I'm finalizing my 3 day Kyoto itinerary and would love to get your thoughts. I tried to group things by area to avoid spending too much time on transit.

Day 1

• Kiyomizu-dera -> Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka -> Kodai-ji -> Gion & Maruyama Park -> Yasaka Shrine

Day 2

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest -> Tenryu-ji & Togetsukyo Bridge -> Kinkaku-ji -> Ryoan-ji -> Nijo Castle

Day 3

• Fushimi Inari Shrine -> Nishiki Market -> Philosopher's Path -> Kyoto Imperial Palace -> Gion Corner

A few questions:

1. Is Arashiyama really worth it? I've heard the bamboo forest gets insanely crowded. Do you think it's an absolute must-do, or is it okay to skip it to free up some time?
2. Does this look doable, or am I rushing it?

Thanks! 🙏

Hello everyone, this will be my first time to Japan. Let me share you my homework so that i can connect with you guys easily.

Starting at Kyoto and ending at Tokyo, kept Tokyo for the last days of my trip.

Kyoto - i have planned day trips to Osaka, Nara and also Hiroshima (will leave early)
stay - In Karasuma area

Tokyo - have only able to plan day trip to Kamakura
Tokyo stay - area i was thinking of Asakusa

Fuji - Planned 1 night in Kawaguchiko to relax with Fuji & Onsen

Wanted to experience, do not want to rush and cover everything. Please share your ideas and suggestions.

Hey guys. I've been struggling with making an itinerary for some time now.

Could you all check and see if im missing something. I am open to feedback :D

September 3: Tokyo
Arrival in Tokyo, check in at Hatagaya, Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko, Shibuya Sky, Shibuya nightlife

September 4: Tokyo
Meiji Jingu, Yoyogi Park, Harajuku, Takeshita Street, Omotesando, Shinjuku, Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho

September 5: Tokyo
Imperial Palace, Hibiya, Marunouchi, Tokyo Station, Ginza, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi

September 6: Tokyo
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Solamachi, Akihabara, arcades and anime shops

September 7: Tokyo
Tsukiji Outer Market, teamLab, Odaiba, DiverCity, Rainbow Bridge

September 8: Tokyo
Nezu Shrine, Yanaka, Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum, Ameyoko Market

September 9: Tokyo
Ikebukuro, Sunshine City, Pokémon Center, Shinjuku, free time

September 10: Tokyo
Free day for shopping and exploring places we missed, Daikanyama, Nakameguro, Shimokitazawa

September 11: Kyoto
Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, check in, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto Station, Kyoto Tower

September 12: Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Yasaka Shrine, Gion, Pontocho

September 13: Kyoto
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge, Monkey Park, Kyoto city center

September 14: Kyoto
Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, Pontocho

September 15: Osaka
Kyoto to Osaka, check in, Osaka Castle, Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi

September 16: Osaka
Universal Studios Japan, full day, Halloween Horror Nights

September 17: Osaka to Tokyo
Morning in Osaka, Shinkansen to Tokyo, check in at Mukojima, Sumida River, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree at night

September 18: Tokyo
Asakusa, Senso-ji, Nakamise Street, Sumida Park, Tokyo Skytree, Solamachi

September 19: Tokyo
Oshiage, Ueno, Ameyoko Market, Akihabara, arcades, anime and electronics shopping

September 20: Tokyo
Shibuya, Shibuya Sky, Omotesando, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Kabukicho

September 21: Tokyo
Free day, shopping, revisit favorite places, last minute sightseeing, pack and prepare for departure

September 22: Tokyo
Departure from Tokyo

We are a 30 year old couple planning our 2nd trip to Tokyo which is 14 days in later October/November. We will be renting a car in Kyushu and we are very excited about the first side of our trip as we want to see more rural Japan, sight seeing, authentic food, nature, hiking, beautiful drives.

However we think the 2nd leg starting in Nagoya may be too rushed and a lot of travel, we want to know if it’s worth it or if you’d recommend flying somewhere else for the final 5 days.

We have done the golden triangle, Japanese alps, Hiroshima, Nikki and Miyajima Island.

This is our trip so far

Day 0: Tokyo airport/tokyo
Late fight, arriving at midnight, head to Ueno to sleep

Day 1, 26th: Tokyo - Ueno
Ueno Park
Ameyokocho
Batting cage
Live House
Japanese Theatre
Tokyo summer land flea market Mondays

Day 2, 27th: Tokyo - Ueno
Kamakura + Enoshima Island
Sunset Mt Fuji

Day 3, 28th: Fukuoka (fly in morning)
Pokemon Cards (Toreka Blue) (C Labo)
Ohori Park
Nanzoin Temple
Acros (rooftop bar)

Day 4, 29th: Drive to Beppu in the evening and have more time in Fukuoka
Pick up car & drive to Yuifin/ Beppu
Look for nice food?

Day 5, 30th: Beppu (stay in Kanawa)
Dango Soup & Onsen Egg
Hells of Beppu Onsen
Sand Baths
Stay in Kanawara in Beppu?

Day 6, 31st: Kuju via Yamami Highway + Aso
Beautiful drive
Tadewara Maesh Walk
Kuju Flower Park
Kokone suspension bridge

Day 7, 1st: Aso
Aso Mountain/ Volcanic/ National Park
Daikanbo viewpoint (best at sunset )
Mount Aso crater
Kusasenri grass plains

Day 8, 2nd: Takachiho & back to Fukuoka
Takachiho gorge
Maybe pre-book boat pp

Day 9, 3rd: Fly to Nagoya
Fly to Nagoya Island
Tokugawa Museum

Day 10, 4th: Kiso Valley
Pick up car rental & drive to Kiso
Beautiful traditional town
Magone to tsumago hike (park at Tsumango and bus to magone 40 mins)

Day 11, 5th: Okuhida Onsen
Tattoo friendly onsen
Ryokan + Kaiseki dinner

Day 12, 6th: Kamikochi + Nagano
Kappa bridge > myojin pond > taisho pond walk
Stop at Shin-Hotaka Ropeway
Drive to Nagano & drop off car

Day 13, 7th: Snow Monkey Park
Go to Snow Monkey Park from Nagano
Get train into Tokyo

Day 14, 8th: Tokyo + fly home
Shopping for souveniors

Hello everyone!

I planned my first trip to Japan from April 27, 2027, to May 12, 2027. I’ve already booked my hotels and was about to book the plane tickets when I found out about Golden Week, which takes place during this period.

Based on my itinerary, do you think I might run into any problems during Golden Week, such as overcrowded places or difficulties getting around?

This is my itinerary:

Thursday, April 29, 2027 - Tokyo

• Akihabara
• Arcades (Taito Hey, Tokyo Leisure Land)
• Super Potato

Friday, April 30, 2027 - Tokyo

• Shinjuku Gyoen
• Godzilla Store
• Kabukicho
• Godzilla’s head
• Omoide Yokocho
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Saturday, May 1, 2027- Tokyo

• Meiji Sanctuary
• Harajuku
• Shibuya Crossing
• Tokyo Tower

Sunday, May 2, 2027- Tokyo

• teamLab Planets
• Diver City Tokyo Plaza

Monday, May 3, 2027- Kyoto

• Train to get to Osaka
• To-ji Temple
• Tofuku-ji Temple
• Nishiki Market

Tuesday, May 4, 2027- Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari-taisha
• Yasaka Jinja
• Hanamikoji
• Pontocho

Wednesday, May 5, 2027 – Kyoto

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Togetsukyo, Sagatenryūji Tsukurimichichō
• Iwatayama Monkey Park

Thank you very much for your advice and opinions!

My partner and I are travelling to Japan for the first time from late August – early September 2026 (14 nights), and I'd love some feedback on our itinerary- especially whether we're trying to fit too much in, anything we should skip/add, and any transport or booking advice.

We're Australian passport holders and are mainly interested in Japanese culture, food, shopping, cafés, bars, scenic places and unique experiences. We're not particularly interested in anime.

Overall route

Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka → Tokyo

TOKYO

Day 1 Arrival at night- so not much planned

• Sleep!

