Hello, We are a group of 8 friends visiting Japan for the first time from India from Nov 28 - Dec 08 2024. Being first timers and on budget, our...
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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/Glass-Pineapple-1172 on 2024-10-17 11:26:19+00:00.

Hello, We are a group of 8 friends visiting Japan for the first time from India from Nov 28 - Dec 08 2024. Being first timers and on budget, our goal is to experience autumn (reason for choosing later November per ) and the major tourist attractions. We plan to make use of public transport throughout the trip. Haven’t figured out which JR/rail passes to take yet.

  1. **Day 01**: 1730 ARR TOKYO NRT - check in - Shibuya Crossing
  2. **Day 02**: TOK - Roam the city - Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Market, Shinjuku Gyoen, Hamarikyu or Rikugien Gardens
  3. **Day 03**: Private Full Day Sightseeing Tour to Mount Fuji and Hakone
  4. **Day 04**: Tokyo wrap - maybe day trip Ashikaga Flower Park
  5. **Day 05**: Fly to Osaka - Japan Air - Check In - Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
  6. **Day 06**: Osaka - Hoshi no Buranko
  7. **Day 07**: Nara - Deer Park, Todaji, Kasuga Shrine, Daibutsu Nara
  8. **Day 08**: Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera, Nishiki Market, Arashiyama Bamboo
  9. **Day 09**: Kyoto - Chion-in or Ginkaku-ji Temple, Yumemigaoka Observation Deck
  10. **Day 10**: No idea, maybe this one of the Team Lab thing or have all 8 of us split and do a solo day trip to anywhere
  11. **Day 11**: Fly back - noon flight

Stay -

Day 01 - 05 - AirBnB at Toshima City

Day 05 - 11 - AirBnB at Nanima Ward.

Since we are a group of 8 and most of us will carry 20 kg baggage each, we think instead of hauling big bags through shinkansen and getting the experience of JR, we will fly to Osaka and do day trips from there. The JR pass calculator also says we need 20K Yen worth travel to get a 7 day pass and this itinerary is not doing that.

Need help with below!

  1. We are confused whether to stay in Kyoto, Nara & Osaka 2 nights each or stay 6 nights in Osaka and doing 2-day trips to Kyoto and Nara each. Since for most places, everyone recommends getting there very early and we will lose time in travel 1.5 hr each way from Nanima Ward to Kyoto or Nara.
  2. Since Japan Airlines is running a sale for foriegn travelers, TOK to Osaka flight is coming out to be extremely less $ than shinkansen. Are we missing a lot by not taking shinkansen. (We may end up trying out shinkansen from Osaka to Kyoto or Nara)
  3. How to get more information on luggage forwarding service, do they deliver to AirBnBs as well?
  4. are we missing any clear and obvious places for first timers who want to experience fall?