Itinerary opinions? March/April 2023

3 comments

1. Considering you’re already travelling in that direction, it seems like it would be a shame to miss Himeji! It’s a pretty nice half day visit.

   Personally I’d go Kyoto > Nara > Osaka. But I don’t think it makes that much difference.

   I would put Shibuya in the same day as Harajuku. It’s easily walkable through Yoyogi park (I used to do this all the time when I lived there), which has the added bonus of the Meiji shrine. Shinjuku is a lot more interesting at night though, so I would order it Shibuya > Harajuku > Shinjuku.

   Only other things I think you’re missing are Fushimi Inari for Kyoto, Yokohama (which you could add easily, it’s a shinkansen station), and a couple of cool Tokyo places. Odaiba is worth visiting, including the teamLab light museum. You should also visit Asakusa (it’s a real highlight) which is right next to Skytree.

   If you like hiking, I’d really suggest Mount Takao. It’s more famous in the autumn, but I’d imagine it’s still pretty around spring. You have a really great view of Mount Fuji from the summit! Plus you can take a cable car if you don’t feel like the actual hike.

2. While it is possible to do Fuji-Hakone in 3 days, keep in mind that it takes at least 2h to move from Gora area to Kawaguchiko. So you really have to be done with Hakone at the end of day 5, probably better to get you accommodation in the northern part of Hakone (like Gora) or close to on of the route going to Gotenba and take the first bus you can in the morning if you want to have some time for Kawaguchiko.

   Kanamara Matsuri was ok, it’s one of those “wft Japan” thing, nor bad but also not t hat special.

   What is your plan for the Shimanami Kaido ? If you start in Onomichi and end in Imabari, you would have to either take the bus to Onomichi and the train to Hiroshima or train to Okayama then to Hiroshima. Seems to make more sense to go to Imabari and bike to Onomichi.

3. It very complex giving some places one day without details being there in context. How to get there train, bus or car? You might have walk from the station to where you want to visit. Some places you will have to hike a mile, two or more if the local bus delays travel.

   Fuji-Hakone: Is this by train? Hakone to Kawaguchiko is a long 4+ hours loop around by rail. Unless you planning to go to Gotemba and take a Bus to Fujiyoshida? I’m not sure how far the local bus will go and time table. I heard and research before the getting to Lake Saiko area isn’t always ideal.

   For your first trip to Japan. I won’t recommend a complex itinerary. Cut your visiting cities down to half and stay a few extra days. As many these locations have activities that are worth staying longer. Also you don’t know when bad weather might happens that could prevent going somewhere. Staying longer helps with back-up plans.

   If going that far western Japan? It is wise to return to Tokyo much soon as this your first time traveler to Japan. I fear that you might get delay returning back.