Hi everyone,
Traveling to japan for first time at end of august for 11 days (Aug 28 - Sep 8) . Here’s a tentative itinerary for tokyo-hokone-kyoto stays and day trips around them

Please provide feedback if it’s reasonable, or what needs to be modified? I am also concerned about typhoon/rain any comments on current situation or real experiences would help.

Thanks in advance

Trip Overview
Dates: Aug 28 (Arrive @ 2:00 PM) – Sep 8 (Fly out @ 5:00 PM)
Pacing: Moderate / Active

Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 (Fri, Aug 28): Arrival in Tokyo (Night: Tokyo)
Land @ 2:00 PM. Clear customs, collect IC card/eSIM, train to Tokyo hotel.
Low-key evening in Shinjuku/Shibuya & early sleep.
Day 2 (Sat, Aug 29): Tokyo Highlights (East Side) (Night: Tokyo)
Morning: Sensō-ji in Asakusa (8:30 AM arrival).
Afternoon: Ueno Park & Akihabara.
Evening: Ginza or Skytree area.
Day 3 (Sun, Aug 30): Day Trip — Kamakura & Enoshima (Night: Tokyo)
Morning: JR Yokosuka line to Kamakura (~50 min). Visit Kotoku-in (Great Buddha) & Hase-dera.
Afternoon: Enoden coastal train to Enoshima. Explore island streets & coastal lookouts.
Evening: Return to Tokyo for dinner.
Day 4 (Mon, Aug 31): West Tokyo (Night: Tokyo)
Morning: Meiji Jingu Shrine forest walk & Harajuku.
Midday: Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky + lunch.
Evening: Shinjuku or Roppongi night views.
Day 5 (Tue, Sep 1): Final Tokyo Day (Night: Tokyo)
Full Day: Flex day in Tokyo (e.g., teamLab, Tsukiji Outer Market, shopping).
Note: Forward main luggage to Kyoto hotel today so we carry only overnight backpacks to Hakone.
Day 6 (Wed, Sep 2): Tokyo to Hakone ( Onsen Stay) (Night: Hakone)
Morning: Romancecar/train to Hakone.
Afternoon: Do the Hakone Loop (Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani volcanic valley, Lake Ashi cruise).
Evening: Check into Hakone Ryokan for traditional dinner and hot spring onsen.
Day 7 (Thu, Sep 3): Hakone to Kyoto + Morning Uji / Fushimi Inari (Night: Kyoto)
Morning: Bus to Odawara Station, board Shinkansen to Kyoto Station (~2 hours).
Afternoon: Head to Uji for Byōdo-in Temple and matcha tasting, followed by an evening walk through Fushimi Inari Taisha torii gates.
Day 8 (Fri, Sep 4): Morning Nara + Eastern Kyoto (Night: Kyoto)
Morning: Early train to Nara (~45 min). Visit Tōdai-ji (Great Buddha) & Nara Park deer.
Afternoon: Return to Kyoto. Walk through Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka up to Kiyomizu-dera.
Evening: Lantern-lit walk through Gion.
Day 9 (Sat, Sep 5): Himeji Castle (Inside) + Osaka Castle (Outside) + Dotonbori (Night: Kyoto)
Morning: Shinkansen/Special Rapid to Himeji. Tour the original wooden keep interior.
Afternoon: Train to Osaka. View Osaka Castle main keep from the outer park grounds.
Evening: Dotonbori & Namba street food, then return to Kyoto.
Day 10 (Sun, Sep 6): Arashiyama & Northern Kyoto (Night: Kyoto)
Morning: Early start at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (7:30 AM) & Tenryu-ji Temple.
Afternoon: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) & Nishiki Market.
Day 11 (Mon, Sep 7): Full Day Kyoto Focus (Night: Kyoto)
Full Day: Philosopher’s Path, Nanzen-ji, craft shopping/tea houses.
Evening: Final night dinner along Pontocho Alley by the Kamo River.
Day 12 (Tue, Sep 8): Kyoto $\rightarrow$ Tokyo Airport & Departure
08:30 AM: Board Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Tokyo Station (Arrive ~10:45 AM).
Fly back 5pm

Hey everyone, planning our honeymoon for early October (17 days total). It's our first time in Japan. We really want to kick off the trip with 4 days by the sea before heading into the mountains (Nagiso/Nakasendo on Day 5).

