Hello all!
I am planning a trip with two of my best friends and just curious what you all think. None of us have been to Japan before, and we are all extremely excited.
**25 March**:
* Arrive HND 5:00pm; check-in to Airbnb in **Asakusa** neighborhood
* Dinner/drinks etc, or crash if we’re crazy jet lagged and tired
**26/27 March**:
* Haven’t totally planned this out, but would like to see: Tokyo Skytree; Tsukiji Market; Ginza area; drinks in Golden Gai; etc. 2/3 of us are very food/drinks motivated, the other really wants to do parks/nature stuff (which we’re of course also down for).
**28 March**:
* Day trip to **Nikko** \- would leave early AM; return to Tokyo for final night stay
**29 March**:
* Take Shinkansen to **Hakone** \- booked one night in Hakone Kyuan for the three of us.
* How difficult is it to get to the actual ryokan from the JR station? I see this involves a bus, so curious about other’s experience with getting to the ryokan from the Shinkansen stop.
* Has anyone stayed specifically at Hakone Kyuan, and if so, what are your thoughts?
**30 March** to **3 April**:
* Shinkansen from Hakone to **Osaka**; check-in to Airbnb in Osaka (Namba/Naniwa Ward)
* Dotonburi
* Osaka Castle
* Day trips to **Kyoto** (potentially also renting an Airbnb to stay in Kyoto one of the nights. Is this necessary if we already have lodging in Osaka?)
**3 April**:
* Shinkansen from Osaka to **Takamatsu**
* Check-in to Airbnb in Takamatsu (about 5 minute walk to the ferry piers)
* Isamu Noguchi Garden Musem
**4 April**:
* Spend day between **Naoshima and Teshima Islands**
* Other recommendations for this area? Is it feasible to get to both of these islands in one day?
**5** to **7 April**:
* Shinkansen back to **Tokyo** (haven’t booked lodging for this leg yet)
* Additional Tokyo sightseeing and fun
* Depart HND 4:00pm on 7 April
Most of our trip is booked lodging-wise with the exception of the final two nights in Tokyo after we get back from Takamatsu. I’m less concerned with figuring out the exact things to do in each city (we’re all agreeable with each other), and more concerned with the timing of everything.
* Most of the posts I’ve seen on here have lodging booked mostly or exclusively in hotels. Most international travel I’ve done has been on Airbnb and I’ve never had a problem. The listings and reviews for the places we’ve booked are all excellent and I don’t foresee any major issue, with the exception of luggage. I have read that most hotels arrange transportation of luggage from hotel to hotel across the country – of course we won’t have that option. Our plan is to pack as light as possible and buy a suitcase while in Japan to bring back anything we buy there. **How onerous is it traveling across the country on metros/Shinkansen with luggage?**
* We wanted to maximize time in Kyoto/Osaka, so planned for 2 days in each city. I’ve read that this is a good amount of time. This meant shortening Tokyo on the front end, but we still have a few days there and two on the back end.
* My biggest concern timing-wise is the stay in Takamatsu. I read that most museums/other attractions on the art islands are closed on Monday, so we arranged to arrive there by end of day Monday, get our bearings, and head out Tuesday AM. **I’m afraid that only one day for this whole area isn’t enough, but I don’t see an alternative. Can Naoshima/Teshima/Takamatsu be done in a day and two evenings?** Almost everyone I’ve spoken to said that this area was their favorite part of the trip. Would it be crazy to shorten the final leg of Tokyo and get back there the day before we head out?
* What else are we not thinking of?
My friends and I are getting together for another planning session tomorrow evening, so hoping to read your thoughts and suggestions when we meet up. Thanks in advance!