Hi! We would appreciate advice for our Japan itinerary. 23 October to 10 November 2024. Travelling as a couple (33F & 40M), our first time together in Japan. We have previously been to Japan separately.
23 October: arrive in Haneda, explore neighbourhood around hotel
24: Tokyo Disneysea
25: Tokyo (teamLab – either Planets or Borderless)
26: Tokyo (Ghibli Museum)
27: either – rent a car from Tokyo and drive to Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, or – take train to Tsuchiura and rent a car from there the next day, depending on which is cheaper (extra rental day vs farther drop-off + train tickets). Explore Kasumigaura and cycle along Tsukuba Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road.
Sleep: Kasumigaura
28: Nakaminato Fish Market, Hitachi Seaside Park, Kairakuen
Sleep: Oarai
29: sunrise at Oarai Isosaki Shrine, drive to Okukuji Valley and Fukuroda Falls if we feel like it, or drive to Nikko directly and explore the area
Sleep: Nikko
30: Nikko (undecided on what to do, will probably drive down Irohazaka in traffic jam)
Sleep: Kuriyama, Nikko
31: road trip down Romantic Kaido
Sleep: likely Shima Onsen or Kusatsu Onsen
1 November: road trip down Romantic Kaiso
Sleep: likely somewhere in Komoro or Tomi City
2: drive to Matsumoto and return the car
Sleep: Matsumoto
3: bus to Kamikochi
Sleep: Kamikochi
4: Kamikochi
Sleep: Kamikochi
5: head back to Matsumoto to take the overnight bus to Osaka
6: arrive in Osaka and continue to travel to Kobe
Sleep: Kobe
7: travel to Kinosaki Onsen (recommendation for a cheap to mid range accommodation please, busted our money for the next night)
8: Kinosaki Onsen
Sleep: Nishimuraya Honkan (for crab season)
9: travel to Osaka
Sleep: Osaka
10: Osaka, return flight at 11 pm
Questions:
1. Nikko – should we stay at Kuriyama Village for both nights or try a different region?
2. Would hiking up a mountain in Kamikochi be a good idea during that period? Most mountain huts will operate their last night on 3 November. If we would like to hike up Chogatake, would it be easier to take the first bus from Matsumoto and hike up the mountain on the 3rd, sleep at Chogatake Hutte, and make our descend on the 4th back to Kamikochi? Or sleep at Tokusawa-en on the 3rd and ascend and descend Chogatake on the 4th? We are of average fitness levels and enjoy hiking from time to time.
3. Or should we spend 3 November in Matsumoto instead and witness what goes on during Culture Day? Give up on climbing mountains and just go to Kamikochi later in the afternoon or even on the 4th instead?
4. Any recommendations for mid range accommodations in Kinosaki Onsen?
Thank you!
by AppearanceEmpty8623