone,
I’m a 24M currently planning my first trip to Japan for March/April 2026. I’ll likely be traveling solo. Since I’m vegetarian, I'm planning to bringing some ready-to-cook meals and trying out specific vegan-friendly spots.
I’m thinking of using the Hokuriku Arch Pass. I want to do Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto route but add a few extra stops like Toyama and Kanazawa as really loved some spots there. The pass seems like great value—it costs about the same as a standard Tokyo-Osaka round trip ticket but lets me cover all places in between with Shinkasen.
I’m a huge anime fan, so I’ve designed the trip to catch some specific locations.I’d love your feedback on the flow of this itinerary and any other spots I shouldn't miss!
Day 1: Tokyo
Will land in Tokyo and probably stay around Akihabhara, Kanda, Ochanomizu or Ikebukoro.
Area to Cover – Shinjuku and Shibuya
Spots:
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Garden of words movie spot)
Kantsuji Temple (Famous Inu Ambassador)
Suga Shrine Stairs (Your Name Spot)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (To catch Evening View)
Shibuya Crossing
Day 2: Tokyo to Toyama (via Nagano)
Explore Asakusa in Early Morning (Senso-ji, Nakamise-dori, Traditional Area).
Afternoon: Train to Nagano (2 Hours). Quick stop to explore Nagano (Zenko-ji area etc.) for ~3 hours.
Evening: Train from Nagano to Toyama (1 Hour) and Stay there.
Day 3: Toyama to Osaka
Morning: Explore Toyama City (Glass Art Museum, Kansui Park)
Afternoon: Train from Toyama to Osaka (3.5 Hours) Arrive in Osaka by 4-5 and staying in Namba or Nipponbashi area.
Evening: Explore Nipponbashi (DenDen Town) and Namba nightlife (Dotonbori).
Day 4: Day Trip to Naruto Park Awaji Island
Visiting Naruto Park during day and going to Kyoto for stay
Day 5: The Kyoto & Nara
Will go to Fushima Inari early in morning and do other possible Kyoto spots till noon.
In Noon going to Nara for deer park and Naramichi
In Evening will go to Kanazawa from there should take 2-3 hours with Thunderbird and Shinkasen and stay there
Day 6: Kanazawa & Takaoka
Exploring Kanazawa in morning and try to cover Takaoka ( Doraemon village) and if possible visit Ainokura, Suganuma in noon.
Day 7: Return to Tokyo (Kanda/Ochanomizu)
In morning return to Tokyo and either Harry Potter studio or Pokepark if ticket is possible.
In Evening will explore Akihabhara and Thrift stores
Day 8: TeamLab & Kamakura
In Morning cover TeamLab Planets and then go Kamakura for remaining day.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
by Plane-Amphibian6478