Hi guys! My partner and I (early 30s) are going back to Japan in just a year. We did the golden route last year and loved it so much. Here is our iterinary. Would love your advice on whether we are packing too many things together – and if we are missing something! Also welcoming recommendations for food (we LOVE ramen, but enjoy all Japanese food) in the different places we are visiting. We are also beer people and love experimenting with breweries
May 11: Arrive in Tokyo at night, check in to the hotel
May 12: Explore Tokyo, do some shopping around Ginza. I am starting a new corporate job, and I live in a developing country, so hoping to find some nice affordable business casual clothes at Uniqlo, etc. **Any suggestions? I’m looking for something similar to Ann Taylor and Loft.** We are also going to a baseball match at Meiji Jingu at 7 PM. **Recommendations for dinner around Meiji Jingu?**
May 13: Take a bus from Tokyo to Tateshina Shinyu Onsen. It is our anniversary, so we will be splurging on this ryokan with a private onsen. It is a 3 hour journey from Tokyo, en route to Matsumoto.
May 14: Bus from Tateshina Onsen to Matsumoto (2 hours), explore Matsumoto castle and the town
May 15: **Matsumoto:**Â **Would like suggestions here.**Â We are doing the Alpine route the next day, so this day is empty right now. We are considering Kamikochi, but since we are also doing the Alpine route, should we do Kamikochi as well? Or spend the day more relaxed in/around Matsumoto.
May 16: **Alpine Route** from Ogizawa, end at Toyama and onwards to Kanazawa. I guess we will reach Kanazawa late evening, so nothing much else here.
May 17: **Explore Kanazawa**! This is my birthday – my partner has made a lunch reservation as a surprise to me. We will explore the markets, the castle, etc.
May 18: Travel from **Kanazawa to Kyoto,** check in at Ibis Styles Gion. Explore Gion, philosopher’s path.
May 19: **Kyoto:** Spend the **whole day around Arashiyama** – bamboo garden, scenic rail, monkey park.
May 20: **Kyoto:** This day is empty as of now. We will figure out what to do. **We are considering going to an outlet mall near Kyoto. Any recommendations?**
May 21: Take the bullet train to Fukuoka, via Hiroshima. Leave Kyoto at around 8 AM, reach Hiroshima by 10-11 AM. Spend the day in the peace park peace memorial museum. **Also considering going to Miyajima – is this too much for 1 day?** Take the Shinkansen around 5 PM to Hakata station, reach Hakata by around 7 PM and check in to Airbnb.
May 22: Explore Dazaifu and Kyushu National Museum in the first half, then come back to Fukuoka for Canal City and exploring the Yatai stalls post 6 PM. Head back to Airbnb. **Rather than Dazaifu, would you recommend staying back in Fukuoka? Is TeamLab Forest worth it?** We’ve been to the Teamlab in Tokyo last time and loved it.
May 23: Back home.
by Outside_Builder_98