Hello,
I’m planning on solo traveling for two weeks before meeting a friend in Tokyo. I have a good idea of where I would want to go but am having trouble planning a good itinerary. Would appreciate any advice or recommendations on length of stay/places to visit/etc. since this will be my first time visiting Japan.
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Day 0 : Flight to Narita Airport (Arrival 4:30pm) so will probably stay overnight in Tokyo
\+Travel on the morning of Day 1 : Tokyo -> Kanazawa (\~3h)
Day 1-2-3 : **Kanazawa** : Kenrokuen, Omicho Fish Market, Myouru-ji, Higashi Chaya, Nagamachi, D.T. Suzuki Museum, Kanazawa Castle
\+Travel on the morning of Day 4 : Kanazawa -> Takayama (\~2h)
Day 4-5-6 : **Takayama** : Miyagawa Morning Market, Hida Folk Village / Old Town, Hokke-ji Temple, Nakabashi Bridge, Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, Karakuri Museum
\+Travel in the afternoon/evening of Day 6 : Takayama -> Gero Onsen (\~1h)
Day 6 (evening/overnight) : **Gero Onsen**
\+ Travel in the morning of Day 7 : Gero -> Kyoto/Uji (\~3h)
Day 7 : **Kyoto or Uji** : Kokodera, Ryoanji, Daitokuji Temple / Byodoin, Kosho-ji Temple, Uji-jinja Shrine, Ujigami-jinja Shrine
\+Travel in the morning of Day 8 : Kyoto/Uji -> Koyasan (\~2h)
Day 8 : Koyasan and templestay
\+ Travel in the morning of Day 9 : Koyasan -> Hiroshima / Miyajima (\~3-4h)
Day 9-10 : **Hiroshima / Miyajima** : Peace Museum & monuments, Jizoson and its Nuclear Shadow, Hibakujumoku Phoenix Trees / Itsukishima Shrine, floating Torii Gate, Miyajima Natural Botanic Garden, Daisho-in Temple, five-storied pagoda
\+ Travel in the morning of Day 11 : Hiroshima -> Kurashiki (\~1h)
Day 11 : **Kurashiki** : Bikan Historical Quarter, Ohara Museum of Art, Ivy Square, walk along the canal, Achi Shrine, Shinkei-en, denim street
\+ Travel in the morning of Day 12 : Kurashiki -> Hakone (\~3.5h)
Day 12-13 : **Hakone** : Hakone SHrine, open-air museum, Owakudani, Lake Ashinoko (views of Mt. Fuji), Choanji Temple
\+ Travel in the morning of Day 14 : Hakone -> Nikko
Day 14-15 : **Nikko** : Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo bridge, Rinnoji Temple, Ryuzu or Shiraito or Kegon Falls, Kanmangafuchi Abyss, Tokigawa Shrine
\+ Travel in the afternoon/evening of Day 15 : Nikko -> Tokyo
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I’m visiting Tokyo (4), Kyoto (2), Nara (1) and Osaka (1) with my friend so I’m trying to avoid those places. Thanks!
Edit : filled the gap in day 7 and changed kurashiki to 1 day instead of 2
2 comments
I spent a morning in Kurashiki, and if I’d had time I would have gone to kojima in the afternoon for the denim district, but I think one day would be plenty of time. 2 nights would be a lot.
Hi there I’m actually travelling in May too also solo traveller (F), looking at a very similar route / places of interest to what you’ve detailed.
Wondering if you’d be keen to connect or looking for a travel buddy if we happen to coincide around the similar May (~13-26) period 🙂