This May and June I’ll be heading to Japan for six weeks. I’m going on a short study abroad with classmates for around two weeks of that time; I got 9000 dollars in scholarships for the trip, which more than covers it, so I decided to use some of the extra cash to explore a bit.
I grew up in Okinawa until I was 16, and while living there I visited the mainland a few times, so I am familiar with many of the basics. However, there’s lots of places I haven’t been, so I would love some feedback on my itinerary!
My main questions start May 30, after study abroad ends.
May 12–15: Osaka by myself as I wait for the group to arrive. Been here before so likely will just be killing time and eating. Wouldn’t mind some off the beaten tracks recommendations. Day 1 will be exploring resting, day 2 USJ, and 15th likely Dontonbori.
I want to fit a trip to Himeji in my schedule—would Osaka or Kyoto be a better base for this, considering my short stay in Osaka by myself?
May 15 – 23: Study abroad starts in Osaka. We will be visiting engineering companies, but they also want to do a day trip to Kyoto and Hiroshima during this period. I’ll take them to the major spots in Osaka as well.
May 23-30: Study group moves to Tokyo. We’ll be visiting companies during most days, but we’ll likely have time to hit some spots like SkyTree and Akihabara + Shibuya.
Now here is where my main questions start, please feel free to critique!
May 30 – June 3: I’ll be traveling on my own from here on out. This time is reserved for Tokyo. I’m planning on doing a Kawaguchiko day trip if the weather agrees. Also considering Kamakura, as well as spending a day a DisneySea and Disneyland. Feel free to recommend other day trips!
Is there a way to go on the lake at Kawaguchiko? Or to possibly swim?
June 3 – 7: Kanazawa. One day will be a day trip to Shirakawa-go. Another to Kenroku-en garden. I’m also interested in the Ōmichō market. Any recommendations here would be great.
Also, would Higashi Chaya District here be worth a visit considering my other historic locations?
June 7-10: Takayama. One day trip to Hida Furukawa, but mostly I want to relax and look at shrines. I would like to go to the Shinhotaka Ropeway—is this worth exploring, and does the travel time take a while?
Also, would a day trip to Shirakawa-go be better taken from Kanazawa or Takayama? I put Kanazawa, because once I’m in Takayama I would like to relax, but if it’s much more trouble let me know.
June 10-14: Kyoto. I’ve never been here, so I’m very excited for this place. It’s possible that at this point in the trip I may have already done a day trip here, but I wanted to be able to stay longer. If anyone knows any good and cheap accommodations please let me know. I would like to do a temple stay if possible. Going to visiting the bamboo forests and the major temples of course; also planning on renting a bike. One day trip to Nara (where I have been before, but did not see much other than a few temples and deer).
June 14-17. Flying from Kyoto to Okinawa. Lived here for years so just going to see friends, probably going to the Kerama’s and staying in Naha. I’m a little worried about typhoons during this time of year, so I made sure to not put it directly at the end of my trip. Don’t need any help here.
June 17-21: Hiroshima. Same with Kyoto, I may do a trip here with my study abroad group. But I’d like to do things other than the peace museum (though I will visited that). One day I want to visited the Sandankyo Gorge and another in Miyajima. I’m also interested in Hiroshima Castle.
Is it worth staying the night in Miyajima? Also, I’ve always wanted to go to the rabbit island Ōkunoshima. Has anyone done this from Hiroshima?
Thanks for reading all that. If anyone has any recommendations for anything please let me know! I will be buying the JR Rail Pass (one with my study group and one separately)! If you think any of these places need more or less time let me know, also if there is any location that I am passing by that’s worth the visit. Thanks!
1 comment
Just off the bat, you can do far more in a day at Kanazawa than Kenroku-en. I love Kenroku-en but it does not take more than a few hours at the most. I highly recommend Nagamachi and Higashichaya. Good call on Shirakawago, it’s an unforgettable place. If you plan right, you can actually do a Shirakawago trip en route *from* Kanazawa to Takayama, rather than do a circle.
Unsure how set in stone your Kanazawa/Takayama plans are, but if you find yourself having a spare day (or are willing to adjust) I also recommend checking out Nagoya. You have to pass through on your way to Kyoto anyway, so it could be worth taking a day or two there. Inuyama just north of Nagoya has amazing sights like Inuyama Castle, Jo-an tea garden, and the Meijimura museum. Nagoya itself has the basics of most cities like a castle, shopping centers, and museums, but it also has some very tasty local foods (like eel, miso, and tebasaki).