Our trip dates are November 6-13. We are 40ish M/F couple who love to hike and see mountains/be in nature but are also fast travelers.
Last trip in 2019 we did Tokyo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, and Osaka in 20 days.
Goals for this trip: eat more sushi, more mountains/less cities, spend more time in the woods, drink less.
Itinerary is below. Especially interested in suggestions for Nagano road trip day on day 4, as well as any thoughts or opinions on our free day in Tokyo. We have already visited Shinjuku, Yoyogi/Harajuku/Omotesando/Jingumae Kagurazaka, Hibiya/Akasaka/Ginza, and Asakusa/Oshiage.
Day 0-1: Arrive + Tokyo
Leave JFK at 12:50 am, arrive at HND 5:25 am
(A lot of) coffee in Yanaka/Nippori (hotel is there)
Walk to Ueno – visit Tokyo National Museum
Try to avoid reading about or seeing US election results on TV lol
Check into hotel
Find sushi for dinner
Day 2: Matsumoto + Nagano
Train to Shinjuku for Azusa Limited Express to Matsumoto
Matsumoto Castle/explore town
Head to Nagano and check into hotel there (3 nights)
Day 3: Nagano
Early bus from Nagano to Togakushi Shrine area
Togakushi Kodo + eat soba
Back to Nagano
Visit Zenkoji and Jitsukiyama if there is time in afternoon
Find a nice whiskey bar or pub
Day 4: Nagano road trip
Rent car early OR night before
Scenic drive – Hakuba Valley (it's awkward shoulder season where you cannot really hike or ski) or Shiga Kogen area
Return car in evening
Day 5: Izu Peninsula
Early shinkansen to Tokyo, then Atami, then Ito to Futo on Izu Peninsula
Overnight at ISANA Resort (French/Japanese fusion dinner, private bath + onsen) near Jogasaki Coast
Day 6: Izu Peninsula + Tokyo
Sunrise hike along coast
Breakfast at resort
Back to Tokyo by lunch
Stay in Gotanda
Meet friends for izakaya dinner
Day 7: Tokyo
Tokyo – this day is open.
Maybe visit Tokyo Bay area – Tennozu vs Odaiba vs Toyosu
Walk along Meguro River if it's nice
Shopping, night views
Day 8: Home
- Fly home from HND mid-morning
by StarbuckIsland