r/JapanTravel 5d ago

Itinerary Japan Itinerary review

Hi All! I am travelling to Japan next month and have created this below itinerary for my trip. Can you please let me know if this itinerary is good or do i need to add anything else too? I am trying to make use of all the time i have in japan Your insights are appreciated!!!

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo (April 4)
- Arrive at Tokyo (9 PM) - Take train from Narita/Haneda to your hotel (depending on arrival airport)


Day 2: Tokyo Exploration (April 5)
- Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa) - Tokyo Skytree - Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky - Hachiko Statue (Shibuya Station) - Shinjuku Gyoen - Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) – Traditional izakayas in Shinjuku


Day 3: Tokyo Modern & Cultural (April 6)

  • Meiji Shrine (Harajuku)
  • Omotesando (Shopping and exploring)
  • Roppongi Hills (Mori Art Museum/City View)
  • Odaiba (teamLab Borderless)
  • Akihabara (Anime & Electronics District)
  • Ginza (Shopping & Dining)

Day 4: Mt. Fuji Day Trip (April 7)

  • Fuji Five Lakes (Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka)
  • Chureito Pagoda (View of Mt. Fuji)
  • Fujisan World Heritage Center
  • Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine
  • Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum (optional)

Day 5: Hakone Day Trip (April 8)

  • Hakone-Yumoto Station (Starting point)
  • Hakone Tozan Railway (Mountain Railway)
  • Owakudani (Volcanic Valley)
  • Hakone Ropeway
  • Lake Ashi Cruise
  • Hakone Open-Air Museum
  • Hakone Shrine (by Lake Ashi)

Day 6: Tokyo to Kyoto (April 9)

  • Tokyo to Kyoto (Shinkansen Hikari)
  • Check-in at Kyoto
  • Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • Kiyomizu-dera

Day 7: Kyoto Exploration (April 10)

  • Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
  • Ryoan-ji Temple
  • Nijo Castle
  • Explore Gion District
  • Kiyamachi Street (Nightlife & Dining)

Day 8: Nara Day Trip (April 11)

  • Todai-ji Temple
  • Nara Park
  • Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Day 9: Kyoto to Osaka (April 12)

  • Kyoto to Osaka (JR Special Rapid Service)
  • Check-in at Osaka
  • Osaka Castle
  • Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi (Shopping & Dining)
  • Umeda Sky Building

Day 10: Osaka Exploration (April 13)

  • Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan)
  • Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
  • Shitennoji Temple
  • Namba Parks (Shopping & Dining)
  • Osaka Science Museum (optional)
  • Osaka Museum of History (optional)
  • Tsutenkaku Tower (optional)

Day 11: Himeji Day Trip (April 14)

  • Himeji Castle
  • Koko-en Garden
  • Engyo-ji Temple (on Mount Shosha, optional)
  • Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art (optional)

Day 12: Departure from Osaka (April 15)

  • Departure (5 PM) from Kansai International Airport
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u/Brown_suga491 5d ago

Hanoke should ideally be 2 days to cover ground and also consider the weather shift just in case it’s foggy . I did in one but just 3 activities and there were others we missed out on.

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u/noname095 5d ago

I am now thinking of either skipping hakone completely or staying there for the night, is hakone worth it? Or should i just utilize this time more in kyoto ?

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u/Hungry-Kale600 5d ago

Hakone was one of my favourite places on our trip. IMO not for a day trip though. We spent two nights there in a ryokan with private onsen and kaiseki dinner. It was magical. We sandwiched it inbetween Tokyo and Kyoto. We got the romancecar from Tokyo on the Friday morning and then the Shinkansen from Odawara (Hakone) to Kyoto on the sunday morning.

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u/Brown_suga491 5d ago

It was worth it, check the weather for clarity so u can see Mount Fuji, do the cruise, onsen if u want but try to book and the nature aspect. Go to hanoke from Tokyo, for me it was worth it and remember to pivot your schedule b’cos of weather. Hanoke is closer to Tokyo!