Hello! My fiance and I are wanting to take our first trip to Japan for three weeks in mid May. We would be flying into Tokyo from Los Angeles, leaving from Osaka, but would want to focus most of our trip on seeing small towns, onsens, temples and shrines, and local cultural sites. We are active, in our mid thirties, and want to see as much natural beauty as possible. Any suggestions to get the most from three weeks and especially nature and onsen recommendations? We are willing to splurge for a few nights at a higher end ryokan onsen. Any tips and suggestions are very appreciated!
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here is a rough itinerary
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Day 1-6
Tokyo for a few nights,
then, in no order
\-Nikko
\-Tochigi park/ashikaga flower park
\-Toshogu Shrine
\-Hakone
\-Yamanashi
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Day 7-9
Takayama
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Day 10-12
Kiso Valley/Nakisendo way pilgrimage walk?
Nagatsukawa
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Day 14-16
Kyoto
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Day 17-21
Kinosaki
Nara
Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage
Maybe Nachi Falls
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Leave from Osaka
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I know a lot of these places arent super close, we would probable stay the night in some and maybe skip whatever we didnt have time for. If anyone has suggestions about what are the best, and places I might have missed or should skip please do chime in!
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Thank you!