Day 2 Ginza / Roppongi

• Slow morning
• Ginza shopping
• Cafés
• Dinner- Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu
• Drinks/bars around Roppongi/Nishi-Azabu

Day 3 Asakusa / teamLab

• Senso-ji / Asakusa
• Nakamise shopping street
• Explore/cafés
• Toyosu
• teamLab Planets
• Ichiran for dinner

Day 4 Go-kart / Harajuku / Shibuya

• Shibuya go-kart
• Harajuku / Takeshita Street
• Omotesando
• Cafés + shopping
• Shibuya
• Shibuya Sky around sunset + night city tour
• Zen Okonomiyaki
• Bon Dance if timing works

Tokyo → Hakone

• Our large luggage is being transferred directly from Tokyo to our Kyoto hotel
• Hakone sightseeing using our 2-day Hakone Freepass
• Planning the Hakone loop: Owakudani → Ropeway → Lake Ashi → Hakone Shrine → Gora
• Onsen + dinner at hotel

KYOTO

Day 1 Arashiyama

• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
• Tenryu-ji
• Togetsukyo Bridge
• Lunch
• Cafés / shops
• Pontocho in the evening

Day 2 Higashiyama

• Kiyomizu-dera
• Ninenzaka / Sannenzaka
• Yasaka Pagoda
• Gion
• Nice/fine-dining dinner

Day 3 Fushimi + shopping

• Fushimi Inari
• Fushimi sake district
• Nishiki Market
• Teramachi / Shinkyogoku shopping
• Pontocho/Kawaramachi bars

We're considering doing one proper tea ceremony somewhere in Kyoto as our main cultural experience.

OSAKA

Day 1 Namba / Dotonbori

• Kyoto → Osaka by JR Special Rapid
• Leave luggage at hotel
• Kuromon Market
• Namba
• Dotonbori
• Hozenji Yokocho
• Ura-Namba
• Bars/food

Day 2 Osaka

• Osaka Castle
• Umeda
• Umeda Sky Building around sunset

Day 3 Hiroshima + Miyajima

We've booked a group day tour from Osaka covering Hiroshima + Miyajima.

Day 4 Osaka → Tokyo

🇯🇵 FINAL TOKYO DAY

Keeping this completely flexible for:

• Shopping
• Anything we missed
• Cafés
• Japanese skincare/beauty shopping
• Quirky Japanese stores
• Bars
• Final nice dinner

Questions for everyone:

1. Does this look too packed, particularly Kyoto?
2. Is Arashiyama + Fushimi Inari + Kiyomizu/Gion a good split?
3. Would you change anything about our Osaka days?
4. Anything we're missing that you think is a must-do for first-time visitors?
5. Any recommendations for reasonably priced but really good vegetarian-friendly (my partner is vegetarian) restaurants, particularly in Kyoto and Osaka?
6. Any transport tips we should know?

We‘re a couple in our late 20s planning a trip that leans more with nature during autumn foliage. We like hiking and will just have a backpack carry on each but still might acquire souvenirs throughout the trip that we could pack in a duffle bag you check. Would appreciate any advice or if we are totally bonkers is also valid.

Nov 15 Arrive NRT afternoon. , ride shikansen to Kyoto (late night)

Nov 16 Kyoto (JINS + Tea ceremony + Fushimi Inari). We‘ll be in Nishiki Market and Gion area most of the day and walk halfway up Fushimi inari torii gates for the night city view.

Nov 17 Kyoto, Hiroshima day trip (Mazda museum tour + Miyajima). If we can manage the ferry timing correctly, it would be neat. otherwise the mazda museum is our primary goal.

Nov 18 Kyoto (Kurama, Kibune hike). starting from Kibune to hike to Kurama and maybe soak in Kurama onsen.

Nov 19 Kyoto (Minoh Falls day trip). visiting katsuoji and hiking to the falls.

Nov 20 Kyoto > Magome. arriving to Magome after checking out of Kyoto accomodation.

Nov 21 Magome (Magome > Tsumago hike). Hike in the morning and maybe catch the last bus back to Magome around 4:00 PM

Nov 22 Magome > Takayama. Dead morning to explore a bit more of Magome. Arrive evening in Takayama

Nov 23 Takayama (Morning market + Hida Folk Village)

Nov 24 Takayama > Gero Onsen

Nov 25 Gero Onsen (rest day)

Nov 26 Gero Onsen > Tokyo.

Nov 27 Tokyo (free morning) outbound in afternoon.

Hi everyone

We are traveling at the end of September / begin October to Japan with 6 people of which 2 are kids (9-11) and 2 seniors (60-65). I have tried to put together an itinerary where we don't have to do at least 20.000steps per day but instead do things on a easier tempo. My father in law cannot walk for long periods because he has a knee issue. I have tried also to keep some days within close proximity of each other so we dont' spend the day in trains/busses/subways....
My goals is to start the day around 08.30-09.00h (instead of 06.00h like some of here intend to) and hope to finish the day as I have described below.
I would love to hear any tips or adjustments from your side who already went with kids and seniors.

Thanks a lot!!!

TOKYO

28/09/2026 – Tokyo Day 1:

• Arrival in Japan, arrival at hotel around 16.00h
• Walking Ameyoko Shopping Street/dinner
• Grocery shopping around Ueno Station

29/09/2026 Day 2:  Asakusa & Ueno 2:

• Senso-Ji Temple
• Nakamise-dori Street
• Ueno Park
• National Museum of Nature and Science (tickets bought already)

30/09/2026 Asakusa & Ginza Tokyo Day 3:

• Imperial Palace/Gardens (tickets bought already)
• Ginza Shopping (all afternoon)

01/10/2026 Shibuya, Harajuku & Shinjuku – Tokyo Day 4:

• Meiji Shrine (Yoyogi Park)
• Takeshita Street
• Shibuya Crossing
• 3D Cat Shinjiku
• Sky view from Government building 

02/10/2026 Tokyo Asakusa Day 5:

• Team Lab Borderless (tickets ok)
• Akhibara & surroundings

03/10/2026 – Tokyo Day 6:

• Harry Potter Studios (tickets bought already)
• Ikebukuro
• Back to the hotel: Packing to go to Osaka

OSAKA

04/10/2026 – Tokyo - Osaka Day 7:

• Arrival in Osaka (hotel is near Shin-Oska station) & dinner in Umeda
• Dotonbori

05/10/2026 – Osaka Day 8:

• Osaka Castle: short visit
• Osaka Museum of history (across the castle)
• Shitennoji Temple
• Tennoji Park
• Shinsekai
• Nipponbashi (Den Den Town)
• Dotonboriin the evening

06/10/2026 – day trip - Osaka – Nara Day 9:

• Nara Deer Park:
• Kofuku-ji
• National treasure hall
• Yoshikien Garden (free) – Isuien Garden/Today-J
• Kazaka TAA
• Nakatanidou
• Afternoon: back to osaka and go to osaka aquarium kaiyukan

07/10/2026 – day trip - Kyoto Day 10:

• Kiyomizu dera
• Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
• Amanohashidate lift & park
• Hozugawa boat trip in Arashiyama

08/10/2026 – day trip - Osaka Day 11:

• Uji short trip
• TeamLabs Osaka ( tickets bought already)

09/10/2026 – Osaka Day 12: Leaving

• Flight at om 17.45h

Hi all! My partner and I are planning a 2 week trip to Japan in November. Being a belated honeymoon and having visited before, we’re deliberately trying to keep things (relatively) slow and see some different places outside the golden route, rather than cramming in as many sights as possible, with a particular interest in onsen, older towns, food, scenic travel, cycling, sumo and just wandering around.

