Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[eileen238]

Planning for a trip for 4 in early dec to mid dec

Hi, would need expert help to guide how to plan if we would like to cover these places.
There are 4 adults. We will reach narita airport on 7/12 at 0630hrs and leaving on 16/12 1000hrs from narita airport.
We plan to cover USJ, Disneysea, disneyland, nara, kyoto, osaka, tokyo, mt fuji and hakone. Would be good if we can include gotemba outlet mall. Not so much of shopping but more of exploring and have a feel. Is it feasible?

 

[Delardino]

That is alot to be cover with only 9 full days. I am not sure how much you can do in a day but sth like this is probably the most i can think of if u aint dropping any places.

7/12: Tokyo
8/12: Hakone
9/12: Disneyland
10/12: Disneysea
11/12: Osaka
12/12: USJ
13/12: Nara
14/12: Kyoto
15/12: Kyoto, night back to Tokyo
16/12: Departure

Hi, would need expert help to guide how to plan if we would like to cover these places.
There are 4 adults. We will reach narita airport on 7/12 at 0630hrs and leaving on 16/12 1000hrs from narita airport.
We plan to cover USJ, Disneysea, disneyland, nara, kyoto, osaka, tokyo, mt fuji and hakone. Would be good if we can include gotemba outlet mall. Not so much of shopping but more of exploring and have a feel. Is it feasible?

 

[eileen238]

That is alot to be cover with only 9 full days. I am not sure how much you can do in a day but sth like this is probably the most i can think of if u aint dropping any places.

7/12: Tokyo
8/12: Hakone
9/12: Disneyland
10/12: Disneysea
11/12: Osaka
12/12: USJ
13/12: Nara
14/12: Kyoto
15/12: Kyoto, night back to Tokyo
16/12: Departure

Thanks, do u think we can do osaka first on arrival?
7/12 Osaka
8/12 USJ
9/12 Nara (deer) then move to Kyoto and stay there
10/12 Kyoto then Hakone to stay there
11/12 Hakone then to stay at Kawaguchiko Station ryokan
12/12 Gotemba then move to tokyo stay Shinjuku
13/12 Tokyo
14/12 Disneysea
15/12 Disney land
16/12 last min walkard at disney station then to airport.

 

[thwysg]

Thanks, do u think we can do osaka first on arrival?
7/12 Osaka
8/12 USJ
9/12 Nara (deer) then move to Kyoto and stay there
10/12 Kyoto then Hakone to stay there
11/12 Hakone then to stay at Kawaguchiko Station ryokan
12/12 Gotemba then move to tokyo stay Shinjuku
13/12 Tokyo
14/12 Disneysea
15/12 Disney land
16/12 last min walkard at disney station then to airport.

Is this your first visit? Changing your lodging so many times 9-11/12 just for one night stay in each area?

Would you be bringing your luggage along in every stop?

 

[eileen238]

Is this your first visit? Changing your lodging so many times 9-11/12 just for one night stay in each area?

Would you be bringing your luggage along in every stop?

This is our first visit for 3 of us. We tend to carry light when we travel hence moving is not so much of an issue. Just that we are not sure if it is recommended.

 

[thwysg]

This is our first visit for 3 of us. We tend to carry light when we travel hence moving is not so much of an issue. Just that we are not sure if it is recommended.

7/12 Osaka
8/12 USJ
9/12 Nara (deer) then move to Kyoto and stay there
10/12 Kyoto then Hakone to stay there
11/12 Hakone then to stay at Kawaguchiko Station ryokan
12/12 Gotemba then move to tokyo stay Shinjuku
13/12 Tokyo
14/12 Disneysea
15/12 Disney land
16/12 last min walkard at disney station then to airport.

Guess you’re also looking at staying around Maihama station for 13-16/12? I seriously doubt you could do much in the three cities, not when you’re constantly moving around everyday. Would you be driving from Kyoto to Shinjuku or taking public transport? If public transport, you’ll need to look up lots of bus and train timetables. Not easy. Sun sets early, and some attractions close early and fewer bus services in winter too.

I always prefer to have contingency plans and stay at least 2N, should we hit any bad weather condition during our trips.

 

[eileen238]

Guess you’re also looking at staying around Maihama station for 13-16/12? I seriously doubt you could do much in the three cities, not when you’re constantly moving around everyday. Would you be driving from Kyoto to Shinjuku or taking public transport? If public transport, you’ll need to look up lots of bus and train timetables. Not easy. Sun sets early, and some attractions close early and fewer bus services in winter too.

I always prefer to have contingency plans and stay at least 2N, should we hit any bad weather condition during our trips.

Oh... in fact we are not sure if we should go Hakone and Kyoto or just give up 1 of them. We plan to utilise the JR pass. No fix plan yet.

 

[thwysg]

Oh... in fact we are not sure if we should go Hakone and Kyoto or just give up 1 of them. We plan to utilise the JR pass. No fix plan yet.

Please use Hyperdia to see if a 7D Pass would work in your case. It might not pay off for your itinerary. There’s quite a few bus rides and private train lines you would be required to take according to your itinerary.

