Hello! My friends and I will be heading to Japan near the end of May for the first time! We just recently booked our hostels. Here's our itinerary..
Day 1 - Arrive at 5PM - Train from NRT to Shinagawa. (Spend night in Shinagawa)
Day 2 - First day of JR Pass? Train from Shinagawa to Hiroshima. See Miyajima. (Spend night at Hiroshima)
Day 3 - See Hiroshima then at 2-3PM train to Osaka. (Spend night in Osaka)
Day 4 - Train to Nara for day trip and spend night in Osaka.
Day 5 - Train Osaka to Kyoto
Day 6 - Kyoto
Day 7 - Train Kyoto to Asakusa, Tokyo (base)
Day 8 - Tokyo/ Have day trip in Hakone?
Day 9 - Tokyo
Day10 - Tokyo
Day11 - fly off Narita at 3PM
What do you think of the itinerary? Is it too much riding on the train? Should we skip Hakone and focus more on Tokyo? I'm planning to use the JR Pass on Day 2.. what should I use when it expires? Any tips/recommendations are greatly appreciated! Thank you!