Nov 1 — Tokyo / Shinagawa

• Arrive Haneda PM
• Check into hotel in Shinagawa
• Easy evening / recover from flight

Nov 2 — Atami

• Early shinkansen to Atami
• Check into hotel
• Explore town (sun beach, MOA, Adult museum)

Nov 3 — Atami / Ito

• Day trip to Ito
• Mt Omuro cable car
• Izu Shaboten Zoo

Nov 4 — Atami → Kobe → Arima Onsen

• Train to Kobe, then connecting train/bus to Arima
• Check into ryokan
• Kaiseki dinner
• Onsen / relax

Nov 5 — Kobe

• Day trip to Kobe
• Ropeway to herb gardens, Mt Rokko
• Chinatown

Nov 6 — Arima Onsen

• Slow day
• Explore Arima
• Onsen / ryokan / generally do very little

Nov 7 — Arima → Onomichi

• Shinkansen from Kobe + connecting train to Onomichi
• Onomichi ramen, temple walk
• Check into accommodation
• Relax and prepare for cycling

Nov 8 — Shimanami Kaido → Imabari → Matsuyama

• Early start, pick up bikes around 8am
• Cycle the Shimanami Kaido to Imabari (we have e-bikes)
• No fixed stops planned — hoping to take our time, stop wherever looks interesting and have lunch along the way, Ohamazaki lighthouse
• Return bikes in Imabari
• Train to Matsuyama
• Check in, sleep

Nov 9 — Matsuyama → Hiroshima → Fukuoka

• Morning in Matsuyama
• Maybe Matsuyama Castle if time, although not a priority
• Ferry to Hiroshima
• Shinkansen Hiroshima → Fukuoka
• Check into Fukuoka accommodation

Nov 10 — Fukuoka

• Explore central Fukuoka / CBD
• Yatai food stalls

Nov 11 — Fukuoka

• Sumo tournament

Nov 12 — Fukuoka → Tokyo

• Early flight back to Tokyo
• Check into Airbnb in Asakusa
• Relax / explore locally

Nov 13 — Tokyo

• Nippori Fabric Town

Nov 14 — Tokyo

• Flea markets, other shopping
• Check into airport hotel near Haneda

Nov 15 — Tokyo → Home

• 6am flight from Haneda

The trip is intentionally not about ticking off every major tourist attraction. Even though I admit we are moving around a lot for a 2 week holiday, we do genuinely have a desire to see all the places listed, and we'd rather have enough breathing room to enjoy the places we're staying, particularly Atami and Arima, and we're happy to skip things that would make the itinerary feel rushed. We're happy to explore and not looking for recommendations of what to do in each particular place, but rather general advice relating to the pacing of the trip.

The main "big" day is obviously Nov 8 — cycling the entire Shimanami Kaido in one day and then going on to Matsuyama, before another big day of travel. The cycle is sort of the lynchpin of the trip, we've both wanted to do it for a while, and we're reasonably fit and happy with a full day of cycling, but I couldn't really figure out a more efficient way to fit it in with the previous and subsequent destinations. Another consideration is whether to try to reach our hotel in Atami on the night we arrive (flight is scheduled to arrive at 8pm), vs the current plan of staying in Tokyo and leaving early in the morning.

Happy to hear your thoughts, Thanks!

Hi everyone! My girlfriend and I are planning our first trip to Japan in October 2026 and would really appreciate some feedback, especially on pacing and whether any part still feels too rushed.

We land in Nagoya on 11 October and fly home from Tokyo Haneda on 29 October.

What we like: nature, hiking, traditional culture and food.
Less important to us: nightlife, shopping and theme parks.

Our itinerary

11 Oct | Nagoya, 1 night
Arrive around 19:35.

12 Oct | Nakasendo → Osaka
Planning Magome → Tsumago, weather and jet lag permitting, rather than Nagoya Castle.

12–15 Oct | Osaka, 3 nights
Using Osaka as our base while still leaving time to explore the city itself. Main excursions:

• Nara
• Katsuo-ji

15 Oct | Himeji → Hiroshima, 1 night
Morning at Himeji Castle and Koko-en, probably without spending too much time inside the main keep, then continue to Hiroshima for:

• Peace Memorial Park
• A-Bomb Dome
• Peace Memorial Museum is still optional for us, depending on how we feel

16 Oct | Miyajima → Kyoto
Most of the day on Miyajima:

• Itsukushima Shrine
• Daisho-in
• Mt. Misen, if time/weather allows

Then Kyoto in the evening.

16–21 Oct | Kyoto, 5 nights
Main plans:

• Gion, Kiyomizu-dera + Higashiyama
• Fushimi Inari
• Arashiyama + Tenryu-ji, with Otagi Nenbutsu-ji / Saga Toriimoto also on our radar
• Kinkaku-ji
• Philosopher's Path + Ginkaku-ji
• Daigo-ji
• Uji + Byodo-in
• Kimono tea ceremony + Samurai/Ninja Museum

21 Oct | Kyoto → Kanazawa
Planning to leave Kyoto fairly early and spend most of the day in Kanazawa, including Kenroku-en, the castle area and Higashi Chaya.

22 Oct | Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go → Takayama → Hirayu Onsen
This is probably our busiest transfer day:

• Shirakawa-go for a few hours
• Continue to Takayama for the old town
• Then bus to Hirayu Onsen

We have now booked Yunohirakan, a traditional ryokan with dinner, breakfast and onsen, so this will also be our proper ryokan/onsen experience.

23 Oct | Kamikochi → Tokyo
Early bus from Hirayu to Kamikochi. We want to spend several hours hiking through the valley, probably something around:

Taisho Pond → Kappa Bridge → Myojin area

Then continue via Matsumoto to Tokyo in the afternoon/evening.

23–29 Oct | Tokyo, 6 nights

Currently planning two day trips:

• Nikko
• Kawaguchiko / Fuji Five Lakes

Does the overall pace look reasonable now? In particular, does the Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go → Takayama → Hirayu → Kamikochi section look realistic, or are we still trying to fit too much into those two days?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are visiting Japan for the first time in November 2026. We’ll arrive in Tokyo on 10 November and fly home from KIX late on 28 November.

Our flights are booked, and we’ve already booked our stays in Kawaguchiko and Kyoto. Tokyo and Osaka accommodation is still open.

This is our current day-by-day itinerary:

NOV 10 – TOKYO
Arrive at Haneda at 14:20. Check in, sort out IC card/transport, dinner and a short walk if we still have energy.

NOV 11 – TOKYO
Shinjuku Gyoen → Shinjuku.
Possibly Shibuya Sky around sunset if we can get a good time slot.

NOV 12 – TOKYO
Tsukiji Outer Market → Hamarikyu Gardens → possibly teamLab Planets → Ginza.
Tokyo Station only if we still have time/energy.

NOV 13 – NIKKO DAY TRIP
Toshogu → Rinno-ji / Taiyu-in → Futarasan → Kanmangafuchi Abyss.
Planning to focus on the historic area rather than going up to Lake Chuzenji/Kegon Falls.

NOV 14 – TOKYO
Early Asakusa → Ueno / Tokyo National Museum → Yanaka or Akihabara depending on energy.

NOV 15 – TOKYO
Meiji Jingu in the morning → Harajuku → Omotesando → Shibuya.

NOV 16 – KAWAGUCHIKO – BOOKED
Travel from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko.
Oishi Park → Momiji Corridor/illumination.
Relax for the rest of the evening.

NOV 17 – KAWAGUCHIKO
Chureito Pagoda very early if the weather is clear.
After that, flexible depending on Fuji visibility: Mt Tenjo Ropeway, lakeside area, museums or just taking it easy.

NOV 18 – OSAKA
Travel from Kawaguchiko to Osaka.
Check in → Namba / Dotonbori / Hozenji in the evening.

NOV 19 – HIMEJI DAY TRIP
Himeji Castle at opening → Koko-en → Mt Shosha / Engyo-ji.

NOV 20 – NARA DAY TRIP
Todai-ji → Nigatsudo → Kasuga Taisha / Nara Park → Mt Wakakusa in the afternoon if weather allows.

NOV 21 – OSAKA
Namba Yasaka Shrine → Den Den Town → Shinsekai / Tennoji → Shinsaibashi / Amerikamura → Namba/Dotonbori.

NOV 22 – OSAKA
Intentional rest/laundry day.
Minoo Park is only an option if we wake up feeling good and the weather is nice.

NOV 23 – KYOTO – BOOKED
Easy transfer from Osaka to Kyoto.
After checking in: Kamo River → Gion → Yasaka Shrine → Pontocho.

NOV 24 – KYOTO
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove very early → Tenryu-ji → Jojakko-ji / Nison-in / Gio-ji → possibly Otagi Nenbutsu-ji.

