Hey everybody! I’ll be going to Japan for the first time in April for 22 days from 4/13 – 5/4 and I was wondering if some more experienced travelers could give me some feedback on my itinerary and whether it seems feasible or not. I’m trying to do a mix of the major cities plus some more quiet, rural places as well.
Tokyo, 5 days, 4/13 – 4/17: Hit up the major wards like Shiubuya, Shinjuku, etc. I want to visit Nujabes’ grave as well as Mishima’s. Want to hit up a Pokémon Center or two as well. Will do more research on what to do in Tokyo but it is what I am least worried about as I know there is a ton to do.
Izumo & Matsue, 3 days, 4/18 – 4/21: Planning on taking an overnight bus or the sleeper express if I can and set up base in Izumo. Would like to go to the shrines and lighthouse in Izumo, and check out the castle and bike around lake Shinji in Matsue. Go to Mount Daisen if possible.
Hiroshima, 2 days, 4/21 – 4/23: Leave Izumo early and arrive in Hiroshima. I want to go to the Peace Memorial on the 21st and pay my respects, and go to the museum as well. Want to try the local okonomiyali as well. Go to Miyajima early in the morning the next day and climb Mount Misen. Check out Itsukushima Jinja and the deer in town before heading back to Hiroshima.
Matsuyama, 2 days, 4/23 – 4/25: Leave Hiroshima in the morning and head to Matsuyama and see the sights around town like the onsen building and the castle. Visit Ozu as a day trip on the 24th.
Kamiyama or Miyoshi, 2 days, 4/25 – 4/27: 1 would really like to stay in a rural town in Shikoku and just relax and do some light hiking to waterfalls and take in the sights. Would love to stay at an onsen if possible and try them out.
Osaka, 2 days, 4/27 – 4/29: Check out the city and eat some good food. Don’t actually know much about Osaka besides the fact that the food is great but I will do research to find things to do.
Kyoto & Nara, 5 days, 4/29 – 5/3: Kyoto seems
overwhelming since there is so much to see and do which is why I want to stay a decent amount of time here. Take a day trip to Nara, from my research it seems like I can check it out in a couple of hours.
Tokyo, 1 day, 5/3 – 5/4: Spend my last night in Tokyo to be close to Haneda for my departing flight on the 4th. Finish up any shopping or sightseeing on my last night in Japan.
This is what I have so far. I’ve heard that Kanazawa is beautiful and I could potentially replace the days in Izumo & Matsue for time in Kanazawa. I also now realize that the last leg of my journey will be during Golden Week so I am considering hitting up Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima before it starts, and spending time in Izumo and Shikoku during that week instead to avoid the crowds. I’m also thinking of doing Osaka as a day trip from Kyoto since they’re so close. I would really appreciate any advice with my itinerary and I’m open to any suggestions. Thanks!
Edit: Added more detail.
by Lan-suh