Hello everybody!
I’m planning a 2-week Japan (with proposal) in July for my girlfriend and I. We met both traveling in Japan a couple years ago and thought it would be a very special place to come back for our engagement. I’ve been to Japan multiple times and my GF once, and have done all the touristy things in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara etc. We’re more interested in off-the-beaten-path Japan this time.
We’ve made a general itinerary (Tokyo => Kyoto => Ine => Takamatsu => Naoshima/Teshima => Kanazawa) but are flexible and would love recommendations for things to do/restaurants/how much time to spend in each city. We’re both active people into nature, food/cooking, architecture/art, and Japanese culture/tradition. I enjoy fishing and binchotan grilling (yakitori) and she loves gardens. Much appreciated!
Day 1 (Saturday – June 29)
* LAX => Narita
Day 2 (Sunday) Tokyo
* Arrive Narita 6pm
* Check into Tokyo hotel
Day 3 (Monday) Tokyo
* Capyba Cafe (she loves capybaras)
* Dinner @ Hop Duvel Yakitori
Day 4 (Tuesday) Kyoto
* Tokyo => Kyoto (via Nozomi Shinkansen)
* Check into Park Hyatt Kyoto
* Lunch @ Honke Owariya
* YUGEN tea shop
Day 5 (Wednesday) Kyoto
* Proposal!
* Dinner
Day 6 (Thursday) Ine (Japanese fishing village)
* Kyoto => Amanohashidate => Ine (can we store big luggage at Kyoto Station?)
(Take train or bus to Amanohashidate/Ine?)
* Stay at a Funuya (boathouse)
* Dinner @ Wadatsumi
Day 7 (Friday) Takamatsu
* Visit Mukai Sake Brewery in the morning
* Ine => Takamatsu
* Check into Takamatsu hotel
* Dinner @ Udon Honjin Yamadaya
Day 8 (Saturday) Takamatsu
* Ritsurin Garden
* Dinner @ Yamashita Udon
Day 9 (Sunday) Naoshima/Teshima
* 1/2 day trip to Naoshima
* Bike rentals
* Chichu art gallery
* Art House project
* Benesse House Museum
* 1/2 day trip to Teshima
Day 10 (Monday) Kanazawa
* Takamatsu => Kanazawa
* Check into Kanazawa hotel
* Dinner @ Mori Mori Sushi
Day 11 (Tuesday) Kanazawa
* Higashi Chaya District (geisha district)
* Kazue-machi Chaya District (smaller tea district)
* Omicho Market
* Kanazawa Castle
* Kenroku-en Garden
* Nagamachi Samurai District
Day 12 (Wednesday) Kanazawa
* Day trip to Shirakawa-go (UNESCO site)
Day 13 (Thursday) Tokyo
* Kanazawa => Tokyo
* Check into Tokyo hotel
Day 14 (Friday)
* Lunch @ Kyubey (says online reservations not needed?)
* Snow Peak Store
* Dinner @ Yakitori Toriyoshi
Day 15 (Saturday)
* Thrifting
* Jazz cafe/club recommendations
* Dinner @ Yakitori Moe Es
Day 16 (Sunday – July 14)
* 6pm Narita => LAX
Does the overall itinerary pacing seem good? Enough days for each area?
Should we spend 1 or 2 nights in Ine?
Is Naoshima/Teshima doable in 1 day?
Which JR Pass should we get for this trip duration (also where/when is the best place to get?)
Should we book a car in Kanazawa?
Are there any other cities in those areas that we should check out as well?
Any other recommendations (restaurants, etc.) are welcome too!
Thank you so much!
by DeusExa