Itinerary Plan for Six-Person Group – 14 days in October 2026

Hi all, I'm organizing a trip for 3 couples to visit Japan in October.  I lived and taught English in Japan many years ago but the other 5 have never been.  I have the basic itinerary set with hotels in 4 cities and the possibility of day trips from several.  Any and all thoughts are welcome to help us make this a great experience!  Here's what's planned as of now:

Day 1 – arrive Tokyo in afternoon from East Coast – Park Hotel Tokyo (Shiodome/Shimbashi) Settle in explore local area – 

6pm – Hamarikyu Gardens

Local dinner

Day 2 – Full day exploring Tokyo with a guide – 

Imperial Palace

Ueno Park

Shibuya Crossing

Shinjuku / Shinjuku Gyoen / Omoide Yokocho near Shinjuku

Akihabara

Day 3 – Kamakura 1/2 day / Explore more Tokyo 

Early morning – visit Tsjukiji Fish Market and have a sushi breakfast

Train to Kamakura –

Komachi Dori Street

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Kōtoku-in (Great Buddha)

Hase-dera

Back in Tokyo – Visit Ginza

Dinner at Ginza Toyoda

Day 4 – 

Sumo wrestler training viewing in the am Isegahama Beya

Kabuki at Kubukiza in the afternoon.  

Asakusa: Senso-ji / Kaminarimon Gate / Nakamise-dori Street

Yurakucho for dinner 

Day 5 – Train to Takayama for 3 nights two nights in Hidatei Hanougi ryokan

Settle in, try Takayama ramen and hida beef, local sake

Explore local area near ryokan

Day 6 – 1/2 day with guide to explore Takayama then explore on own – kaiseki dnner at ryokan

Miyagawa Morning Market

Sanmachi Suji

Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine

Kusakabe Heritage House

Hida Folk Village

Squirrel Forest & Hida Wild Plant Garden

Day 7 – Day trip by bus to Kamikochi – stay at Mercure Hotel Hida one night

Explore Kappa Bridge and walking/hiking around the area –

Try Kamikochi croquette

Walk in valley  to Tashiro ike Pond 2 hrs plus stops – Kappa-bashi bridge → Tashiro-bashi bridge → Nature Trail → Tashiro-ike pond → Return to Kappa-bashi bridge

Day 8 – Scenic bus from Takayama to Kanazawa – two nights at Tokyu Kanazawa

Stop at Shirakawago on way to Kanazawa (?) Heard it is quite crowded and touristy

Try Kanazawa curry

Try gold leaf ice cream

Explore local area around hotel

Omicho market – very near hotel

Day 9 – full day guide to explore Kanazawa – 

Kenrokuen Gardens and horticulture techniques

Seisonkaku

Kanazawa Castle

Gold leaf manufacturing exploration Sakuda Gold Leaf Shop or Yasue Gold Leaf Museum

Nagamachi

Contemporary Art Museum

Katamachi Scramble or Higashi Chaya for dinner

Day 10 – train to Kyoto – stay at Hotel Granvia at Kyoto Station 4 nights – 

Explore around area

Tofuku-ji Temple nearby

TeamLabs Kyoto nearby

Day 11 – full day guide to see Kyoto sights – 

Fushimi Inari shrine

Kinkakuji

Nijo Castle

Ryoan-ji

Path of Philosophy, plus 1.8km footpath following the Biwako canal

Day 12 – 

Jidai Festival on this day – viewing platform available 

Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple / bamboo forest 

Evening Gion Walking Tour 

Day 13 – Visit Nara

Train to Nara Park

Todaiji

Kasugataisha Shrine

Isuien Garden

Kofukuji

Deer!

Day 14 – Pack up and visit Osaka before 7pm flight from ITM – 

Try Osaka street food – food tour

Osaka Castle

Dotonbori

Sayonara and leave from Kansai International.

All thoughts/recommendations welcome.  We are all in our 60s-70s, so moderate activities but love adventures with food and culture especially, plus enjoying the great outdoors.

Thanks all!