u/aphelionjpg

Hi everyone! I’d love some feedback on our ~14-day Japan itinerary, especially anything that looks too rushed, anything we should cut, or anything we’re missing (especially restaurants!)

I intentionally include more options than we can realistically do in a day so we can choose based on energy, weather, crowds, etc. I’m also trying to include alternatives near shopping areas for the people who don't want to shop.

We’re a group of 4 traveling in late November/early December. We’re interested in fall foliage, traditional neighborhoods/architecture, shopping, museums, gardens, and generally seeing a mix of major sights and smaller towns. One person in the group enjoys hiking, while the others prefer easier walks. None of us drink alcohol so no sake breweries, bars, or other alcohol-focused activities are included.

I got a lot of my ideas from this sub so hoping I can get some more help! Thanks in advance!

Fri 20th — Day 1: Arrive Tokyo

• Arrive around noon
• Immigration/customs + travel into Tokyo
• Check in and settle in
• Tokyo Skytree / Solamachi
• Christmas Market
• Shopping
• Skytree for anyone interested
• Dinner
• Ideally stay awake until ~9–10pm to adjust to the time change

Sat 21st — Day 2: Omiya / Railway Museum

• Omiya Bonsai Art Museum
• Explore the surrounding bonsai village and nurseries:
  • Fuyo-en
  • Shoto-en
  • Kyuka-en
  • Seiko-en
  • Toju-en
  • Mansei-en
• Lunch at Train Restaurant Japan Diner?
• The Railway Museum

Sun 22nd — Day 3: Shinjuku + Ikebukuro + Illuminations

• Shinjuku area
  • Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
  • Shinjuku Marui Annex
  • Suruga-ya
  • Beams Japan
• Ikebukuro
  • Sunshine City
  • Pokémon stores
  • Large gashapon store
  • Ghibli Store
  • Miffy Store
  • Sylvanian Families Store
  • Kiddy Land
  • Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park as an alternative
  • Lunch in the mall
  • K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Otome Pavilion
  • Suruga-ya Ikebukuro
  • Animate flagship store (possible cut)
  • 2nd Street (possible cut)
  • Hysteric Glamour (possible cut)
• Rikugien Gardens night illumination
• Mejiro Garden as a backup

Mon 23rd — Day 4: Edo-Tokyo + Kichijoji

• Avoid leaving too early to miss the worst of rush hour
• Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
• Kichijoji
• L.L.Bean
• Explore the neighborhood
• Inokashira Park

Tues 24th — Day 5: Harajuku + Shibuya

• Harajuku
  • Shopping
  • Possible alternatives:
  • Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue
  • Nezu Museum
  • Yoyogi Park
  • Meiji Jingu
  • Togo Shrine
• Lunch at Harajuku Gyozarou?
• Walk toward Shibuya
  • Hysteric Glamour
  • Iyoshi Cola
• Shibuya
  • Beams
  • Shibuya Crossing
  • MUJI
  • Onitsuka Tiger
  • Shibuya PARCO
  • MIYASHITA PARK as an alternative
• Dinner

Weds 25th — Day 6: Kawaguchiko / Mt. Fuji Day Trip

• Following this 1-day guide from Truly Tokyo

Thurs 26th — Day 7: Tokyo → Takayama

• Check out
• Send large luggage ahead / use luggage forwarding
• Travel Tokyo → Nagoya
• Stop in Nagoya
• Nagoya Castle
• Meijo Park
• Continue Nagoya → Takayama
• Check in
• Relax / rooftop bath

Fri 27th — Day 8: Takayama

• Higashiyama Walking Course
• Start around Takayama Museum of History and Art
• Lunch
• Sanmachi Suji / Old Town
• New and Old Arts Town
• Kuratsubo Antiques
• Hida Takayama Retro Museum (optional)
• Dinner

Sat 28th — Day 9: Takayama

• Miyagawa Morning Market
• Yoshijima Heritage House
• Kusakabe Traditional House
• Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
• Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
• Sakurayama Nikkokan Museum
• Takayama Showa-kan Museum
• Lunch
• Afternoon at Hida Folk Village
• Hida Takayama Crafts Experience Center

Sun 29th — Day 10: Takayama → Hida-Furukawa

• Check out
• Train to Hida-Furukawa (~15 minutes)
  • Setogawa and Shirakabe Dozou Street
  • Glass Museum Koma Furukawa
  • Browse local shops and antique stores
• Lunch
• Check in to a ryokan
• Dinner at the ryokan / relax

Mon 30th — Day 11: Hida-Furukawa → Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa

• Check out
• Travel to Shirakawa-go
  • Explore
  • Lunch
• Continue to Kanazawa
• Check in
• Dinner
• Relax

Tues 1st — Day 12: Kanazawa

• Breakfast at Curio Espresso and Vintage Design Café
• Kanazawa Castle
• Kenroku-en Garden
• Lunch
• Nagamachi Samurai District
• Nomura-ke Samurai Heritage Residence
• Higashi Chaya District around sunset
• Kutani/Kanazawa ceramics shopping

Weds 2nd — Day 13: Kanazawa → Tokyo

• Breakfast / Omicho Market?
• Check out
• Travel back to Tokyo (~3.5 hours)
• Check in
• Last-minute shopping
• Shopping around Asakusa
• Kappabashi Kitchen Town
• Possible luggage shopping
• Explore Senso-ji at night
• Pack

Thurs 3rd — Day 14: Departure

Hey there!

I'm thinking of downgrading my Venture to a VentureOne and applying for a Venture X (to secure the sign-up bonus).

It seems like a no brainer to get the X, as I usually use the Capital One portal to book most of my travel. I usually due one big international trip every 2 years, and a weekend trip every 3ish months. I am able to due this by using points like crazy - travel is the only thing I use my points for.

I currently have the Venture for basically all spending, Chase Prime Visa just for Amazon, Chase Sapphire Preferred (got for the big sign on bonus a while back, don't use anymore except for Doordash).

I'm also thinking of downgrading the Chase Sapphire Preferred sine I got the bonus.

I currently have a FICO score of 825-833 depending on the month, and I'm pre-approved for the X.

Advice? Other cards I should look at instead?

Thanks!!