Hi everyone!
Here is my updated itinerary for this November. I am SO EXCITED, as it is my first time going to Japan! I am finally able to fulfill my dream of visiting JAPAN.
I know there are a lot of uncertainties in my itinerary, but I came here for the best advice and recommendations I could get.
QUESTIONS:
Since the price for the JR Pass is increasing, what should I do in terms of transportation? What would the easiest and most cost-saving/cheapest way to travel be?
I want to visit AT LEAST one onsen in my trip, which one should I go to that aligns with my itinerary?
NOTE: I am not going in November for the autumn leaves, however it is a great bonus as it allows for AWESOME pictures.
21 days
Tokyo > Kawaguchiko > Nagoya > Nara > Osaka > Kyoto > Kanazawa > Nagano > Masomatsu > Tokyo
Day 1: Tokyo – Arrival
Arrive in Tokyo
Explore Akihabara
Day 2: Tokyo
Menju-ji Shrine
Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple, + (?))
Ginza
Tokyo Skytree
Day 3: Tokyo
Other shrines + temples
Shibuya
Harajuku (?)
Try any restaurants I wanted to tick off (don’t have to tick all – chance at end of trip)
Day 4: Kawaguchiko
Tokyo -> Kawaguchiko
Fuji Five Lakes
Lake Kawaguchiko
Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine (Chureito Pagoda)
Panoramic Ropeway (?)
Day 5: Nagoya
Kawaguchiko -> Nagoya
What should I do in Nagoya? I was thinking that it could be a relaxed day to just walk around and chill, what do you think?
Day 6: Nara
Day Trip to Nara!
Nara park (to see deer + take LOTS of pictures haha)
Walk to Isuien Gardens
Nandaimon Gate (?) – from there walk to Todaiji Temple
Once finished, go to either Horyuji Temple or Naramachi
Day 7: Osaka
Nara -> Osaka
Shinsekai/Tenma (which is better?)
Recommendations for middle of the day?
Explore Minami at sunset + night
Day 8: Osaka
What should I do on this day?
Day 9: Kyoto
Osaka -> Kyoto
Otagi Temple + lunch at a restaurant?
Daigoji Temple
What else?
Day 10: Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine (arrive before sunrise – hike through Torii gates all the way to the top) (I’ve heard you can buy a miniature Torii gate and even little fortune foxes, where in Fushimi Inari can you get these?)
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Gion District
Day 11: Kyoto
Traditional Tea Ceremony (which ones would you recommend? Hopefully/preferably one where you dress in a kimono? If not, that isn’t a problem)
Uji
Nishiki Market, then explore Poncho Alley (have dinner there?)
Day 12: Kanazawa
Kyoto -> Kanazawa
Start out by going to Kenrokuen Gardens (as early as possible)
Nagamachi – Samurai District
Nishi Chaya District (Geisha District)
Day 13: Kanazawa
Omicho Market (how different is Omicho market from Nishiki Market (in Kyoto)? Is it still okay to go to Omicho?)
Maybe add something else? Something small?
Get ready to go to Nagano
Kanazawa -> Nagano
Chill and get settled into accommodation for the night
Day 14: Nagano
Jigokudani Monkey Park + Onsens (only if snowing)
Narai-juku
(I know I’m hard pressed for time with Narai-juku and Jigokudani, so what should I do? Maybe I could stay the night (on Day 13) in Narai, then visit Jigokudani during the next day (Day 14), returning to Nagano to stay the night? – WHAT SHOULD I DO?)
Day 15: Ueno/Matsumoto
Slowly making way back to Tokyo
Which one should I choose? What should I do there?
Day 16: Back to Tokyo
Explore Takasaki (Or somewhere else? What do you recommend?) for a few hours, then head back to Tokyo to get there by the late afternoon.
Day 17-20: Tokyo
FREE TIME to do anything, explore, shop, visit restaurants I want to tick off, etc.
Leave JAPAN 🙁
EXTRA QUESTIONS:
I have an open day in my itinerary (as it is 21 days and I have 20 so far haha). WHERE SHOULD I GO?
I was thinking that Fukuoka is a good choice, but what would you recommend?
What do you recommend in terms of accommodation? I’m hoping to save some money in terms of my accommodation, so what which money-saving alternatives/choices/options would you recommend to me?
EDIT: I’m sorry for the bad formatting, I’m typing this out on mobile haha.
Thank you in advance for your help 🙂
I cannot wait for my trip to Japan!
~Sayonara
2 comments
Consider buying regional JR passes or use local airlines that offer tourists prices if you have a non-Japanese passport.
Honestly, maybe skip the monkey park in Nagano? It seems really out of the way of the other things you want to see. I guess it depends on what you really want to see, though. If you go to the monkey park, you could check out Shibu Onsen and cut Narai-juku, which is a 4 hour train ride away. You could also check out instead Obuse or something that is closer to the monkey park.
If you skipped the monkey park, you could just go to Matsumoto and then catch the train to Narai-juku much easier (hour train ride).