Japan Trip AI Planning Template
JAPAN TRIP AI PLANNING TEMPLATE
Copy everything below, replace the items in [BRACKETS] with your own information, and paste the completed prompt into ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or another AI travel planner.
YOUR ROLE AS MY AI TRIP PLANNER
Act as my expert Japan travel planner.
Build a completely customized Japan itinerary based on my information, preferences, limitations, and priorities below.
Do not assume that I want to see every famous tourist attraction. Prioritize the experiences that fit my interests, travel style, physical abilities, budget, and preferred pace.
If you need additional information to create a significantly better itinerary, ask me the most important questions before building the final itinerary.
If something I have requested is unrealistic, geographically inefficient, too rushed, closed on a particular day, difficult to access, or likely to create unnecessary travel, tell me and suggest a better alternative.
Optimize my itinerary for
[TIME / MONEY / COMFORT / EXPERIENCES / FOOD / PHOTOGRAPHY / SHOPPING / MINIMAL WALKING / MAXIMUM SIGHTSEEING / OTHER: ______].
1. BASIC TRIP INFORMATION
I am traveling to Japan from [COUNTRY / CITY].
My total trip length is [NUMBER OF DAYS].
My travel dates are:
Arrival date: [DATE]
Departure date: [DATE]
Number of travelers: [NUMBER]
Traveling with:
[ALONE / SPOUSE / PARTNER / FRIENDS / FAMILY / CHILDREN / OTHER]
Ages: [AGES]
Children’s ages, if applicable: [AGES]
This is my [FIRST / SECOND / THIRD / OTHER] trip to Japan.
The main purpose of this trip is:
[VACATION / FOOD / CULTURE / SHOPPING / PHOTOGRAPHY / RELAXATION / ADVENTURE / RETIREMENT RESEARCH / OTHER]
My overall travel style is:
[BUDGET / MID-RANGE / UPSCALE / LUXURY / MIXED]
My approximate daily budget, excluding hotels and flights, is:
[AMOUNT AND CURRENCY]
My approximate total trip budget is:
[AMOUNT AND CURRENCY]
2. FLIGHTS
My arrival airport is:
[NARITA / HANEDA / KANSAI / CHUBU / FUKUOKA / OTHER]
Arrival date:
[DATE]
Arrival time:
[TIME]
Airline:
[AIRLINE]
Flight number:
[FLIGHT NUMBER]
Origin:
[CITY / AIRPORT]
My departure airport is:
[NARITA / HANEDA / KANSAI / CHUBU / FUKUOKA / OTHER]
Departure date:
[DATE]
Departure time:
[TIME]
Airline:
[AIRLINE]
Flight number:
[FLIGHT NUMBER]
I have [NUMBER] checked bags and [NUMBER] carry-on bags.
My luggage situation is:
[LIGHT PACKER / AVERAGE / HEAVY PACKER / PLANNING TO SHOP A LOT]
When planning airport transportation, consider:
Arrival immigration and customs time
Getting an IC card or other transportation payment method
Buying or activating transportation passes if appropriate
Luggage size
Whether I should reserve luggage space
The easiest route rather than simply the cheapest route
My arrival/departure time
How early I should leave my hotel for my flight
3. HOTELS
City 1
City: [CITY]
Hotel: [HOTEL NAME]
Address: [ADDRESS]
Check-in: [DATE / TIME]
Check-out: [DATE / TIME]
Nearest train/subway station: [STATION, IF KNOWN]
Things I care about near my hotel:
[RESTAURANTS / COFFEE / NIGHTLIFE / SHOPPING / QUIET / TRAIN ACCESS / CONVENIENCE STORES / OTHER]
City 2
City: [CITY]
Hotel: [HOTEL NAME]
Address: [ADDRESS]
Check-in: [DATE / TIME]
Check-out: [DATE / TIME]
Nearest train/subway station: [STATION, IF KNOWN]
City 3
City: [CITY]
Hotel: [HOTEL NAME]
Address: [ADDRESS]
Check-in: [DATE / TIME]
Check-out: [DATE / TIME]
Nearest train/subway station: [STATION, IF KNOWN]
Additional Cities
Add any additional cities, hotels, and dates here:
[CITY / HOTEL / CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT]
[CITY / HOTEL / CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT]
[CITY / HOTEL / CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT]
4. MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS
These are the attractions and experiences I definitely want to visit:
[LIST EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO SEE]
Examples:
[TOKYO SKYTREE]
[SHIBUYA CROSSING]
[FUSHIMI INARI]
[NARA DEER PARK]
[OSAKA CASTLE]
[TEAMLABS]
[MOUNT FUJI]
My absolute top priorities are:
[LIST TOP 3–10]
Things I am willing to skip if they create too much travel or crowding:
[LIST]
Things I absolutely do NOT want to miss:
[LIST]
5. MY INTERESTS
Build the itinerary around my interests.
