Hey guys, been following this sub for a while and I’ve really appreciated reading other’s posts and learning from you all. My trip is coming up fast, end of February to early March, and I would really value some input on my itinerary. I’m mostly looking for input on my timeline and train routes on the Kii peninsula. I like seeing more rural areas when traveling and get tired of cities so really want to break away from the bustle, but it’s much harder to get around. If you have any short hiking suggestions or experience along the Kumano Kodo please let me know, especially with this time of year. Otherwise if you have any meal suggestions in Tokyo/Kyoto or a great nicer place in Kobo please share, also hostels in those same cities.
**Itinerary**
2/25 – Land at Haneda airport, Tokyo, @ 1700; with 4 other friends first 3 days
\- Airport: Exchange JR pass, get Suico/Prismo card
\- Head to room in Shinjuku (booked), easy dinner explore nightlife
2/26 – Shibuya and Chiyoda
\- Yoyogi Park and Meiji shrine, head to Takeshita street (lunch?), walk/train to Imperial palace and Zoiji tmple
2/27 – Taito City
\- Kaminarimon and Senso-ji, explore Ameyoko and Akihabara
2/28 – Day trip to Nikko, traveling solo rest of trip
\- Check out of room in Shinjuku and into new room in ????, leave for at 8? 2 hour travel time
Shinkyo Bridge, Shoyoen Garden, Rinnoji Temple, Toshogu and Futarasan Shrines, Kanmangafuchi Abyss. Eat lunch (Yuba?) while exploring the shrines/abyss
\- Time for a trip to the mountains? Would love to see Kegon falls, Chuzenji Temple, and Nikko Futarasan shrine
\- Back to Tokyo, 2 hour travel. Head to new room in ?????
2/29 – Day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko
\- Leave @ 8, 2 hour travel
\- Chureito Pagoda, Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine, Lunch (Hoto noodles?), soak in Hotel Mifujien onsen (reservation needed?) and walk around the lake. Maybe the Kubota museum? Head home
3/1 – Kyoto time!
\- Leave @ 8ish, 2.5 hour travel
\- Check in to room (somewhere in Kawaramachi), get lunch. Explore E Kyoto with Kiyomizudera, Kodaiji temple, Yasui Kompiragu shrine, Yasaka Jinja. Dinner while exploring and back to room.
3/2 – Fushimi Inari and Ukyo ward
\- Early to Fushimi Inari Taisha and Araki shrine
\- Head to Ukyo, lunch, Giogi temple, Adashino Nenbutsuji, Otagi Nenbutshi. Some hiking on Mt. Ogura? Back to room.
3/3 – Day trip to Himeji
\- Early to Kinkakuji
\- Shinkansen to Himeji @ \~9:00, 45 min travel. Tour Himeji castle w/ Kokoen garden, lunch?, bus + ropeway (45min?) up Mount Shosha to Engyoji temple
\- Back down (45m) and train to Kobe for yummy beef dinner @??? Maybe explore Kobe some before. Head back to room in Kyoto.
3/4 – Kii Peninsula
\- Leave Kyoto @ 8 headed to Watarase Onsen station, \~5 hours? This is the transit I’m most worried about, lots of transfers and google maps recommends a very different route then HyperDia
\- Check in at hotel (booked), lunch, explore area and then bus to Hongu Taisha. Plan for dinner and bath at hotel.
3/5 – Magose Pass and Kumano Nachi Taisha
\- Leave @ 8:30 and head to Kumano Hayatama Taisha, \~1 hour travel. See Hayatama Taisha and Kamikura Shrine
\- Head to Kii-katsuura, 30 min travel. Eat lunch, head to Daimonzaka (20 min) and hike 30 min to Nachi Taisha. Bus back to Kii-katsuura and relax at hotel (booked).
3/6 – Ise City, back to Tokyo
\- Leave @ 8 to Isuzugawa station, then bus to Jingu kaikan-mae, \~4h travel . Explore Oharai Machi (lunch, akafuku, Ise Udon) to Inner shrine
\- Head back to Tokyo by getting on Shinkansen in Nagoya, \~ 5h travel. Check in at ????
3/7 – Tokyo
\- Teamlabs Borderless at 10. Lunch and shopping, probably meet up with friends from start of trip
3/8 – Final day
\- Birthday lunch with friend, relax and head to airport for departure at 1900
Have a great Sunday peeps
