Hi!! I’ve been scouring this sub for advice and to feed my excitement, I’ve got my rough plan for my trip however would appreciate some help with a couple of spots I’m unsure about.
Basic trip looks like this so far (brackets showing nights staying in a place)
Nara (2) -> Kyoto (3) -> Hiroshima (2) -> Onomichi (1) -> Tokyo, Osaka (unsure on how to distribute my nights and considering an overnight trip out of Tokyo)
I’m fairly set on the first leg but getting into Tokyo I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure.
Some info about me/my interests:
– young 20s F travelling alone for the first time (pretty much; have travelled to other countries alone but spent most of the time there with family)
– studying Japanese and at roughly n5 level Japanese (would love to practice with locals)
– interested in folklore/mythology, shopping, general culture, local specialities, JP literature, art
– An Aussie (yay no major jet lag!)
– currently budgeting at $200 for most days for accommodation, food and spending, excluding flights and trains (going to get a JR pass and hopefully plan my trains so I can get by on the 7 day pass; even if I do get a 14 day one it should save a minor amount of money according to my calculations). Can splurge a little for a ryokan or something though.
– I’m not that fussed about gardens, I love Japanese food but will be happy to go with the flow; I think planning actual restaurants to visit will be a bit much
My itinerary so far:
– land in Osaka 3rd of Feb in the morning, depart from Osaka in the morning on 20th of Feb (tickets booked), I’ve booked hotels for everywhere up to Tokyo and Osaka, with free cancellations/no prepay so I can adjust them if needed
Feb 3: NARA
-land at KIX, take the train to Nara
– Settle in, grab lunch (nandaimon?), see deer, swing by Todaiji and pick up a goshuincho (hotel is right next to Nara park so will just take it as it comes depending on energy)
– Head to the Setsubun celebrations at Kasuga Taisha in the evening (!!! So excited for this)
Feb 4: NARA
– Kofukuji, Todaiji, nandaimon if I missed them the day before
– More time with deer, I really love deer
– Maybe visit Tamekeyama Hachiman-gu to write a wish
(Notes/?s): I think I saw something about a cat museum. Is it worth going?
FEB 5: NARA -> KYOTO
– Take a morning train to Kyoto
– Hotel is in Gion, close to the train station there
– Check out kimono shops
– Yuzen dying workshop?
– Wander Gion, Higashiyama streets in the evening
FEB 6: KYOTO (Day trip to Kuruma/Kibune)
– Start in Kibune, visit the shrine and get my fortune
– Take the hiking trail from Kibune to Kuruma
– Take a dip in Kuruma onsen (from what I’ve read, technically doesn’t allow tattoos- I have a rather large piece on my side from ribs to mid thigh- but in practice it’s low security. I’m hoping to time my visit towards evening but if the onsen seems busy I won’t go in)
– Kinkakuji temple beforehand? Not sure where to slot this in
FEB 7: KYOTO
– Fushimi inari (early morning or dusk)
– Kenniji, Yasuka shrines briefly
Kyoto Notes/?s: a bit unsure about whether this is the best order to do things.
-I want to go to Fushimi Inari either early morning (am terrible of getting out of bed though), or getting towards dusk (so there’s some good ambience but probably before actual nighttime).
-I know Kinkakuji has mixed reviews but I definitely want to go for the literary relevance.
-Considering looking into staying at a machiya one night, worth it for a solo visitor?
– nishijin looks like a cool place to explore but undecided
FEB 8: KYOTO -> HIROSHIMA
*activate 7 day pass here?
– Depart in the morning
– See the atomic dome, peace memorial museum
– Dig into okonomiyaki!
FEB 9: HIROSHIMA (Miyajima day trip)
– Visit Miyajima; Omotesando -> itsukushima shrine -> mt misen
– Try oysters, momiji manju
FEB 10: OKUNOSHIMA, ONOMICHI
– Leave early, head to Okunoshima to spend a few hours with the bunnies and ruins
– Then head to Onomichi to stay overnight
– Wander onomichi, check out Hondori shopping street
FEB 11: ONOMICHI
– Cat alley, Senkoji temple
– Onomichi art gallery
– Head to Tokyo late afternoon
Here’s where things get a bit uncertain!
I’d love to spend a day or night trip from Tokyo, and considering Nikko. I loved the idea of taking an outdoor onsen surrounded by mountains and maybe some snow but finding a place likely to allow tattoos hasn’t been fruitful so far. Otherwise, I thought about Takayama at a different point in my trip but I feel like that’s more awkward to get to. Any suggestions?
FEB 12, 13, 14, 15: TOKYO
I don’t have anything organised by day, but here’s what I’m most interested in. How would you organise these? Anything that should be cut or added?
-possible day/overnight trip outside Tokyo, preferably somewhat mountainous, hopefully with a little snow, onsen/ryokan (but see tattoo issue). Main considerations have been Nikko or Koyasan as part of the Osaka leg instead (would love to do the ghost tour)
-afternoon in Yokohama
-Harajuku shopping, Meiji Jingu
-shibuya 109
-Mori Art museum
– Ota Memorial Museum
-Hokusai gallery
-Asakura; sensoji
– teamlab planets
– Golden gai, kabukicho before it gets too late at night
– Shimokitazawa shopping
– Yushima Tenjin shrine (both for the background and for the plum viewing!)
FEB 16, 17, 18, 19
Same situation as Tokyo, these dates more or less I plan to be in Osaka. I know a lot of people don’t rank Osaka as high as Kyoto or Tokyo but personally I’m most excited for it. That being said, I’m open to reallocating days. I’m also happy for this to be a bit more of a chill period before flying home. Here’s things I’m interested in doing:
– Koyasan?
– Go by Himeiji castle en route from Tokyo
– Shinsekai, dotonbori, shinsaibashi
– Enjoy nightlife, karaoke
– Food food food
FEB 20: return home
So, what do you think? Am I overloading with places?
With regards to managing luggage as I’ll have a big suitcase, is it always a no no to take it on trains? Should I use the luggage delivery service and if so any tips?
Sorry if this is a total jumble to read through and thanks in advance for any advice! If you also have recommendations in these areas based on my interests, or speciality foods to try please do let me know 🙂