Hello Everyone,
I am planning a 2-week trip around Japan early June, after spending May in Tokyo to study Japanese.
I (31M) will be traveling solo. I know June is the rainy season and is quite a hot month, so I tried to focus on destinations where it would be more bearable (mostly Japanese Alps and Tohoku).
In this itinerary I tried to optimize for a good balance between nature and culture / quiet and bustling cities, foodie destinations, unique places/day trips.
I should also mention that I have already visited a few places in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, most of Kyushu, Hakone, Kamakura, Koyasan…
Main questions:
* Overall, do you think the itinerary is too packed, or doable?
* Do you have recommendations on this itinerary that I might have missed?
Thank you all, and hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu)
**DAY 1 – Tokyo > Takayama**
– Leave Tokyo early
– Arrive in Takayama, chill day
– Visit Takayama ; If time allows, bike to Hida no Sato
**DAY 2 – Takayama**
– Day-trip to Shirakawa-go
**DAY 3 – Takayama**
– Day-trip to Kamikochi
**DAY 4 – Takayama > Nagano**
– Explore Nagano
– Visit Zenko-ji
– Eat at Yoshiya Ramen, Misoya, Nihonmatsu (try Basashi)
**DAY 5 – Nagano**
– Day-trip to Tsubame Onsen
**DAY 6 – Nagano**
– Day-trip to Jigokudani Monkey Park
– Day-trip to Karuizawa
**DAY 7 – Nagano > Sendai**
– Leave Nagano early
– Enjoy Sendai by night/try beef tongue (gyutan) at Gyutan Waka, Kuranosho, Date no Gyutan Honpo, Gyutan no Issen, Zenjiro Sendai Station Gyutan Dori,
**DAY 8 – Sendai**
– Breakfast in Shiogama’s fish market (closes 12pm)
– Chill day trip in Matsushima Bay
– Night out in Sendai!
**DAY 9 – Sendai**
– Explore Sendai
– Day-trip to Zao Onsen
**DAY 10 – Sendai > Morioka**
– Drive to Morioka
– Stop in Hiraizumi, explore buddhist temples
– Try “Morioka 3 great noodles” (reimen, wanko soba, jajamen); Do soba challenge at Wanko soba
**DAY 11 – Morioka**
– Explore downtown Morioka
– Quick stop to Koiwai Farm?
**DAY 12 – Morioka > Akita**
– Drive to Kakunodate, spend day exploring samurai town
– Quick stop in Lake Tazawa if time allows (swim!?)
**DAY 13 – Akita**
– See the Namahage demons
– Eat at Akita Hinai-ya
– Onsen?
**DAY 14 – Akita > Aomori**
– Visit Aomori Nebuta museum
**DAY 15 – Aomori**
– Train to Hirosaki, visit castles
– If time Lake Towada and Jesus Christ grave?
**DAY 16 – Aomori > Tokyo**
– Return to Tokyo early
**DAY 17 – Tokyo > Paris**
by victorbrauner