Japan noobs: March <-> May (two months) Itinerary reality check

Hi, this will be the first trip to Japan for my gf and me. We’d like to get to know Japan as best as possible and also wander off the beaten tracks. Two months are quite a long time but something tells me that even that isn’t nearly long enough for such a culture rich country. Here are the main points we struggle with:

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* Transportation: we want to be as flexible as possible but at the same time avoid driving long distances by car. Solution: train for long distance and rent a car at the “home base”. Renting a car: central Japan, Kyoto, Kyushu, Okinawa. 7-day JR pass: March 28th – April 3rd for the day trips from Tokyo and for the train ride to Kanazawa.
* Huge anime fan(s): Ghibli park – how to get the tickets from outside Japan?
* We started with pottery this year and would like to get to know the Japanese tradition and also take some classes (wheel throwing). Any insider recommendations?
* We are interested in experiencing Zen Meditation (practicing Vipassana daily now). Any tips except for Koyasan?
* 4 pieces of luggage: Does it make sense to employ luggage transport from Kyoto to Tokyo?
* Advice for sightseeing in Okinawa?
* Alternative places and advice are welcome 🙂

Thank you!!!

# Itinerary

**20th March – 2nd April** **Tokyo**

* Tokyo: Hedgehog café, Shibuya crossing, Tokyo tower, Ghibli museum, capsule hotel, Akihabara, Team Lab Planets Museum, Kanamara Matsuri Festival
* Niko **28th March** day trip from Tokyo
* Kamakura **29th March** day trip from Tokyo
* Hakone **30th March** day trip from Tokyo

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**2nd April – 5th April** **Kanazawa**

* **2nd April:** Bullet train from Tokyo to Kanazawa, rent a car until April 16th
* Higashi chaya geisha district, Samurai district, Kenroku-en, Omicho market, tea ceremony
* Gokayama: washi paper workshop

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**5th April – 8th April** **Takayama**

* Shirakawa-go
* Hida village – accommodation at locals? Morning market at Miyagawa river bank, Sannomachi, Higashiyama walkway
* Shokawasakura Park
* Gero Onsen Gassho Village

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**8th April – 10th April** **Tsumago-juku** **&** **Magome**

* Tsukechi Gorge
* Magome pass

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**10th April – 13th April** **Matsumoto**

* Kamikochi closed 🙁 – what exactly is closed it is a huge national park?
* Instead of Kamikochi: Shinhotaka Outdoor Public Onsen or Hida Great Limestone Cave or trekking in Okuhida?
* Matsumoto castle, Daio Wasabi Farm
* Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, Kurobe Dam

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**13th April – 16th April** **Kusatsu**

* Stay at an onsen
* Yubatake
* **April 16th:** Snow Monkey Park in Yamanochi, return the rented car in Nagano, train to Kyoto (alternative: stay one night in Nagano and take the train to Kyoto the next day)

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**16th/17th April – 29th April** **Kyoto**

* Fushimi Inari shrine, Kinkakuji temple (Golden pavilion), Ryoanji temple, tea ceremony, Arashiyama bamboo forest, Nishiki market, Otagi nenbutsu-ji
* **21st April:** Rent a car for the day trips and Koyasan until May 2nd
* Nara day trip from Kyoto: Deer park, Todaiji temple, Isuien garden
* Osaka day trip from Kyoto: Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Cruise on Yodogawa river?
* Nagoya day trip from Kyoto: Ghibli park?
* Kinosaki onsen day trip from Kyoto? Is it worth it?
* Himeji & Bizen day trip from Kyoto: Himeji castle, Koko-en (garden), Bizen ceramics places
* Shigaraki ceramics day trip from Kyoto

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**29th April – 2nd May** **Koyasan**

* Meditation with monks
* Explore the surroundings
* **May 2nd**: Drive back to Kyoto and return the car then take train to Kitakyushu (Golden week though…)

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**2nd May – 5th Mai** **west Kyushu around Sasebo**

* **2nd Mai:** rent a car in Kitakyushu and drive to Sasebo (alternatively stay for one night in Kitakyushu and visit the Kawachi Wisteria Garden, drive the next day to Sasebo)
* Oura Rice Terraces Observation Deck
* Arita: ceramics
* Tenkaiho Observatory
* Nagushiyama Park

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**5th Mai – 8th Mai** **Kumamoto**

* Explore the city
* Mt. Aso Naka-dake 1st Crater
* Mt. Neko
* Takachiho Gorge

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**8th Mai – 12th Mai** **Beppu**

* Mount Yufu
* Beppu Ropeway
* Onsen advice?
* **12th Mai:** return the car in Kumamoto then take train to Kagoshima

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**12th Mai – 21st May** **Okinawa** **&** **Kerama**

* **12th Mai:** flight from Kagoshima to Naha (alternatively stay for one night at Kagoshima and fly the next day)
* Rent a car?
* Beach time
* Advice for sightseeing?
* **21st Mai:** flight from Naha to Tokyo

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**21st Mai – 24th May** **Tokyo**

* Free time for souvenirs and places we missed the first time

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Thank you!