u/Flaky_Idea_4186

Hi, planning a ~22 day Japan trip (20 Sept – 12 Oct) and trying to figure out the Fuji/nature part + overall flow.

Rough plan right now:

• Tokyo: ~5–6 days (not fixed, could also split start/end differently)
• Fuji/Hakone area: 2–3 days (undecided between Hakone or Kawaguchiko)
• Kyoto: ~5–6 days
• Osaka: ~3–4 days
• Tokyo again before flight: ~2–3 days

We also want to fit in a few day trips from the big cities (to break up Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka and avoid spending all our time in crowded areas).

We’re open to rearranging things if it makes more sense (for example doing fewer days in Tokyo at the start and more at the end, etc.).

Main question is still:
Hakone vs Kawaguchiko in late September / early October

• Kawaguchiko → best chance of Mt. Fuji views but weather seems risky
• Hakone → better ryokan/onsen + more reliable experience, but less “wow” Fuji scenery

We’re a couple and mainly want:

• a nice nature break between cities
• at least one “wow scenery” stop
• good balance with day trips from cities
• not wasting days if weather ends up bad (late Sept seems unpredictable)

If you had to build this route again for this season, what would you change?

Thanks 🙏