I will be there November 12 – 26. I (42M) am actually traveling with my parents (70), who are both active and fit, but they are 70. This is their second time, last time being in 2019. They're not the types to be into "must visit" places, especially for eating, so famous places to eat aren't really on the radar. I've read and fully believe there's good food to be had everywhere in Japan.
There'll be times when we separate, so I'll be on my own for a portion, probably when I want to do some shopping or visit cocktail bars. I also plan to run while there, and Tokyo seems like a very runner-friendly big city.
Nothing is truly set in terms of activities. There just seems to be so much to see, and I understand there'll be hordes of tourists so I'm flexible. My parents and I are morning people, so we plan to rise as early as possible to visit some places where crowds are expected (e.g. all the temples/shrines).
November 12
Fly into Tokyo (land at 2:50 p.m.)
Check into hotel (staying in Shinjuku area)
nothing planned this first day except wandering around. I have an interest in cocktail bars so I plan to explore some in the relative vicinity (e.g. SG Club)
November 13 (Tokyo)
Morning run around Imperial palace
Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Shinjuku National Garden (too much for a day?)
one museum (maybe Nezu? IDK still researching, open to suggestions, less into modern than traditional)
shopping around Shibuya/Ginza
Golden Gai/Omoide Yokocho
November 14 (Nikko)
train there and then rent car
Toshugo Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge
Tamozawa Imperial Villa
light hiking around temple areas
November 15 (Nikko)
Ryuzu Falls hike
Ryuokuo Gorge (or just the walk)
Senjogahara
Kegon Falls
November 16 (Tokyo)
- explore neighborhoods (Nakameguro, Shimokitazawa, Kichijoji, Daikanyama)
November 17 (Hakone)
Onsen
open air museum
ropeway
Lake Ashinoko
November 18 (Takayama)
Old Town
honestly one thing I'm looking forward to here is the house (mix of traditional/modern with onsen/sauna) that we're renting
Morning markets
Hida Folk Village
post war and ww2 museums
*** I'm actually debating whether to make this stop. The travel will be the farthest (looks like 5 hour train ride) and we're only staying a night. Is this worth it?
November 19-22 (Kyoto)
(flexible on order)
Fushimi-Inari-taisha
Kiyomizu-dera
Higashiyama
Gion
Arashiyama
Nishiki Market
Kinkakau-ji
Ryoan-ji
Fushimi Sake Village
running along Kamogawa River
Bars: Bar Rocking Chair, Bee's Knees, L'escamoteur
November 22-23 (Hiroshima)
Peace Park
Atomic Bomb Dome
Miyajima
Yamato Museum
November 23-24 (Osaka)
Dotombori
- Osaka Castle
- Shinsaibashi-suji
- wandering around for food and drink
November 24-26 (Back to Toyko)
exploring more neighborhoods
more runs
teamlab (is this suitable for 70 YOs?)
day trip to Kamakura
fly out 26th (to Vietnam 🙂
Thoughts? As I said, I'm pretty flexible on each day and can even change the overall itinerary (e.g. not sure if it's worth it going to Takayama for a night). Would there be any issue going back and forth to Tokyo like this? Not in travel difficulty, but would it make the visit weird in any way? Overall, I'm looking for a good mix of big city, history, nature with some shopping, and simple neighborhood wandering to visit cool cafes, cocktail bars, photography and just absorbing Japanese culture. I'll be back so no pressure to hit all the famous spots. Appreciate any input!
by ngomaam