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks, do u think we can do osaka first on arrival?
7/12 Osaka
8/12 USJ
9/12 Nara (deer) then move to Kyoto and stay there
10/12 Kyoto then Hakone to stay there
11/12 Hakone then to stay at Kawaguchiko Station ryokan
12/12 Gotemba then move to tokyo stay Shinjuku
13/12 Tokyo
14/12 Disneysea
15/12 Disney land
16/12 last min walkard at disney station then to airport.

Like wat others already mentioned, I think u are squeezing too many places in so few days.
Maybe drop hakone, Kawaguchiko and gotemba? Then can have more days for Tokyo.
And i suggest u stay in one accommodation for osaka, Kyoto and nara, to save some time and hassle from having to check-in/out and packing luggage

 

[GetaBlue]

my 2 cents as i just finished my trip.

usj was tough, legs turn to jelly even for my younger sis and my mom worse.

try to plan one day walk and one day relax trip.

mine was
day 1 - kuromon, harkus 300, dontonburi
day 2 - shirakawago
day 3 - osaka castle walk surrounding only
day 4 - usj
day 5 - arashimaya bamboo groove, ( replan with less walking and removed izuju sushi due to legs too tired)
day 6 - kobe beef and nissin cup museum
day 7 - supposed fly but flight cancelled, stay hotel room as heavy rain due to typoon

 

[andrewkb]

>>> Ignore below. Just read Alphine Route closed on Winter.

I'll be traveling to Osaka in last week of December and planning to spend a few days out at the Kurobe Alpine Route to let my teenagers enjoy some snow. Based on https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7552.html
It says it can be done in 2 days. However, realistically, can someone suggest if I should spend a little more time at the Alpine route and stay in a Ryokan? Also geographically, is it easy to travel around while I'm up there?

 

[MadeInAnfield]

Appreciate some tips on my itinerary, it’s a solo trip to japan 9 days

Day 1
Alight at Narita, take Train to Kyoto, check in Airbnb
Explore Kyoto town areas (any suggestions?)and Gion at night

Day 2
Fushimi-inari-taisha shrine>kiyomizu-dera temple>dinner at Gion at night
Probably find some pub to drink at night ( suggestions welcome)

Day 3
Nara park day trip
Back to Kyoto at night for dinner

Day 4
Train to osaka> check in hotel
so far haven decided what to do for the afternoon. Suggestions welcome
I signed up for a pub crawl which starts at 7pm at night so my night activities pretty much settled.

Day 5
Osaka dotunburi and shinsaibashi district, maybe Umeda sky building at night but not really keen to travel all the way to Umeda just to go sky building

Day 6
Shinkansen to Tokyo
Check in hotel, haven’t book, any suggestions pls
Meiji shrine
Shibuya crossing, dinner (Luke’s lobster)

Day 7
Asakusa temple
Akihabara
Tokyo Tower

Day 8
Tsujiki fish market
Yoyogi park

Day 9
Prepare for flight back to SG

 

[eleutheromania]

Day 5
Osaka dotunburi and shinsaibashi district, maybe Umeda sky building at night but not really keen to travel all the way to Umeda just to go sky building

The views are pretty awesome. There's a cafe at the observatory level. Can have a cake and/or ice-cream.

 

[wkl1987]

Guys my itinerary as below, any comment

24 dec - 815pm flight

25 dec - 630am reach narita airport, go disneysea 3D2N, (i should go disneysea or disneyland on christmas day, which should i go first ?)

26 dec - disneyland (or disneysea? )

27 dec - disney hotel check out and go to shinjuku one night

Hotel : gracery hotel - 1N. Leave the luggage at hotel. Bring necessary to Mt Fuji only.

28 dec - shinjuku train to mount fuji area in the early morning, visit hakone area, gora area, rope car, cruise, etc,

Hotel : Gora kansuiro - 1N (dinner & bf)

29 dec - from Gora to gotemba outlet store, to kawaguchiko lake

Hotel : Fuji ginkei - 1N (dinner & bf) no convenience shop around, shop before heading to hotel

30 dec - kawaguchiko lake hotel check out and take bus back to tokyo shinjuku.

Hote : gracery hotel - 5N

31 dec - tokyo.
new year eve celebration :
Option1 - shibuya shinjuku area countdown celebration (no fireworks)
Option2 - q up early at temple for praying. 108 times of 敲钟 for good luck and blessings. Nearby shinjuku temple is 明治神宫。

Transport : MRT running 24hrs


1 jan - tokyo. Bf at hotel. Mostly shops were closed today. Proposed to visit temple and tower.
Option 1 - 增上寺 Zojoji temple + tokyo tower (top observation deck 250m need reservation)

And / or

Option 2 - 浅草寺 Sensoji temple + sky tree tower


2 jan - visit japan royal palace (only day that able to go into palace internal area)

Shopping: shops start to open, many shops giving out special promotion pack (福袋)

3 jan - tokyo , free and easy

4 jan - tokyo. Flight 6pm

5 jan - reach SG 540am

 

[patgoh28]

JR Pass Query

I have somehow settle the itinerary for our coming Japan trip.

