I’ll be leaving for Japan in a week (arrival April 7th, first full day April 8th), and will be travelling solo. I have my first two nights booked in Tokyo and will be going to Disney, but after that this is what I have planned, roughly. This is obviously a bit underplanned but as I’m travelling solo and will probably spend a mix of time between hostels/hotels I’m not too worried about it.
This is my 3rd trip to Japan so I’ve already done the traditional stuff, so I’m going to the Alps to make it a bit more interesting this time. I really enjoy ACTIVITIES and things to do, as opposed to just sight-seeing, so I’m a bit nervous that I planned this trip wrong as a lot of it is in “small, traditional, lots-of-temples” type areas. Anyway, if you have anything you would add/change please let me know. I’m a solo traveler so I can move things around late notice. If you have any suggestions for ACTIVITIES (not sight seeing), please please let me know – I really need to add more of those. Solo sightseeing can get boring pretty fast.
**Tokyo (1-3 days)**
Tokyo DisneySea / Tokyo DisneyLand as soon as I arrive, to overcome 11 hour time change
**Nagano (1 day)**
Famous temple in Nagano plus the Monkey Park that is an hour away. Not sure w
**Matsumoto (1 hr by bus from Nagano station) (arrive/leave same day imo)**
Matsumoto Castle. Not sure if there’s anything else worth seeing here
**Takayama (2h45min by bus from Matsumoto) (1-2 days)**
Traditional old town with beautiful architecture and samurai-era charm.
**Shirakawa (arrive/leave same day on the way to Kanazawa)**
Old-style buildings. Not sure if I really care about this place, but it’s on the way to Kanazawa so why not stop?
**Kanazawa (3 days)**
Gardens, old-style city, many temples, already been to Kyoto on previous trips and felt it was over-touristed. I’ve heard that Kanazawa has great food and is a nice alternative to Kyoto.
**Okayama (2-3 days) (possible stop at Echizen on the way)**
Want to go here specifically to see Kojima Jeans Street and do LOTS of denim shopping there. I’m into Japanese denim so that’s why this place is on the list. Also has a famous garden
edit: Strongly considering cutting Okayama and Kojima Jeans Street out from the trip entirely. Google reviews seem to suggest that the street is disappointing, and I know I can buy nice Japanese denim in Tokyo/Osaka, so maybe I cut this out? If so, not sure what to replace it with. Perhaps Nagoya (never been therebefore but not sure if it’s interesting compared to Tokyo/Osaka)?
**Osaka, maybe Kyoto added on but not super interested in Kyoto (2-3 days)**
Going to Universal Studios, want to see knifemaking and knives in Sakai, have already done the usual things in Osaka/Kyoto/Nara on previous trips
**Tokyo (4 days) (Fuji-Q on way back)**
Interested in Fuji-Q as I like theme parks and rides. Not sure what else to do in Tokyo but I’m sure I’ll find something. Have spent 10+ days in Tokyo on previous trips and seen the obvious highlights
by Travel_Or