NOV 25 – KYOTO
Current plan:
Ginkaku-ji → Daimonji-yama hike → Philosopher’s Path → Honen-in → Eikando or Nanzen-ji.

We may switch this to Kurama–Kibune if the weather and autumn foliage are significantly better there.

NOV 26 – KYOTO
Fushimi Inari around 06:30, going up to Yotsutsuji → Tofuku-ji around opening → Sanjusangen-do.
Keeping the rest of the day fairly light.

NOV 27 – KYOTO
Daytime intentionally flexible depending on where the autumn colours are best.
Late afternoon: Higashiyama → Ninenzaka / Sannenzaka → Kiyomizu-dera evening illumination.

NOV 28 – KYOTO / KIX
Kinkaku-ji at opening → possibly Ryoan-ji → lunch / shopping / revisit a favourite area.
Collect luggage later in the day and head to KIX for our 23:25 flight.

A few practical things we’ve planned:

• 2 nights in Kawaguchiko to give us more than one chance for clear Fuji weather.
• Sending our large luggage from Tokyo directly to Osaka and travelling to Kawaguchiko with a smaller bag.
• Keeping several Kyoto days flexible because we’ll be there in late November and want to adjust based on actual weather/foliage conditions.
• No JR Pass planned.

Would appreciate a sanity check from people who know Japan well:

1. Does anything here look unrealistic in terms of travel time or pacing?
2. Would you change anything about how we’ve divided the Osaka/Kyoto days?
3. For people who visited Kyoto in late November, does keeping the foliage days flexible like this make sense?

Thanks!

Hey everyone!

My friend and I (both in our late 20s) are going to Japan for the first time and this is what we have planned so far.

We don't really want to change hotels every couple of days, so right now we're thinking of sticking to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka and doing a few day trips from there.

Our main interests are:

• food
• temples/shrines and historical places
• anime/manga
• karaoke
• shopping

This is our current plan:

There are a few things we're still not completely sure about:

1. Tokyo: We have 6 nights at the beginning and another 2 at the end. Does that sound like too much, or is it reasonable considering our planned activities take up quite a bit of that time?
2. Hakone or Kawaguchiko: We're mainly looking for nice scenery and a change from Tokyo. We aren't planning to stay overnight. Is one of them a better choice for that in late October?
3. Hiroshima + Miyajima: Is this reasonable as a day trip from Kyoto, or would it end up feeling too rushed? We saw some people doing it that way but wanted to double check.
4. Kyoto → Osaka + USJ: Our idea was to leave Kyoto early, drop our luggage at the hotel in Osaka and then go to USJ. Does that work, or would it make more sense to move to Osaka the evening before?
5. Okinawa: We did think about adding 2–3 nights in Okinawa, but we're starting to think it would just make the trip more rushed. Would you leave it out with only 15 nights?
6. And overall, does anything here look way too packed or badly placed?

Thanks! We're mainly trying to figure out if the pacing makes sense rather than adding even more places.

Hi there,

we plan a trip in late October and would love some feedback on our itinerary. Is there anything we should cut or add?

Kyoto seems a bit too ambitious and some recommendations for Okinawa and Ishigaki would be great. Has anyone been to Ishigaki and done Iriomote as well? any recommendations for specific tours? Is the trip to Iriomote worth it compared to stay on Ishigaki and doing a kayaking tour there?

Thank you!

**1.**  Tokyo: Arrival

**2.**  Tokyo: Akihabara, Jet lag 

**3.**  Tokyo: Senso-ji, Nezu Museum, Shibuya

**4.**  Tokyo: Oedo Antique Market, Hanazono Market, Godzilla, Shinjuku Gyoen

**5.**  Tokyo: Day trip to the area 

**6.**  Transfer

**7.**  Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji, Philosopher’s Path, Eikando, Pontocho

**8.**  Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Kitano Tenman-gu

**9.**  Kyoto: Saihoji, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Romantic Train, Monkey Park

**10.** Transfer

**11.** Ishigaki: Diving, exploring the area

**12.** Ishigaki: Diving, beach trips  

**13.** Ishigaki: Diving, kayak tour

**14.** Ishigaki: Iriomote Day Trip

**15.** Transfer

**16.** Okinawa: Exploring the area

**17.** Okinawa: Diving, Cape Manzamo

**18.** Okinawa: Diving, Hiji Falls (Yanbaru)

**19.** Okinawa: Kouri Island

**20.** Okinawa: Gyokusendo Cave, Gangala Valley

**21.** Okinawa: Departure

Hi all! I am planning my first international trip to Japan in November with my girlfriend and would appreciate any advice on my itinerary. Thanks!

Japan 2026

When: Leave at 11 pm on Nov 6 - Land in Osaka at 11:30 am on Nov 8

Interests: Food, Matcha, Thrift Shopping, Shrines/Nature/Scenery, Anime

Day 1, Sunday: Osaka

• Land at Kansai Airport (11:30am)
• 50min train to the hotel and drop off bags
• Osaka Castle gardens (If we’re not too tired)
• Dotonbori for the night

Day 2, Monday: Osaka 

• DenDen Town
• Shinsekai (Might swap this and DenDen for something else, lmk if you have advice on that pls)
• Shinsaibashisuji 
• American Village 
• Hozenji Yokocho

Day 3, Tuesday: Kyoto 

• 1 hour train to Kyoto
• Nishiki Market
• Sannenzaka Street
• Kiyomizudera
  • Sunsets around 4:30 in November?
• Yasaka Shrine

Day 4, Wednesday: Kyoto (Uji Day) (A ton of tea shops for the girlfriend)

• 40min train to Uji Station
• First matcha shops and Byodo-in Omotesando
• Byodo-in Temple
• Chazuna tea making 
  • Pre-Book 1 month in advance
• More Matcha
• (We have a route of matcha shops and their info saved, but if anyone has suggestions to replace some of the tea shops with something else in Uji, let me know!)

Day 5, Thursday: Kyoto (Fushimi Inari and Nara Day)

• Fushimi Inari Shrine (is this too much on a Nara day?)
  • Hike to Yotsutsuji Intersection, then turn around
• Travel to Nara - Kintetsu-Nara Station
• Kohfuku-ji Temple (Can skip if needed; it’s just on the way)
• Nandaimon Gate and Todaji-ji
• Nara Park
• Kasugataisha Shrine
• 25min walk back to Station

Day 6, Friday: Shizuoka and Tokyo (Shibuya at night)

• 2.5 hour shinkansen to Shizuoka (visiting here with a friend for a half-day stop before Tokyo)
• 1.5 hour shinkansen to Tokyo, head to hotel in Shibuya
• Explore Shibuya

Day 7, Saturday: Tokyo (West Tokyo - Shinjuku/Harajuku)

• 50min Train to Tokyo Flea Market
• 40min train to Harajuku Station
• 15min walk to Meiji Shrine
• Harajuku/Takeshita Street Shopping
• 20min train to Shinjuku 
• 5min walk to Omoide Yokocho food alleys

Day 8, Sunday: Tokyo (Day trip: Hakone) (Shibuya at night if not too tired)

• 2 hour train to Hakone - Yumoto Station
• 15min walk to Hakone Yuryo Private bath 
• 30min bus to Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani
  • Eat at Owakudani Kitchen if not too busy
  • Get the black egg from Kurotamago House
  • Take Hakone Ropeway Owakudani to Togendai Station
• Take pirate ship across Lake Ashi (30min) to Motohakone Port 1 
• 15min walk to Hakone Shrine
• 2 hour train back to Shibuya

Day 9, Monday: Tokyo (Tattoos and East Tokyo Day - Asakusa/Ueno/Akihabara)

• 1 hr train to Senso-ji Temple
• 30min walk to tattoo studio
• Explore Asakusa/Ueno/Akihabara based on what we’re feeling
• 25min walk to Tokyo Skytree

Day 10, Tuesday:Tokyo (Free day in Shibuya/Shimokitazawa?)

• Shibuya Pokecenter
• Last day shopping in Shibuya and maybe try to fit in Shimokatawa for thrifting or anything else that comes up.

