Hey everyone! My partner and I are heading to Japan for the first time and I’ve been obsessively fine-tuning this itinerary. Would love any...
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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/jupiterFirst on 2025-04-23 18:59:51+00:00.

Hey everyone! My partner and I are heading to Japan for the first time and I’ve been obsessively fine-tuning this itinerary. Would love any feedback on pacing, logistics, or if we’re missing anything major. No kids, kinda young (or at least still act like it), and we love food, culture, and a bit of nightlife. Trying to find that sweet spot between fun, vibes, and chill.

Tokyo

  • Day 1: Flying in ✈️ → arrive in Tokyo → settle in → dinner in Ginza and rest
  • Day 2: Shibuya Sky + explore Shibuya → Harajuku + Meiji Jingu Shrine → go-karting + dinner in Shibuya
  • Day 3: Free morning → Sumo Tournament @ Ryogoku (1:15 PM) → izakaya crawl in Shinjuku + Golden Gai
  • Day 4: Sanja Matsuri at Senso-ji Temple + Nakamise → Akihabara in the afternoon → free evening
  • Day 5: Tsukiji Outer Market for sushi bites → free midday → teamLab Borderless (flexible entry) + dinner in Odaiba
  • Day 6: Checkout, coffee or stroll → head to Hakone → walk to Hakone Shrine by Lake Ashi → dinner + onsen night

Hakone

  • Day 7: Breakfast → Lake Ashi Pirate Ship → Ropeway to Owakudani → continue to Gora → Hakone Open-Air Museum → free evening
  • Day 8: Morning soak + breakfast → travel to Kyoto → arrive and settle in → evening Gion walking tour + dinner

Kyoto / Osaka

  • Day 9: Early morning at Fushimi Inari → Kiyomizu-dera → walk to Sanjusangendo → tea ceremony near Gion → dinner
  • Day 10: Nara day trip (Todai-ji, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha) → train to Osaka → Dotonbori street food + explore Namba/Shinsaibashi → light overnight in a capsule hotel or similar
  • Day 11: Train back to Kyoto and drop bags → Philosopher’s Path walk + Honen-in and Eikando → free evening
  • Day 12: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (early morning) → knife shopping at Shigeharu → Nishiki Market + Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum → free time or final shopping
  • Day 13: Final stroll or coffee → head to Tokyo/Narita via train → flight home at 5:00 PM

Open to any suggestions!

  • We tried to group things by area to avoid too much crisscrossing.
  • Debated skipping Tenryu-ji after hearing mixed reviews.
  • Osaka is just for one night — we’re thinking capsule hotel, nothing fancy.
  • We love great food, fun neighborhoods, quirky stuff, and a little nightlife.

Thanks in advance 🙏