Update on my plan to do solo trip to see koyo(autumn leaves) in Nikko and Tohoku region, had to change it up a bit because of not having enough time off.
A lot of the trip is planned around seeing koyo in the Tohoku region and the two festivals going on in Nikko and then Kawagoe. Really wanted to make it up north this time to check out Sendai and Yamadera. Heres what I got so far:
Day 1 – Friday Oct. 11 – MCO -> HND
Day 2 – Saturday Oct. 12 – Tokyo
• 15:40 PM: Arrive at HND
• Check in Tokyo Hotel
Day 3 – Sunday Oct. 13 – Tokyo -> Sendai
• Check out Tokyo Hotel
• Train to Sendai
• Check in Sendai Hotel
• Sendai Dai Kannon (Colossus)
• Jozenji-dori Ave
• Zuihōden (Grave of Date Masamune)
Day 4 – Monday Oct. 14 – Sendai
• Rissyakuji Temple (Yamadera)
• Akiu Great Falls, Rairaikyo Gorge
• Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory
• Zao Fox Village
Day 5 – Tuesday Oct. 15 – Aizuwakamatsu
• Train to Aizuwakamatsu
• Tsuruga Castle
• Sazae Temple
• Miyaizumi Meijo Sake Brewery
Day 6 – Wednesday Oct. 16 – Sendai -> Nikko
• Check out Sendai Hotel
• Train to Nikko
• Check in Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa?
• Nikko Tōshogū
• Nikko Autumn Festival
• Shinkyō Bridge, Shōyō-en Garden
Day 7 – Thursday Oct. 17 – Nikko
• Explore rest of Nikko
• Kegon Waterfall, Lake Chuzenji, Ryuzu Falls
• Senjogahara
• Nikko Autumn Festival
• Nikko Momijiza
Day 8 – Friday Oct. 18 – Nikko -> Tokyo
• Check out Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa?
• Train to Tokyo
• Check in Tokyo Hotel
Day 9 – Saturday Oct. 19 – Kawagoe
• Kawagoe Autumn Festival
Day 10 – Sunday Oct. 20 – HND -> MCO
I fully understand I wont be able to do everything in each place but I always over plan so that I can have plenty of options when im over there.
Just some questions:
Would it be smarter to arrive the day before the festival in Nikko? I figure itll be hella busy when I get there and honestly checking in with all that sounds a little hectic.
Also if anyone has information on whether Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa allows solo travelers to book rooms despite only having option for 2 guests? I know some ryokans are particular about that.
Finally, Kawagoe is not a place im all too familiar with but it doesnt look to have too much, even with a festival is a full day worth it?
Thank you for any help!
by Kozure96