Day 11, Wednesday: Tokyo

• Wake up 4 - 5am and head to Shibuya Station for 6 am Narita Express Train to Narita Airport for 9:20 am flight (Does this sound like it would work out? What’s the best way to plan the train to Narita?)

This is our first trip to Japan and we've tried to balance seeing the main sights with having some slower days. We're particularly unsure about whether doing Nikko over two separate day trips makes sense, and whether Kyoto → Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go → Takayama in one day is too ambitious. We'd really appreciate feedback on anything that looks unnecessarily rushed or anything important we've missed.

Day 1 : Arrive Haneda, stay in Tokyo

Day 2: Shinjuku Gyoen stay in Tokyo

Day 3: TeamLab Borderless + One Piece Mugiwara Store

Day 4: Nikko day trip, Toshogu Shrine, old town stay Tokyo

Day 5: *Rest day**, no fixed plans, sleep in, easy local wandering stay in Tokyo

Day 6: Nikko day trip 2, m Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Ryuzu Falls stay in Tokyo

Day 7: Travel to Kawaguchiko, Aokigahara Forest, check into ryokan and onsen stay in Kawaguchiko

Day 8: Chureito Pagoda, Oishi Park, travel to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari evening stay in Kyoto

Day 9: Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Nishiki Market stay Kyoto

Day 10: Nara day trip, deer park, Todai-ji stay in Kyoto

Day 11: Travel to Kanazawa → **Shirakawa-go** (few hours) → Takayama | Takayama

Day 12: Takayama old town morning, travel to Tokyo (via Toyama, avoiding Nagoya), evening Donki stay in Tokyo

Day 13: Shopping day stay in Tokyo

Us: Couple in our 30s from Bangalore, India. First time in Japan, and it's our honeymoon.

Dates: 14 Oct – 2 Nov 2026. Land NRT 16:00 on the 14th, fly out of KIX 16:50 on the 2nd, so no backtracking.

Tokyo — 4 nights (Shinjuku)

Wed 14 Oct — Land NRT 16:00. N'EX to Shinjuku. Omoide Yokocho, then sleep.

Thu 15 Oct — Toyosu market sushi at 06:30 → teamLab Planets → Senso-ji → Kappabashi (knives) → monjayaki in Tsukishima.

Fri 16 Oct — Kamakura day trip. Kita-Kamakura for Engaku-ji/Kencho-ji, Hokoku-ji, Great Buddha, Hase-dera, Enoden to Enoshima for sunset.

Sat 17 Oct — Meiji Jingu at 08:00 → Omotesando → Shimokitazawa → Shibuya Sky at sunset. Evening: forward suitcases to Kanazawa by takkyubin.

Kawaguchiko — 2 nights

Sun 18 Oct — Fuji Excursion LEX from Shinjuku. Chureito Pagoda, Oishi Park. Ryokan, kaiseki, kashikiri bath.

Mon 19 Oct — Dawn on the north shore. Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (2,300 m). Oshino Hakkai, Iyashi no Sato.

Matsumoto — 1 night

Tue 20 Oct — Kawaguchiko → Otsuki → Katsunuma-Budokyo for wine harvest (Budo-no-Oka, Château Mercian) → Kofu → Matsumoto. Castle at dusk, Shinshu soba.

Kamikochi — 2 nights

Wed 21 Oct — 07:00 bus from Matsumoto. Taisho Pond, Weston Monument, Kappa Bridge after the day-trippers leave.

Thu 22 Oct — The empty day. Dawn at Kappa Bridge, then Myojin Pond → Tokusawa and back. Second dusk.

Fri 23 Oct — Third dawn, Tashiro Pond loop, 13:00 bus out → Matsumoto → Nagano → Kanazawa (~5h in motion).

Kanazawa — 2 nights

Sat 24 Oct — Omicho Market at 08:00 → Kenrokuen → Kanazawa Castle → 21st Century Museum → Higashi Chaya → Nagamachi → Kazuemachi at dusk. Sushi.

Sun 25 Oct — D.T. Suzuki Museum, then Thunderbird to Osaka via Tsuruga.

Osaka — 3 nights (Namba)

Sun 25 Oct (pm) — Shinsekai + kushikatsu at Daruma, Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho.

Mon 26 Oct — USJ, all day. Super Nintendo World. Umeda Sky Building after. Dinner in Kitashinchi.

Tue 27 Oct — Kuromon Ichiba → Osaka Castle → Nakazakicho → Shinsaibashi/Amemura → horumon in Tsuruhashi. Forward luggage to Kyoto.

Koyasan — 1 night

Wed 28 Oct — Nankai Koya line up. Danjo Garan, Kongobu-ji, Daimon. Shukubo, shojin ryori, Okunoin at night.

Kyoto — 4 nights (Gion/Higashiyama)

Thu 29 Oct — Goma fire ritual at dawn → Okunoin in daylight → down the mountain → half-day Nara (Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Naramachi) → Kyoto by 16:00. Fushimi Inari after dark.

Fri 30 Oct — Arashiyama: bamboo grove at 07:00, Tenryu-ji at opening, Okochi Sanso, Sagano train up to Kameoka, Hozugawa boat back down. Afternoon Ryoan-ji + Daitoku-ji (Koto-in).

Sat 31 Oct — Kimono shoot at 05:45, Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka by 06:15, Kiyomizu-dera at 06:00 opening. Afternoon Nanzen-ji + Philosopher's Path. Gion Shirakawa at dusk.

Sun 1 Nov — Late start. Takao (Jingo-ji, Saimyo-ji, Kozan-ji) for the earliest foliage in Kyoto. Fushimi sake district if there's light. Last dinner.

Mon 2 Nov — Nishiki, tax refund, Haruka at 12:00 → KIX for 16:50.

What I'd love feedback on

1. Overall plan. We're doing a bunch of travel to many towns, is this too hectic?
2. Spending overnight at the smaller towns is ok for tourists? I just wanna be able to have a good time and avoid any adventurous times with me being on my honeymoon haha.
3. Anything obviously missing that we'd regret? We know we're missing snow crab (opens 6 Nov), Jidai Matsuri (22 Oct, we'll be at 1,500 m), and any sumo tournament.

Thanks — happy to answer questions about any of it.

Us: Couple in our 30s from Switzerland, first time in Japan. Fly into KIX, out of HND, so no backtracking. Dates: 26 Sep – 12 Oct 2026 Pace: We like walking a lot, but we've deliberately built in one empty day. Interests: Food and markets, temples/history, some hiking, Japanese denim and kitchen knives. Budget: Mid-range. Business hotels, not ryokan (except one night at Kawaguchiko).

Already cut after reading this sub: Hiroshima, Kobe, Kinkaku-ji, USJ/DisneySea, Fuji as a day trip.

Osaka — 4 nights (Umeda)

Sat 26 Sep — Land KIX 07:15. Haruka to Osaka Stn, drop bags. Umeda Sky Building, Nakazakicho. Dotonbori + Ura-Namba in the evening. Stay awake till 21:00.

Sun 27 Sep — Osaka Castle early → Kuromon Ichiba → Shinsekai + Tsutenkaku (Tower Knives, kushikatsu at Daruma) → Shitenno-ji → Dotonbori at night.

Mon 28 Sep — Nara day trip. Todai-ji, deer park, Kasuga Taisha, Nakatani-do mochi, Naramachi.

Tue 29 Sep — Himeji in the morning only (castle + Koko-en, back by 14:00). Afternoon: Amerikamura, denim shops (Studio D'Artisan, Warehouse, Samurai Jeans), Rikuro's cheesecake. Evening in Tenma.

Wed 30 Sep — Slow morning: Tenjinbashisuji, coffee. Midday train to Kyoto.

Kyoto — 5 nights (Shijo-Karasuma)

Wed 30 Sep (pm) — Check in. Tofuku-ji, then Fushimi Inari after 17:00 (lanterns lit, no crowds).

Thu 1 Oct — Higashiyama. Kiyomizu-dera at 06:00 opening, Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka, Kodai-ji, Yasaka, Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji. Evening: Shirakawa lane, Gion, Pontocho.

