Travelling to Japan for **2 weeks** mainly to enjoy the Sakura and nature views. Me & my partner loves **nature sight-seeing & viewing sakura as priority**. We appreciate good food, but not hardcore foodie so we didn’t plan for must go-to-eat places at this point yet. We also not a shopper but like to see interesting stuff eg. handicraft. We went to Hokkaido 6 years ago on 1 week trip during June 2017 (mostly nature, cliffs, coastal side).
We have many questions in mind, so hope to seek expert advices & experience here as we are overwhelmed with info & figuring out the best way to get from 1 place to another on cheaper transportation & shorter duration that doesn’t eat into a lot of time to reach where we want to see, and if possible without renting a car as we r not good drivers. We also want to be on budget if possible.
**\[Q\] We also not sure if our itinerary is worth getting a 7 / 14 days JR pass?**
**\[Q\] Based on where we plan our destinations on those dates, r we on a safe & higher chance to catch the sakura bloom? (Noted forecast may change)**
**\[Q\] Each of us carrying 1 luggage, is transiting from City to City manageable with taking transport bus / train during rush hour? We do not need any luggage transport service right?**
So far, our draft itinerary looks like this:
**Day 1 (26/3) Sun – \[Kawaguchiko\]**
* 9:00 – Arrive Tokyo Narita Airport **\[Q\] What’s the best way to get to Kawaguchiko on cheaper option?**
* Check in 2 Nights Hotel near Gekkouji Station
* Settle down & explore around the area.
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**Day 2 (27/3) Mon – \[Explore Kawaguchiko Mount Fuji\]**
* Early Morning: 5th station for Chureito Pagoda & Mt Fuji phototaking **\[Q\] What time is best to avoid long queue crowd & waiting time for a spot there? What time is best to take photo? Any experience during end of march dates, am i able to expect a clear view of the Fuji? Am i able to expect for Sakura to bloom on this date?**
* Thereafter, intend to take \[Sightseeing bus\]([http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/heritage-tour/detail/id/1/](http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/heritage-tour/detail/id/1/)) to drop off & finding best spot to view the lakes with mt fuji.
**\[Q\] Any best spots (less touristy crowd) to recommend?**
**\[Q\] The Unlimited Ride Pass covers everything on 3 different sight-seeing bus route. Which route is best to take & utilise our time sight-seeing for the best view of Fuji?**
**\[Q\] Is it only available for 2days pass. No 1 day pass?**
**\[Q\] Will 1 day be too rush to enjoy the mount fuji lake views?**
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**Day 3 (28/3) Tue – \[Kawaguchiko > Takamaya\]**
* Early Morning: try to catch sunrise Mt fuji clear view **\[Q\] Is it worth to wake up super early for sunrise view? How early so i can see a clear & nice view of fuji?**
* 12:00 check out Hotel
* Transport to Takamaya **\[Q\] I refer to this \[express bus guide\](**[**https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/takayama\_access/**](https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/takayama_access/)**) to reach Takamaya from different places, but unsure which route is the best option? (checking out hotel from Gekkouji Station with 2 luggages)**
* We wanted to see Alps so thought Mt. Hotaka can offer a similar nice views (after knowing Mt Kamikochi is closed during our trip), so we plan this after Fuji. Is this itinerary leg advisable?
* Check in 2 Nights Hotel near Takayama Station
* Settle down & explore around the area.
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**Day 4 (29/3) Wed – \[Explore Mt. Hotaka Alps\]**
* Take bus from Takayama Stn To Shinhotaka Ropeway Station
* Take Shinhotaka Ropeway up to enjoy top of the Alps views **\[Q\] Any sightseeing bus to explore on the ground Alps views?**
* Explore Onsen bath (or the day after) **\[Q\] Onsen bath nearby – Any affordable recommendation?**
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**Day 5 (30/3) Thu – \[Explore around Takayama city & Onsen bath\]**
* \[Takayama City One-Day Ticket\](https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/ticket/) for unlimited rides on all Takayama City route buses. (Takayama City Line).
**\[Q\] Is this Route bus good to get in order to explore the areas? Any recommendations what’s nice to see over there? Will we get bored easily spending a full day exploring this area?**
**\[Q\] Is Hida Great Limestone Cave worth to see?**
**\[Q\] Onsen bath in Takamaya – Any affordable recommendation?**
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**Day 6 (31/3) Fri – \[Takamaya > Osaka\] (Leave for Osaka Shop & Eat over Weekend)**
* Check out Hotel
* Transport from Takamaya to Osaka **\[Q\] Is taking JR train the better option? Will it be more cost effective getting JR pass based on overall itinerary?** (I refer to this \[direction guide\]([https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5908.html?aFROM=2157\_5900](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5908.html?aFROM=2157_5900)), it seems like JR is faster)
* Reach Osaka. Check in 2 Nights Hotel. Stay near City.
