Hello everyone,
First time poster here so please bear with me! I've been loving this subreddit for our upcoming Japan trip and was hoping for some itinerary advice.
For context myself and my partner are heading to Japan on the 14th-30th of November this year travelling from Aus. Our priority for this trip is to experience the quieter and less "touristy" places (with the exception of Tokyo, the places I've chosen may still be touristy so correct me if I'm wrong) with a focus on food, nature and the incredible scenery Japan has to offer. I have a VERY basic itinerary planned out and was hoping for your feedback.
15/11 – Tokyo
- Arrive in Tokyo at 8:30am
- Drop bags at hotel and explore area around hotel until check in, grab lunch
- Check in, relax in hotel
- Shibuya Sky
- Shibuya crossing, dinner nearby
16/11 – Tokyo
- TeamLabs Planet
- Yoyogi Park
- Explore Shinjuku area, dinner and bars
17/11 – Tokyo
- Harry Potter Studio
- Explore Akhibara
18/11 – Tokyo
- Tsukiji Market
- Ghibli Museum
19/11 – Tokyo – Lake Kawaguchiko
- Checkout and catch bus to Lake Kawaguchiko
- Rent bikes to ride around lakes
- Relax at hotel
20/11 – Lake Kawaguchiko
- Early start and head to Mt Fuji Golf course, golf day
- Return to hotel to relax
21/11 – Lake Kawaguchiko – Matsumoto
- Mt Fuji Ropeway OR Chureito Pagoda
- Travel to Matsumoto
- Collect hire car and check into hotel
- Explore Matsumoto and Matsumoto Castle
22/11 – Matsumoto
- Drive to Togakushi Shrine
- Visit Snow Monkey's
- Explore Nagano city, Nakasendo street
23/11 – Matsumoto
- Free day – Drive and explore Hakuba OR Lake Suwa?
- Return to hotel to relax
- Travel to Nagano for fireworks festival
24/11 – Matsumoto – Kanazawa
- Mini road trip day
- Stop at Shinhotoka Ropeway
- Lunch in Takayama
- Return hire car in Kanazawa
25/11 – Kanazawa
- Omochi Market
- Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen garden
- Nagamachi Samurai Town
26/11 – Kanazawa – Hiroshima
- Travel day, arrive in Hiroshima early afternoon
- Hiroshima museum and peace park
27/11 – Hiroshima – Miyajima Island
- Travel to Miyajima Island, leave luggage at hotel
- Explore Island
- Hike Mt Misen
28/11 – Miyajima Island – Tokyo
- Breakfast on the island
- Return to Hiroshima, either fly or catch bullet train to Tokyo (potential stop on the way?)
29/11 – Tokyo
- Disneyland
30/11 – Tokyo
- Check out and head to Airport 🙁
Questions:
- As first-time traveller's will we regret not experiencing Osaka and Kyoto?
- Are we squeezing to many places into 15 days?
- Will we be too late for the peak autumn foliage this year?
- I'm second guessing our time in the Nagano region. Kamikochi appears to close mid November as does most scenic hikes etc. I am concerned the scenery will be the awkward in between fall and winter landscape with mostly bare trees etc. Is it still worth spending time there?
- I'd rather not do Disneyland at the end of our trip but thought Friday would be the better option out of the days we have in Tokyo
- Am I missing any must-see places that have great food and amazing scenery at that time of year?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated, thank you for your time!
by Blondie747