Hi, I have been researching quite a bit for my family’s upcoming July visit to Japan. I’ve come up with an itinerary that hits most of our checkboxes, but I’m afraid it’s too much. I’m looking for any advice people might have on which stop(s) they might eliminate. I need to cut out 1 day and I’m a bit concerned about too many stops / transfers and/or not enough time at key stops. Note: this itinerary does not detail out the specifics of all we will be doing at each stop, keeping it general for now until I iron out the stops (but open to any suggestions).
We’re following the New Golden Route and Sea of Japan from Tokyo to Kyoto for a bit lesser crowds and hopefully cooler weather and seeing if we can fit in the Mt Fuji areas too.
Would you drop Fukui and goi straight to Kyoto? Drop Hakone / Mount Fuji?
Thanks for your help in advance:
Dates 14 days July 9th 3:25pm Haneda arrival to July 24th 10:50am Haneda departure
**Tokyo**
* **Dates**: July 10 (afternoon arrival) to July 12
* **Activities**: Explore Tokyo
**Matsumoto**
* **Date**: July 13 (morning travel to Matsumoto)
* **Travel**:
* Start: Tokyo Station
* Departure: 07:30 AM
* Train: Super Azusa Limited Express
* Arrival: Matsumoto Station
* Elapsed Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
* **Activities**:
* Explore Matsumoto Castle
* Consider cycling in Azumino
**Kamikochi**
* **Date**: July 14
* **Travel**:
* Start: Matsumoto Bus Terminal
* Departure: 08:00 AM
* Bus: Matsumoto to Kamikochi Line
* Arrival: Kamikochi
* Elapsed Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
* **Activities**:
* Enjoy hiking in Kamikochi
**Takayama**
* **Dates**: July 15 and 16
* **Travel**:
1. Kamikochi to Hirayu Onsen
* Departure from Kamikochi: 07:00 AM
* Arrival at Hirayu Onsen: Approximately 07:30 AM
* Duration: About 30 minutes
2. Hirayu Onsen to Takayama
* Departure from Hirayu Onsen: 08:00 AM (after a 30-minute transfer time)
* Arrival at Takayama: Approximately 09:00 AM
* Duration: About 1 hour
* **Activities**:
* Stroll through the well-preserved Old Town (Sanmachi Suji)
* Try local Hida beef dishes
* Visit the Takayama Jinya historic government building
* Day trip to Shiakawa-go
**Kanazawa**
* **Dates**: July 17 and 18
* **Travel**:
* Start: Takayama Station
* Departure: 08:00 AM
* Bus: Nohi Bus
* Arrival: Kanazawa Station
* Elapsed Time: About 2 hours 15 minutes
* **Highlights**:
* Explore historic geisha and samurai districts
* Visit Kenroku-en Garden
* Try gold leaf ice cream – a local specialty
**Fukui / Kaga Onsen**
* **Date**: July 19
* **Travel**:
* Saga – Travel: 30 minutes from Kanazawa by Shinkansen
* Highlights: Onsen ryokan, Kayotei inn, Kissho Yamanaka public onsen
* Travel: 30 minutes from Kaga by train
* Highlights: Maruoka Castle, Tojinbo rock formation, Eihei-ji temple, and Katsuyama City
**Kyoto**
* **Dates**: July 20 to 22
* **Travel**:
* Start: Kaga Onsen Station
* Departure: 08:00 AM
* Train: Limited Express Thunderbird
* Arrival: Kyoto Station
* Elapsed Time: About 2 hours
* **Activities**:
* Explore Kyoto’s temples, shrines, and historic sites
**Hakone / Mount Fuji**
* **Date**: July 23
* **Travel**:
* Start: Kyoto Station
* Departure: 07:00 AM
* Train: Shinkansen to Odawara
* Transfer Time: 20 minutes
* Train: Hakone Tozan Line
* Arrival: Hakone-Yumoto Station
* Total Elapsed Time: Approximately 3 hours
**Departure**
* **Date**: July 24
* **Travel**:
* Start: Hakone-Yumoto Station
* Departure: 10:00 AM
* Train: Odakyu Romancecar to Shinjuku
* Transfer Time: 30 minutes
* Bus: Airport Limousine Bus or Tokyo Monorail
* Arrival: Haneda Airport
* Total Elapsed Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
by FinderSeeker123