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

BON Condo Namba Nipponbashi

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

Nara Park

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

Tōdai-ji Temple

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

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.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

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

teamLab Biovortex Kyoto

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

Fushimi Inari Taisha

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

Nishiki Market

Hakone Onsen Yuyado Yamanoshou

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

Owakudani

Part of the Hakone Loop circuit.

Lake Ashi

Pirate ship cruise as part of the Hakone Loop.

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Morning visit before heading to Tokyo.

Tsukiji Outer Market

Takeya (多慶屋)

Discount department store near Ueno/Okachimachi.

Akihabara

Visited on Days 11 and 12.

Mount Takao

Takeshita Street

Explored Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya without a strict plan.

Shibuya Sky

Night visit, booked 8:20 PM slot.

Sushi Sen Shibuya

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

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

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

Nambayasaka Shrine

Pontocho Area

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

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

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

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

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

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

Koishikawa Korakuen

Kanda Myojin Shrine

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

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

Ranjatai

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