I will be in Japan from 22nd Sep (arriving to Narita at 6am) and leaving from Narita on 1st October (8.30pm).

This will be my first trip to Japan, and I am keen to see as much as possible, however I do not want to spend the whole holiday feeling as though I am rushing about from one place to another.

I'd like to spend at least a few days in Tokyo, and have identified the following places I would like to visit:

• Hakone
• Kyoto
• Koyasan (Mount Koya)
• Osaka
• Hiroshima

Is this is a realistic list of sites to see in my time?

Thanks.

It's a bit rushed, especially since Koya-san is best done as an overnight trip--staying in a temple is the essence of the experience. Remember also that you will be jet-lagged on the first day unless you're coming from Australia or New Zealand.

Some people love Osaka, but I'm of the opinion that it's another big city with attractions that are not immediately obvious to the first-time visitor. Kyoto, however, has a different vibe than Tokyo, as well as more of what visitors think of when they think of Old Japan, although it is otherwise a modern city.

If you have a JR Pass, Hiroshima could be a very hurried day trip out of Kyoto on the Shinkansen, but Tokyo and Kyoto alone, with maybe an overnight in the Hakone area on the way between them, would give you plenty to do in eight days.

I second what ksandness suggests, and his opinion of Osaka. The balance between cramming things in and feeling too rushed is different for everyone, but one easy way to solve it is stay in places where lots of attractions are close together and/or accessible.

Is there a particular reason to avoid Tokyo? There is so much to see and do there, and if you are comfortable navigating a foreign city's subway/train lines with English signage and helpful staff, most things in Tokyo are easy to get to. I haven't been to Hakone, but it is definitely on my list and have heard great things.

So I also suggest Tokyo and Kyoto with a side trip (Hakone, Nikko, Nara all good choices). It is the "standard" itinerary for a first-time trip, but there is a reason why it is suggested so often.

My first trip to Japan was 10 years ago and I spent a similar length of time to your planned trip there. I kept to Tokyo with a side trip to Hakone which is where I fell in love with my now husband.

I wanted to make that clear before I advised you to consider removing Hakone from your itinerary (unless you are a transport enthusiast, but this isn't obvious from your plans). If seeing Fuji San is the reason you want to visit, do please realise that there is no guaranteed view from this region.

A few days in Tokyo is definitely a good idea, but so is a few days in Kyoto. For a visitor Kyoto won't seem much smaller than Tokyo. It's a lage place and the sights are spread out over a large area, I feel you need at least three days to dip your toes into Kyoto.

An overnight trip to Koyasan could be a highlight and I suspect you may enjoy it more than the Hakone visit. Exploring both areas could be overkill on this visit. Just make sure you are sitting on the right side of the train when travelling towards Kyoto on the bullet train and your view of Fuji San will be as good as (if not better) than what you might glimpse in Hakone, not that you have a guarantee of seeing the volcano from the train either.

Osaka... I obviously like this city more than the previous posters. To my mind it has an advantage over Tokyo for a very short visit. Where Tokyo can be considered as being numerous cities connected by rail links (namely the JR Yamanote loop line, but with other 'centres' amidst this ring also), Osaka is more concentrated and has about 3 main 'centres'. The lights of the Namba district are easily as symbolic as Kinkakuji in Kyoto or the pedestrian crossing at Shibuya in Tokyo. What I'm saying is that you can get a satisfying 'Osaka Fix' just by staying here for an evening and you're free to head onwards the next morning. Depending on how you intend to manage your Hiroshima visit, a night in Osaka could be a feasible way to end that day before heading back to NRT the next morning or afternoon for your 8:30 flight.

And to make the most of your last day you can do the bulk of your packing - with all the gifts you will have bought - in Western Japan (Hiroshima or Kyoto perhaps) and have it all sent to NRT for you to collect at the airport. That way you only need to carry a minimum amount so a stop off somewhere like Hikone (Himeji castle is under wraps so the castle in Hikone may be of interest) or Tokyo or Yokohama will be easier and more enjoyable during your final 12 hours. Every major station will have lockers so you can stash that overnight bag also.
From Western Japan the takkyubin delivery service to the airport isn't necessarily an overnight service. Check with your hotel when the deadline for submitting your bags is.

One last thing, in the way that Osaka is more manageable than Tokyo for a whistlestop tour, Nara can be considered a 'Kyoto Lite' for a time challenged tourist. Kyoto is infinitely rewarding for those willing to invest some time and research, for those who just want to turn up and spend a full day surrounded by green spaces and temples, Nara does the trick nicely, and there's the bowing deer. In other words, for those with just one or two days to spend in this region you can explore Nara fully or just get a tantalising glimpse of Kyoto.