Hi everyone! I’ve (23F) spent the last few weeks planning my dream trip to Japan. It’ll be my first time and I’ll be going for three weeks total. The first week I will be spending alone in Tokyo, and my mom will be meeting up with me for the second two weeks to travel the country (she’s been to Tokyo a few times for work, but never outside of the city.)
We’re planning on getting the JR Pass and have a budget of $3500 USD for these two weeks, encompassing food, accommodation, and transportation. While I want to see the classic spots, I’m also really interested in getting off the beaten path and experiencing more of Japan’s beautiful nature.
***I would really appreciate any insight and advice on what I have planned! Anything you’d cut? Anything you’d replace? Is this unrealistic? Thank you all so much <3***
# Day 1-7: Solo exploring in Tokyo
I’m going to plan this separately after I nail down the specifics of our two week travel plans
# Day 8: Arrival at Haneda → Niigata prefecture
* 🛬 **Arrival:** Mum @ Haneda airport at 3pm
* 🚉 **Train:** Haneda Airport → Nagaoka Station (\~2.5hr)
* 🛌 **Stay:** Near Nagaoka Station 1/2 (<$100)
* 📸 **Activities:**
* None planned
# Day 9: Daytrip to Yamakoshi, Nagaoka
* 🚌 **Bus:** Nagaoka Station ↔ Yamakoshi, Nagaoka [(travel details here, round trip)](https://www.nomadasaurus.com/yamakoshi-nagaoka-japan/#Public_Transport)
* 🛌 **Stay:** Near Nagaoka Station 2/2 (<$100)
* 📸 **Activities:**
* Visit Koi breeder
* Visit [Yamakoshi Rice Terraces](https://enjoyniigata.com/en/spot/14642) (If possible, rent e-bikes to see the sunset)
* Time permitting, visit Alpaca farm
# Day 10: Explore Nagano City
* 🚉 **Train:** Nagaoka Station → Nagano station (\~1.5hr)
* 🛌 **Stay:** Near Nagano Station 1/1 (<$100)
* 📸 **Activities:**
* Visit Zenko-Ji temple
* Visit the forest shrines of Togakushi
* Explore city
# Day 11: Snow Monkey Park and Yamanouchi, Nagano
* 🚉 **Train:** Nagano Station → Yamanochi, Nagano (\~1.5hr)
* 🛌 **Stay:** Ryokan in Shibu Onsen 1/1 (\~$120)
* 📸 **Activities:**
* Visit [Snow Monkey Park](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6025.html)
* [Enjoy onsen and hot springs](https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1339/)
# Day 12: Travel day to Kyoto
* 🚉 **Train:** Yamanochi, Nagano → Kyoto Staion (\~5hr)
* 🛌 **Stay:** Hotel in Kyoto 1/3 (<$100)
* 📸 **Activities:**
* Fushimi Inari toy gates
* Nanzen-Ji aquaduct and temple
* Eikan-Do temple
* Explore Gion entertainment district
* Tour sake brewery
# Day 13: Day trip to Wazuka tea plantation
* 🚉 **Train:** Kyoto Station ↔ Wazuka tea plantation (\~2hr)
* 🛌 **Stay:** Hotel in Kyoto 2/3 (<$100)
* 📸 **Activities:**
* Tour and explore tea plantation
# Day 14: Explore Kyoto
* 🛌 **Stay:** Hotel in Kyoto 3/3 (<$100)
* 📸 **Activities:**
* Explore Arashiyama bamboo grove
* Visit Tenryu-Ji buddhist temple
* Walk along Katsura River
* Visit Senko-Ji temple
* Time permitting, visit Iwatayama monkey park
# Day 15: Travel to Koyasan
* 🚉 **Train:** Kyoto Station → Koyasan Station (\~3hr)
* 🛌 **Stay:** Temple in Koyasan 1/2
* 📸 **Activities:**
* Visit Banryutei rock garden
* Explore city and temples
# Day 16: Explore Koyasan
* 🛌 **Stay:** Temple in Koyasan 2/2
* 📸 **Activities:**
* Experience the morning ritual at the temple
* Visit Okunoin cemetery
* Hike Mt Koya
# Day 17: Travel to Nara
* 🚉 **Train:** Koyasan Station → Nara Station (\~3hr)
* 🛌 **Stay:** Hotel in Nara 1/1 (<$100)
* 📸 **Activities:**
* See the deer in Nara Park
* Visit Todai-Ji Temple
* Watch the Nakatanidou mochi pounding show
* Explore the Naramachi old merchant district
# Day 18: Go to Nintendo World at Universal Studios
* 🚉 **Train:** Nara Station → Tsuruhashi Station → Universal-City Station
* 🛌 **Stay:** Hotel near Tsuruhashi Station 1/1 (<$100)
* 📸 **Activities:**
* Explore Nintendo World at Universal Studios
# Day 19: Travel to Okutama
* 🚉 **Train:** Tsuruhashi Station → Okutama (\~5hr)
* 🛌 **Stay:** Ryokan in Okutama 1/2
* 📸 **Activities:**
* None planned
# Day 20: Forest bathing day
* 🛌 **Stay:** Ryokan in Okutama 2/2
* 📸 **Activities:**
* Visit the forest bathing center
# Day 21: Departure day
* 🚉 **Train:** Okutama → Haneda Airport (\~3hr)
* 🛫 **Depart:** Flight @ Haneda Airport at 3:25 pm