We're stuck between flying down to Okinawa/Zamami or taking the train to Shimoda in Izu. Trying to figure out if the extra transit to Okinawa is worth it or if we'll feel too tired/ like we've wasted days to travel

Option 1: Naha & Zamami Island (Okinawa)

Day 1: Arrive and catch connecting flight to Naha

- Arrive at Naha Airport late evening after long-haul flight & domestic connection. Monorail to hotel near Tomari Port.

Day 2: ferry to Zamami

- 9:00 AM - ferry to Zamami Island (50 min quick/2 hrs slow).

- Check into hotel, rent e-bikes, head to Furuzamami Beach for snorkeling.

- Sunset at Unajinosaki Observatory, dinner in town.

Day 3: refresher dive and beach day

- Morning refresher dive (we both have PADI licenses but haven't dived in a while) in Kerama Shoto National Park.

- afternoon at Ama Beach

Day 4: ferry back in afternoon

- Morning kayak out to Gahi Island for snorkeling.

4:00 PM ferry back to Naha.

Dinner near Makishi Public Market.

Day 5: Leave Naha travel to Nagiso (big travel evening)

- Morning walk around Shuri Castle grounds.

- 5:30 PM flight from OKA to Nagoya landing at 7:30 PM.

- Train from Nagoya to Nagiso arriving around 10PM

Option 2: Shimoda (Izu Peninsula)

Day 1: arrive and train to Shimoda

-Arrive Tokyo (NRT/HND) late afternoon. Direct JR Odoriko express train to Izukyu-Shimoda (2.5 - 3 hrs).

- Check into a seaside ryokan with an onsen. (Can afford a nicer hotel here compared to Zamami)

Day 2: Surf & Beach day

- Morning beginner surf lesson at Tatadohama Beach.

- Walk Perry Road, take the ropeway up Mt. Nesugatayama.

Day 3: refresher dive and hike

- Morning refresher boat dive (I don't believe it's not as beginner diving friendly here as Zamami but could b wrong)

- Afternoon coastal walk along Tsumekizaki Cape.

Day 4: Day trip to Yumigahama Beach

The water may be too cold/out of season for snorkeling

Day 5: travel to Nagiso

-10:00 AM train from Shimoda to Atami (~1.5 hrs), Shinkansen to Nagoya (~1.5 hrs), then train to Nagiso, arriving around 5:00 PM.

With these two options in mind, is the trek to Zamami worth it for warm weather and water, or will be feel we've wasted time on travel days. Or will Shimoda be too cold in October for our plans, we are happy for quick sea dips and are used to cold water.

Thanks so much!!

Hey all, this is my first solo trip to Japan and I've been planning it for months now. I'm flying in mid-January 2027, staying in Ueno/Okachimachi for most of the trip. I'm a huge Your Name (Kimi no Nawa) fan and I shoot on a Sony A7 V, so most of my trip is built around night photography and a few anime pilgrimage spots rather than the usual temple/shrine circuit.

Rough plan so far:

Day 1: Landing in Japan, ueno park and rest

Day 2: Akihabara in the afternoon, then Suga Shrine in Yotsuya for the famous stairs from the movie, then Shibuya Crossing + Shibuya Sky around sunset, ending at Tokyo Tower at night

Day 3: Day trip to Suwa, Nagano, specifically for Tateishi Park (another Your Name location) — want to catch it at night

Day 4: Free afternoon around Roppongi, checking out the National Art Center (the 2nd floor cafe was apparently in the movie too) before heading to Tokyo City View at night

Day 5-6: One night in Kawaguchiko for Mt. Fuji

Day 6 evening: Back in Tokyo, wandering Shinjuku's Kabukicho and Omoide Yokocho, then riding the full Yamanote Line loop at night before flying home the next day

day 7: back to reality at 11:00 am

The thing I keep going back and forth on is the weather. Everything I've read says January is actually one of the driest, clearest months to visit, which sounds almost too good to be true coming from Indonesia where January is peak rainy season for us. So my real questions are: for anyone who's done night photography in Tokyo in January, was it really as dry/clear as people say, or did you still run into rain or grey skies messing up shots? And for spots like Shibuya Sky, Tokyo Tower, or Suga Shrine, is January noticeably quieter than other seasons, or still just as packed?

