I’d love some feedback about the following itinerary. I edited a bit based on previous comments I got [here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/111h2qb/26ish_day_itinerary_check_tokyo_osakakyotokobe/)
I have a few questions.
* Should I do Shirakawago or Hida no Sato?
* If Shirakawago, I would go on Friday May 12, checking out of hotel in Kyoto, then traveling to Shirakawago, and then to Takayama.
* If Hida no Sato, I’d go early in the morning Sunday, May 14 because we’d already be in Takayama. I would have to be back at Takayama Station for a 2pm shuttle to our fancy Ryokan for the night.
* Are there any cliffs or particularly awesome views of the Sea of Japan near Kanazawa? I’d love to hike near the water and catch a sunset and then dinner. I found Oshima and Tojinbo Cliffs, but it’s a 2 hour commute each way. Worth it?
* Has anyone done a walking food tour in Osaka? I work in restaurants, so I find it a little cheesy but it could be very efficient since we only have one full day in Osaka. This one looks cool because it includes some off-the-beaten-path sightseeing: [Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours on Viator.](https://www.viator.com/tours/Osaka/Deep-Backstreet-Osaka-Tours/d333-130036P1)
* I’m looking for an Onsen that’s tattoo friendly between Niigata and Tokyo. Does Takaragawa make sense? I saw mixed reviews for the experience. Sainokawara looks good too.
* What’s the best way to make dinner reservations? For example, I really want to go to Eureka! in Tokyo and Sake and Yakizakana Furumachi Yamada house in Niigata, but I don’t have any Japanese language skills.
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Wednesday 26-Apr **NJ TO NYC**
Drive to Dad’s in Jersey, leave car at his house, Dad drives us to JFK: Flight 1:20pm
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Thursday 27-Apr **NYC to Tokyo (Hamacho)**
Arrive 4:35pm, Pick up JR Pass, WIFI and/or Sim?, Check In
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Friday 28-Apr **Tokyo (Hamacho)**
OPEN. Explore/Hang with friends. Brother moves out of his dorm and checks into our hotel.
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Saturday 29-Apr **Tokyo (Hamacho)**
walk to woodworking tool shop/skytree/kappabashi/ueno
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Sunday 30-Apr **Tokyo (Ome)**
*Overnight trip with friends + brother*
AM Travel to Ome. explore Ome area and river. Sawanoi Brewery!!
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Monday 1-May **Tokyo (Ome)**
Ropeway and Mt. Mitake hike: shrine and waterfalls. PM Travel back to Tokyo.
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Tuesday 2-May **Tokyo (Hamacho)**
Sweet Potato shop, Imperial Palace, Japan Sake and Shōchū Information Center with friends + brother
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Wednesday 3-May **Tokyo (Hamacho)**
OPEN. Explore/Hang with friends. Maybe see Yokohama or Kamakura?
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Thursday 4-May **Tokyo (Hamacho)**
OPEN. Explore/Hang with friends. Brother goes back to USA.
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Friday 5-May **Tokyo (Ginza)**
AM OPEN. enjoy fancy hotel bath + sake bar. Send luggage to hotel in Kyoto?
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Saturday 6-May **Osaka (Shinsaibashi)** *JR pass Day 1*
Travel to Osaka, shopping, Pinball arcade/Ferris wheel, Dotonbori
Maybe guided food tour? (**5:30pm** **Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours on Viator)**
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Sunday 7-May **Kyoto (Nakagyo Ward)** *JR pass Day 2*
AM Travel to Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha. Kiyomizu-dera? Sake Yoramu at night.
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Monday 8-May **Kyoto (Nakagyo Ward)** *JR pass Day 3*
West Kyoto. Super early Bamboo Forest/Gioji Temple. Kinkaku-ji. Tea ceremony at 5pm, explore Gion at night
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Tuesday 9-May **Kyoto (Nakagyo Ward)** *JR pass Day 4*
AM: Philosopher’s Path/Romon Falls/Nanzen-ji Temple. Sake Bumpy if it’s open, Pontocho
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Wednesday 10-May **Kyoto to Kobe (Chuo Ward)** \*JR pass Day 5 (\*Overnight trip)
Travel to Kobe. Nada district, Sake Museum.
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Thursday 11-May **Kobe to Kyoto** *JR pass Day 6*
AM Kobe Herb Gardens + Woodworking museum. PM Travel back to Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera lit up at night?
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Friday 12-May **Kyoto to Takayama** *JR pass Day 7*
AM Travel to Takayama (4 hours) Explore Takayama town, especially Antique Shop, Sake breweries.
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Saturday 13-May **Takayama** *JR pass Day 8*
Kamikochi day trip, hiking
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Sunday 14-May **Takayama** *JR pass Day 9*
Early AM: Hida no Sato. 2pm shuttle to Ryokan.
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Monday 15-May **Takayama to Kanazawa** *JR pass Day 10*
10am or 11am shuttle back to Takayama station. Travel to Kanazawa, Kenroku-en Garden and Castle. Find Gold leaf ice cream and souvenirs.
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Tuesday 16-May **Kanazawa** *JR pass Day 11*
AM: Ninjadera or Naga-machi Samurai district. Oshima or Tojinbo Cliffs for sunset (2 hour travel) and find dinner near there.
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Wednesday 17-May **Kanazawa to Niigata** *JR pass Day 12*
AM: DT Suzuki Museum. Travel to Niigata, stop in Ponshukan. Explore Airbnb neighborhood. Eat at “Sake and Yakizakana Furumachi Yamada house”
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Thursday 18-May **Niigata** *JR pass Day 13*
Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery Tour. Eat at “Sake and Yakizakana Furumachi Yamada house” AGAIN
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Friday 19-May **Niigata to Gunma to Tokyo** *JR pass Day 14*
Early AM: Travel to Tokyo, but stop at Takaragawa Onsen or similar. Arrive Tokyo at night.
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Saturday 20-May **Tokyo (Asakusa)**
Asakusa shrine for festival
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Sunday 21-May **Tokyo (Asakusa)**
Asakusa shrine for festival
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Monday 22-May **Tokyo (Hamacho)**
AM: Teamlab planets, Last minute shopping, packing, PM final hang with friends.
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Tuesday 23-May **Tokyo (Hamacho)**
Final pack, Check out, explore airport, Flight at 5pm
1 comment
If I had to choose one, definitely visit Shirakawa-go over Hida no sato. It’s much larger and actually a real village, not a museum.
If you want a nice coast near Kanazawa, Amaharashi in Toyama is really pretty too. It’s not exactly cliffs but you get a beautiful view of the mountains. Tojinbo is really nice too, I’d recommend it as well.