My interests include:
[FOOD]
[HISTORY]
[TEMPLES AND SHRINES]
[JAPANESE CULTURE]
[ANIME]
[MANGA]
[GAMING]
[TECHNOLOGY]
[CARS]
[MOTORCYCLES]
[PHOTOGRAPHY]
[ARCHITECTURE]
[NATURE]
[HIKING]
[SHOPPING]
[VINTAGE CLOTHING]
[KITCHENWARE]
[KNIVES]
[COLLECTIBLES]
[SPORTS]
[NIGHTLIFE]
[COFFEE]
[OTHER: ______]
The things I am MOST interested in are:
[LIST]
The things I have little or no interest in are:
[LIST]
6. FOOD
My favorite types of food are:
[RAMEN / SUSHI / YAKINIKU / TEMPURA / IZAKAYA / STREET FOOD / KAISEKI / OTHER]
Foods I specifically want to try:
[LIST]
Restaurants I already want to visit:
[LIST]
My approximate restaurant budget per person is:
[AMOUNT]
I prefer:
[CHEAP LOCAL RESTAURANTS / MID-RANGE / HIGH-END / MICHELIN / MIXED]
I am interested in:
[RESERVATION-ONLY RESTAURANTS / LOCAL HIDDEN GEMS / FOOD MARKETS / STREET FOOD / FOOD TOURS / COOKING CLASSES / OTHER]
Dietary restrictions or allergies:
[NONE / LIST]
Foods I will not eat:
[LIST]
When recommending restaurants, prioritize:
[LOCAL AUTHENTICITY / VALUE / ATMOSPHERE / QUALITY / CONVENIENCE / UNIQUE EXPERIENCES / OTHER]
7. SHOPPING
I want to shop for:
[CLOTHING / SHOES / CAMERA EQUIPMENT / ELECTRONICS / KNIVES / KITCHENWARE / VINTAGE ITEMS / ANIME / MANGA / COLLECTIBLES / TOYS / GIFTS / BEAUTY PRODUCTS / OTHER]
Specific items on my shopping list:
[LIST]
My shopping budget is:
[AMOUNT]
I am interested in tax-free shopping where available.
Please identify good shopping areas that fit my interests.
I am especially interested in:
[TOKYO / KYOTO / OSAKA / OTHER]
I also want:
[VINTAGE STORES / DEPARTMENT STORES / OUTLETS / LOCAL MARKETS / SPECIALTY SHOPS / LUXURY SHOPPING / DISCOUNT STORES / OTHER]
If a particular item is significantly cheaper, better, or easier to find in one city, tell me where I should buy it.
8. PHOTOGRAPHY
I am interested in photography.
My photography interests are:
[STREET / LANDSCAPES / ARCHITECTURE / FOOD / PEOPLE / NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY / SUNRISE / SUNSET / SOCIAL MEDIA / OTHER]
My photography skill level is:
[BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED]
My camera equipment is:
[PHONE / MIRRORLESS / DSLR / OTHER]
Important photo locations I want to visit:
[LIST]
For major photo locations, tell me:
Best time of day
Best lighting
Expected crowds
Best viewpoint
How to get there
How long I should allow
Whether reservations are required
Prioritize good photography opportunities without making the itinerary feel like a photography tour unless appropriate.