* Settle down, Shop & Eat **\[Q\] Any foodie night market to recommend?**
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**Day 7 (1/4) Sat – \[Explore Osaka, Sakura, Shop & Eat\]**
* Thinking to visit Himeji Castle for phototaking with Sakura (With a few more castle/temple/shrine to see in Kyoto, not sure if should skip this Himeji Castle in Osaka)
**\[Q\] Is it worth the trip & time to get there n see Himeji castle view with Sakura? During this time, can we expect to see full bloom?**
**\[Q\] Understand there may be full of crowds n make viewing Sakura unpleasant, is there any best spot to avoid crowds & enjoy sakura in Osaka?**
* \[Other option\] Explore Park for sakura photo-taking. **\[Q\] Any less touristy best spot recommendations?**
* \[Other option\] Take a boat ride & enjoy Sakura **\[Q\] Any recommendations?**
* Explore foodie @ Kuromon Market
* Shop around to explore any interesting finds (no ideas in mind yet)
**\[Q\] Is Kuromon Market the best market for trying out local foodie? or any recommendations?**
**\[Q\] Among Dotonbori / Shinsekai / Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street / CRYSTA Underground Mall, which is best & worth to spend time seeing?**
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**Day 8 (2/4) Sun – \[Osaka > Kyoto\]**
* Free & Easy before leaving for Kyoto
* In evening, thinking to take \[Sightseeing tram\]([https://www.keihan.co.jp/travel/en/pdf/useful-files/special-sightseeing-pass.pdf](https://www.keihan.co.jp/travel/en/pdf/useful-files/special-sightseeing-pass.pdf)) from Osaka to Kyoto with our 2 luggages. **\[Q\] Is this doable? Does it allows our luggage on transit?**
* Check in 4Nights Hotel in Kyoto & settle down
(I read Kyoto will be super crowded in Kyoto city due to sakura week & wouldn’t able to take a good breathe to enjoy sakura) **\[Q\] Is it still worth to stay 4 nights here? Any best spot recommendations for sakura here?**
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**Day 9 (3/4) Mon – \[Kyoto Sightseeing Sakura\]**
* Early morning to Kinkakuji Temple Golden Pavilion (opens 630am) **\[Q\] To take photo of temple w sakura, how early is better to be there to avoid huge crowds?**
* After lunch, Explore Park / Take a river boat ride for sakura view
* Explore around the Gion area / Ninenzaka / Sannenzaka in evening
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**Day 10 (4/4) Tue – \[Kyoto Sightseeing Sakura\]**
* Take \[Sagano Romantic Train Scenic Route\]([https://www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/en/josyaken.php](https://www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/en/josyaken.php)) **\[Q\] How to book & reserve seat? I can’t seems to find a way to book ticket in advance.**
* Explore views across Togetsu-kyo Bridge, river & park around Arashiyama area **\[Q\] Any best spot for sakura there? Any other recommendations nice to do & see?**
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**Day 11 (5/4) Wed – \[Kyoto Sightseeing Sakura\]**
* Explore Kinkakuji Temple Golden Pavilion
* Explore Hiram Shrine nearby
* Explore Onsen bath – **\[Q\] Any affordable onsen recommendation?**
**\[Q\] Any other recommendations nice to do & see? Food recommendations?**
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**Day 12 (6/4) Thu – \[Kyoto > Tokyo\]**
* Free & Easy – Shop & eat around
* Late afternoon: Transport from Kyoto to Tokyo **\[Q\] Is it cost effective to take JR Line?**
* Night: Check in Hotel 3Nights near Tokyo city & settle down
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**Day 12 (7/4) Fri – \[Tokyo\]**
* Full Day Disneyland
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**Day 13 (8/4) Sat – \[Tokyo\]**
* Early morning: Strawberry picking & tasting @ Strawberry Farm **\[Q\] I read strawberry is famous for its taste & there’s too many farms nearby Chiba Stn, any best recommendations for best taste & experience?**
* Thinking to head to Sakura Furusato Square to view Tulip
* Back to Tokyo city, visit Mameshiba cafe
* Explore around, Shop & Eat **\[Q\] Any other nice recommendations?**
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**Day 14 (9/4) Sun – \[Tokyo\]**
* Last min shopping for food goodies **\[Q\] Any Recommendations?**
* Prepare for 5pm flight back
Appreciate your help to my qns and share your experiences/recommendations. Many thanks & God bless 🙏🏻
