Hello All,
Adding to the many feedback requests. My girlfriend and I will be traveling to Japan for the first time in late October/early November. I was hoping you could provide feedback to the current plan.
Trip Structure
Oct 24–27 → Osaka (2 days)
Oct 27–Nov 1 → Kyoto (5 days)
Nov 1–3 → Hakone (2 days)
Nov 3–6 → Tokyo (3.5 days)
Saturday — Oct 24
Arrival in Osaka (~10 PM)
Late check-in
Sleep
⸻
Sunday — Oct 25
Osaka
Shinsaibashi Shopping Street
Kuromon Ichiba Market
Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
Street food
⸻
Monday — Oct 26
Osaka
Osaka Castle
Knife-making workshop in Sakai
Dotonbori
⸻
Tuesday — Oct 27
Osaka → Kyoto
Walk Gion
Yasaka Shrine
Pontocho Alley
Kamogawa River
riverside dinner
⸻
Wednesday — Oct 28
Kyoto
Walk around (open to suggestions)
Chopstick-making workshop
⸻
Thursday — Oct 29
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari + Uji + Nara Day Trips
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Uji
Byodo-in Temple
Matcha tasting
Riverside walk
Nara
Todai-ji
Nara Park
⸻
Friday — Oct 30
Kyoto - Arashiyama + Tea Ceremony
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Tenryu-ji
Saga Toriimoto
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
Optional: Monkey Park Iwatayama
Tea ceremony
⸻
Saturday — Oct 31
Kyoto - Kurama + Kibune Day Trip (open to alternate suggestions for the day)
Kurama-dera
Forest mountain walk
Kifune Shrine
Kibune village
Riverside lunch or tea
⸻
Sunday — Nov 1
Kyoto → Hakone Ryokan
Private onsen
Relax
⸻
Monday — Nov 2
Hakone
Options:
Lake Ashi
Hakone Ropeway
Owakudani
Hakone Open-Air Museum
Gora Park
⸻
Tuesday — Nov 3
Hakone → Tokyo
Explore
Team labs borderless
Tokyo skytree
⸻
Wednesday — Nov 4
Tokyo
Senso-ji
Nakamise Street
Sumo event or stable visit
⸻
Thursday — Nov 5
Tokyo
Shopping options:
Shibuya
Harajuku
Ginzaa
Don Quijotesa
End trip with rooftop bar
⸻
Friday — Nov 6
Departure Day (~4 PM)
explore a little and head to the airport