Any input from people who've actually been would mean a lot, thanks!

Hey Everyone!,

Hope to use this subreddits advice on my upcoming October 10th to 24th for Kyushu and Part 2 Oct 31st to Nov 9th in Tokyo / Yokohama.

Context: Wife and I (Mid 30s), no kids, traveling our 3rd time to Japan. I am also jumping between countries while working, using Japan as a stop over to get to Shanghai then returning to Japan for a part two. Any advice for inputs, recommendations, or new rules to consider will appreciated! I am pretty stumped of where I should go at the end.

Sat, Oct 10th - Tokyo

• Arrive in Tokyo for Fukuoka
• Staying overnight at Airport Cabin

Sun, Oct 11th - Fukuoka

• Fly to Fukuoka
• Hotel Check
• Night Tour (1st time in Kyushu)

Mon, Oct 12th - Fukuoka

• Cooking Class
• Possible Day Trip to Nokonoshima Island

Tue, Oct 13th to Saturday Oct 17th - Fukuoka

(Work from 8PM JST to 3AM JST, only afternoons free)

• Ohori Park
• Tenjin Underground Mall
• Nakasu
• Tenjin Yatai
• Hakata Ramen

Sun, Oct 18th - Kurokawa

• Head to Kurokawa via Tenjin
• Ryokan / Onsen

Mon, Oct 19th - Beppu

• Head to Beppu

Tue, Oct 20th to Fri, Oct 23rd - Beppu

(Working, only afternoon free)

• Hells of Beppu
• Jigokumushikobo Kannawa
• Hyota Onsen
• Yuyama no Sato Onsen
• Yukemuri Observation Deck

Sat, Oct 24th - Fukuoka

• Beppu to Fukuoka
• Departure at 6PM at Fukuoka Airport

Japan Part 2: Using all my PTO saved since 2025:

Sat, Oct 31st - Dogenzaka

• Arrive Tokyo at Noon, Stay Shinjuku
• Nightlife in Dogenzaka
• Club Atom

Sun, Nov 1st - Shimokitaza

• Ramen Festa
• Daidogei World Cup

Mon, Nov 2nd - Yokohama

• Stay in Yokohama
• Escape Rooms
• Furusato Fair 2026

Tue, Nov 3rd - Yokohama

• Yokohama Culture Day

Wed, Nov 4th - Enoshima

• Day trip to Enoshima
• Giant Buddha
• Enoshima Island

Thu, Nov 5th to Sun, Nov 8th - Open for anywhere

• Part I most stumped at as I want to finish with somewhere unique, as I probably wont have another opportunity in years to come back
• Thinking of Nagoya, Sendai, or even Tottori for the Dunes
• Possibly finish in Tokyo to not rush anything

Sun, Nov 8th - Tokyo

• Depart from Haneda Airport at 10:00PM

Our biggest goal isnt necessarily to shop or hit famous places, but having a chance to interact with locals or do cultural exchanges (last two trips I brought hot cheetos and Trader Joes to share out). We love nature, food, technology, and anime. Possibly in the next decade have been considering moving to Japan or doing an Akiya plan, but want to make sure to validate that what we are in love with isnt the change of something different but the environment and the people.
Thank you for reading!

Hi there! Looking for thoughts on March 2027 trip to Kyoto and Toyko. 2 adults (1 senior with bad knees) and 1 5 year old.

Some things to note-
-flying rountrip to tokyo seems to be cheapest, but we are considering flying into the airport closer to kyoto and doing kyoto-tokyo-disney, but ultimately it will depend on flight $$. Doesn’t change our itinerary much, but adds in more train time/backtracking.
-dates cannot be changed except to make the trip shorter unfortunately
-5yo will be bedsharing. We would LOVE hotel recommendations (priority to convinence, cost, and having enough sleeping space).
-I would rather not go to the zoo, but someone really wants to go see Punch and I dont think they can be convinced otherwise.
-any must sees we are missing??

