My boyfriend and I will go to Japan for the first time for a little over a month at the end of August and we are looking for advice on where (not) to go and for how long. First day of each place is a travel day. Good to know that we're into cities, food, culture and nature, but after Japan we'll also visit Taiwan and Malaysia for nature. Specific questions are added per section. Day to day activities are just an indication. We're mainly looking for advice on places and duration.
Day 1 to 8 Tokyo
- Day 1: We arrive the night before so we spend the first day exploring the local area.
- Day 2: Explore Shibuya (Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko Statue), Harajuku (Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine), and Omotesando (shopping street).
- Day 3: Visit Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Street), Ueno (Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum), and Akihabara (electronics and anime district).
- Day 4: Discover Shinjuku (Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for the view), and Kabukicho (entertainment district).
- Day 5: Explore Odaiba (TeamLab Borderless, Odaiba Seaside Park, DiverCity Tokyo Plaza).
- Day 6: Day trip to one of the Fuji lakes (Lake Kawaguchi for scenic views, boat tours, and the Kachi Kachi Ropeway).
- Day 7: Day trip to Kamakura (Kotoku-in, Hasedera Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and explore Komachi Street).
- Day 8: Day trip to Nikko (Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, and Lake Chuzenji).
Question 1: We don't want to go to Hakone, so what is another Onsen town we could easily visit during our trip in Japan? Maybe Kinosaki or Beppu?
Day 9 to 13 Osaka and Kyoto
- Day 9: Travel to Osaka, check into accommodation, and explore Dotonbori (food and nightlife district).
- Day 10: Visit Osaka Castle, Kuromon Ichiba Market, and Umeda Sky Building.
- Day 11: Explore Namba (Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, Amerikamura), and Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine.
- Day 12: Day trip to Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Gion District).
- Day 13: Day trip to Nara (Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine), and Uji (Byodoin Temple, tea houses).
Day 14 Koyasan
- Day 14: Travel to Koyasan, check into Shukubo, visit Oku-no-in (mausoleum and cemetery), and hike nearby pilgrimage trails. Participate in evening meditation or ceremonies.
Day 15-18 Hiking
Question 2: We love hiking and want to add one 'major' hike of 2/3 days to our trip out of the following options if possible. What would be the best experience/most doable for our trip? Or would hiking in Koyasan be sufficient? Or do you suggest we use these days to lengten our stay elsewhere?
Option 1: Kumano Kodo:
- Day 15: Travel to Tanabe, start the hike from Takijiri-oji to Chikatsuyu-oji.
- Day 16: Hike from Chikatsuyu-oji to Hongu Taisha (visit the shrine and nearby hot springs).
- Day 17: Continue hiking towards Nachi Taisha (visit the waterfall and shrine).
- Day 18: Finish the hike and travel to the next destination.
Option 2: Magome-Tsumago Trail:
- Day 15: Travel to Magome, start the hike to Tsumago.
- Day 16: Explore Tsumago, and continue to Nagiso.
- Day 17: Hike around the area and explore nearby villages.
- Day 18: Travel to the next destination.
Option 3: Kamikochi:
- Day 15: Travel to Kamikochi, explore the highland river valley.
- Day 16: Hike to Myojin Pond and Tokusawa.
- Day 17: Hike to Dakesawa or Yari Hot Springs.
- Day 18: Finish hiking and travel to the next destination.
Day 19 to 20 Onomichi
- Day 19: Travel to Onomichi, explore the city (Temple Walk, Senkoji Park, Ropeway).
- Day 20: Setouchi Shimanami Kaido bike tour (rent bikes and explore the scenic route across islands).
Day 21 to 23 Hiroshima
- Day 21: Travel to Hiroshima, visit Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, and Hiroshima Museum.
- Day 22: Day trip to Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen, Daisho-in Temple).
- Day 23: Half day trip to Saijo (sake breweries), and explore Hiroshima’s local cuisine in the evening.
Day 24-25 Fukuoka
- Day 24: Travel to Fukuoka, visit Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Ohori Park, and Canal City.
- Day 25: Explore Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Kyushu National Museum, and enjoy Fukuoka’s famous yatai (food stalls).
Question 3: Is it worth adding Nagasaki for 2 days to the list?
Optional: Add Nagasaki
- Day 26: Travel to Nagasaki, visit Glover Garden, Oura Church, and Nagasaki Peace Park.
- Day 27: Explore Dejima, and take a boat tour to Hashima Island (Battleship Island).
Day 26-27 Kagoshima
- Day 26: Travel to Kagoshima, visit Ibusuki for sand baths, and explore Sengan-en Garden.
- Day 27: Take a ferry to Sakurajima, explore the volcano area, and visit the Arimura Lava Observatory.
Day 28-30 Okinawa
- Day 28: Travel to Naha, visit Shurijo Castle, Kokusai Street, and Tsuboya Pottery District.
- Day 29: Explore Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Cape Manzamo.
- Day 30: Day trip to Zamami (diving, snorkeling, and hopefully turtles).
Day 31-34 Yaeyama
- Day 31: Travel to Ishigaki, explore Kabira Bay, and Tamatorizaki Observatory.
- Day 32: Day trip to Iriomote (supping, kayaking, and exploring waterfalls).
- Day 33: Day trip to Taketomi (traditional Ryukyu village, Kondoi Beach).
- Day 34: Relax and enjoy Ishigaki’s local culture and cuisine before departure.
by AquilaDewi