I'm doing a solo 16-day trip to Japan this March for my first time ever, I have a general view of an itinerary from looking at websites like japan...
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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/Ornery-Ad-4072 on 2025-02-26 16:00:41+00:00.

I’m doing a solo 16-day trip to Japan this March for my first time ever, I have a general view of an itinerary from looking at websites like japan guide and youtube videos but I’d like to know if some stuff is too ambitious or doable. Some days I have extra bullet points as backup in case my main points are unavailable, or plans change.

Please leave your comments/suggestions or any alterations you feel would be good.

Some notes

  • I’m pretty varied in my interests of Japan (Enjoy some animes, video games, interested in technology, nature aspects of Japan, architectural aspects like shrines, samurai culture, etc.)
  • I’m pretty young 25 years old and in decent shape average around 10k steps a day, I heard in Japan you have to prepare to walk a lot
  • Want to visit Shibuya Nintendo Store, probably most interested in tokyo as a city due to it being the technology center and having a lot of the cultural relevance.
  • I want to go to Nara but couldn’t find time to fit it in any suggestions to make it fit in my itinerary.
  • I got all my hotels close to stations for maximum flexibility in travel.
  • Any guides on where to get train/bus tickets for all the locations I’m going to?

Here is my itinerary below:

DAY 1: TOKYO ARRIVAL DAY

  • land at Haneda Airport
  • check in at hotel (Ueno)
  • Explore Ueno Area/Park
  • Go to Shibuya Crossing if there’s time
  • Rest

Day 2: TOKYO

  • Shinjuku/Shibuya Day
  • Gyoen National Garden/Meiji Jingu Shrine
  • Shibuya Sky/Miyashita Park
  • Shinjuku Night

DAY 3: TOKYO

  • team lab borderless
  • imperial palace/garden
  • Ginza

DAY 4: TOKYO TO KANAZAWA

  • Check in to Hotel
  • Omicho Market
  • Oyama Shrine
  • Nagamachi District

DAY 5: KANAZAWA

  • Shirakawago Day Trip
  • Possibly do Takayama if there’s time

Is it doable to do both shirakawago and takayama in one day if I start early?

DAY 6: KANAZAWA

  • Higashi Chaya
  • Kanazawa Castle
  • Kenrokuen Garden
  • Kanazawa Crafts
  • Ninjadera

DAY 7: KANAZAWA TO KYOTO

  • Nijo Castle Before check in
  • Check into Hotel
  • Pontocho Alley
  • Nishiki Market/Food

DAY 8: KYOTO

  • Kiyomizudera
  • Sannen Zaka/Ninen Zaka Path
  • Kodaji Temple
  • Higashiyama Ward
  • Explore Gion/Food

DAY 9: KYOTO

  • Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • Tofukuji Temple
  • Ginkakuji
  • Kyoto Railway Museum

DAY 10: KYOTO TO OSAKA

  • Kinkaku-ji Morning
  • Ryoan ji
  • Head to Osaka by 3 PM
  • Explore Namba/dotonbori/shinsaibashi

Wonder if it’s a good idea to do those kyoto spots before heading to osaka, should i just head straight to osaka and skip kinkakuji and ryoan ji. I always wanted to go to Nara but couldn’t find a spot to fit in the itinerary any suggestions for a time to go that fits the schedule.

DAY 11: OSAKA

  • Umeda Sky
  • Osaka Aquarium
  • Shinsekai District

DAY 12: OSAKA TO HAKONE

  • Head to Hakone Early
  • Get Hakone Free Pass
  • Hakone Loop (Gora, Sounzan, Togendai, Hakone-machi, moto-hakone)
  • Check into Ryokan by 5 PM

DAY 13: HAKONE TO TOKYO

  • Ryokan Breakfast
  • Check into Shinjuku Hotel
  • Free Day
  • Shibuya

DAY 14: TOKYO

  • Souvenir Shopping
  • Free Day
  • Day Trip (Yokohama, Kamakura?)

Any Suggestions on what to do this day?

DAY 15: TOKYO FLY OUT

  • Last Minute Shopping
  • Prepare for Flight
  • Head to airport, Fly Out 6 PM