Hello,
I’ll be visiting Japan mid-May to early June.
I’ll be in Japan solo travelling for the first leg of the trip, and then meet with a friend to continue in Tokyo and visit Osaka/Kyoto as well. This part I wanted to get feedback on. I know I’m traveling a lot, but I like to move around and see as much as possible! I’m a big fan of wandering, nature, history/culture, good food, and Pokemon (lol)!
**Day 1:**
Land in KIX, take transit to Nara and arrive at hotel early afternoon.
Relax and look around the park if I have energy. My hotel is right next to the park so only a short walk away.
If I have time:
* Kofuku-ji
* Yoshikien/Isuien Gardens
**Day 2:**
Wake up, rent a bike to bike around to the sights and have coffee/breakfast somewhere in the park. See:
* Nara National Museum
* Todai-ji
* Kasuga Taisha
* Mount Wakakusa potentially
* Have lunch in the park as well maybe.
* Later on see Naramachi if time.
**Day 3:**
Wake up in Nara, watch mochi pounding and have a chill morning.
Take transit to Hiroshima before noon (2.5hrs), arrive at hotel early afternoon.
Have okonomiyaki for lunch.
See:
* Hiroshima Peace Park
* Hiroshima Castle if time
**Day 4:**
Wake up in Hiroshima, depending on how I’m feeling I can stay until later to see more or leave for Miyajima.
Travel to Miyajima (\~40 min)– flexible timing.
Walk around Hokokujinja Senjokaku Pavilion, see Itsukushima Jinja.
Sleep on Miyajima.
**Day 5:**
Wake up on Miyajima, see more of Itsukushima shrine depending on the previous day’s timing.
Walk up Mt. Misen, see Daishoin on the way. See Mt. Misen Observatory, Shishiiwa Observatory, and on way back down either take ropeway or walk. Stop by Momijidani Park.
Spend later afternoon on Miyajima Omotesandō Shopping Street.
Sleep on Miyajima again.
**Day 6:**
Wake up on Miyajima. Go back to Hiroshima (\~40 min) then take Shinkansen to Himeji (\~1hr). Mostly a flex day, where I can see more of Miyajima/Hiroshima if desired, as long as I end the day in Himeji.
If I get to Himeji earlier on, see Mt. Shosha.
Sleep in Himeji.
**Day 7:**
Meet with local guide and tour Himeji Castle/Koko-en and surrounding areas for most of the day.
After an early dinner, Himeji to Kanazawa (\~5hrs), arrive later at night to hotel.
**Day 8:**
Wake up in Kanazawa, see:
* Kenroku-en/Kanazawa castle ruins
* Nagamachi District
* Lunch at Omicho Market
* Higashi Chaya District
**Day 9:**
Wake up in Kanazawa
See:
* Myouryuji
* Ninjabuki Museum
* Nishi Chaya District
Go from Kanazawa to Takayama (\~3hrs).
I could also try and stop in Shirakawa-go on my way to Takayama. Recommended?
Chill in Takayama for the evening.
**Day 10:**
Wake up in Takayama.
Tour around Hida Folk Village.
Tour around the Old Town, stop by Takayana Jinya.
More flexible day, but any other must-sees in Takayama?
Sleep in Takayama.
**Day 11:**
Go from Takayama to Okuhida Onsen (\~1hr).
Here is where I have some questions:
Right now, I have a hotel booked in Okuhida about 15min by bus away from the Shinhokata Ropeway.
From what I can tell, from my hotel to Kamikochi is about 2 hours one way via bus or 25 minutes by car (which as of right now, I’m not planning on renting a car). Is it worth the 4 hour bus round trip to go, or can I see many of the same things staying closer to Okuhida?
Also, I’ve heard that hiking from the end of the ropeway to Kamikochi is possible– I’d be interested in this but have heard it’d be around 4 hours. How difficult is this hike? Is it scenic? I’m fairly fit and am interested in hiking anyways, and then could maybe take the bus back.
Also, are there places where I could store my luggage in Kamikochi while I hike after I check out of my hotel?
Ideally, this day would be some light hiking/Shinhokota ropeway and end the day in hot springs (Okuhida onsens) and sleep in my Okuhida hotel.
**Day 12:**
Also in Okuhida. Would like to do a day of more nature hiking, and see Kamikochi if possible.
**Day 13:**
Spend morning in Okuhida, maybe more short walks.
Go from Okuhida to Tokyo (\~6hrs), arrive afternoon/evening. Check into hotel (near Akihabara) and explore Akihabara if time permits.
**Day 14:**
Tokyo!
See:
* Akihabara
* Pokemon Center DX and Pokemon Cafe
* Neco Republic (ethical cat cafe), has anyone been here?
* Jimbocho
**Day 15:**
Day trip to Omiya to see:
* Omiya bonsai village and art museum
* Omiya Park
If I get back in time, go shopping in Ginza Six.
**Day 16:**
Check out of Akihabara hotel, try and store my luggage in the next hotel which is in Shibuya.
* Meiji Shrine early in day
* Shibuya Sky
* Pokemon Shibuya
* Don Quixote
* Traipse around Shibuya in general
* Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo if I feel like it
Sleep in Shibuya.
After this I’ll meet up with a friend and keep seeing stuff in Tokyo for a few days and then go to Kyoto/Osaka, but that part of the itinerary is already fleshed out.
Any major issues or thoughts? All my hotels are booked. The main thing I’m worried about is navigating the transit systems, I’ve downloaded the JapanTravel app and will be trying to list out all the bus lines/transfers/Shinkansens that I’ll have to take ahead of time.
Thanks so much for reading!
by ilosii