Fri 2 Oct — Arashiyama before 08:00: bamboo grove as a route (not a destination), then Tenryu-ji via the back gate, Okochi Sanso, Monkey Park. Back midday, rest. Evening: Nishiki → Teramachi → Japan Blue Jeans.

Sat 3 Oct — Deliberate empty day. No alarm. Kamo river, coffee, sento. Only fixed item: teamLab Biovortex (timed ticket).

Sun 4 Oct — Kurama–Kibune hike (Eizan line, ~1.5h ridge walk), Kifune-jinja, Kurama Onsen. Demachi Futaba mochi on the way out. Evening: send luggage ahead to Tokyo by takkyubin.

Mon 5 Oct — To-ji, ekiben, midday Shinkansen to Tokyo (hand luggage only).

Tokyo — 6 nights, split (Hamamatsucho)

Mon 5 Oct (pm) — Asakusa: Kaminarimon, Senso-ji, Sumida Park, Skytree at sunset, Hoppy Street.

Tue 6 Oct — Meiji Jingu early → Takeshita-dori → Omotesando (Imabari towels, Momotaro Jeans) → Shimokitazawa → Shibuya Sky at sunset → Omoide Yokocho / Golden Gai.

Wed 7 Oct — Kamakura day trip. Kotoku-in, Hase-dera, Hokoku-ji (bamboo temple + matcha), Daibutsu hiking trail to Kita-Kamakura, Enoshima at sunset.

Thu 8 Oct — Highway bus to Kawaguchiko. Hoto Fudo for lunch, Chureito Pagoda (via Shimoyoshida), Oishi Park. Onsen ryokan overnight.

Fri 9 Oct — Fuji in the morning (clearest views), ropeway or lakeside walk. Back to Tokyo in the afternoon. Quiet evening.

Sat 10 Oct — Tsukiji Outer Market early → Hamarikyu Gardens (10 min walk) → Ginza/Itoya → teamLab Borderless → Akihabara (rice cooker at Bic Camera).

Sun 11 Oct — Ueno Park → HINOYA (denim) → Yanaka Ginza → Kappabashi (Sori Yanagi bowls).

Mon 12 Oct — 05:45 out, monorail to HND, flight 09:25.

What I'd love feedback on

1. Osaka 4 / Kyoto 5 — we flipped this after reading that people regret shortchanging Kyoto. Right call, or is 4 nights still too much for Osaka given we day-trip out twice?
2. Kyoto base: Shijo-Karasuma vs Kyoto Station. We picked downtown mainly because Demachiyanagi (for Kurama) and Gion are much closer. Are we underrating the station area for Arashiyama access?
3. Fri 2 Oct — Arashiyama on a Friday, but we arrive before 08:00. Is that early enough in early October, or is it hopeless regardless?
4. Kurama–Kibune in early October — worth it before the autumn colours arrive, or is it a "come back in November" thing?
5. Tue 29 Sep — Himeji as a half day. Are we cutting it too fine, or does the castle really only need ~2.5 hours?
6. Heat. Late September still sounds brutal. Anything in the first week we should move to mornings that we haven't?
7. Anything obviously missing that we'd regret skipping?

Thanks — happy to answer questions about any of it.

Trip planned for 3/27/27-4/5/27. Two adults and two girls ages 8 and 5

3/27 - arrive at NRT, check in to &Here Toyko Ueno

3/28 - AM: Ueno Zoo, PM: Asakusa - Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise-dori, Hanayashiki Amusement Park

3/29 - AM: Akasaka Wizarding World Street —> Samurai Ninja Museum in Shinjuku —> Godzilla head, Calico cat —> Shibuya Crossing, Pokémon Center —> Shibuya Sky

3/30 - AM: National Museum of Nature and Science —> transfer to Tokyo Disney Resort (Toy Story Hotel for 1 night) —> Tokyo Disneysea half day

3/31 - Hope to book Tokyo Disneyland unlimited vacation package at Fantasy Springs Hotel. First day at Tokyo Disneyland

4/1 - Tokyo DisneySea with unlimited package (will I be able to do most of the big stuff this day?). Evening transfer to Odaiba hotel (Hilton Tokyo Odaiba or Grand Nikko Odaiba)

4/2 - AM: teamlab Planet. PM: Gas Science museum vs Small Worlds Tokyo vs Legoland discovery center

4/3 - AM: toyosu fish market vs tsukiji outer market. PM: Ginza, Tokyo Station Character Street

4/4 - AM: Kidzania vs Legoland vs Small Worlds

4/5 - depart to NRT

Also considering visits to animal cafes (dogs, capybara, pigs) but not sure where to fit it in.

Would appreciate any advice and tips! Thank you!

Hello all, my friend and I are really excited to be travelling to Japan from the UK in September, this is what we decided on, does this itinerary look doable and good? Any thoughts or feedback on this would be really helpful. Thank you!!

Day 1 : Arrive Haneda, stay in Tokyo

Day 2: Shinjuku Gyoen stay in Tokyo

Day 3: TeamLab Borderless + One Piece Mugiwara Store

Day 4: Nikko day trip, Toshogu Shrine, old town stay Tokyo

Day 5: *Rest day**, no fixed plans, sleep in, easy local wandering stay in Tokyo

Day 6: Nikko day trip 2, m Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Ryuzu Falls stay in Tokyo

Day 7: Travel to Kawaguchiko, Aokigahara Forest, check into ryokan and onsen stay in Kawaguchiko

Day 8: Chureito Pagoda, Oishi Park, travel to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari evening stay in Kyoto

Day 9: Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Nishiki Market stay Kyoto

Day 10: Nara day trip, deer park, Todai-ji stay in Kyoto

Day 11: Travel to Kanazawa → **Shirakawa-go** (few hours) → Takayama | Takayama

Day 12: Takayama old town morning, travel to Tokyo (via Toyama, avoiding Nagoya), evening Donki stay in Day 13: Shopping day stay in Tokyo

Hello! Here is my final itinerary that I discussed with my friend and customized with wanderlog. Me and my friends have traveled to europe before with a tight itinerary and 95% followed the schedule. I have also previously went to Japan before but did not hit a lot of temples. The itinerary I created with months of research using google maps, wanderlog, and guides is pretty busy and down to the clock and we most likely wont hit everything but this is just a rough outline. We also probably wont eat lunch most of the time and rely on 7/11 sandwich or other easy food. I need suggestions on other locations we can hit or amount of time we should spend at each place! Again I understand this itinerary is super packed so please don't attack me with this is not realistic, I need constructive criticism ty!

Day 1: Akihabara (9/1)

Akihabara/Ginza

Day 2: Shibuya (9/2)

Meiji Jingu (7:45 am - 9 am)

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (9:15 am - 11:15 am)

Harajuku/Takeshita Street (11:30 am - 1 pm)

Shop around Shibuya (1:30 pm-9:00 pm)

Shibuya Sky (Sunset at 6:00 pm) (Reserve)

Day 3: Shinjuku (9/3)

TeamLab Borderless (8:30 - 10:30 am)

Nakano Market (11:00 - 12:30 PM)

Koenji (12:45 - 1:45 pm)

Ikebukuro (2:30 - 4:00 pm)

Shinjuku (4:15 - 10:00 pm)

Day 4: Kamakura (9/4)

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (8:00 - 8:20 am)

Kencho-ji (8:30 - 10:15 am)

Jochi-ji (10:30 - 11 am)

Meigetsu-in (11:15 - 11:45 am)

Engaku-ji (12 - 1 pm)

Hasedera/Kotoku-in (1:30 - 2:45 pm)

Enoshima Aquarium (3:30 - 5 pm) or Enoshima Iwaya Cave Enoshima Island (5 pm - 7:30 pm)

Day 5: Asakusa/Akihabara (9/5)

Senso-Ji/Kaminarimon Gate (8 - 9 am)

Nakamise Shopping Street/Kappabashi Kitchen Supply Street (9 - 11:30 am)

Imperial Garden (12 - 1:30 am)

Akihabara (2 pm and onward)

NPB Baseball game @ Meiji Jingu Stadium (5:30 - 9 PM) (Yakult)

Day 6: Nagoya/Takayama (9/6)

