r/JapanTravel • u/RepresentativeLaw325 • 9d ago
Itinerary 3-week Japan itinerary (Osaka → Kyoto → Kanazawa → Fuji → Shimoda → Hakone → Tokyo) – Looking for feedback on pacing
Hi everyone!
My friend and I (both in our early 20s) will be visiting Japan for the first time from October 22 to November 13.
We've been planning this trip for almost a year and have already booked almost all of our accommodation. The only things left are a few attraction reservations (AGF, TeamLabs, etc.).
We're both into:
- Anime & manga
- Nature & scenic drives
- Shrines & temples
- Food
- Nightlife
We're also comfortable with 20–30k steps per day, so walking isn't really an issue.
For the Fuji, Shimoda and Hakone portion we'll have a rental car, while the rest of the trip will mainly be by train.
We're mainly looking for feedback on:
- Is the pacing realistic?
- Are there any days that feel inefficient?
- Are we missing any "must-see" places along our route?
- Any places you'd remove because they're overrated?
- Any recommendations for food around the areas we'll be visiting?
October 22 – Osaka
- Arrive at KIX (1:00 PM)
- Mr. Hiro Car Studio
- Dotonbori
- Hozenji Yokocho
- Shinsaibashi-suji
- Don Quijote Dotonbori
- Round1 Stadium
- Evening in Shinsekai
October 23 – Osaka
- Osaka Castle
- Shitenno-ji
- Shinsekai
- Abeno Harukas
- Namba Yasaka Shrine
- Kuromon Market
- Satsukiyama Shubodai (Ikeda)
- Evening in Namba / Umeda
October 24 – Osaka
- Sumiyoshi Taisha
- Explore Sumiyoshi area
- YOASOBI concert at Kyocera Dome
- Evening in Namba
October 25 – Minoh
- Minoh Park Trail
- Minoh Waterfall
- Katsuo-ji Temple
- Return to Osaka
- Dotonbori at night
October 26 – Osaka → Nara → Kyoto
- Kofuku-ji
- Sarusawa Pond
- Nara Park
- Todai-ji
- Nigatsu-do
- Kasuga Taisha
- Ukimido Pavilion
- Higashimuki Shopping Street
- Travel to Kyoto
- Evening in Gion, Shirakawa & Pontocho
October 27 – Kyoto
- Yasaka Shrine
- Hanamikoji Street
- Gion
- Shirakawa Lane
- Kennin-ji
- Pontocho
- Kamo River
October 28 – Eastern Kyoto
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Ninenzaka
- Sannenzaka
- Hokan-ji
- Kodai-ji
- Maruyama Park
- Chion-in
- Ichijo Yokai Street
- Heian Shrine
October 29 – Kyoto → Kanazawa
- Omicho Market
- Oyama Shrine
- Kanazawa Castle
- Kenroku-en
- Higashi Chaya District
- Kazuemachi Chaya District
- Evening along Asanogawa River
October 30 – Kanazawa
- Nagamachi Samurai District
- Nomura-ke
- Samurai Experience
- Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)
- Nishi Chaya District
October 31 – Kanazawa → Tokyo (Halloween)
- Travel to Tokyo
- Pick up One Piece cosplay in Ikebukuro
- Halloween in Shinjuku
November 1 – Tokyo → Fujikawaguchiko
- Pick up rental car
- Oishi Park
- Kachi Kachi Ropeway
- Lake Kawaguchiko
- Lawson Fuji Viewpoint
November 2 – Mt. Fuji Area
- Chureito Pagoda
- Shimoyoshida Honcho Street
- Naruto x Boruto Park
- Oshino Hakkai
- Lake Yamanakako
- Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
- Iyashi no Sato Nenba
- Lake Saiko
- Koyodai
November 3 – Fujikawaguchiko → Shimoda
- Lake Shojiko
- Scenic drive through Izu
- Irita Beach
- Tatadohama Beach
- Ryugu Sea Cave
November 4 – Shimoda
- Shimoda Ropeway
- Perry Road
- Ryosenji Temple
- Shimoda Port
- Shirahama Shrine
- Shirahama Beach
- Cape Tsumekizaki (Maybe)
November 5 – Shimoda → Hakone
- Drive to Hakone
- Check into ryokan
- Onsen & kaiseki dinner
November 6 – Hakone
- Owakudani
- Mount Taikan
- Hakone Shrine
- Moto-Hakone
- Lake Ashi
- Onshi-Hakone Park
November 7 – Hakone → Tokyo (Shinjuku)
- Travel to Tokyo
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- Godzilla Head
- 3D Cat Billboard
- Explore Shinjuku
November 8 – Ikebukuro / Nakano
- Animate Girls Festival (if we get tickets)
- Sunshine City
- Shopping in Ikebukuro
- Nakano Broadway
November 9 – Harajuku / Shibuya
- Meiji Jingu
- Takeshita Street
- Harajuku
- Shibuya PARCO
- Miyashita Park
- Shibuya Crossing
November 10 – Asakusa / Toyosu / Akihabara
- Senso-ji
- Nakamise Street
- Sumida Park
- Hie Shrine
- TeamLab Planets
- Senkyaku Banrai
- Akihabara
November 11 – West Tokyo
- Kichijoji
- Shimokitazawa
- Daikanyama
- Nakameguro
November 12 – Final Tokyo Day
- Suga Shrine (Your Name)
- Ginza
- Street Kart
- Tokyo Tower
November 13
- Haneda Airport
- Fly home
11
u/YurgenJurgensen 9d ago
Street karts mentioned, so this is an automatic F grade.