Day 1 : Reach Narita Airport 2.45pm
: Check in hotel (Shinjuku)
Day 2 - Day 6 : Kyoto
Day 6 - 8 : Karuizawa
Day 8 - 15 : Tokyo
Day 15 : Depart for Narita Airport @ 3pm

May I ask, which type of JR Pass (7 days) should I buy because I saw that there are a number of different JR Pass (eg JR Whole Japan Rail Pass, JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass etc...). Or maybe I doesn't required JR Pass for my this trip?

Also need help if I have 2 days free (coz my children (adults) going Disneyland & Sea for 2 days) but my hubby & myself not going. So wondering what or where can we go during this 2 days (Day 12 - 13). Any suggestion?

 

[eleutheromania]

I have somehow settle the itinerary for our coming Japan trip.

Day 1 : Reach Narita Airport 2.45pm
: Check in hotel (Shinjuku)
Day 2 - Day 6 : Kyoto
Day 5 - 8 : Karuizawa
Day 8 - 15 : Tokyo
Day 15 : Depart for Narita Airport @ 3pm

May I ask, which type of JR Pass (7 days) should I buy because I saw that there are a number of different JR Pass (eg JR Whole Japan Rail Pass, JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass etc...). Or maybe I doesn't required JR Pass for my this trip?

Also need help if I have 2 days free (coz my children (adults) going Disneyland & Sea for 2 days) but my hubby & myself not going. So wondering what or where can we go during this 2 days (Day 12 - 13). Any suggestion?

Why do you want to go to Kyoto? There are so many places and things to see and do in the Kanto area.

 

[patgoh28]

Why do you want to go to Kyoto? There are so many places and things to see and do in the Kanto area.

This is more like a relax Japan trip rather than a rush rush trip. As I am meeting another family friend there, hence will want to catch up with each other since we last met few years ago when they are in Singapore. We might also go Osaka for a day trip (optional trip)

 

[wkl1987]

https://www.odakyu.jp/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/20191015en.pdf

some who going to mount fuji recently need to take note.

 

[super4hundred]

Osaka 4D4N

Hi All, 1st Time Visiting Osaka in Jan 2020. Below is my Itinerary. Can kindly advise is it too much for 4 days? And what do I need to purchase to assist this trip. TIA

Day 1
8am – Airport to Namba
9am – Drop Bag at Hotel
930am – Osaka Begins

10am Osaka Castle Museum
Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden
1230pm Osaka Suijyo Bus ( Aqua-Liner )
230pm Umeda Sky Building KUCHU-TEIEN OBSERVATORY
330pm Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum
430pm HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel
530pm Tsutenkaku Tower
6pm Shinsekai – Eat Kushikatsu – Walk Walk
7pm Den Den Town – Walk Walk – MaidDreamin Cafe
9pm Back to Hotel

Day 2
930am Universal Studios Japan in Osaka
4pm Captain Line
5pm GLION MUSEUM
6pm Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
7pm LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Osaka
9pm Back to Hotel

Day 3
8am - Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka - Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Arashiyama, and Nara Park
8pm Back to Hotel

Day 4
9am Namba Yasaka Shrine
10am Kuromon Market
1130am Dotonburi - Eat – Takoyaki / Sushi / Okonomiyaki
2pm Shinsaibashi Shopping – EVISU / FULLCOUNT
7pm Matsusakagya Yakiniku M – (Kobe Beef)

Day 5
Back to SG

 

[dilphinus]

Hi All, 1st Time Visiting Osaka in Jan 2020. Below is my Itinerary. Can kindly advise is it too much for 4 days? And what do I need to purchase to assist this trip. TIA

Day 1
8am – Airport to Namba
9am – Drop Bag at Hotel
930am – Osaka Begins

10am Osaka Castle Museum
Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden
1230pm Osaka Suijyo Bus ( Aqua-Liner )
230pm Umeda Sky Building KUCHU-TEIEN OBSERVATORY
330pm Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum
430pm HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel
530pm Tsutenkaku Tower
6pm Shinsekai – Eat Kushikatsu – Walk Walk
7pm Den Den Town – Walk Walk – MaidDreamin Cafe
9pm Back to Hotel

Day 2
930am Universal Studios Japan in Osaka
4pm Captain Line
5pm GLION MUSEUM
6pm Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
7pm LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Osaka
9pm Back to Hotel

Day 3
8am - Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka - Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Arashiyama, and Nara Park
8pm Back to Hotel

Day 4
9am Namba Yasaka Shrine
10am Kuromon Market
1130am Dotonburi - Eat – Takoyaki / Sushi / Okonomiyaki
2pm Shinsaibashi Shopping – EVISU / FULLCOUNT
7pm Matsusakagya Yakiniku M – (Kobe Beef)

Day 5
Back to SG

Too ambitious. Did you buffer travel time and also queuing time?

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Osaka. Do you have a toddler/child? Adult cannot enter on his/her own. Or are you going for the Adult Night?

Don't forget that there might be a long queue for the Ferris wheel.

Day 3 way too ambitious. Are you setting off at 8am or arriving at 8am?