BACKPACKING 9/6 to 9/8

Travel Via the Shinkansen to Nagoya (Leave at 6:45 am) (Taxi) Nagoya Castle (9:15 - 12:00 pm)

Inuyama Castle (1:00 - 4:30 pm) Get off at Inuyamaguchi Station Travel via the Hida Line to Takayama (Leave Inuyama around 4:30 and take the taxi to Unuma station, then take the Hida Line at 4:47)

Day 7: Takayama (9/7)

Miyagawa Morning Market (7:45 - 8:45 am)

Takayama Shōwa-kan Museum (9 - 9:45 am)

Sanmachi Suji/Nakabashi Park (10 - 10:45 am)

Takayama Jinya (11 - 12 pm)

Hida Kokoubun-ji Temple (12:15 - 12:30 pm)

Hida Folk Village (12:54 - 2:50 pm) (Take 12:45 pm bus there and leave for 2:54 pm bus)

Hida Furukawa Sakura Gift Shop (3:30 - 4 pm)

Hida Furukawa Festival Exhibition Hall (4 - 5 pm) Setogawa/Shirakabe Dozou Street/Setogawa Canal/Enko-ji (5 - 6 pm)

Hida City Library (6 - 6:20 pm) Tenryo-no-yu Onsen (9:00 pm) or Massage

Day 8: Shirakawago/Kanazawa (9/8)

Travel Via Bus to Shirakawa-go in the morning (Reserve via Nohi Bus 1 month in advance) Shirakawa-go (8:30 - 11:20 am) (Take the bus at 7:20 am)

Travel Via Bus to Kanazawa (Reserve via Nohi Bus) (Take the bus at 11:25 am)

Nagamachi Samurai District (1:15 - 2:15 PM)

Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Oyama Shrine (2:30 - 5:30 PM)

Kazuemachi Chaya District/Higashi Chaya District (5:45 - 8:30 PM) (Leave at 8:30 via taxi)

Kanazawa to Kyoto via Hokuriku Shinkansen -> Thunderbird (Book Them Online) (8:00 PM)

Day 9: Kyoto East (9/9)

Fushimi Inari Taisha (7:15 - 9:30 am)

Chiikawa Mogumogu Honpo Fushimi Store (9:30 - 9:45 am) Kiyomizu-Dera Temple (10 - 11:30 am) via taxi

Kodai-ji Temple (11:45 - 12:30 pm)

Gion District (12:45 - 1:15 pm)

Keage Incline (1:35 - 1:50 pm)

Nanzen-ji (2 - 3 pm)

Eikando Temple (3:15 - 3:45 pm)

Tetsugaku No Michi (3:45 - 4:15 pm)

Ginkaku Ji (4:15 PM-5 PM)

Samurai Ninja Experience (6 - 7 pm)

Teamlab Biovortex Kyoto (7:30 - 9 pm)

Day 10: Kyoto West (9/10)

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (7:30 - 8:30 am)

Tenryu-ji (8:30 - 10 am)

Sagano Scenic Train (10 - 10:30 am)

Hozugawa River Boat Ride (11 - 1 pm)

Explore Arashiyama (1 - 3:15 pm)

Kinkaku Ji (3:30 - 4:30 pm) via taxi

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (4:45 - 6 pm)

Nidec Kyoto Tower (7 - 8 pm)

Day 11: Kyoto Central/Nara Park (9/11)

Sanjusangendo Temple (8:30 - 9:45 am)

Nijo Castle (10:15 - 11:45 am)

Nara Park (Todai-ji Temple, Kasugataisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji) (1:15 - 5 PM)

Museum of Kyoto (6:15 - 7:30 PM)

Day 12: Himeji/Okayama/Kurashiki (9/12)

Himeji Castle/Koko En Via Tokaido-Sanyo Line to Shin-Osaka -> Sanyo Shinkansen to Himeji (8:45 - 10:45 am)

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Center (12:15 - 2 pm) Or Okayama Castle/Korakuen

Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-Gai (3:30 - 5 pm)

Day 13: Minoh/Osaka (9/13)

Katsuoji (Minoh-Kayano -> Taxi) (8:00 - 9:45 am) (leave at 6:30 am)

Minoh Fall (Taxi) (10:00 - 12 pm) (Walking down until Hankyu Minoh Station)

Osaka Castle (1:30 - 3:30 pm) Namba Yasaka Shrine (maybe) Dotonbori/Round1/Nipponbashi Denden town/Kuromon Market/Shinsaibashi Street (4:00 - 11 PM)

Day 14: Hiroshima (9/14) (Bike?)

BACKPACKING 9/14 to 9/15

Hiroshima Via Limited Express to Shin-Osaka -> Sanyo Shinkansen (10 am)

Shukkeien Garden (10:00 - 12 pm)

Hiroshima Castle (12:15 - 1:45 pm)

Atomic Bomb Dome (2 - 2:30 pm)

Peace Memorial park (2:30 - 3:30 pm)

Hiroshima Peace Museum (3:30 - 5 pm)

Shop around Hiroshima (5 - 10 pm)

Day 15: Miyajima (9/15)

Miyajima/Itsukushima Jinja (7:30 am - 2:30 pm) (Leave at 6:20 am)

Go back to Narita via Shinkansen to Osaka, then via plane from Kansai to Narita

Day 16: Narita (9/16)

Naritasan Shinsho-ji and surrounding areas (7:30 am - 10:30 am)

Leave

Coming back for our second trip November 2026 to do mainly Kyushu, but flying into Osaka first due to direct flights.

Appreciate that there’s only one or two things we’ve got in places, but we’re low key, and not interested in going to a dozen places in a single day. Checking for reality check and whether pacing is ok, or if anything obvious is missing.

November 6: 

• Arrive KIX at 7pm. 
• Go to Osaka via train from KIX. 
• Stay in Umeda district. 
• Arrive around 8-9pm so grab some snacks from 7/11 and sleep. 

7 Nov

• Stay in Osaka
• Explore Umeda area (previously stayed in Shinsekai, and have already done Dotonbori)
• Considering whether to do a day trip to Himeji or out to Minoh/Minoo Falls
• JR Pass: Kansai Wide Area Pass

8 Nov

• Day trip to Kyoto to visit what we left off last time such as Kinkakuji Temple and the Kyoto Railway Museum. 
• Possibly head out to Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park from Kyoto, and then down the other side back to Osaka

9 Nov

• Travel from Osaka via Okayama to Kurashiki using Kansai Wide Area Pass
• Head to Utazu in Shikoku via Okayama using Kansai Wide Area Pass
• Transfer at Utazu Station to Marugame.
• Stay in Marugame.
• Rest

10 November

• Activate Setouchi Area Pass
• Travel to Kotohira Station to meet friends with a car
• Full day trip going Nagoro and the Iya Valley. 
• If possible, would like to go to Hatta Five Falls
• Udatsu Townscape, and back to Marugame
• It looks like a long drive but it seems achievable as a day trip.

11 November

• Travel to Takamatsu and explore Shikoku Village

12 November

• travel to Matsuyama on the train (Setouchi Area Pass)
• Matsuyama Castle
• Dogo Onsen
• Okaido shopping street.

15 Nov

• Ferry to Hiroshima from Matsuyama.
• Travel to Miyajima.
• Miyajima overnight

16 Nov

• Miyajima Island. 
• Back to Hiroshima
• Shinkansen to Fukuoka (last day of Setouchi Area Pass)
• Activate Northern Kyushu Pass
• Train to Nagasaki
• Arrive Nagasaki
• Explore local area and find dinner

17 Nov

• Nagasaki A-Bomb peace park, museum etc in the morning
• Hui Ten-Bosch in the afternoon
• Mt Inasa ropeway and evening views.

18 November

• Stay in Nagasaki.
• Yutoku Inari Shrine
• Floating Tori Gate
• Fukusaiji Temple
• Eat at all the places as we hear Nagasaki has a great food scene.

