Hi there!
Long time reader, first time writer. My wife and I are very excited to take a much-belated honeymoon to Japan in May and are looking for an itinerary check. Specifically, we’re hoping to get from Tokyo to Takyama by way of Matsumoto, and hoping to squeeze in a day trip to Kamikochi along the way. Is this reasonable?
My wife is particularly anxious about going from Matsumoto to Kamikochi to Takayama all in one day, as neither of us speak Japanese and the timing might be tight — please see the itinerary below.
What do you think?
## Day #1: Tokyo: Arrive and Rest (May 4)
* 3pm: Arrive in Tokyo (Narita airport)
* 6pm: check-in at MUJI hotel Ginza
* ??? dinner Menya Musashi Shinjuku Sohonten
* This evening intentionally left blank
## Day #2: Matsumoto (en route to Takayama) (May 5)
* Breakfast at MUJI and/or Glitch Coffee
* 9am Leave Shinjuku station — buy a bento box at the station
* 11:30am arrive at Matsumoto
* 12pm Matsumoto-jō Castle
* 2-3pm Either Yohashira Shrine or Kaichi Gakko Primary School
* 3-4pm: Check-in at hotel
* 4-5:30pm City Art Museum
* 5:30-6:30 Timepiece Museum
* 6:30pm KOBAYASHI soba
## Day #3: Day trip to Kamikochi, then on to Takayama (May 6)
* Breakfast?
* 8:30am Hop the bus to Kamikochi
* 10am: Store bags at bus station
* Kappa Bashi Bridge
* Tashiro Pond
* Myojin Pond
* Lunch? Something else?
* 2pm: Bus to Takayama (2 hours)
* 4pm: Check-in at our AirBnb
* Souvenir Shop: Handmade Fabric Animals
* Heianraku for dinner (get the mapo tofu)
* Backup: Suzuya Restaurant for hoba miso
* Visit Sanmachi Suji / Harada Sake Brewery
3 comments
No problem at all with the busses.
But if possible I would take an earlier bus. 4h in Kamikochi is not enough to see myojin pond and tashiro pond.
Suzuya is a really nice restaurant. They are super friendly, speak English and food is good too. Always go there when I’m in takayama.
Agree with u/ihavenosisters, I think you will need more time for Kamikochi, but it’s 100% doable. Presumably you will have some time in Takayama on May 7th as well.
I am sure you will enjoy the trip!
I have not been but planning to do so this year. From my research it looks doable. You seem to have the timing right and allowed for connection delays, ie the journey to Takayama relies on a connecting bus that runs hourly.
Note that the Art Museum and Timepiece Museum close at 5pm and are not open on a Monday. You could switch these visits with your proposed ones to Yohashira Shrine which is open 24 hours and Kaichi Gakko which you can only view from the street.
Are you aware of the loop buses to get you around?