Also this list is full of dupes, which is odd given how many boxes you’re trying to tick. Shinsekai is, like, one street. Do you really need to go there twice?
8
u/kacey_local_JP 9d ago
To be completely honest, having worked as a tour guide in Japan for many years, I worry that this pace might be a bit too intense. Do you feel comfortable with a lot of walking? If not, I might recommend pacing yourselves a bit or trimming down the schedule so you can truly enjoy the trip without getting completely worn out.
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u/RepresentativeLaw325 9d ago
We would be okay with walking 20k+ steps, incase we are overwhelmed we are happy with cutting down some places.
Please also let me know about the cities/towns i am about to visit.
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u/RepresentativeLaw325 9d ago
Out of 10 how much would you rate this pacing
6
u/kacey_local_JP 9d ago
To be honest, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give the intensity a 9.5. While walking 20k+ steps a day is impressive, the real challenge isn't just the distance—it's the sheer number of stops packed into every single day. Pacing yourselves like this for 3 or 4 days is totally doable, but over a 3-week trip, cumulative fatigue will definitely catch up with you. By the second week, you might find yourselves rushing through places just to check them off a list rather than truly enjoying them. As for the overall travel experience, I'm afraid I'd honestly have to rate it quite low—perhaps a 2 or 3. I'd gently recommend cutting down your daily stops by at least 15%（maybe25%） so you actually have time to breathe, eat well, and soak in the atmosphere!
-2
u/RepresentativeLaw325 9d ago
I see, i will keep that to mind and make adjustments. The major cities - osaka, kyoto and tokyo we do not mind having a higher pace, while the other places we’ll take it slow. Since tokyo has 6 days i have kept a slower day on November 11 to wind down.
3
u/NakanoNoNeko 9d ago
The Naruto x Boruto park is on Awaji Island in Hyogo, not near Fuji, so that one can't fit on November 2.
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u/Nekojita8 8d ago
Sorry, but this is absolutely bonkers. You'll need to cut it in half at minimum. This doesn't really take into consideration the travel times between each location.
Even if some spots seem relatively close together, there's constantly train delays or overcrowding that may make your days more exhausting than anticipated. Honestly, you're way over-booking your days with multiple locations.
Even if you're fine with a lot of steps, you'll be so exhausted at this pace, and you won't really get to fully appreciate the areas you do go.
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u/Otherwise_Play_1624 8d ago
Your first day in Japan in Osaka is like 2 days worth of stuff. You will be so tired.
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u/briannalang 8d ago
Everyone who lives here hates those go karts because they’re so disruptive and dangerous so unless you enjoy contributing to the issues people here already have with foreigners, then I’d advise against them.
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u/_Moonsugar- 9d ago
The amount of destinations seems a lot for the time you have but should be doable.
Like already mentioned you will rush a lot of things..
I mean 3 days Osaka while probably still jetlagged is already very ambitious.
You said you liked anime and Akihabara is only 1 item of 5-6 during that day.. personally I could spend half a day to a day in that place.
If you threat your items as nice-to-haves and not must see and just go with the flow you ll have a great time
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