My partner and I are planning to visit Japan in November for our honeymoon and we’re so happy that it looks like it could be possible with a self guided tour!
# Our Trip
* It’s my partner’s first time in Japan, it will be my fourth. Part of this trip’s motivation is that I want to show my partner Japan but we also want to visit places that I haven’t visited myself.
* Our priorities are roughly:
* food
* nature: we love gorgeous scenery and small hikes, but no multi-day hikes or super strenuous trips
* temples, especially if they are in the nature
* a pace that allows a good mix of discovering new things while also relax
* We’d rather have a few bases were we stay and where we take trips from but are ok with changing accommodation if we save some hours (maybe >3h?) on travel
* We’re looking into flying back home directly from Okinawa, depends on flights which would save us half a day 🙂
* The current plan is: Tohoku, Tokyo, Kyoto, Okinawa Honto
* We’re definitely going to Tokyo and Kyoto. These are the places I’ve visited and know.
* Tohoku and especially Okinawa are open for change or better suggestions. I’ve never been to Tohoku or Okinawa Honto (I’ve been to Ishigaki though.)
* We’re also visiting friends in Tokyo and Kyoto, so we don’t really need Itinerary help there. We are a bit flexible on what days we visit those cities though as long as we have a weekend in both cities.
* Getting around:
* We’re renting bikes for the whole stay in Kyoto
* We’re planning on renting a car for Okinawa
* We’ll get a 14 day JR pass to cover Tohoku, Tokyo and Kyoto travel
# Questions
All that being said, if anyone has experience on travel in Tohoku or Okinawa in November, we’re happy to hear them. Especially if someone has insights on these questions:
* Does our Tohoku plan make sense?
* We feel quite strongly about Nikko and Yamadera but happy to swatch out the other destinations if we’re missing out on something better in Tohoku.
* Initially I was hoping to squeeze Aomori in there too but it seems a bit tough?
* I could cut a day or so from Tokyo but I am afraid it would still be rushed?
* We could also cut a night in Sendai and Hiraizumi to go to Aomori instead. Especially Shirakami Sanchi looks incredible but I’m afraid to miss out on important sights in Miyagi. Maybe it makes more sense to leave Aomori and Akita for a different trip?
* Does it make sense to stay a night in Hiraizumi or are there better options?
* We want to visit one onsen in Tohoku and Nyutu Onsen seems nice, however it’s a bit further out. Is it worth going there over more easily accessible ones like e.g. Zao Onsen?
* For Nyutu Onsen, we’re eyeing with Tsurunoyu Onsen. Is that a good pick? We definitely want a place that allows reservation for a private bath.
* Is it worth visiting Okinawa in end of November? We’re aware that it’s not super warm but we’re hoping it’s still warm enough to enjoy the beach? Which town would be best to stay? I was thinking maybe Chatan or Yomitan cause I’ve heard Naha isn’t really a pretty city.
* If not Okinawa, are there other alternatives to have some relaxing days at the end of the trip?
* My partner would also like to join a guided fishing tour. We looked at Lake Biwa or Okinawa but it’s difficult to research somehow. Anyone knows good spots or tours?
Here’s our current itinerary:
|**Day**|**Base**|**Plan**|**Required Travel**|
|:-|:-|:-|:-|
|Tue|||Flight to Tokyo|
|Wed||Arrive in Tokyo, walk around Shibuya, Shinjuku, Metropolitan Gov Bldg||
|Thu|Tokyo|Visit Nikko|Train Tokyo-Nikko|
|Fri|Nikko|Hiking in Oku Nikko|Train Nikko-Sendai|
|Sat|Sendai|Visit Matsushima|Roundtrip Sendai-Matsushima|
|Sun|Sendai|Visit Yamadera|Roundtrip Sendai-Yamadera|
|Mon|Sendai|Visit Hiraizumi / maybe: boat tour in Geibeiki Gorge?|Train Sendai-Hiraizumi|
|Tue|Hiraizumi|Visit Kakunodate during the day, go to Nyutu onsen, and enjoy onsen in the evening|Hiraizumi-Kakunodate-Nyutu Onsen|
|Wed|Ryokan in Nyutu Onsen|Enjoy breakfast + Travel back to Tokyo|Nyutu Onsen-Tokyo|
|Thu|Tokyo|Tokyo, Visit Asakusa, Akihabara||
|Fri|Tokyo|Tokyo, teamlab planets, friends in the evening||
|Sat|Tokyo|Tokyo, meet up with friends||
|Sun|Tokyo|Tokyo, meet up with friends||
|Mon|Tokyo|Train to Kyoto. On all next days in Kyoto: pick a temple in the evening for illumination|Train Tokyo-Kyoto|
|Tue|Kyoto|Kyoto, explore area around Kyodai, Yoshida mountain, Ginkakuji||
|Wed|Kyoto|Kyoto, Visit autumn exhibition||
|Thu|Kyoto|Kyoto, Cycle to Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, Imperial Palace Park||
|Fri|Kyoto|Kyoto, Cycle to Fushimi Inari, visit Kiyomizu-dera, Gion||
|Sat|Kyoto|Visit Osaka, eat okonomiyaki, go shopping||
|Sun|Kyoto|Arrive in Okinawa, get a rental car|Flight to Naha|
|Mon|Okinawa: Chatan or Yomitan?|Aquarium + a Beach||
|Tue|Okinawa: Chatan or Yomitan?|Explore Naha + a beach||
|Wed|Okinawa: Chatan or Yomitan?|Visit a Kerama Island||
|Thu|Okinawa: Chatan or Yomitan?|Travel back to Osaka|Flight to Osaka|
|Fri|Osaka|Flight home from Osaka||
# Alternatives considered
* Tottori – I haven’t been and the sand dune and nageiredo look fun! It seemed a bit like a struggle on how to get there though and Tohoku seemed to have more to offer than Tottori?