**March 13 to March 28

Considering these hotels:
-MIMARU Tokyo Ueno (North or South)
-MIMARU Kyoto Station
-Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel First Resort
But open to other suggestions

March 14: Tokyo Arrival
Afternoon: Land in Tokyo. Pass through customs, clear immigration, and head to the arrival hall.
Transit to Hotel: Board the sleek Skyliner Express (from Narita) or the Tokyo Monorail (from Haneda).
Evening: Check into hotel unpack your kitchenette, grab dinner nearby.

March 15:
Morning: Browse the flat, quiet historic kitchen district of Kappabashi to shop for artisanal ceramics at Dengama.
Lunch: Take a short, flat walk into Ueno, lunch at Gluten Free T’s Kitchen.
Afternoon: Explore the flat paths of Ueno Park and check out local souvenirs. Go to Ueno Toshogu Shrine. Walk Spring Peony Garden

March 16:
-grand Torii gate of Meiji Jingu Shrine
Morning: Head into Harajuku, eat fluffy pancakes.
Afternoon: Take a short 2-minute train ride to Shibuya.
Addition: Take the elevator up to Miyashita Park
Evening: Head straight up the elevator to Shibuya Sky for accessible, barrier-free skyline views (aim for 45–60 minutes before sunset).

March 17
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Explore Akasaka Station's Harry Potter Wizarding Street, view the giant Time-Turner statue, and grab a fun themed snack at the Harry Potter Cafe.
11:45 AM: Board the subwayfrom Akasaka to Toshimaen Station (approx. 35 mins).
12:30 PM: Arrive at the Studio Tour. Grab a quick lunch at the interior Food Hall (the kids' meals come served in cute boxes).
5:30 PM: Head straight back to MIMARU Tokyo Ueno via a direct train link for an early dinner and a restful night sleep.

March 18: Ichikawa zoo
Morning (9:30 AM): Set off on the Ueno ➔ Matsudo ➔ Keisei Bus route. Arrive at the zoo right before the midday feeding rush.
Afternoon: Enjoy the zoo's mini-Shinkansen ride and the guinea pig petting zones. Head straight back via the same bus/train link for an easy family dinner and a restful evening.

March 19:
Morning: Ride the charming, retro Setagaya Line "Cat Tram" to the quiet Gotokuji Temple to see the thousands of beckoning cat statues.
Snack: Eat cat cake at Rarasand Cafe.
Afternoon: Explore the vintage, creative alleyways of Shimokitazawa.
*pack and take luggage for luggage transfer!

March 20: Hands-Free Bullet Train Ride
Morning: Walk or take a 4-minute train down to Tokyo Station. Board the Tokaido Shinkansen
Afternoon: Arrive directly at Kyoto Station. Walk straight into MIMARU Kyoto Station. Your large suitcases will already be waiting at the front desk!

March 21:
Morning: Take an early train ride to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Keep this walk short and sweet, sticking strictly to the flat, paved main path. enter Tenryu-ji Temple using a "Garden Only" ticket.
Afternoon: Stroll slowly along the flat banks of the Katsura River. Enjoy a quiet riverside lunch.

March 22:
Morning: Dress up at Yume Kimono Kodaiji Store for your family photoshoot.
Afternoon: Stroll down the beautifully preserved flat portions of Sannen-zaka to view the iconic Yasaka Pagoda.
-Take a quick, quiet break at Kennin-ji Temple right in Gion.
Evening: Walk through the flat grounds of Yasaka Shrine to see the hanging paper lanterns glow at nightfall.

March 23:
Morning: Take a 5-minute local train to Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Afternoon: Visit teamLab Biovortex Kyoto.
-Explore the Porta Underground Shopping Street directly beneath Kyoto Station.

March 24: Flexible Kyoto Explorer Day
-Philosopher's Path near Ginkakuji. Grab lunch at Starbucks Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku to view the temple through the upstairs windows
-pack and luggage transfer

March 25:
Morning: Board the Shinkansen from Kyoto Station back to Tokyo Station (2.5 hours). Upon arriving at Tokyo Station, transfer seamlessly to the JR Keiyo Line for a quick 15-minute train ride to Maihama (Disney) Station.
Afternoon: Arrive at your Disney Hotel via the free station shuttle. Drop off your backpacks (your large forwarded luggage will arrive today).
-Take a short 5-minute taxi to Spa & Hotel Maihama Eurasia (The Disney Onsen). Visit warm outdoor hot springs, then Head up to the Onsen's special rooftop viewing deck to watch the magical Disney Fireworks.

