Background: Solo traveller, with tattoos (for onsen qn). I am taking this part of the trip easy before heading to Tokyo. I enjoy photography so I generally walk aimlessly around to shoot.
Current plan with more details below: 2 nights in Takayama, 3 nights in Kanagawa. Day 2 will be day trip from Takayama to Shirakawago.
Day 1 (03/08/2024): Takayama
Morning train from Nagoya / Kyoto
Explore old town + Funasake Brewery
Takayama Jinya
Hida Folk Village
Day 2: Shirakawago (night at Takayama)
Morning bus from Takayama to Shirakawago
Irori (lunch)
Visit Gassho-Zukuri houses (Wada house, Bunen-Yumeromu; Kanda House, Nagase House)
“Kyushu” Traditional Coffee Shop
Shirakawa Go no Yu (probably skip this if no time)
Day 3: Kanazawa
Check out Miyagawa Morning Market & Kaji bridge
Bus to Kanazawa
Gyukusenimmaru, Kanazawa Caster (+ tea ceremony)
Kernyokuen Garden
Seisonkaku Villa
Kazumachi Chaya
Uchinada Beach for sunset (~20 min train, but will skip if weather not looking good)
Higashi Chaya District (Geisha spotting, if not going beach)
Day 4: Kanazawa
Omicho Market
Oyama Shrine
(If any not visited yesterday, will be slotted here)
Chill around for coffee and onsen
Uchinada Besch for sunset if not visited yesterday, otherwise try my luck with Geisha spotting
Day 5: Kanazawa (chill day)
Omicho Market
Chill around for coffee and onsen
Spend some time in hotel/airbnb to plan my remaining trip
Higashi Chaya District + explore around area
Day 6: head to Tokyo, right side for Mt Fuji?
I hope I covered all the tourist spots but if there is any that I missed, please let me know!
Questions, mainly about accommodations:
1) Should I spend a night each in Takayama and Shirakawa go? If I do this, I can visit the onsen in Shirakawago but I read around and most people only spend half a day. I’m not sure if is worth to lug my luggage here and not much accommodation available
2) I have yet to book my stay, any recommendations for private onsen in Kanazawa, probably will book for Day 5 if have. Those that I saw with private onsen in the room, min pax is 2. I’m happy to pay for private room too. Otherwise, for my 3 nights, I can do hotel public onsen that are tattoo friendly that you have tried? I went through booking dot com and read Q&A, most of which do not allow tattoo or have no answers (but I posted the questions). I’m happy to have private onsen in Takayama / Shirakawago if i’m staying over
Thank you so much!
by Vjanett