This guide isn't perfect - is meant to be used as a guide and hope to help you maximize your time. I'll add a google link in the comment for...
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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/cdmaster245 on 2025-01-07 20:55:42+00:00.

This guide isn’t perfect - is meant to be used as a guide and hope to help you maximize your time. I’ll add a google link in the comment for mobile-friendly viewing.

Went with the wife, from NYC. Took me months of planning to make this (I’m the planner type lol.)

It was our first time in Japan.

Japan Trip Itinerary

Trip Summary

  • 15 days
  • Did it during Thanksgiving because:
    • 11 Work days (2 Holidays and one half day), 7-½ PTO needed.
    • 4 Weekend days.
  • Weather around end of November:
    • Should be 46°F–66°F.
    • Cold/dry air, windy. Layers, gloves, windbreaker.
  • Stays:
    • Booked everything on Expedia and had no issues (you can book now and pay at the hotel).

Stays

City Dates Hotel Notes
Tokyo Nov 16–20, 28–30 Hotel Groove Shinjuku (Tokyu Kabukicho Tower) Hotel is probably my favorite hotel of all time, clean, easy to get to. Shinjuku is the nightlife of Tokyo, and the view is amazing. Lobby is on the 18th floor. Also, the bus to the airport and back is at the foot of the building (a separate ticket is required; it was through a company, more info later).
Kyoto Nov 20–24 Miru Kyoto Nishiki Two blocks away from Nishiki Market, which is a long avenue of food. Main shopping area is nearby as well as the Gion District. The hotel was clean, and the location was great, but feel free to book somewhere else if desired.
Osaka Nov 24–28 The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji 4 min walk to the train, really clean and nice hotel. The view faced the non-interesting side, so it was okay for me. I would get a hotel closer to fun landmarks or with a better view. The lobby was on the 15th floor.

Daily Itinerary

Day City Agenda Notes
Day 0 NYC Departure Time: 12:35 AM. Flight Info: Japan Air - Airbus 351. I wanted this flight because I wanted to experience the plane, as the Airbus A350-1000 is the newest Airbus in the market… lol. Anyways, Japan Air has amazing customer service. Highly recommend taking them and avoiding non-Asian airlines. I heard this and ANA are the best airlines to take to Japan. Flight Time: 14 hours, 05 minutes. Japan Immigration Form (QR): Do it the day before. Make sure you have the QR code on your phone via screenshot. You will need it after arrival, and it will be an inconvenience if you don’t have this ready.
Day 1 Tokyo Arrival Time: 5:10 AM at Haneda. Pick up Suica Card at the airport. Use iPhone wallet option. Haneda Terminal 3 has a vending machine near monorail ticketing. Welcome card (no refund on leftover). Regular Green Card refundable, but only in Tokyo. Card can be reloaded many times. Can use the card anywhere with a Suica logo (like Visa sticker in store). **Tips:**Maybe start with $150? That’s 7,333 yen (per 9/2/24). When buying the card, we get a reference paper—keep it in case we are asked for it. Spent $100 on Suica alone, maybe more. Suica card can be used for buses, trains, 7-11s, shops, etc. Basically a debit card in Japan. Don’t bring US cash. Exchange money at the airport or 7-11 for best rates. Take out $200 to start—if you need more, 7-11 ATMs are everywhere.
Day 2 Tokyo Explore Asakusa and Akihabara. Asakusa: Kaminarimon Gate (Thunder Gate), Senso-ji Temple (Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple), Nakamise-dori Street (souvenirs, shops, food). Akihabara: Anime/game zone with retro game centers. Roads close 1–6 PM for pedestrians. Notes: Senso-ji is worth seeing but tourist-heavy—go early if you dislike crowds. Akihabara is a treasure hunt for anime figures/retro items. Don’t buy immediately; take photos, then compare prices later. Figures were cheaper in Kyoto/Osaka. Lashinbang and Surugaya chains sell second-hand (look brand new) for half price.
Day 3 Tokyo Explore Setagaya City: Gotokuji Temple (Maneki-neko, “good luck” cats). Shibuya: Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Dori Street (Harajuku/Fashion/Kawaii District), Shibuya Crossing (famous crosswalk downtown Tokyo), Shibuya PARCO (Pokemon Center on 6th floor). Shibuya was explored later in the trip since walking in Japan is intense—averaged 15k steps/day. Ensure to eat, sleep, and recover! Shibuya is mostly a shopping zone, so plan accordingly.
Day 4 Tokyo → Mt. Fuji Day trip to Kawaguchiko: Arakurayama Sengen Park (Chureito Pagoda), Oishi Park. highway-buses.jpIf possible, stay overnight in Kawaguchiko. It’s a lovely town with a great vibe. Downside: Mt. Fuji visibility depends on the weather. Booked the bus through in advance. Can also use the train, but buses are direct. If visiting Arakurayama Sengen, go there first—it’s further out.
Day 5 Tokyo → Kyoto Travel day (2-hour train). Explore Nishiki Market, Gion District, Yasaka Pagoda, Maruyama Park. Booked bullet train via EX app. JR Pass isn’t worth it anymore due to price increases. Book seats D & E to see Mt. Fuji. If booked 21 days in advance, get Hayatoku-21 Wide discount.
Day 6 Kyoto Path of Philosophy, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Ginkaku-ji Temple, Eikan-do Temple. Added Hozugawa River Boat Cruise ending at Bamboo Forest—highly recommended. Bamboo Forest is tourist-heavy, so be prepared for crowds. Didn’t have time for Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Day 7 Kyoto Kiyomizu-dera, Honno-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari-taisha. Kiyomizu-dera: Mostly for photos. Honno-ji Temple: Not much to see unless interested in Japanese unification history. Fushimi Inari: Open 24/7—go early or late to avoid crowds.
Day 8 Kyoto → Nara/Uji Day trip to Uji: Byodoin Temple (on the 10 yen coin), matcha central. Nara: Deer Park, Nakatanidou (mochi pounding). Uji was great and worth visiting. Nara was a bit underwhelming in comparison.
Day 9 Kyoto → Osaka Travel day (15-minute bullet train). Explore Kaiyukan Osaka Aquarium (world’s second-largest), Osaka Castle Park, Pokemon Center. Osaka Castle: No need to go inside unless highly interested.
Day 10 Osaka Himeji Castle, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Namba Yasaka Jinja. Himeji Castle: Highlight of the trip. Dotonbori: Must-see at night—140,000 LED lights and iconic landmarks like Glico Man. Shinsaibashi: Major retail hub. Namba Yasaka Jinja: Famous lion-head shrine.
Day 11 Osaka Katsuo-ji Temple. Known for Daruma dolls (symbols of perseverance and good luck). Located on a mountain with great views. Address: 2914-1 Aomatani, Minoo, Osaka, 562-8508, Japan.
Day 12 Osaka → Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Shukkeien Garden, Miyajima Island (via ferry near A-Dome). Took the JR West Kansai-Hiroshima Pass—it’s cheaper than buying two single tickets. Last train to Osaka departs at 10 PM.
Day 13 Osaka → Tokyo Travel day (3-hour train). Revisited Shibuya and explored Toshima City: Ikebukuro, Sunshine City, largest gacha machine store, One Piece Straw Hat store.
Day 14 Tokyo Last-minute shopping, visited Tokyo Tower, Skytree, Mori Tower. Mori Tower: Amazing views of Tokyo and Mt. Fuji—best before sundown for clear visibility.
Day 15 Tokyo → NYC Shuttle to airport leaves at 11:30 AM. Haneda International Terminal 3: Observation deck and great shops before security—don’t rush through!