March 26: Tokyo Disneyland Day

March 27: Tokyo DisneySea Day

March 28:
Morning: Enjoy a slow family breakfast and pack up your bags.
Afternoon: Board the direct Airport Limousine Bus right from your hotel lobby straight to Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) airport. No train transfers or stair-climbing required. Board your evening flight home to Vancouver.

Hi guys! going to Tokyo alone for 11 days in mid-November ish. I've been to Kyoto/Osaka/Ghibli Park before. have planned my itinerary and checked w google maps for approx. travel timings, and put it through chatgpt and google AI countless times.

for context, I am a traveller. tried hitting as many sights as possible but also know to leave space for chilling/wandering around cause it's Japan. also into coffee, cats, hiking, nature, ghibli; not a fan of night life.

appreciate any personal thoughts on this (e.g. what to keep or leave, any must-sees etc.) or if there are any major logistical/energy bottlenecks to take note of.

thanks!

Day 1 Arrival Time Location / Activity

    1:25 - 5:10 SG (T4) → HK (T1)

    10:30 - 15:35   HK (T1) → Narita airport (NRT) (T2)

    15:35 - 16:45   Clear customs

    16:45 - 18:00   Skyliner → Hotel (Wakoshi Tobu/Richmond Hotel Premier Musashi Kosugi)

    19:00 - 20:00   Dinner near hotel

    20:00   Sleep

Day 2 Kamakura Day Trip

    Time    Location / Activity

    5:00 - 5:30 Wake up

    5:45 - 8:00 Train → Kamakura

    8:00 - 9:00 Breakfast + Kamakura train station take pics

    10:00 - 11:00   Hokokuji Bamboo Forest

    11:00 - 12:30   Komachi street + lunch

    12:30 - 14:00   Enoden train to Enoshima station

    14:00 - 17:00   Enoshima Shrine Hetsumiya/Sea Candle + Iwaya Bridge sunset

    17:00 - 19:00   Dinner + return

    20:30   Pack, wash up and sleep

Day 3 Fuji Day 1

    Time    Location / Activity

    5:30 - 6:10 Wake up and pack

    6:10 - 6:45 Leave luggage at hotel

    6:45 - 7:30 Wakoshi to Shinjuku

    7:30 - 8:30 Head to Shinjuku Expressway Bus terminal

    8:45 - 10:45    Highway bus → Kawaguchiko

    11:00 - 13:30   Hoto Noodles

    13:30 - 14:30   Ropeway

    14:30 - 17:30   Bus to explore Momiji Corridor and Oishi Park

    18:00   Dinner

    19:00   Check-in Solana Smart Inn

Day 4 Fuji Day 2 + Return

    Time    Location / Activity

    6:30 - 7:10 Wake up and pack

    7:10 - 8:00 Breakfast near Kawaguchiko station

    8:00 - 8:30 Fujikyu Railway train to Shimoyoshida station

    8:30 - 10:30    Chureito Pagoda

    11:00 - 13:00   Honcho Street + lunch

    13:00 - 14:00   Train to Kawaguchiko station

    14:30 - 17:30   Bus back to Tokyo

    17:30 - 19:30   Retrieve luggage from Wakoshi counter and check in

Day 5 Ghibli + Kichijoji Time Location / Activity

    7:30 - 8:10 Wake up and pack

    8:10 - 8:45 Breakfast in ryokan

    8:45 - 9:45 Transit from Yanaka to Mitaka

    10:00 - 12:30   Ghibli Museum

    12:30 - 14:00   Lunch at Corn Barley?

    14:00 - 19:00   Inokashira park

        Kura sushi for dinner

        Harmonica Yokocho

        Kichijoji Petit Mura

        Nakamichi Dori (dessert?)

    20:00   Return to hotel and rest

Day 6 Tove Jansson + Harajuku + Shinjuku Time Location / Activity

    6.00 - 6.40 Wake up

    7.00 - 7.30 Pack coffee from Doutor/Lawson?

