First time Japan solo itinerary + questions

Hi! After over a year of delayed and cancelled flights, I’m finally going on a solo (19M) trip to Japan in a couple of months – it would be amazing to get some feedback on my current plan! I recognize a trip to Japan is expensive, but need to keep my spending to a minimum where possible. I’ll be travelling with a large rucksack and buying an extra suitcase for the return flight. Also I’ve got some specific questions at the bottom 🙂

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**May 31 – June 2: Tokyo**

Landing in Haneda in the morning, direct train to hostel (Nui Hostel, Taito City). 2 nights in Tokyo for jet lag + in case flights are delayed by the airline (already was delayed by a day once -\_- ).

*Things to do:* Sensō-ji, Skytree + Ghibli shop

**June 2 – 3: Ainokura**

Shinkansen to Takaoka, bus to Ainokura, stay the night in ryokan.

**June 3 – 6: Kanazawa**

Bus to Kanazawa, stay at either K’s House or Capsule Hotel Musashimachi. These dates should coincide with the Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival, so will check that out.

*Things to do:* Nagamachi samurai area, Higashi Chaya area (+ Shima museum), Teramachi temple area (+ Myouryuji), contemporary art museum, omicho market.

**June 6 – 16: To Kyoto/Osaka**

Local trains to Toyosato (to see K-On location), then on to Kyoto/Osaka. Right now trying to decide between a homestay 20 min out of the centre of Osaka or a hostel fairly central in Kyoto. Kyoto option seems more convenient as it’s actually in the centre of Kyoto, but (even though there’s common areas) I imagine will have less interaction than the homestay… Day trips to whichever I don’t stay in.

*Things to do (Kyoto):* Chionji temple + market (15th), Mimurotoji temple hydrangeas, Fushimi inari (sunrise or sunset?), Railway museum, Arashiyama (maybe, read that it’s a bit overhyped?), Sagano Scenic railway + Fufunoyu onsen afterwards, Gion, Nishiki Market, a few other temples that look nice.

*Things to do (Osaka):* Den Den Town, Shitennoji temple, Dontonbori (night), Shinsekai area, Umeda Sky (worth it?), Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, Hoshida Park.

*Nara day trip:* Nara, Yatadera temple hydrangeas.

*Kobe day trip?:* Nunobiki herb gardens/ropeway, Sannomiya area, port earthquake memorial park, maritime museum?, Ikuta shrine?

**June 16 – 19: Hiroshima**

Sanyo shinkansen (Klook discount tickets) to Hiroshima. 3 nights in Roku hostel.

*Things to do:* Peace memorial museum/park, Miyajima island (tram+boat there, Itsukushima shrine, Daishoin temple?), Hiroshima castle.

**June 19-20: Sunrise Izumo**

Local trains to Okayama, a few hours there depending on how much there is to do (haven’t researched yet), then Sunrise Izumo to Tokyo in the evening.

**June 20-22: Aomori**

Shinkansen from Tokyo to Aomori (considering the Tohoku pass?). Not sure where to stay, can’t find any hostels…

*Things to do:* Day trip to Oirase gorge and maybe all the way to the lake (fairly frequent bus it seems? Also maybe a stop at Sukayu onsen on the way back), Nebuta museum, A-Factory, Aomori museum of art.

**June 22 – 23: Zao Onsen**

Morning Resort Shirakami train to Akita, then local trains to Yamagata, bus to Zao Onsen. 1 night in cheapest ryokan I can find! Many seem to not be available for June right now, I assume they only open bookings a couple of months in advance?

In the morning, go to Onsen Dairotenburo.

**June 23 – 25: Fukushima**

Local trains to Fukushima, two nights? at hostel La Union. This stop is mainly to save money on trains, doesn’t seem very feasible to go the whole way Yamagata – Tokyo on the cheap local trains in one day. Not sure how much there is to do in Fukushima, I could maybe stay a couple of nights?

**June 25 – July 20: Tokyo + day trips**

This is where I’m having trouble deciding – is this too long in Tokyo? I’d like to do a homestay for the time I’m there, there’s a few good looking ones on Homestay.com, although the website has a ridiculously high booking fee (over 120 eur), so not sure if there’s any better options? I do want the interactivity of a homestay though. I could maybe shorten Tokyo a bit and add a few days to other places, where could be a good idea to do that?

*Things to do:* Ghibli museum, Nakano broadway, Teamlab Planets (can’t find info about whether Borderless might be open in new location by then…), Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Small Worlds?, Akihabara, Shinjuku, look around Golden Gai, Origami Kaikan, Art Aquarium Museum, Ikebukuro Life Safety Learning Center, Suga Shrine Staircase (Your Name), Mitama matsuri (Jul 12-15th)

*Possible day trips:*

* Mt Takao (Keio Takaosan onsen)
* Omiya Bonsai Village + Railway museum + Kawagoe (kitain temple, warehouse district, Hikawa shrine wind chimes – not sure when those are up)
* Asikaga flower park (worth it at that time of year + heat?)
* Overnight at Hakone
* Yokohama (minatomirai area, landmark tower, red brick warehouse)
* Tsukuba Space center
* Hiratsuka Tanabata (7-9th July, not sure which day best to go?)

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**Questions:**

* I’d really love to see a fireworks display, are there any that could work with my dates? I’ve found a few such as Yokohama’s ‘Sparkling Twilight’, Kamakura underwater fireworks, and the Tonegawa fireworks, but can’t find specific dates for any of them…
* Any general recommendations for any part of the itinerary?
* I’m vegetarian – any recommendations for places / types of places to aim for / avoid? I’ve decided I’ll be fine with having dashi while I’m there as it seems very difficult to avoid, but want to avoid any other meat/fish products.
* I’d like to go to a Kabuki theatre performance (family member loves theatre and would like me to experience it), where would be the best place with decently priced tickets?
* I’ve seen that you can now book the beds on the Sunrise Izumo online, but not the base fare. Does getting a room guarantee me a place as long as when I get to Japan I buy the base fare?
* Any specific Ghibli/anime recommendations? Hopefully will be able to get a Ghibli museum ticket, I’ll go to a couple of the chain of Ghibli shops, going to Your Name staircase… Skipping Ghibli park because I’m not going via Nagano and it also seems a nightmare to get tickets.
* Where possible I’m trying to take normal trains rather than shinkansen to save money, doesn’t always seem possible though. Considering either 7 day JRPass for Hiroshima -> Zao onsen part, or 5 day Tohoku Pass for Tokyo – Aomori – Zao – Fukushima part, any advice on this?
* Recently saw a video of the Kyoto tachibana marching band, looks really cool, do they hold scheduled performances or anything? If not, are there any other similar marching bands?
* Thinking that a SIM will be better than mobile wifi – less worrying about battery etc, any specific companies which are good or which I should avoid?
* Do the free walking tours provided by various groups/companies in some of the larger cities tend to be any good?

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To anyone who can provide some advice, thank you!!