Japan 14 Days - Osaka, Kyoto, Hakone & Tokyo - Logistics Focus

BON Condo Namba Nipponbashi

Day 1 hotel. Self-check-in, walking distance to Namba.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Nara Park

Arrived around 9 AM to beat crowds. Full day exploring.

Tōdai-ji Temple

Himeji Castle

Half-day trip from Osaka.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Laon Inn Gion Nawate

Kyoto hotel near Gion. Stored luggage early before check-in.

Nijō Castle

Pre-booked online. Budgeted 1.5h for Ninomaru Palace before Honmaru.

teamLab Biovortex Kyoto

MUST reserve ahead. Spent 2.5h, exhausting but worth it.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Rented kimonos nearby (no reservation needed). Tea ceremony here too.

Nishiki Market

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Arrived 8 AM, already busy. Left by 10:15, extremely crowded by then.

Hakone Onsen Yuyado Yamanoshou

Private reservable onsens (tattoo-friendly). Kaiseki meals included.

Lake Ashi

Pirate ship cruise as part of the Hakone Loop.

Owakudani

Part of the Hakone Loop circuit.

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Morning visit before heading to Tokyo.

Tsukiji Outer Market

Mount Takao

Akihabara

Visited on Days 11 and 12.

Takeya (多慶屋)

Discount department store near Ueno/Okachimachi.

Shibuya Sky

Night visit, booked 8:20 PM slot.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Visited for early cherry blossoms but mid-March was too early even for early varieties.

Takeshita Street

Explored Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya without a strict plan.

Sushi Sen Shibuya

Omakase dinner. Reserved via Tabelog after two walk-in rejections.

Dotonbori Glico sign

道頓堀グリコサイン Dotonbori is the most popular spot in Osaka. There are many attractions and the Glico sign is iconic. More info: https://www.glico.com/global/feature/glicosign01/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsJG_ixSKNx/?img_index=2

Mt. Wakakusa

若草山 From the top of the mountain, you can overlook the town of Nara and enjoy spending time with deer in a different atmosphere from Nara Park. More info: https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00491/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CeONUkhL_Nx/ #nature

Narukawa Art Museum in Hakone

成川美術館 From this museum, you can enjoy views of Mount Fuji and Hakone. More info: http://www.narukawamuseum.co.jp/en/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrqNMyuyM9y/ #Fuji #art

Maruyama Park

円山公園 Opened in 1886, it is the oldest park in Kyoto City. Known for its cherry blossoms, especially the famous Gion weeping cherry trees, it has long been the city's premier recreational spot. The illuminated night cherry blossoms are also beautiful. More info: https://kyoto.travel/en/other_attractions/110.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C478_a2y3E2/?img_index=6 #sakura

Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi

Coordinates: 35.0084,135.7706 #gyoza

Kuromon Market

黒門市場 If you want to enjoy eating while walking through a market in Osaka, this is the place to go. Recently, many vendors cater more to tourists than to locals. More info: https://kuromon.com/en/ #food

Pontocho Area

Nambayasaka Shrine

Gion Shirakawa

祇園白川 It's an area with a nostalgic atmosphere where traditional townhouses with lattice-patterned red shutters line the cobblestone streets of Gion. More info: https://souda-kyoto.jp/guide/spot/gionshirakawa.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CjIV__hrih1/ #architecture

Hakone Shrine

箱根神社 It's the most famous shrine in Hakone, and there can be long queues to take photos of this torii gate during the daytime. More info: https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/spot/523 IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5BG6Obykpz/?img_index=1 #shrine #torii

Hie Shrine

日枝神社 It's a popular shrine in Tokyo known for the sight of lined-up torii gates. More info: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1732/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CklAqGrSkjc/ #shrine #torii

Kanda Myojin Shrine

https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/ev270/index.html (3.26 - 4.10)

Koishikawa Korakuen

Ranjatai

Best yakitori in Tokyo? Michelin star. Delicious and friendly owners. Need booking one month in advance. #yakitori