Help pls with Japan 9 night itinerary

For the first few days, you'll be in Tokyo, hitting up the cool modern spots and the old-school vibe. Then on day three, you could do a day trip from Tokyo, lots to see like Hakone for nature or Kamakura for chill temples. After that, hop on the bullet train over to Kyoto. You'll spend a few days there, exploring old streets, golden temples, red gates, and the bamboo forest. From Kyoto, maybe another day trip, could be Nara to see the deer, or perhaps Hiroshima for some history. Then it's back to Tokyo for a last chance at souvenirs or favorite spots before you fly home.

Well, I am going ahead of you.

I am going to go to Tokyo late September to take a 14 day cruise to Seoul.

This will be my first time in Asia and I did feel overwhelmed in the beginning but this forum has really helped along with a lot of research.

I have spent hours and I mean hours watching you tube videos and they have been very helpful.

Besides this forum, there are helpful facebook pages if you are on facebook. and I have also used the Trip Advisor forum which can seem a little complicated in the beginning .

Try searching Japan on this forum. There are some questions and answers as well as trip reports. Go to Beyond Europe and there is a Search at the top. Just type in Japan.

But I am also expecting other forum members are going to jump in and respond to this discussion.

Myself, I am choosing to stay in Yokohama because my ship sails from Yokohama.

I am hoping to be be able to post reviews as I go along and then a trip report after getting home.

I am not one for guidebooks but I think a guidebook would be. a big help for you.

And check out Japan Visitor Information online. There is an official one but also some very good unofficial ones.

I may be among the first to answer you but I know that other members are right behind me.

Here is a thread that was begun over. year ago. It piqued my interest in Japan and now I am leaving in less than 3 months

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/beyond-europe/japan-5af6c49f-5393-499f-b2aa-6cf6b4392ecb

Be aware that Cherry Blossom season begins in late March and runs through May. While it makes everything beautiful, it also brings big crowds and higher prices.

Plan early.

With nine nights, I wouldn't plan to move around much. Like most first time visitors, you'll probably want to focus on bases in Tokyo and Kyoto,

From each, you could also plan to do some day trips. Perhaps even a one night stop in Hakone enroute to Kyoto to experience a relaxing ryokan. (The area is beautiful.)

Two pieces of advice I would give--make sure you have cash as Japan is not all credit card yet...and....learn the unwritten rules of behavior.

Once outside the modern cities, Japan is a beautiful country that is run very efficiently.

While English is not as widely spoken as it is in much of Europe, signs in train stations are in Japanese and English. Announcements are also made in both Japanese and English.

Japan Guide, with which I am not affiliated, is an excellent free resource to help you plan your trip. They have itinerary suggestions, a bit fast-paced to my liking, but a good starting point nonetheless!

In general:

• If you land early enough, ideally in Haneda, you can take the train straight to Kyoto and start there for 3-4 nights
• Then you can spend 1-2 nights somewhere between Kyoto and Tokyo, such as Hakone or Kanazawa
• And finish with 4-5 nights in Tokyo

Google “Japan Golden Route”. The basic is Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka with some variations possible. Generally these are Hakone, Hiroshima, and/or Kanazawa. Popular first timers’ route.

Some examples of hits below, you might also find packaged tour itineraries helpful.

https://www.japan.travel/en/in/itineraries/golden-route/

https://blog.gaijinpot.com/the-golden-route-the-best-itinerary-for-first-time-travelers-to-japan/

My take on this route - Osaka is commuting distance from Kyoto. Not my favorite stop in Japan although Dontonbori for street food is worthwhile to many. With nine days, I would stick to Tokyo and Kyoto with a possible overnight in Hakone when traveling between the two. Lots of day trip possibilities from Tokyo and Kyoto. You really don’t have a lot of time.

Day trip examples-
Tokyo - Nikko, Kamakura, Kawagoe
Kyoto - Nara, Fushimi Inari, Himeji Castle, some do Hiroshima - longer but doable thanks to bullet trains, Osaka

Train routes and times are easy to check in the Jorudan and Navitime apps.

This website is very useful.
https://www.japan-guide.com/

Also, if you use the search function, there are a number of Japan posts on this board with detailed info and suggestions. I find guidebooks easier to flip through than websites when first starting research - my library is great for these. Websites often make better sense after I’ve perused a few standard guides. But, maybe I’m just old-fashioned!

Edit - I just noticed that Balso and I, along with others, agree on a lot…. I should have read more thoroughly before replying rather than repeat the good advice. Haneda airport is closer to central Tokyo than Narita. However, I always fly into Narita by choice. Transport is not hard from either airport.

We were just in Japan this past March/April for 3 weeks. Here’s some tips -

You need just 2 nights in Osaka - the draw here is the food scene. Your son will love it. We saw a Sumo Show here too which was fun! We also did a wonderful food tour in the evening.

Kyoto is more traditional Japanese, or what we think of when thinking of visiting Japan. This is Geisha territory. During the month of April is when they have the geisha dance shows. Google to check the dates. Check Midori Odori on the internet.

Tokyo would be where I would spend most of my time. It’s amazing and wonderful and fun.

The trains between each are quick. Read up about the local customs and get ready to stand in line. The Japanese people are very patient. The subway system is easy to use, all signage is in English. Google translate was our friend the entire trip.

We wasted one day going to see Mt Fuji and Hakone. There was still snow at Mt Fuji so we could not get anywhere near it, just saw the top from a parking lot. Unless you are going to spend a few days in Hakone, with such a short amount of time I would take a pass.

Have fun, Japan is so interested and fun and overwhelming and we would go back in a minute.

Mt Fuji is not close to Hakone. Hakone was developed as a resort area where, on good days, one might get a beautiful view of Fuji from the Lake Ashi area or Owakudani. (Or for those wanting to enjoy a view while shopping, from the Gotemba Outlets reached by bus from the Hakone region).

The area referred to as “Hakone” is hilly/ mountainous with hiking, onsen, volcanic tourism at Owakudani with good potential Fuji views, Ropeway sites, Lake Ashi cruises, museums and spots of historical interest. Mt Fuji is not visible even on a good day from much of the region because of terrain.

For many, the reason for a Hakone overnight stay is to try an onsen. A day trip from Tokyo is often presented as a way see Mt Fuji. The literature advertising the route explains the special train, ropeway, tram, lake cruise etc. In my experience, it makes everything appear more relaxed than the reality. The transit routes can be absolutely packed - worse than a Tokyo subway at rush hour. However, still a popular day trip from Tokyo.

https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/

For closer proximity to Fuji, Kawaguchiko and the Five Lakes area are better for tourists.

I have also had views of Mt Fuji on the airport bus going into Tokyo from Narita and from the upper floors of the Tokyo Hilton. I understand that the Government Buildings have free viewing from the upper floors, but haven’t tried this myself. Probably the Tokyo Skytree has views on a clear day, but that is another site I have not visited.