Hi everyone, I´ve been reading this sub and doing some research for an upcoming trip in May. This will be a 4 week trip over a classic first-timer route, with an emphasis on hiking/biking, food & photography. Nothing is booked yet, I want to refine my latest draft with experimented eyes.
I have a weird organisation due to some activites I want to do: try my luck for Sakura in Sapporo at the start of the trip, see a friend in Tokyo, hike,… I do not care too much about trip efficency/maximising each day as I have a longish trip. I still made sure to be logical in the places I want to visit. Deviations from the plan are welcome! My interests are quite diverse: food, culture, manga over anime, Japanese/alt Magic cards, stationery & ink pens, beer/alcohol making…
Some notes:
\- I want to try a ferry ride at some point, but had to scrape this idea with my current plan. I had my eyes on Kitakyushu -> Tokyo
\- I plan to travel light, stash a backpack in a locker before the hike for example and keep minimal gear with me
\- Most shopping will be done in Tokyo before flying home, including buying a cheap suitcase
\- Long days are ok with me, I like to take the train and see the countryside
\- Some days are lifted straight from Allan Su´s great 14 days in Japan video, but not too sure if some days are too packed.
\- I am learning “survival” Japanese
My rough itinerary:
Sapporo.1 **Day 1** Tue, May 2, 2023
· Arrive in Sapporo late afternoon
Sapporo.2 **Day 2**
· Get over jet lag, Sakura hunting if lucky
Sapporo.3 to Sapporo.4 **Day 3** to **Day 4**
· 2 day cycling loop around Sapporo, about 50k/day
Kyoto.1 **Day 5** Sat May 6, Sapporo -> Kyoto *FLY*
· Nishiki market
· Gion
Kyoto.2 **Day 6**
· Arashiyama bamboo forest
· Tenriyu-ji
· Katsura river
· Senko-ji
· Iwayama monkey park
· Kinkaku-ji
· FOOD: Ramen sen no Kaze
Kyoto.3 **Day 7**
· Fushimi inari shrine
· Nanzen ji temple
· Eikan-do temple
· Pontocho
Nara.1 **Day 8** Tue May 9, Kyoto-> Nara early morning
· Todai-Ji temple
· Kasuga Taisha
· Mount Yakakusa
· Nakatanidou
Nara.2 **Day 9**
· Isuien garden
· Naramichi
· Nara museum
**Day 10** Thu May 11, Nara -> Omata early morning to **Day 13**
· Kumano Kodo Kohechi trail
Osaka.1 **Day 14** Sun May 14, Kumano Hongu Taisha-> Osaka
· Don Quixote Ferris wheel
· Umeda sky building
· Shinsekai
· FOOD: Okaru
Osaka.2 **Day 15**
· Namba Yasaka shrine
· Osaka castle
· Amerikamura
· Dotonbori
· FOOD: Ichira Ramen
Osaka.3 **Day 16**
· Super Nintendo World
Hiroshima.1 **Day 17** Thu May 18, Osaka -> Hiroshima early morning
· Visit main historical sites
Hiroshima.2 **Day 18**
· Shiminami Kaido trail
Hiroshima.3 **Day 19**
· no definite plans
Tokyo.1 **Day 20** Sun May 21, Hiroshima -> Tokyo *FLY*
· Akihabara
· Night cycling
· Giants baseball game ? (time not definite yet)
Tokyo.2 **Day 21**
· Meji shrine
· Harajuku
· Shibuya crossing
· FOOD: Uobei sushi
Tokyo.3 **Day 22**
· Giants baseball game ? (time not definite yet) or Sumo Tournament (?)
· Tokyo Observatory
Tokyo.4 **Day 23**
· YOKOHAMA day trip
Tokyo.5 **Day 24**
· TeamlabsPlanet
· Omoide Yokocho
· Sumo Tournament (?)
Tokyo.6 **Day 25**
· Fish market
· Skytree
· Shinjuku gyoen
· Nezu shrine
Tokyo.7 **Day 26** to **Day 27**
· Fuji region escapade
Tokyo.9 **Day 28**
· Ghibli museum (tickets if lucky)
· Senso ji temple
· Kabukicho
· Tokyo Tower
Tokyo.10 **Day 29** Tue May 30
· Last shopping
· Head home
My main questions are:
\- Does this make sense, eg hopping from city to city without spending 10h each time ?
\- Are most attractions/shops open on Sundays ?
\- I´m starting with the cycling tour to try and avoid the Golden Week rush, should I expect more disturbance ?
\- What´s the best city to try playing Go (beginner level) somewhere ?
\- Should I swap 3rd day in Hiroshima for another day trip?
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Thanks a bunch for the help, in return I´ll be sure to post a write-up 😉