My wife and I (early 30s) are visiting Japan for the first time in October.

We’re skipping anime/nightlife/Osaka, and prefer food, nature, tech, and relaxed travel.

All hotels booked are 100% refundable. Looking for advice mainly on Sports Day weekend (Oct 11–13), but here’s the full picture for context:

Questions:

1. During Oct 12–13 weekend, which option is more crowd-smart: staying in Kyoto or shifting to Tokyo early?
2. Is 1 night in Hakone (Oct 17) enough for a soak + half/full loop + back by 2pm?
3. Romancecar or Shinkansen seat tips – how to get Fuji views, and when should I book?
4. Any gaps or mistakes you spot in this flow?

Oct 5 (Sat) – Arrive in Sapporo

• Explore Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, Red Brick Government Office
• Seafood donburi at Nijō Market
• Coffee break at Baristart or Morihiko
• Ramen dinner in Ramen Alley
• Evening stroll in Susukino or Tanukikoji

Oct 6 (Sun) – Sapporo

• Mt. Moiwa ropeway & views
• Hokkaido Shrine + Maruyama Park
• Shiroi Koibito Park visit
• Try soup curry or miso ramen for dinner

Oct 7 (Mon) – Day Trip from Sapporo

• Considering: Otaru (canals, glassware, seafood) or Lake Shikotsu (if good weather)
• Return by evening for relaxed stroll and dinner

Oct 8 (Tue) – Fly to Kyoto

• Morning flight Sapporo → Kansai
• Check-in → evening walk through Gion and Pontocho
• Dinner at a traditional or modern kaiseki spot

Oct 9 (Wed) – Kyoto

• Morning: Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Midday: Tofuku-ji or Sanjusangendo
• Afternoon: Nishiki Market → Teramachi stroll
• Optional evening tea experience or izakaya dinner

Oct 10 (Thu) – Arashiyama

• Bamboo Grove early morning
• Tenryu-ji Temple + garden stroll
• Optional boat ride or monkey park
• Sagano Scenic Railway if timing works
• Dinner back near central Kyoto

Oct 11 (Fri) – Day Trip to Nara (weekday)

• Todaiji Temple, Nara Deer Park, Kasuga Shrine
• Return by late afternoon
• Light dinner and prep for weekend plans

Oct 12–13 (Sat–Sun) – Sports Day Weekend (Need Advice)

Option A – Stay in Kyoto, recover and travel to Tokyo later

• Oct 12: Full rest day, slow breakfast, light neighborhood strolls
• Oct 13: Late check-out → evening Shinkansen to Tokyo (expect crowd)

Option B – Shift to Tokyo early, Hakone later on weekday

• Oct 12: Tokyo arrival, chill day (Yanaka, Sumida sunset)
• Oct 13: Indoor activities: teamLab Borderless, tech centers, etc.
• Bonus: Do Hakone on Oct 17–18 instead of this weekend

Oct 14 (Mon) – Tokyo (Weekday)

• Meiji Shrine → Harajuku → Omotesando
• Afternoon: Shibuya Scramble, Hikarie rooftop
• Optional: Shibuya Sky or explore tech stores in Akihabara

Oct 15 (Tue) – Nikko or Kamakura Day Trip

• Nikko: Toshogu Shrine, Kanmangafuchi Abyss, local food
• Kamakura: Giant Buddha, Hasedera, Komachi-dori
• Return for dinner

Oct 16 (Wed) – Tokyo

• Ueno Park, museums or zoo
• Afternoon in Asakusa (Senso-ji) and Sumida River walk
• Optional night view from Tokyo Skytree

Oct 17 (Thu) – Hakone Onsen Experience

• Early Romancecar to Hakone
• Light Hakone loop: Open-air Museum, Owakudani, ropeway (if weather is good)
• Evening soak in onsen, relax

Oct 18 (Fri) – Back to Tokyo

• Early ropeway (if missed) → Lake Ashi views
• Sushi lunch at Odawara Station
• Return to Tokyo by 2pm for final shopping or packing

✈️ Oct 19 (Sat) – Fly out

• Morning checkout → head to Haneda for 11:00 AM flight