Itinerary check for 14 days in July – first timers

I’ve spent many hours researching and reviewing an itinerary for my family’s Japan trip in July. We are a family of 4. I and my wife are active 57 year olds in good shape with two college age boys up for any adventure. We enjoy a well rounded trip including cultural / city and lots of outdoors / hiking / possibly biking  / perhaps boating.  Major objectives: at least as couple of days with good moderate to strenuous 1/2 day hikes in the mountains or alternative outdoors activities, lots of cultural exposure such as can be found in Takayama and Kyoto.

Questions that we’d appreciate feedback on:

1. General feedback on stops, timings, and if there are any we should drop or change

2. Suggestions about Gion Festival in Kyoto – the days we are there we miss the Yoiyama evenings and Yamahoku processions – are there other interesting things to see and do?

3. Best opportunities to see Geisha show in Kyoto or Kanazawa other than Gion Corner.

Thanks iin advance for your help.

**Tokyo – 3 nights**

* Dates: Jul 10, 2024 to Jul 13, 2024
* Arrival: 7/10 afternoon Haneda Airport
* Stay: Asakusa
* Activities: Explore Tokyo
* Tsukiji Fish Market Food Walking Tour
* Transfer:  Tokyo to Matsumoto
* Start: Tokyo Station
* Departure: [07:30 AM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/21067)
* Train: Super Azusa Limited Express
* Arrival: Matsumoto Station
* Elapsed Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes

**Matsumoto – 1 night**

* Dates: Jul 13, 2024 to Jul 14, 2024
* Arrival: 7/13 \~10:00am Matsumoto Station
* Stay: NIKAI
* Activities:
* Explore Matsumoto Castle
* Consider cycling in Azumino
* Transfer: Matsumoto to Kamikocho
* Start: Matsumoto Bus Terminal
* Departure: [08:00 AM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/21342)
* Bus: Matsumoto to Kamikochi Line
* Arrival: Kamikochi
* Elapsed Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
* Luggage: Arrange luggage transfer directly to Takayama hotel

 **Kamikochi – day trip**

* Dates: Jul 14, 2024
* Arrival: 7/14 9:30am Kamikochi Bus Terminal
* Activities:
1. 10am-3:30pm – Mount Yake-dake Hike  [Mount Yakedake – Kamikochi](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/japan/nagano/mount-yakedake-kamikochi) – kids
2. Kamikochi Walking Tour (extended) [Myojin Ike Pond Loop](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/japan/nagano/myojin-ike-pond-loop) – parents
* Transfer: Kamikochi to Takayama [https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/route\_bus/kamikochi-line-en/#timetable](https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/route_bus/kamikochi-line-en/#timetable)
1. Kamikochi to Hirayu Onsen
* Departure from Kamikochi: [05:00 PM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/21563) – last bus at 5:30pm
* Arrival at Hirayu Onsen: Approximately [05:30 PM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/21611)
* Duration: About 30 minutes
* **Dinner in Hiram Onsen?**
2. Hirayu Onsen to Takayama Nohi Bus Center
* Departure from Hirayu Onsen: [07:23 PM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/21701) (after a 30-minute transfer time)
* Arrival at Takayama: Approximately [08:18 PM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/21779)
* Duration: About 1 hour

**Takayama – 2 nights**

* Dates: Jul 14, 2024 to Jul 16, 2024
* Arrival: 7/14 8:18pm Takayama Nohi Bus Center
* Stay: Takayama Station
* Activities:
* Stroll through the well-preserved Old Town (Sanmachi Suji)
* Higashiyama Walking Course
* Try local Hida beef dishes
* Transfer: Takayama to Shirakawa-go
* Start: Hertz Car Rental 1-319 Showamachi Takayama 
* Departure: [10:00 AM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/22060)  (reservation 9, but opens at 10?)
* Car: Hertz
* Route: Shirakawa-go, possible Furukawa stop
* Elapsed Time: About 1 hours 30 minutes

**Shirakawa-go – day trip**

* Dates: Jul 16, 2024
* Arrival: 7/16 11:30am Shirakawa-go 
* Activities:
* Ogimachi Old castle Observatory
* Village and Gassho houses
* Possible drive on White Route
* Transfer: Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa 
* Car Rental
* Elapsed Time: \~ 1  hours 20 minutes to Mistui Garden

**Kanazawa – 2 nights**

* Dates: Jul 16, 2024 to Jul 18, 2024
* Arrival: 7/16 \~6pm Kanazawa 
* Stay: Omicho Market
* Activities:
* Explore historic Higashi Chaya geisha and samurai districts
* Stroll through Omicho market. 
* Visit Kenroku-en Garden
* Ninja Temple and Oyama Shrine
* Try gold leaf ice cream – a local specialty
* Transfer: Kanazawa to Kyoto
* Start: Kanazawa Station
* Departure: [16::13 PM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/22344) (every 45 mins to hour all day)
* Train: Limited Express Thunderbird
* Arrival: Kyoto Station
* Elapsed Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

**Kyoto – 3 nights**

* Dates: Jul 18, 2024 to Jul 21, 2024
* Arrival: 7/18 \~6:30pm Kyoto 
* Stay: Kawaramachi
* Activities:
* Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide
* geisha walking tour/viator
* Explore Kyoto’s temples, shrines, and historic sites
* Transfer: Kyoto to Hakone by way of Odawara
* Start: Kyoto Station
* Departure: [14:08 PM or 14:33 PM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/22582)[https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/timetable/00001756/00000110/?direction=up&date=2024-05-29&next=&move=](https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/timetable/00001756/00000110/?direction=up&date=2024-05-29&next=&move=)
* Train: Hikari Shinkansen to Odawara
* Elapsed Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
* Transfer Time: 20 minutes
* Train: Hakone Tozan Line
* Departure: [16:40 PM or 17:05 PM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/22582)[https://www.odakyu.jp/english/transport/timetable/](https://www.odakyu.jp/english/transport/timetable/)
* Arrival: Hakone-Yumoto Station
* Elapsed Time: 15-20 minutes

**Hakone – 2 nights**

* Dates: Jul 21, 2024 to Jul 23, 2024
* Arrival: 17:00-17:30 PM
* Stay: Hakone Yumoto Onsen
* Transfer: Hakone to Tokyo
* Activities:
* Hakone Open Air Museum
* Reverse Hakone Loop – [https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/course/829](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/course/829)
* Hakone Checkpoint, Onshi Hakone Park, Cedar Avenue, Lake Ashi Cruise, lunch (Togendai), Ropeway, Owakudani, Yunessen Hot Spring Park or other
* Transfer: Hakone to Tokyo
* Start: Hakone-Yumoto Station
* Departure: [9:00 AM](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/22812)
* Train: Odakyu Romancecar to Shinjuku
* Elapsed Time: Approximately 2 hours

**Tokyo – 1 night and departure**

* Dates: Jul 23, 2024 to Jul 24, 2024
* Stay: ?
* Activities: ?

**Haneda Departure**

* Date: [July 24 ](x-apple-data-detectors://embedded-result/22923)morning
* Transfer:
* Start: Shinjuku
* Bus: Airport Limousine Bus or Tokyo Monorail
* Arrival: Haneda Airport
* Total Elapsed Time: Approximately 30 minutes

by FinderSeeker123