My friend and I (late 20s-early30s females) have planned out a rough idea of where we want to go for our 3 week trip to Japan next year in late February -mid-March. We will be flying from the US west coast into Osaka, and flying back to the US from Tokyo. Planning to book plane tickets and hotels later this month. Any feedback/tips would be much appreciated – we’re both very VERY excited since it will be our first trip overseas since 2019 (thanks, ‘rona).
This will be my third time in Japan, though it’s been 7 years since I last went. I’ve been to Sapporo, Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, and the Snow Monkey Park. It’s my friend’s first time to Japan. She’s really looking forward to Kyoto, though I’ve been before and get “templed-out” very easily. We’ve traveled together before (2 weeks in Europe) and have each done solo travel extensively as well, so we’re both ok doing our own things for the day if interests differ. Neither of us need to plan things down to the hour and usually figure out specific places to go to once we’re in the city.
We plan on buying the 3 week JR rail pass and the Icoca card + Haruka express since we’re flying into Osaka. Food is a big draw for us so we’re hoping to do kaiseki, yakitori, and sukiyaki each at least once and eat primarily Japanese food for our trip – sushi, sashimi, ramen, curry, wafu pasta, etc.
I’ve already exchanged some USD to yen and will plan to take a Visa debit card and a Visa credit card (no foreign transaction fees for this one) with me. Will just download offline Google maps instead of buying a sim card or pocket wifi – I’ve never bought one or paid for international data on any overseas trips.
In terms of Japanese knowledge, neither of us speak more than a few words. We can both read most hiragana and katakana (though since our Japanese vocab is very limited we usually don’t know what anything means). My friend is learning kanji (the very basics) though my level is probably more intermediate since I was a Chinese major in college and lived/worked in China for 2 years. We’re both Asian, though she speaks Spanish and I can speak both Cantonese and Mandarin (I don’t think any of that will be super helpful though).
Feb. 25 – flight to Osaka
Feb. 26-27 – Osaka (2 nights) – mostly food (Kuromon Market), Den Den Town, Osaka Castle. Possibly try out that (touristy) crab restaurant? Friend loves aquariums so she might go to the Osaka Aquarium.
Feb. 28-March 2 – Fukuoka (3 nights) – yatai, hakata ramen. Friend will take a day trip to Hiroshima (I’ve been before so will go to Nagasaki instead)
March 3-7 – Kyoto (5 nights) – Will book a hotel that has washing machines so we can do laundry. Friend wants to see a lot of temples, walk Philosopher’s Path. Fushimi Inari is a must for her. My limit is probably Fushimi and one other temple/shrine. Will probably also go to Arashiyama. I might go to the JR Museum. We won’t be going to Nara since I’ve already been and my friend doesn’t like deer. I might take a day trip or two, maybe Nagoya?
March 8-10 – Kanazawa (3 nights) – We’re using Kanazawa as a base to go visit the Snow Monkey Park on one day (I did this on my last trip). Plan to eat seafood at Omicho Market, visit Kenrokuen Garden. Day trip to Takayama.
March 11 – Hakone (1 night) – stay in ryokan (any suggestions for an intermediately priced one with breakfast and dinner?)
March 12-17 – Tokyo (6 nights) – Akihabara, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya, and a day trip to Yokohama for the ramen museum and Chinatown. Visit Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Park. Tsukiji market for sushi/sashimi. Go to the mini pig cafe and the shiba cafe. Any suggestions for day trips other than Yokohama and Nikko? I was thinking Kawagoe. Planning to do most of our shopping in Tokyo, especially in Akihabara and Ikebukuro.
March 18 – fly back to US
Some final questions:
\- My friend has 2 tattoos, but they’re not large – would she be ok with going to onsens or public baths?
\- Would it be possible/feasible to do a day trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go in the same day, from Kanazawa?
\- I’m planning on traveling with the larger size suitcase (must be checked-in on flights), because I know myself and will be buying a lot of things on this trip. With the above itinerary, how easy would it be/would it make sense to send my luggage ahead to the next hotel?
\- Any recommendations for history museums (in any of the above cities or day-trip distance), since the Tokyo Edo one is closed?
\- Is the Google Translate app helpful for translating restaurant menus?
2 comments
I would check to fit going out of Osaka and in Hakone within 14 days and it will be cheaper to just get cheaper than to get the 21 days pass. You can easily do that by starting by Kyoto and doing Osaka on the way back from Fukuoka.
Nagoya as a day trip from Kyoto is possible (obviously you would want to do it under the JR Pass) but could make more sense as a stop between some of our other locations.
… Kanazawa as a base for the snow monkey in Nagano just does not make sense, would make more sense to stop by Nagano on the way.
What I would do is this. If you want to do Nagoya, do it as as stop between Kyoto/Osaka and Takayama, do Shirakawa-go as a stop between Takayama and Kanazawa, stop via Nagano for snow monkey. Finally do Hakone once you are in Tokyo, you can leave your luggage in Tokyo while you spend the night in Hakone.
This mean I would at least split the stay between Takayama and Kanazawa and Nagoya, Shirakawa-go an Nagano can be done as a stop on the way. Yes, one possible problem is that it would take longer than what you already have planned.
For the questions
Tattoo only ok if the place is ok with tattoo, in private onsen or if you conceal them, for example using products such as concealing tape.
I think that Takayama it at least worth a full day, so while technically possible, I would not do it just to spend half the day in Takayama.
Yes it can make sense to send luggage ahead to next hotel, you can even send it two hotels ahead (ask them do deliver on you check-in date) and only bring a smaller bag with clothes for that the days between. If you decide to bring it yourself, check the new oversize luggage rule to make sure you either bring a smaller luggage or reserve seat accordingly.
Fukuoka City Museum is a great history museum (and really cheap).
Yes, Google Translate is much better than having nothing. It will be useless if it’s handwritten an stylized, but in most case it would help… also you sure it work offline ? Honestly there is sim cards that are not that expensive.
The Takayama and Shirakawago day trip possible but too rushed. You would only get a couple of hours in Takayama? If you can try and stay a night in Takayama after visiting Shirakawago and before Hakone.