Hello everyone! I plan to visit Japan before the Cherry Blossom period kicks in and prices for everything skyrocket. I’ll be traveling with 3 friends for most of the trip, but for the start and the end I’ll be with only 1 other person. Here’s my itinerary:
22 Feb: Land in NRT, Train to Tokyo, Explore Shibuya, Hanegi Park, Ginza, Harajuku
23 Feb: Free day (not sure what to do yet)
24 Feb: Atami day trip, visit the attractions around the Jogasaki coast. Return back to Tokyo in the evening and explore Shinjuku at night.
25 Feb: Half-day trip to Ibaraki, Mito. Meet up with two other friends at our Airbnb in Shibuya. Visit Shibuya, Shibuya109/Scramble Square. Dinner at Shibuya.
26 Feb: Breakfast at Tsukiji Market, teamlabs Tokyo, walk around Sumida river and park, visit Tokyo Skytree during sunset. Visit Akihabara at night.
27 Feb: Take the early train to Hakone-yumoto station, Hakone loop with the hike along Old Tokaido Road (trying to squeeze in the Open-Air museum if possible). Return back to Tokyo.
28 Feb: Early bus to Kawaguchiko station. Visit Chureito Pagoda, Aokigahara, then the Ice, Wind, Bat caves.
1 Mar: Bus from Shinjuku to Hakuba (earliest bus, will arrive at Hakuba around 10.30am). Get our lodging and ski equipment sorted and head for lunch. Go skiing in the afternoon.
2 Mar – 3 Mar: Ski around Hakuba Ski resorts using the pass.
4 Mar: Leave Hakuba for Matsumoto, explore Matsumoto Castle, Kamikochi pond (hiking if our legs aren’t completely eviscerated from skiing).
5 Mar: Leave Matsumoto for Takayama. Check in at an Airbnb near the station. Take the Shinhotaka ropeway, evening visit to Okuhida Onsengo. Return back to Takayama station.
6 Mar: Visit Shirakawa-go in the morning to evening. Return back to Takayama station.
7-8 Mar: Leave Takayama for Kanazawa, visit the major attractions in Kanazawa. Stay at an Airbnb in Kanazawa.
9 Mar: Leave Kanazawa for Kyoto. Visit the attractions at Central Kyoto City (Toji, Kyoto station). Afternoon trip to Uji. Visit Fushimi Inari at night.
10 Mar: Visit Arashiyama early in the morning, return to Nishiki Market for lunch. Visit Kitano-Tenmagu, Kinkaku-ji afterwards. End off the day exploring Shijo Karasuma.
11 Mar: Explore Kiyomizu area, Kiyomizu-dera, Nanzenji Temple, Heian Shrine, Higashiyama Jisho-ji
12 Mar: Leave Kyoto for Osaka. Visit Osaka Castle Park in the morning, lunch at Kuromon Market. Send-off my 2 friends from Osaka station, then visit Shinsaibashi and Dotombori.
13 Mar: Universal Studios Japan for the whole day.
14 Mar: Wakayama and Himeji day trip to visit their castles and museums.
15 Mar: Free day
16 Mar: Free half day, 6pm flight back to Singapore.
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Greatly appreciate any advice on the itinerary, additional places we can visit, or food recommendations! I’m not entirely sure what’s there to do in Osaka, none of the major attractions interest me (I was quite underwhelmed by Osaka the previous visit). I’ll be using the Kansai area pass for Osaka, so I can make frequent day trips on 15 and 16 March if there are any recommendations!
1 comment
Kamikochi is closed in March