Hello everybody,
This will be my first time sending an itinerary check, eventhough I’ve already been to Japan in 2019 and 2022. In my previous trips I’ve already visited a lot of the better known tourist destinations, so this time I’m looking for things that are a bit less known. I’ve noticed it is a bit difficult to find the lesser known destinations, because most travel posts online focus on the big cities like Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka. Eventhough I’ll be visiting these cities ones again, because there’s still enough to disover for me, I’d also like to visit some lesser known areas this time.
My wife and I are mostly interested in nature, that’s why we like to visit during the autumn, however we are also open for other ideas!
This post is not meant for you guys to make my itinerary, however I experience some difficulty to come up with new destinations. So some advice and inspiration is most certainly welcome!
**Monday november 13 : Fly from Amsterdam -> Osaka.**
We arrive at KIX on tuesday morning local time in Japan, we will take the train to Kyoto to relax and fight through the jetlag.
**Tuesday november 14 – thursday november 16 : 3 nights in Kyoto.**
\- Minoh in Osaka.
\- Amanohashidate Sandbar.
**Friday november 17 – sunday november 19 : 3 nights in Hiroshima.**
\- Memorial Park and museum.
\- Shukkei-en Garden.
\- Miyajima Island.
\- Sandankyo Gorge.
**Monday november 20 – tuesday november 21 : 2 nights in Okayama.**
\- Koraku-en Garden.
\- Okayama Castle.
\- Kibitsu Shrine.
\- Miyama Park.
\- Optional : Handayama botanical garden.
\- Optional : Kurashiki.
**Wednesday november 22 – Sunday november 26 : 5 nights in Kyoto.**
\- Kanazawa daytrip.
\- Nara daytrip.
\- Kibune.
\- Temples that we haven’t visited before yet, like Tofuku-ji.
\- …
**Monday november 27 – Friday december 1 : 5 nights, unknown so far.**
\- So far I’m a bit lost with what we can do during these days. We are looking for something to enjoy in between Kyoto and Tokyo during these days. However we have already been to the Fuji area and Hakone before. Something we are considering is Matsumoto, Nagano area, but we might be thinking that we will arrive too late during the season for that area.
**Saturday december 2 – Thursday december 7 : 5 nights in Tokyo.**
\- We have been to Nikko, Ashikaga, but we have yet to visit Karakuma and Mt. Takao.
\- Koishikawa Koraku-en garden.
​
As you can see we still have lots of space to fill, but it’s still a work in progress that I enjoy working on! I’m mostly asking whether you guys could look with me regarding the travel plan, whether the cities are in a good/logical order to visit or that I should change that a bit/or add with other cities.
Inspiration is absolutely welcome!
Looking forward to visiting Japan for the 3rd time, it’s an amazing country. Thanks everybody.
2 comments
These trip reports might give you some ideas.
– [Trip Report: Kinosaki Onsen and Himeiji Castle](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/sna5au/kansai_side_trip_tattoo_friendly_kinosaki_onsen/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
– [Trip Report: Arashiyama Scenic Railway and Riverboat](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mibm8t/kyoto_sagano_scenic_train_hozugawa_riverboat/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
– [Kyoto Autumn Leaves Illuminations](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mjt5yf/kyoto_autumn_night_illuminations_at_temples_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
– [Trip Report: Takayama](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mg8ir9/autumn_weekend_in_takayama_gifu_prefecture/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
If you’re spending so much time in Kyoto I would try to utilize my time better and explore the nature here rather than doing long day trips to other prefectures.
You could explore the mountains around Kiyomizudera and Arashiyama. There are walking/hiking trails all throughout. Other places as well.
Kyoto is also famous for the close proximity to nature. If you want to go to the coast/sea you could take train to Amanohashidate or Maizuru Or Kyotango.
[https://www.alltrails.com/japan/kyoto](https://www.alltrails.com/japan/kyoto)