Planning and feeling overwhelmed!

Advice

I’m planning for a Japan trip in October and would love some insight. I’m getting super overwhelmed by all the YouTube shorts and Instagram reels (on top of the other resources I’m using including this subreddit). I’m trying to simplify how I plan my trip by at least sectioning out what I want to see in different parts of Tokyo and just planning city by city. I’m currently populating a spreadsheet. I know I’ll never get through it all, but I just want be smart about it.

So far I bought my tickets landing in Haneda and I am planning on going for 14 days. The main thing I need help with right now is how I should split my days by city.

I was thinking Tokyo for 5 days, Hakone for 1 day, Mt Fuji ( 5 lakes area) for 1 day, Kyoto for 3 days (day trip to Nara), Osaka for 2 days, and come back to Tokyo for 1 day before departure.

I really want to experience a ryokan with an onsen for 1-2 nights which is why I want to go to Hakone along with seeing the cool sites in that city. Also, I’m not sure if Mt Fuji is better as a day trip especially since going to Kyoto from there is slightly less straightforward. Should I try to cut down on how much in moving to new hotels? I appreciate any advice!

Posted Feb 18, 2026, 2:16 AM UTC

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