So I’ve spent some time reading through a lot of great advice on Reddit but as someone who’s never been to Japan. I’d like to run some questions and schedules past everyone and see if there are any suggestions you all might have! :).
We’ll be in Tokyo on the 30th of October 4 days from now! We have our hotel already booked and will be in and around Tokyo from Monday 30th – until Friday Nov 3rd. As of right now, we don’t have a lot of days planned out while in Tokyo. I personally would like to play it by ear and enjoy our time as we go but my wife likes to have everything planned out. Was basically going to plan the night before for the next day? Are there any cool places to visit on Halloween? MOST IMPORTANT: Where is the best place to buy amazing Japanese culinary knives? This is one of my must haves! :).
Any thoughts on this?
Days 1-5 (30th-Nov 3rd) will be in Tokyo.
-would like to visit Disney land
-Shibuya Crossing
-Pokémon cafe (already have reservation)
-Pokémon Centers
-eat lots of amazing food.
-open to lots of experiences!
Day 5 (Nov 3rd) – check out of hotel and head towards Nagano check out the Zenkoji temple and visit the wild snow monkey park and then stay at Yudanaka Onsen (already booked room)
Day 6 (Nov 4th) – head towards Matsumoto to check out
•Matsumoto Castle
•Former Kaichi School
•Nakamachi Street
• Nawate Street
•Matsumoto City Museum of Art
Stay over there that night (no lodging booked)
Day 7 (Nov 5th) head towards MATSUMOTO
KAMIKOCHI and TAKAYAMA
•Taisho Pond
•Myojin Bridge in KAMIKOCHI
•Old Town
•Takayama Jinya
Stay over night in TAKAYAMA (no lodging booked)
Day 8 (Nov 6th) head towards SHIRAKAWA-GO and KANAZAWA
• Kenrokuen
• Ninjadera
• Omicho Market
•Higashi Chaya District
•Nagamachi Samurai District –
Stay overnight in Kanazawa (no lodging booked)
Day 9-11 (Nov 7th-9th) KANAZAWA to
KYOTO. Spend a day or two in KYOTO
Spend time here enjoy.
-open to all experiences here!
Day 11 (Nov 9th) head to Osaka
-possibly Universal
-aquarium?
Day 12 (Nov 10th) start to head back to Tokyo
Day 13 (Nov 11th) Fly out (later in day)
Any suggestions on this trip? Does it seem like too much? Not enough planned? Also when we touch down in Tokyo, we should get the Suica pass and I’m looking at the JRPass for the trains. I’ve also looked into eSims (UBIGI- we both have iPhones) instead or portable WiFi. Anything we are forgetting here? Other suggestions?
We kind of wanted to explore a bit more rural Japan and not just crazy cities. Definitely would like to stay in some Ryokans/Onsen possibly a private one. I wanted to be a bit flexible in case we wanted to stay some more time in a particular area! 🙂
Are we forgetting anything major as first timers? Is this too ambitious? Are there other places we should check out instead? What time should we catch trains in the morning to the next location? It sounds like there are lockers at the train stations for luggage? Should we have hotels booked in advance or just kinda wing it the night before we leave?
Just some peace of mind from travelers who have done it all before would be amazing.
My wife and I thank you in advance! 🙂
***EDIT! ***
So after everyone’s advice, we decided to edit the trip a bit. Leaving Tokyo as planned, exploring Nagano that day and then staying at our booked lodging near the monkey park for that night. The next morning visiting the Monkey Park and then catching the train to Kanazawa.
Stay there for the night and then continue on to Kyoto, where we’ll be for the remainder of our trip as a central hub for exploration. – Do you have any suggestions for Kyoto hotel/ Onsen experiences? 🙂
Really appreciate all your suggestions and help as first timers this is what we needed to know. Thanks again. We fly out tomorrow!
by Phant0mhav0C