Holla all,
Thank you for all your suggestions and advice on others post that I’ve stolen. This is my wife and my third visit to Japan so we are trying to see the major places we haven’t visited before and a few new ones. One of us is vegan and fortunately options seem greater and greater every year but always open for suggestions.
Primary concern is the mid-end of the trip if we spending too much time in transit with a few short stay overs (particularly Okayama/Naoshima period). Would love opinions on the days trips from Kyoto (Nara vs Kobe) and whether to go to Sumo or baseball in Osaka would be great! Also looking for suggestions/thoughts on the Fukuoka day/half day trips we’re considering.
Dates: 03/Mar-17/Mar (15 days). No jetlag as similar timezone to Aus.
**DAY 1: 03/Mar – TOKYO**
\- Land 1730 Narita.
\- Make way to hotel near Tokyo station, eat local.
\- Go to batting cage!
**DAY 2: 04/Mar – TOKYO/YOKOHAMA**
\- Morning: Wander Kiyosumi area for coffee and park.
\- PM: Yokohama for standard tourist fanfare.
**DAY 3-4: 05-06/Mar – HAKONE**
\- Maybe Nakameguro for Roastery in am before making way to Hakone
\- Staying in Gora.
\- Again standard Hakone tourist itinerary during this time!
**DAY 5-8: 07-10/Mar – KYOTO + DAY TRIPS**
\— Dates of day trips are not set in stone. Can mix and match.
\- Day 5: Travel from Hakone, check in, dinner and wander Gion area
\- Day 6: Kyoto West-side: Arashiyama, few restaurants, manga museum in am. PM will be dinner and some bar hopping.
\- Day 7: Day trip – Deciding between Nara for the Omuzitori festival VS Kobe for animal Kingdom (have been to Nara for the deer previously, but never been to Kobe.
\- Day 8: Day trip – Osaka for Aquarium and Baseball (Tigers should be playing). I’ve never seen baseball game (Australian) but uncertain if should go for Sumo instead.
**DAY 9: 11/Mar – OKAYAMA**
\- Travel from Kyoto
\- Stop off at Himeji on the way and visit the castle.
\- Head to Okayama and visit Okayama Korakuen (can do following morning).
**DAY 10-11: 12-13/MAR – NAOSHIMA**
\- Not looking to rush these days, see some cool art and relax.
\- Staying at Roku Naoshima
\- Worth going to Kojima denim street before heading to Naoshima? Or should we skip denim street and try adding in Teshima?
**DAY 12-13: 14-15/MAR – FUKUOKA**
\— Never been to Kyushu and excited to be in a different area. Really not sure where to expend energy between Dazaifu, Nanzoin, possibly Beppu.
\- Day 12: Travel from Naoshima to Fukuoka. Evening stalls.
\- Day 13: Uncertain specific plans. Likely city sites + seaside park. Perhaps we do Dazaifu + Fukuoka city this day?
\- Day 14: ?Uncertain plans Nanzoin is option. Have considered Beppu but may be too much extra transit time. Would love advice here. Also have considered hiring bikes and riding around Shikashima.
**DAY 15-16: 16-17/MAR – TOKYO**
\- Day 15: Fly from Fukuoka to Tokyo. Staying in Akasaka. We will decide on day what evening plan is pending how much energy we have!
\- Day 16: Final day, flight is at 2030 so have day to enjoy still. Teamlabs Borderless tickets secured!
\– Mori building
\– Is it worth heading into Narita city itself before the airport?
Thank you for all and any advice!
by loknmoij