Hello everyone,
My friend and I are planning a 19-day trip to Japan and we’re hoping to gather some useful tips and recommendations from fellow travelers. We’ve already created an itinerary, but we’re open to suggestions on places to visit, accommodations, restaurants, and interesting shops. Additionally, we’re interested in experiencing a traditional Japanese onsen during our trip, particularly in some of the locations we’ve listed in the title.
Our Itinerary:
(link with map, more detailed with times) [https://wanderlog.com/view/mvqltxfvam/trip-to-japan/shared](https://wanderlog.com/view/mvqltxfvam/trip-to-japan/shared)
**OSAKA 26.5.-30.5.**
26th may:
\- arriving to KIX airport 12:40
\- transporting to hotel Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kitahama
\- Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
\- Dotonbori
\- back to hotel and rest
27th may:
\- wakeup as early as possible and go to Sumiyoshi Taisha
\- Shitennoji
\- lunch
\- Osaka castle
\- Osaka Tenmangu
\- back to hotel(Sotetsu Inn Kitahama)
\- dinner at Gyukatsu Motomura
28th may:
\- Minoh Park at 10:00
\- Katsuoji
\- Umeda sky building
\- back to hotel, then go for dinner and checkout some clubs
29th may:
not planned yet (open for recommedations)
**Nara 30.5.-1.6.**
30th may:
\- travel to airbnb in Nara called The deer park inn
\- Gango-ji
\- Kofuku-ji
\- Yoshikien Garden
\- Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum
31th may:
\- Kasuga Taisha
\- Todai-ji
\- Todai-ji Nigatsudo(february hall)
\- Uguisu waterfall
\- Nakamizuya Rest
**KYOTO 1.6.-7.6.**
1st June:
\- travel to Uji and explore
\- eat at Nakamura Tokichi Honten
\- travel to Kyoto hotel (Hotel Ms est Shijo Karasuma)
\- Nishiki market
2nd June:
\- wakeup as soon as possible(around 7am)
\- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
\- Tenryu-ji
\- Jojakkoji temple
\- Nison-in temple
\- Gioji temple
\- Otagi Nenbutsuji temple
\- Arashiyama Monkey park iwatayama
\- Dendengu
\- explore around Arashiyama
\- back to hotel (Hotel Ms est Shijo Karasuma)
3rd June:
\- wakeup as soon as possible(6:30-7:00)
\- Fushimi Inari Taisha
\- Tofuku-ji temple
\- Rengeo-in temple
\- Higashiyama Ward
\- Sannenzaka
\- Kiyomizu-dera
\- Ninezaka
\- Kenninji temple
\- Kodaji temple
\- Gion corner
\- Yasaka shrine
\- Maruyama Park
\- back to hotel (Hotel Ms est Shijo Karasuma)
4th June:
\- Nijo castle
\- Kitano tenmangu shrine
\- Kinkakudzi
\- Immamiya shrine
\- Shimogamo shrine
\- back to hotel (Hotel Ms est Shijo Karasuma)
5th June:
\- Kyoto implerial palace chill and walk around garden
\- back to hotel and do laundry
\- later go for nice dinner to Onikai restaurant
6th June:
\- check-out of hotel
\- Nanzen-ji temple
\- Zenrinji temple
\- Beginning philosophers path
\- Higashiyama Jisho-ji
\- travel to north of Kyoto – hotel (Ryoso Chatani)
\- Sanzen-in temple explore around
**KANAZAWA 7.6.-9.6.**
7th June:
\- travel to hotel (Hotel pacific Kanazawa)
\- Omicho market
\- Kazuemachi
\- Higashi chaya district
\- find some nice place for dinner
8th June:
\- Nishi chaya district
\- Nagamachi district
\- Nomura-ke samurai residence
\- Kenroku-en
\- Kanazawa castle park
\- back to hotel
**SHIRAKAWA/TAKAYAMA 9.6.-11.6.**
9th June:
\- travel to Shirakawa-go and explore
\- travel to country hotel Takayama
\- Higashiyama teramachi promenade
\- explore Takayama
10th June:
\- Hida no Sato open air musem explore around (Hida folk village)
\- squirrel forrest
11th June:
\- not sure what to do and where (thinking about gero for some onsen?)
12th June:
\- back to Osaka and chill/buy some gifts
13th June:
\- 14:00 flight home
We’ve set aside some free days in our itinerary, but we’re not quite sure how to fill them yet. While places like Himeji seem intriguing, we’re hoping for suggestions closer to our planned destinations due to budget constraints.
Special Mentions:
\- We’ve noted the spa and aquarium in Osaka as backup options for bad weather days.
\- Universal Studios Park isn’t on our agenda.
Any advice you can offer to enhance our trip would be greatly appreciated. Whether it’s must-see attractions, cozy accommodations, or authentic dining spots, we’re eager to hear your recommendations!
Additional questions:
\- What is the ideal amount of cash to bring?
\- We’re considering Airalo for mobile data, is that okay?
\- Our arrival flight has a “only” 3h 50m layover in Beijing, is that enough time? I’ve read some posts where people had problems catching their second flight due to the terminal being huge and the checks taking too long.
\- Our return flight has a 10h 30m layover in Beijing, would you recommend visiting something nearby?
\- Where can we buy train tickets? Is it advisable to buy a Pasmo card at the airport upon arrival? If so, -what would be the ideal amount to load onto it?
\- Since our flight is through one airline (Air China) and the plane tickets are purchased together, should our luggage automatically transfer to the second flight?
\- We plan to carry one smaller backpack for daily travels and one larger mountain backpack, is that okay?
\- What are your recommendations for bad weather activities?
\- What applications would you recommend downloading? We currently have Google Translate and Google Maps prepared.
\- We’re open to all restaurant tips, but specifically, I would love to try some good duck.
Thank you in advance! 🌟
by Ersi_