* Koya San – I love this place and have been but wouldn’t mind going again. We decided against it as we think it would be a 2 or at most 3 day trip that would prevent us on exploring a “bigger” trip like Tohoku or Okinawa as those probably don’t make too much sense for <4 days.
* Naoshima – kind of the same reason as Koya san, it’s 2-3 days
**Places I’ve been to and not too keen on visiting this time:**
* Hiroshima + Miyajima
* Kanazawa
* Hakone
Looking forward to hear some opinions 🙂
2 comments
Before you finalize Okinawa dates, be sure you can reserve a rental car first. There is a low supply of rental cars on Okinawa now due to the companies selling off a bunch during Covid. Similar issue happening in Hawaii too. See what dates you can get a rental car, then book your flight/hotel in Okinawa around those dates.
During the dates you will be in Japan there will be autumn leaves night illuminations at various temples, shrines, and gardens. In Kansai, many of these will be in Kyoto but you should Google autumn illumination + city name + 2022 to see what will be happening in the other cities/areas you plan to visit.
– [Trip Report: Kyoto Autumn Leaves Illuminations](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mjt5yf/kyoto_autumn_night_illuminations_at_temples_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
As it’s late November, some of the winter illuminations may be starting too. Those are always awesome to see. More info on 2022 winter illuminations will likely be posted in October or early November so again, consult Google-sensei for the cities you will visit.
I’d also look up local events that may be going on in Tokyo while you’re there. Since you’ve been before, you might enjoy checking out events more than just wandering around tourist sites. For example, on the weekend see if there are any shrine antique sales or flea markets you could hit up in the early morning.
– [Tokyo Festivals in November (not updated for 2021 yet but should be in October)](http://yumemakura.travel.coocan.jp/November.html)
– [Tokyo Antique Markets (not updated for Nov 2022 yet but should be in October)](http://yumemakura.travel.coocan.jp/Antique.html)
– [Japan Web Magazine: Tokyo Events in November](https://jw-webmagazine.com/tokyo-in-november-best-things-to-do/)
– [Tokyo Cheapo: November 2022 Events](https://tokyocheapo.com/events/november/)
– [TimeOut Tokyo](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo)
If you decide not to go to Okinawa, there are tons of other cool places to explore in Kansai. We loved our 2 night stay in Kinosaki Onsen and you could easily combine this with a trip to see the Tottori Sand Dunes. An overnight temple stay in Kota-San would be a unique experience too but there’s Kurashiki, Himeiji Castle, and more in Kansai.
– [Kyoto Day Trip: Arashiyama Scenic Railway and Riverboat Ride](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mibm8t/kyoto_sagano_scenic_train_hozugawa_riverboat/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
– [Kansai Side Trip: Tattoo Friendly Kinosaki Onsen and Himeiji Castle](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/sna5au/kansai_side_trip_tattoo_friendly_kinosaki_onsen/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
– [10 Unforgettable Day Trips From Osaka](https://japancheapo.com/entertainment/day-trips-from-osaka-japan/)
Happy Planning!
Here are just my personal opinions, FYI:
* I’m mot sure how’s your flexibility, but JR pass for most Tohoku areas and one Tokyo-Kyoto route might costs too much. How about:
* visit Tokyo
* Tohoku area by JR-East Tohoku pass
* fly from Tohoku to Okinawa
* fly from Okinawa to Osaka
* I’ve never been to other Onsens in Tohoku area, but Nyutu Onsen is really great. it is much quiet (No shopping street, No convenient store), but the hot spring and service makes me feel at home.
* spending one day at Matsushima are too much. because most ferry won’t have English guided tour, so it is a little boring for me. Personally visiting Sendai city (Aoba Castle and others) is more interesting.
* Excepting to Hiraizumi (I just spend half day at there), Ouchi-juku, Aizuwakamatsu Castle of Fukushima, Ryusendo of Iwate is interesting too.