Hi! I’m planning a solo two week trip in April. The Tokyo and Kyoto parts are still kind of up in the air but I have some hotels booked so this is the first draft for now.
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|Date|Travel Notes|
|:-|:-|
|April 7 – 8|Travel to Tokyo, arrive around 7pm. Check in at hotel near Shimbashi Station and rest.|
|April 9 – 12|4 full days in Tokyo. I’ve been here before so I’m not too stressed about exploring. Probably half a day in Akiba, teamLab Planets, Shibuya Sky, revisit Asakusa/Sensoji, maybe Starbucks Roastery (is this overhyped?). Please let me know if there are recommendations for good local cafes or places for dessert! Considering a day trip to either Kamakura or Kawagoe.|
|April 13|Take the Kagayaki train (reserve) on JR Hokuriku from Ueno Station to Kanazawa Statio (2.5 hrs). Drop bags at hotel luggage storage. Kanazawa itinerary: Omicho Market, Oyama Shrine, Nagamachi Samurai District, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (public zone), Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya.|
|April 14|Travel to Shirakawa-go by bus (reserve) and explore for a few hours. Continue on to Takayama by bus (reserve) mid-afternoon. Check in at hotel then head out to Sanmachi-suji District and see the floats for the evening part of the Spring Festival.|
|April 15|Miyagawa Morning Market. Go back to hotel, check out and store luggage there for pick up later. Head to Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, then head south to Higashiyama Walkway and take a stroll toward Takayama Jinya. Leave by early afternoon to catch the train to Kyoto. |
|April 16-19|4 full days in Kyoto. Haven’t mapped this out yet. Maybe a day trip to Uji? Skipping Nara/Osaka since I’d been there previously.|
|April 20|Leave Kyoto Station after lunch to catch the airport shuttle for departing flight in the evening at ITM.|
Questions:
1. Regarding April 13 to 15: I debated with 2 nights Takayama vs 1 night Kanazawa + 1 night Takayama. Kanazawa looked interesting enough that I want to spend a day there, but will this be too rushed?
2. Can anyone comment on the crowds on the second day of the Takayama spring festival?
3. Can I forward my luggage from Kanazawa to Takayama or will it not make it in one day? There seems to be lockers at the bus station so I can always lug my suitcase with me and store it there. And how about Takayama to Kyoto?
4. Are there any good shopping to be done at Kyoto? I’ll be mostly sightseeing but I would like to check out some shops too. I like looking at local crafts and specialties. And probably a supermarket or two for some snacks and food items. 🙂
5. It looks like I should be buying the Shinkansen tickets separately since the 7 day JR Pass is more expensive than the two trips (Tokyo/Kanazawa and Takayama/Nagoya/Kyoto) combined. The bus trips are not covered. Did I do my calculations correctly? Should I reserve my tickets ahead of time or is it okay to purchase them on the day at the station?
Thank you!
2 comments
4. Teramachi-dori; Shijo/Karasuma/Kawaramachi are the main shopping streets in downtown Kyoto. Have a wander down Teramachi; Nishiki Market is connected to it and there are so many shops.
> 1
Kanazawa is lovely and worth an overnight imo. The activities you’ve sketched out for takayama can be done across the time you’ve currently allotted.
> 3
It *should* make it overnight but since you’re only in takayama for one night I recommend shipping it directly from Kanazawa to Kyoto and just going to Takayama with a backpack containing your change of clothes. Saves a bit of coin and a lot of hassle storing bags left and right (there is luggage storage at the Shirakawago bus stop btw), and if the bag somehow got delayed it would be mega annoying to coordinate the redelivery.