9. WALKING AND MOBILITY
My preferred amount of walking per day is:
[LOW / MODERATE / HIGH / VERY HIGH]
Maximum comfortable walking distance per day:
[MILES / KM / STEPS]
My physical limitations are:
[NONE / DESCRIBE]
I want to avoid:
[STAIRS / STEEP HILLS / LONG WALKS / ESCALATORS / CROWDED TRAINS / OTHER]
I use:
[NO ASSISTANCE / CANE / WALKER / WHEELCHAIR / OTHER]
When practical, prioritize routes with:
Elevators
Escalators
Minimal stairs
Short walking distances
Easy station transfers
Seating opportunities
Do not simply tell me that a route is "accessible." Explain what makes it easier or harder.
10. CROWDS
My tolerance for crowds is:
[VERY LOW / LOW / MODERATE / HIGH]
I prefer:
[EARLY MORNINGS / LATE EVENINGS / OFF-PEAK HOURS / ANYTIME]
I particularly want to avoid crowds at:
[LIST LOCATIONS]
Whenever practical, schedule popular attractions during their least crowded reasonable hours.
If visiting early in the morning provides a significantly better experience, tell me.
11. TRAVEL PACE
My preferred pace is:
[VERY RELAXED / RELAXED / MODERATE / FAST-PACED]
I prefer approximately:
[1–2 / 2–3 / 3–4 / 4+] major activities per day.
I want:
[LOTS OF FREE TIME / SOME FREE TIME / VERY LITTLE FREE TIME]
I prefer to:
[STAY IN ONE AREA EACH DAY / SEE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE / MIX BOTH]
I want approximately:
[NUMBER] hours of downtime each day.
I do / do not want:
[NAPS / LONG LUNCHES / AFTERNOON BREAKS / EVENING ACTIVITIES]
12. TRANSPORTATION
I am comfortable using:
[TRAINS / SUBWAYS / BUSES / TAXIS / UBER / WALKING / RENTAL CAR]
My preferred transportation priority is:
[CHEAPEST / FASTEST / EASIEST / FEWEST TRANSFERS / LEAST WALKING / MOST SCENIC]
I am comfortable navigating large Japanese train stations:
[YES / SOMEWHAT / NO]
When recommending trains, provide:
Station name
Station entrance when practical
Train line
Direction
Platform number when available
Train type
Train name/number when applicable
Number of stops
Where to transfer
Which exit to use
Approximate travel time
Whether seats should be reserved
Whether luggage reservations are needed
How to confirm I am boarding the correct train
Do not assume that I understand Japanese train systems.
Explain anything that could realistically cause a first-time visitor to get confused.
13. DAY TRIPS
I am interested in day trips to:
[NARA / KAMAKURA / YOKOHAMA / KAWAGOE / HIMEJI / HIROSHIMA / MIYAJIMA / KOBE / NIKKO / MOUNT FUJI / OTHER]
I am willing to travel up to:
[NUMBER] hours each way for a day trip.
I prefer:
[NO DAY TRIPS / ONE / SEVERAL]
Potential day trips should only be included if they are worth the travel time.
14. CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
I am interested in:
[TEA CEREMONY / KIMONO / SUMO / COOKING CLASS / KNIFE MAKING / SAKE / ONSEN / CALLIGRAPHY / TEMPLE STAY / MARTIAL ARTS / OTHER]
Specific experiences I want:
[LIST]
My interest level in traditional Japanese culture is:
[LOW / MODERATE / HIGH / VERY HIGH]
15. NIGHTLIFE
I am interested in:
[NONE / BARS / IZAKAYA / LIVE MUSIC / NIGHT VIEWS / NIGHT MARKETS / CLUBS / QUIET EVENINGS / OTHER]
My preferred nightlife style is:
[QUIET / SOCIAL / UPSCALE / LOCAL / TOURIST-FRIENDLY / OTHER]
I usually want to be back at my hotel by:
[TIME]
16. WEATHER
I am traveling during:
[MONTH / SEASON]
My tolerance for:
Heat: [LOW / MODERATE / HIGH]
Humidity: [LOW / MODERATE / HIGH]
Rain: [LOW / MODERATE / HIGH]
Cold: [LOW / MODERATE / HIGH]
I am willing to change the itinerary based on weather.
If the forecast affects outdoor activities, suggest the best alternative indoor activities.
