Hi all, first TIA to anyone who’s able to provide feedback or recommendations for me regarding this itinerary. First post get deleted since it was too barebones, so I hope this time i provided enough information to get a sense of the itinerary.
Background: I have been to Japan a few times but it will be my first time to Kyushu. My partner has never been so im trying to juggle new stuff for me but also show her some of the major highlights along the golden route. I’m currently in that “i want to do everything” mode where I dont know if im packing too much but also dont want to waste my time. Hopefully my itinerary seems reasonable.
We’re both not big shoppers or foodies but do like nature stuff. So I think I emphasized that a bit more in this itinerary. I also wanted to add in some summer festivals but looks like we missed the major ones. If anyone has suggestions for smaller, local ones that might be fun to check out, we’d appreciate it!
7/23(Tues) – Arrive in Tokyo
1. Arriving late afternoon (NRT)
2. Hotel in Shinjuku (will be 5 minutes near train station)
3. Walk around for a bit
7/24 (Wed): Mt Fuji (pretty set on these days to hike mt fuji)
1. Train to Mt Fuji
2. Hike up and stay at a hut (waiting for reservations to open)
7/25 (Thurs): Mt Fuji
1. Hike down
2. Check in to Ryokan at Kawaguchiko
7/26 (Fri): Kyoto
1. Train from Kawaguchiko to Kyoto
2. Nishiki market if time
3. Check into hotel in Kyoto (Gion area)
4. Walk around hotel
7/27 (Sat): Kyoto
1. Kiyomizuderu (early)
2. Explore Nineizaka/Sannezaka
3. Walk around Gion
4. Maybe additional temples if time (Yasaka Shrine – summer night market?)
5. Pontocho for dinner
7/28 (sun): Kyoto
1. Arashiyama (early)
2. Bamboo Grove / Tenryuji (vegetarian kaiseki at restaurant)
3. Walk around Togetsukyo Bridge
4. Nishiki market if time
5. Fushimi inari (wanted to try going at night one time, since been several times before in the morning)
7/29 (Mon): Kyoto>Uji>Nara>Osaka
1. Uji (not sure itinerary for here yet, but mostly walk around, get some matcha)
2. Nara (Todaiji, Yoshikuen Garden, Deer park)
3. Osaka (check in, walk around dotonburi, dinner in area)
7/30 (tues): Osaka
1. USJ
7/31 (Wed): Osaka>Himeji>Fukuoka
1. Leave early in morning for Himeji to see Castle
2. End day in Fukuoka (check in, eat in Yatai food stall)
8/1 (Thurs): Aso
1. Take earliest train to Aso (skipping kumamoto this time around since we saw a castle already)
2. Pick up rental car
3. Drive to Takachiho gorge
4. Drive to Amanoiwato Shrine
5. Stay in Aso for night
8/2 (fri): Aso>Yufuin
1. Early start to Kusasenri Obs since crater area is closed
2. Check out Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine
3. Nabegataki Falls
4. Explore Yufuin (floral village, shopping)
5. Stay in Ryokan
8/3 (sat): Beppu
1. Any last minute Yufuin sights that was missed
2. Drive to Beppu (explore the hells and other sights)
3. Drop off car
4. Stay the night
I’m wondering if I should skip staying the night here and just take a train back to Fukuoa, since ive already had onsen experience.
8/4 (sun): Fukuoka
1. Train back to fukuoka (if didnt leave night before)
2. Check in to hotel
3. Kushida Shrine/Tochoji
4. Ohari Park
5. Explore night life
8/5 (mon): Fukuoka
1. Damaizu or Uminokamichi (wanted to bike around the park, depending on weather)
2. Free time in evening (Not sure what else to explore here)
8/6 (tues): Fukuoka > Tokyo
1. Will do whatever we couldnt do from 8/5 (damaizu or uminokamichi)
2. Evening flight back to Tokyo
8/7 (Wed): Tokyo
1. Ueno Park
2. Asakusa/Sensoji
3. Ginza Shopping
8/8 (thurs): Day trip to Enoshima/Kamakura
1. Enoshima Island (at this point i think we’ll be sick of shrines)
2. Enoshima Iwaya Cave
3. Enoshima shopping streets
4. Daibutsu
5. Yokohama (if time for dinner)
6. Back to Tokyo
8/9 (Fri): Tokoy> Flight home
1. Last minute shopping/eats
2. Flight at 10pm.
I will say that i’m a little undecided on how to spend the last 3 days. Maybe i should just stay in Tokyo and take it slow instead of the day trips.
I’ll have to calculate it but not sure if a JR pass is worth it.
I figured less days in Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka since I’m sure we’ll be back and those cities always get visited with friends/family. I know it’ll be pretty hot/humid for these days but what can you do. GF thought that Kyushu had more variety and stuff to see/do than going to Hokkaido, even though itll probably cooler there. I’ll keep looking but havent really found any festivals that fall within this itinerary.
Thanks again for taking the time to read this and would greatly appreciate any feedback or recommendations!
by klutchftw