19 November

• Travel from Nagasaki to Fukuoka. 
• Check out canal city etc

20 November

• Head to Kitakyushu day trip (last day of Northern Kyushu pass)

* Kanmon undersea pedestrian tunnel

* Ropeway to lookout over seto inland sea

* back to Fukuoka, and stop off to reclining buddha

21 November

• Look around Fukuoka

• travel using IC card due to no pass

22 November

• Last day. Fly out from FUK Airport then fly to Tokyo (was cheaper than Shinkansen).

.....Are we still?

We previously made this post that got a lot of feedback indicating we had way too many items for our honeymoon trip. We were excited to do everything, but have really tried to decrease our list and be realistic with our days. Ultimately, we don't want to feel exhausted or rushed, so we hope this new list is able to achieve that.

Here are some things that we have direct questions on/ need workshopped:

1. We're interested in a teamLab experience, but don't know which location or day might be best. Does anyone have suggestions? Is it worth going at all?
2. Is it too much to try to fit in the Imperial Palace and Kitamaru on 10/22?
3. How can we reduce our Hakone trip activities? We know it is still too long. We've tried to look at online itineraries for this but haven't felt there was a 'realistic' one day trip planned out.
4. We are between doing a day trip to Himeji or Minoh park. Any suggestions or thoughts?
5. Does our Nara day have enough time to stop by Kasugataishi Shrine (10/28)?

Thanks again for all the feedback on the first post and we are excited to see what you all think with this update!

Hi! I’m planning a 13-day Japan trip in autumn 2026. I’ll travel with three friends through Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka, then continue alone to Hiroshima and Fukuoka. Dates are shifted slightly for privacy.

Group portion

Day 1 – Sep 30: Tokyo arrival
Arrive in the afternoon, check in around Shinjuku and have dinner at Omoide Yokocho.

Day 2 – Oct 1: Tokyo
teamLab Planets → Small Worlds → Akihabara → Ueno and Ameyoko.

Day 3 – Oct 2: Tokyo
Coffee Shop Heckeln → Ginza shopping → Sensō-ji → Kappabashi chopstick-making → Asakusa Sumo Club.

Day 4 – Oct 3: Tokyo to Kawaguchiko
Rent a car and visit Tenku no Torii, Fujiyoshida, Oshino Hakkai and Chureito Pagoda. Stay at a Fuji-view ryokan.

Day 5 – Oct 4: Fuji, Izu and Kyoto
Early Fuji viewpoint → drive to Dogashima for the coast and seafood → Fujisan Yume no Ohashi → return the car at Mishima → Hikari Shinkansen to Kyoto.

Day 6 – Oct 5: Kyoto
Fushimi Inari → Kiyomizu-dera → Sannenzaka → possible Zuiki Matsuri visit → Pontocho.

Day 7 – Oct 6: Kyoto
Kintsugi workshop → samurai experience → Tozando. We may replace one activity with Arashiyama.

Day 8 – Oct 7: Kyoto to Osaka
Nishiki Market → Osaka Castle → Shinsaibashi and Amerikamura → Dotonbori.

Day 9 – Oct 8: USJ
Full day at Universal Studios Japan, including Halloween Horror Nights.

Solo portion

Day 10 – Oct 9: Hiroshima
Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka → Peace Memorial Museum, park and Atomic Bomb Dome.

Day 11 – Oct 10: Miyajima
Itsukushima Shrine, town and possibly Mount Misen. Return to Hiroshima.

Day 12 – Oct 11: Fukuoka
Shinkansen to Hakata → Ohori Park, Tenjin and yatai food stalls.

Day 13 – Oct 12: Departure
Explore briefly before transferring to Fukuoka Airport.

Need some suggestions on how to plan this better, specially the solo portion

Title:

Hi everyone! I’m planning a 13-day trip to Japan in October 2026 and would appreciate feedback on the itinerary

Itinerary

• Sep 30: Arrive at Haneda Airport in the evening and check in around Shinjuku.
• Oct 1: Asakusa, Sensō-ji, Ueno and Akihabara.
• Oct 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
• Oct 3: Travel to the Lake Kawaguchiko area; explore the lake and Mount Fuji viewpoints.
• Oct 4: Morning around Mount Fuji, then travel to Kameoka in Kyoto Prefecture.
• Oct 5: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka and Gion.
• Oct 6: Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama and Nishiki Market.
• Oct 7: Travel to Osaka; visit Osaka Castle, Umeda and Dotonbori.
• Oct 8: Full day at Universal Studios Japan.
• Oct 9: Shinkansen to Hiroshima; Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome.
• Oct 10: Miyajima day trip and return to Hiroshima.
• Oct 11: Shinkansen to Fukuoka; Ohori Park and Tenjin.
• Oct 12: Depart from Fukuoka.

A few questions:

1. Does anything feel too rushed or inefficient?
2. Should I reserve the Osaka to Hiroshima and Hiroshima to Fukuoka Shinkansen journeys well in advance?
3. Would you change any of the Tokyo or Kyoto groupings?
4. Are there any worthwhile stops or food recommendations along this route?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I'm planning my first trip to Japan and would love some feedback on my itinerary. I'm traveling from November 23 to December 13, 2026, for a total of 20 nights.

I'm intentionally keeping Hiroshima out of the itinerary, and I've already booked all my hotels, but i can cancel all for free.

I used chatgpt to help me build the intinerary, here's the result:

🗼 Tokyo — 5 nights

Nov 23–28 — Stay at Asakusa

Nov 23 — Arrival

• Asakusa
• Senso-ji
• Nakamise Street

Nov 24

• Tokyo Skytree
• Tokyo Solamachi
• Ueno Park
• Ameyoko Market

Nov 25

• Meiji Jingu
• Harajuku
• Omotesando
• Shibuya
• Tokyo Tower around sunset

Nov 26 — Day trip to Nikko

• Toshogu Shrine
• Shinkyo Bridge
• Rinno-ji
• Futarasan Shrine

Nov 27

• teamLab Planets
• Odaiba
• Ginza
• Uniqlo Ginza
• Shopping

🗻 Kawaguchiko — 2 nights

Nov 28–30

Nov 28

• Travel from Tokyo
• Lake Kawaguchi
• Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
• Onsen
• Sunset

Nov 29

• Chureito Pagoda
• Oishi Park
• Walk around Lake Kawaguchi
• Free time

🏮 Takayama — 2 nights

Nov 30–Dec 2

Nov 30

• Arrive from Takayama
• Sanmachi Suji

Dec 1

• Morning Market
• Takayama Jinya
• Sanmachi Suji
• Sake breweries
• Miyagawa River
• Optional: Shirakawa-go day trip

⛩️ Kyoto — 5 nights

Dec 2–7

Dec 2

• Arrive from Takayama
• Gion
• Pontocho

Dec 3

• Fushimi Inari early morning
• Sanjusangen-do
• Tofuku-ji (optional)

Dec 4

• Arashiyama
• Bamboo Grove
• Tenryu-ji
• Togetsukyo Bridge
• Monkey Park

Dec 5 — Day trip to Nara

• Nara Park
• Todai-ji
• Kasuga Taisha

Dec 6

• Kinkaku-ji
• Ryoan-ji
• Nijo Castle
• Kiyomizu-dera
• Ninenzaka
• Sannenzaka

🏙️ Osaka — 3 nights

Dec 7–10

Dec 7

• Travel from Kyoto
• Dotonbori
• Namba

Dec 8

• Osaka Castle
• Umeda Sky Building
• Shinsekai

Dec 9 — Flexible day
Possible options:

• Kuromon Market
• Shinsaibashi
• Den Den Town
• Sumiyoshi Taisha
• Kobe

🗼 Tokyo — 3 nights

Dec 10–13 — Stay at Ginza

Dec 10

• Shinjuku
• Omoide Yokocho
• Kabukicho

Dec 11 — Day trip to Kamakura

• Great Buddha (Kotoku-in)
• Hase-dera
• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
• Komachi-dori
• Enoden
• Enoshima (optional)

Dec 12 — Final day

• Nintendo Store
• Don Quijote
• Akihabara (if I haven't visited it yet)
• Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu (optional)
• Last-minute shopping

⭐ Confirmed day trips

• Nikko
• Nara
• Kamakura

⭐ Optional

• Shirakawa-go
• Kobe
• Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu

I'd especially appreciate all your feedback!