17. RESERVATIONS
The following experiences/restaurants are already booked:
[LIST]
The following things still require reservations:
[LIST]
I am willing to make reservations:
[YES / NO / ONLY FOR IMPORTANT EXPERIENCES]
If something requires advance booking, tell me:
How far in advance I should book
Whether reservations are difficult to get
Whether there is a cancellation policy
Whether there is a better alternative
18. THINGS I DON'T WANT
Do NOT include:
[LIST ANYTHING YOU DON'T WANT TO DO]
Examples:
[CROWDED TOURIST ATTRACTIONS]
[MUSEUMS]
[LONG HIKES]
[NIGHTLIFE]
[ANIME]
[TEMPLES]
[CHAIN RESTAURANTS]
[EXPENSIVE EXPERIENCES]
19. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Other things you should know about me:
[ANYTHING ELSE]
Examples:
[I GET TIRED IN THE AFTERNOON]
[I NEED COFFEE EVERY MORNING]
[I DON'T LIKE EARLY MORNINGS]
[I LOVE PEOPLE WATCHING]
[I WANT TO MEET LOCALS]
[I AM A HUGE CAR ENTHUSIAST]
[I AM CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY]
[THIS IS OUR ANNIVERSARY]
[I WANT TO PROPOSE]
[I AM TRAVELING WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS LIMITED MOBILITY]
20. BUILD MY ITINERARY
Now use everything above to build my Japan itinerary.
First, analyze my trip and identify any obvious problems with my current plans.
Tell me if I am:
Trying to see too much
Backtracking unnecessarily
Staying in an inefficient location
Visiting attractions on poor days or at poor times
Missing obvious experiences based on my interests
Scheduling activities when they are likely to be exceptionally crowded
Creating unnecessary transportation costs
Creating unnecessary walking or stairs
Missing reservations I should make in advance
Then create the optimized itinerary.
Organize it by day and time.
For each activity include:
TIME
LOCATION
WHAT I'M DOING
WHY IT'S WORTH DOING
HOW TO GET THERE
TRAIN/SUBWAY/BUS DETAILS
WALKING TIME
EXPECTED CROWD LEVEL
APPROXIMATE COST
RESERVATION REQUIRED?
HOW LONG TO SPEND THERE
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Do not schedule every minute.
Leave realistic buffers for:
Walking
Getting lost
Bathroom breaks
Food
Shopping
Photos
Delays
Rest
Group activities geographically whenever possible so I am not constantly crossing the city.
Prioritize the most important experiences and eliminate unnecessary backtracking.
21. TRANSPORTATION DETAILS
For every significant train or subway journey, give me enough information that a first-time visitor could realistically follow it.
Where practical, include:
Starting station
Station entrance
Line
Direction
Platform
Train type
Train name/number
Stops
Transfer station
Transfer instructions
Destination station
Exit number
Walking directions from the exit
If there are multiple reasonable routes, recommend the best one based on my stated preferences.
22. DAILY SUMMARY
At the end of each day, provide:
Total estimated walking
Approximate number of major activities
Estimated transportation cost
Estimated food cost
Reservations needed
Things to book
Best photo opportunity
Best meal opportunity
Potential problem
Why this day is structured this way
23. FINAL TRIP SUMMARY
At the end, provide:
TOP 10 EXPERIENCES
The experiences I should prioritize above everything else.
TOP 10 FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS
Restaurants, dishes, markets, or food experiences that fit my preferences.
TOP SHOPPING AREAS
Where I should shop based on my list.
BEST PHOTO LOCATIONS
Including ideal times.
RESERVATIONS
Everything I should book before leaving home.
TRAIN TICKETS
Everything I should purchase or reserve in advance.
MONEY
Estimated daily and total spending based on my stated budget.
WHAT TO PACK
Only things that are genuinely useful for this trip.
WHAT NOT TO PACK
Things I can easily buy or obtain in Japan.
RAIN PLAN
What to do if bad weather disrupts the itinerary.
BACKUP PLAN
What to do if I miss an activity, train, reservation, or attraction.
BIGGEST MISTAKES TO AVOID
List the five to ten mistakes someone with my specific trip could realistically make.
IMPORTANT
Use current information whenever possible.
Do not invent train schedules, opening hours, reservation requirements, prices, or transportation details.
If you are uncertain about something, clearly say so and tell me what I should verify.
If information may have changed since your knowledge was updated, tell me that I should verify it before traveling.
Most importantly, build this trip around ME, not around a generic "first trip to Japan" itinerary.
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