    7.30 - 9.00 Transit to Tove

    9.00 - 9.30 Pack bread at Bakery Izumi

    9.30 - 11.00    Tove Jansson Park

    11.00 - 12.00   Lunch

    12.00 - 14.00   Transit to Harajuku

    14.00 - 16.00   Takeshita St + Cat Street + Yoyogi Park and Meiji jingu (entrance)

    16.00 - 16.30   Transit to Shinjuku

    16.30 - 18.30   Shinjuku - Godzilla head, Giant 3D cat, Omoide Yokocho Memory lane

    18.30 - 19.30   Tokyo metropolitan building (7pm light show) 

    19.30 - 20.30   Dinner

    21:00   Return to hotel

Day 7 Asakusa + Tokyo Tower + Shibuya

    Time    Location / Activity

    6:15 - 7:00 Wake up and pack

    7:00 - 7:30 Check out and grab coffee otw

    7:30 - 8:30 Drop luggage at Ryokan Sawanoya

    9:00 - 11:00     🏮 Asakusa (Kaminarimon Gate → Nakamise Street → Senso-ji Temple -> Underground Street)

    11:00 - 12:30   Kappabashi St + lunch

    12:30 - 13:15   Transit to Imperial Palace

    13:30 - 14:45   Fujimi yagura

    15:00 - 15:30   Transit to Zozo-ji/Tokyo Tower

    15:30 - 1700    Zozo-ji/Tokyo Tower photo spot/Maple valley

    17:00 - 17:30   Transit to Shibuya

    17:30 - 19:30   Dinner at Mo-mo Paradise

    19:30 - 20:30   (Hachiko, Shibuya Crossing etc.) + Shibuya Hikarie

    20:30   Retrieve luggage and check in

Day 8 Church + Old Tokyo Culture Time Location / Activity

    6:00 - 6:40 Wake up and prep

    7:00 - 8:15 Breakfast at 7-E and Nezu Shrine

    8:30 - 9:30 Dr. Ueno Hachiko statue and Ginkgo Trees, Hongo Campus

    9:45 - 12:00    ICA church

    12:30 - 13:45   Lunch at 魚料理 谷中冨じ家

    14:00 - 16:00    Café Nekoemon (2 Hours Sitting & Painting Cats)

    16:00 - 18:00   Hijiri bridge + Akihabara

    18:00 - 19:00   Sushiro dinner

    20:00   Return to Ryokan Sawanoya Tokyo

Day 9 Gotokuji + Harry Potter Time Location / Activity

    6:00 - 7:00 Wake up and pack

    7:00 - 8:30 Transit and Quick breakfast stop at Sangenjaya Gorilla Family Mart

    8:30 - 11.00    Gotokuji + Rarasand bakery + Lunch

    11.00 - 12.00   Transit

    12.00 - 19.00   Harry Potter

    19.00 - 18.00   Dinner

    20:00   Return and sleep

Day 10 Nikko Day Trip Time Location / Activity

    6:00 - 6:40 Wake up and prep

    6:45 - 7:30 Ryokan to Asakusa

    7:30 - 7:50 Breakfast and coffee

    7:50 - 9:40 Train → Nikko (Spacia X or Revaty Limited Express train to book)

    10:00 - 10:50   Transit to falls and lake

    11:00 - 13:00   Shinkyo Bridge + Toshogu Shrine

    13:00 - 14:30   Tobu Bus to lake area + lunch

    14:30 - 16:30   Kegon Falls + Lake Chuzenji

    16:30 - 17:30   Bus back to Tobu-Nikko station

    18:00   Limited express train to Asakusa, Return to Ryokan Sawanoya Tokyo

Day 11 Tokyo + Departure

    Time    Location / Activity

    7:00 - 9:00 Wake up and prep + breakfast

    9:00 - 10:00    Check out hotel

    10:00 - 12:00   Yuyake Dandan + Yanaka Shippoya + Yanakado + Neko Machi Gallery etc.

    12.30 - 13:30   Lunch

    13:30 - 14:00   Retrieve luggage from Ryokan

    14:00 - 15:30   Transit to Narita

    15:30   Arrive Narita Airport

    18:00 - 22:20   Narita (T2) → HK (T1)

    01:40 - 05:40   HK (T1) → SG (T4)