Hey everyone!
Been lurking for a while and using what I’ve read in here to try and get a good trip planning going.
I’m looking for some feedback on the general plan I have already for upcoming trip from 25/03 to 16/04.
This is my third trip to Japan going with a whole bunch that will get their first view of Japan. Figures I get in charge of planning the whole thing :D. Joining us is also my mother that can’t always walk too long (she gets trouble with her feet sometimes and needs to have a good break) and a 1,5 year old, my brothers kid. All together we are with 6 and the kid.
So that’s a bit of a challenge. I usually explore every corner and fill up my days with allot but I’m trying to be very careful as to allow enough breaks, free time and also room for some of the party to lay back a bit if they want. I’m trying to fit in everyone’s wants and needs as best as I can.
I’ve driven around Japan extensively last time and we are also renting cars this time as I find it will be much easier than taking the train with all the luggage and the entire party once we really get away from the usual big cities. Since we are renting two cars, this gives us the opportunity to split up for a few days as well. My family is a busy bunch sometimes :p.
Anyways, I haven’t gone into detailed day activity planning yet, but rather have my general layout that I would like some feedback on, so as to be sure I’m not making a mistake here. Any feedback and hints is welcome, especially considering everything above in the region of Takayama, Matsumoto and Nagano is also unknown to me.
Any special activities are very welcome. I’m trying to fit in a few quirky things (though can’t seem to fit in an actual sumo match).
I would also love to fit in a festival, but the stars don’t seem to align with the planning yet. Any hints would be welcome.
Also still looking for a good place for a Ryokan as well as hiking advice around Takayami.
So here goes :
Day 1, friday 24/03,
arrive at Osaka airport, make our way to Kyoto and the hotel. We should get there by 14:00 so just some light walking about and food for that day
day 2, 3, 4 (25/03-28/03) Kyoto
Still got to fill up all the stuff to see and do but allot of the usual. The family really wanted to go during blossom season so I’m hoping we get some already in Kyoto as I would really love seeing the blossoms in Kyoto. Probably just too soon here though.
day 5 (29/03), Hiroshima
Take the shinkansen to Hiroshoma
day 6 (30/03)
Hiroshima, we pick up our cars this day or the next
day 7 (31/03)
Drive from Hiroshima towards probably Onomichi.
Read some good things about that here. Along the way we pass Bunny island (that one was an explicit request) and I (and SO) was thinking about doing a small drive towards Ikuchi Island (Kousanji) when everyone else relaxes at a hotel
day 8, (01/04)
Drive from Onomichi to Himeji. Do the castle and the park, drive to Kobe.
day 9 (02/04)
Pass the Kobe Nunobiki Falls and continue on down to Osaka
day 10 (03/04)
Osaka. Thinking about getting a hotel close to dotonbori? That seems nice in theory because we would be close to allot of evening things (food, drinks)
day 11 (04/04)
Drive to Koya-san. Walk the cemetery and the big shrine. Have some late lunch and then continue to Nara Park. Walk around with the deer. Do one more push to Iga Ueno where we will hunker down for the evening.
I’ve gone to Koya-san on my other trips also and it stays amazing. Too bad we won’t be staying at a Ryokan here, but the temple I liked the most is allready booked up anyways. This day might be a bit much, but I feel both Koya and Nara will be very well received.
day 12 (05/04)
Visit the Ninja museum in Iga Ueno? I’m new to this aswell.
Drive to Takayama afterwards. Also have little idea how nice it is up there and how much time one would need to explore.
day 13 (07/04)
It gets a bit weirder here as me and the SO will split off from the main group.
The main group would go to Shirakawa go (and maybe drive up to Kanazawa, if its worth it, if they feel like it) and afterwards come back to Takayama.
day 14 (08/04)
From Takayama to Matsumoto (castle). Unsure if there is anything else to fit into that day in the region.
*Day 13 (07/04)*
*Me and my SO have a chance here to split of and go hike a good day (and maybe before noon the day after). I was initially planning to drive from Takayama torwards Kamikochi but have read that apparently it might still be closed till mid april?*
*Anyone have any good suggestion around or towards Nagona?*
*Keep in mind, while we split off, I need to be able to find stuff for my parents and brother to go visit and that we can meet up with them down the road.*
*Day 14 (08/04)*
*We meet up with the crew at Matsumoto before or after the castle (If you have done Himeji, is this castle special enough or just a different colour?)*
**I just noticed I apparently did not plan for 06/04. So we have time to fit in a day somewhere. Always good to retype everything for Reddit and discover a day. No clue what I’m moving up or down yet.**
day 15 (09/04)
the gangs back together and drive to Fuji five lakes. Tries to find inner Zen?
day 16 (10/04)
Time around Fuji and possibly Hakone. My dad likes to golf so was thinking about going to a golf course with him here with Fuji as a backdrop.
day 17 (11/04)
Go from Fuji towards Tokyo. Pass by Hello Kitty Land on the way (again, a personal and explicit request :p)
Drop off the car and dive into Tokyo for the afternoon
day 18, 19, 20, 21 (12/04-15/04)
Tokyo! Gonna show the family the madness and the beauty
day 22
Heading home! Gotta be at NRT at 15:00 so still have some time.
So yea, that’s it. I might still change some things to get the split for hiking somewhere else (and considering I just found a day extra, hurray?). Would love some good hiking ideas (one day hikes preferably, although a short two day loop would sound awesome. Our hiking level should be able to handle most things but the season is tricky for most places.
Any and all feedback is welcome, as well as experience in general with a 1,5 year old in Japan. I’m sure that will come in handy.
ありがとう!