12 Days in Japan - itinerary HELP
 

I have never done so many sample itineraries before as I have for Japan!!! It truly has so much to do and see!!! Sorry for yet another post but thank you for your patience and guidance in advance!

Just another recap for those who may NOT have seen my previous posts:

FYI: Our group is 12 passengers (well-traveled) and one of which is a 3 year old toddler (who is also very well traveled for her age as well). We typically move at a fast pace and like to see variety of things. Since we are a large group, the advantage is that we can hire private cars/vans and get a pretty good deal once it is divided amongst 12 of us so are always doing that in places to ensure we cover more ground. Our likes/tastes include good food, sight-seeing, scenery, cool and unique things, and skylines! We love adventurous activities too but most likely the only adventurous activity we might get is going to be the MariKar in Japan lol. We are the type that will get templed out really quick which is why we have a diverse itinerary to keep us going.

Want to make sure this all looks doable (in regards to locations, trying to do things that are closer together on the same day). Also any tips for the sights below will be greatly appreciated.Also one very important question will be - what areas to live in when we go to Tokyo. We would like to stay in ONE hotel only for Days 1-3. And when we get back from Takayama we can stay in another hotel.


SO here comes itinerary version 3.14:lol:

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE ALL!

Summary Day 1 - ARRIVAL IN TOKYO

• We will all arrive by 2:10pm
• Transfer to hotel - need to decide on region to stay in? Possibly Chiyoda? As we want to stay in the same hotel for days 1-3

Summary Day 2 - TOKYO

• Breakfast - most likely an early start today due to jetlag
• Sensoji shrine
• Nakamise Dore shopping district
• Transfer to Akihabara
• Lunch
• Akihabara electronics district
• Robot restaurant show (half of group will attend first show at 5:55pm while the other half goes to Tokyo Plaza hotel or Samurai museum with toddler) and then switch
• Dinner
• Perhaps some typical supermarket shopping?

Summary Day 3 - TOKYO:

• Breakfast
• Takeshita street
• Baird beer taproom for some and others to kawaii monster café
• Shibuya crossing
• Dinner
• Skyline view at Shibuya Sky

Summary Day 4 - OSAKA:

• Breakfast in Tokyo
• Transfer to Osaka
• Drop off luggage to hotel
• Lunch
• Cup Noodles museum vs. Observatory Harukas 300?
• Mario kart tuk tuk experience
• Dotonbori at night time + Dinner
• Spend the night in Osaka

Summary Day 5 - KYOTO

• Breakfast in Osaka
• Arashiyama bamboo forest
• Monkey park
• Lunch
• Foot spa treatment
• Gio-ji Temple and moss gardens
• Tenryuji Japanese gardens
• Shinkansen back to Osaka
• Dinner in Osaka

Summary Day 6 - DAY trip to KOYASAN VS. NARA

• Group is torn between these two places
• Return to Osaka tonight

Summary Day 7 - KYOTO

• Breakfast in Osaka
• Fushini Inari shrine
• Tea ceremony and rental of komono

• Higashiyama district
• Yasaka/Hokanji Pagoda
• streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
• Gion district
• Shinkansen to Osaka
• Dinner in Osaka

Summary Day 8 - TAKAYAMA

• Breakfast in Osaka
• Transfer to Takayama = approximately 4 hours
• Check into hotel
• Sake tour and hang out in town?

Summary Day 9 - TAKAYAMA

• Takayama + Shirakawago

Summary Day 10 - TAKAYAMA to Tokyo

• Breakfast in Takayama
• Check out of hotel
• Stop at Kamikochi en route to Tokyo?
• Dinner in Tokyo and check into hotel

Summary Day 11 - Last full day in TOKYO

• Breakfast
• TeamLab Borderless
• Aqua city - 5th floor ramen lunch
• Mega Web Toyota Showroom
• Pallette Town big ferris wheel
• Dinner
• Mario Kart ride with Mari Kar
• Hotel

Summary Day 12 - LEAVING TO GO BACK TO USA

• Our flight leaves at 3:15pm - anything we can do this morning?

I agree with thursdaysd -- Koyasan is not something that most people would enjoy as a day trip. For one thing, the time to get there and back is LONG and involves multiple and potentially stressful switches in mode of transportation. For another, while there are some lovely things to see atop Koyasan, the things that make it a must-see for those who consider it a must-see are things that generally can't be incorporated into a day trip -- visiting Okunoin at dusk or dawn (or both); experiencing the exquisite cuisine of one of it's temples; experiencing the hospitality of one of its temples; joining monks for their first ritual of the day; etc.

I don't really understand why you are taking 3 precious days to go to Takayama and aren't even giving yourselves time to see it.

But I think you've heard most/all of these comments before and its your trip, your call. Enjoy!

Mainly because of the good food and night life for those in our group who are late sleepers. Also heard it can be much cheaper? We are open to suggestions though

Actually not many people have told us not to go to Takayama. Can you tell me what all is there to do that would require us to stay more than 3 days?

Like others, I don’t understand why you’re staying in Osaka.

As for Mario Karts (or any of their competitors), please don’t go anywhere near them - a tourist ‘attraction’ apparently loathed by the locals. If your idea of fun is driving around city streets in a stupid costume with no helmet on, on a small go-kart, then all I can hope is that some big Japanese truck, whose driver is just trying to make a living by getting from A to B and who may not be able to see you on your idiotic go-kart, comes along and squashes you like a bug.

As for Shirakawago, save yourself the hassle (and avoid the daytrippers) by just going to Hida no Sato when you’re in Takayama.

You don't have 3 days in Takayama -- your plan gives you just parts of two days.
Here's info about what to do in Takayama in the same excellent resource to which we have frequently directed you:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5900.html
IMO, tt7's advice to skip Shirakawago, visiting Hida no Sato instead, is excellent advice.

Used this link to help me plan and already been through it. We plan to make Takayama just a relaxed scenic side trip with a visit to Shirakawago and Kamikochi. Within Takayama itself we just plan to stroll along old Town, do a sake tour and go to Matsuri Na Mori if open. For example:

Day one in Takayama when we arrive:
Stroll along old Town and relax.. If we can do Sake tour today for those in our group who are interested

Day two full day in Takayama+ Shirakawago (35 minute bus ride) - visit Matsuri Na Mori today

Day three - on our way back to Tokyo do a guided hike in Kamikochi...

Or potentially switch day two and 3 (day 2 do a day trip to Kamikochi) (day 3 visit Shirakawago and then take evening train back to Tokyo)

Based on what we want to do there would this not be manageable?

Used this link to help me plan initially already been through it. We plan to make Takayama just a relaxed scenic side trip with a visit to Shirakawago and Kamikochi. Within Takayama itself we just plan to stroll along old Town, do a sake tour and go to Matsuri Na Mori if open. For example:

Day one in Takayama when we arrive:
Stroll along old Town and relax.. If we can do Sake tour today for those in our group who are interested

Day two full day in Takayama+ Shirakawago (35 minute bus ride) - visit Matsuri Na Mori today

Day three - on our way back to Tokyo do a guided hike in Kamikochi...

Or potentially switch day two and 3 (day 2 do a day trip to Kamikochi) (day 3 visit Shirakawago and then take evening train back to Tokyo)

Based on what we want to do there would this not be manageable?

If that's all you want to do in Takayama, and if you're all willing to spend so much time in transit for just those things, then sure, go for it!