Going to Japan with my sister (24F) and parents (early 60s) early October. They’re adventurous decently active but I want to make sure I’m not overdoing and rushing the trip too much. Most of my goals have been to integrate all their favorite things (small, scenic towns; cool architecture, adventures; food and drinking) since this will their first time in Japan (and my second time).
**DAY 0**
Commute to Kadoya (50 mins)
Gyoen Garden
Golden Gai
Kabukicho – Godzilla statue
Hanazono Shrine
**DAY 1**
Jimbocho
Imperial Gardens
Ootoya
Ueno: Tokyo National Museum
Dinner, then Shibuya Crossing Taishushusen Terumae – nomihoudai $4 1hr
Karaoke?
**Day 2-4**
SHIBUYA/Harajuku + Meiji Shrine
GINZA
Café de l’Ambre – kissaten
Kabuki-za
Tsukiji Outer market
Monja Street
Team labs
High end shopping district
ASAKUSA
Tokyo National Museum
senso ji
kappabashi st nearby (knives)
imo pippi – sweet potato angel hair
Hoppy Dori street
**Hakone – 1 (arrive morning) (5-6th)**
Be at inn by 5pm, ready to chillax, onsen, etc
Hakone Circuit (6-8 hours)
Open air museum
Tori
Cable car and ship
**Kyoto – 3 (6-9th)**
Kaiseki
nishiki market
Fushimi Inari shrine
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Kinkajou temple
Arashiyama bamboo
Cruise hozugawa river?
yebisu bar – matcha beer
**Hiroshima – 2 (9-11)**
Arrive: Okonomiyaki at station, then go to hotel SUNDAY peace room
Peace museum
Hiroshima castle
Dad’s bday! Miyajima island (45 minute ferry)
ROUTE FROM HIROSHIMA TO OSAKA early on 11th if we wanna go on side trips
Hejimi 30 min walk either way off route
Kobe (beef, carpentry museum – Takenaka)
**Osaka – 2 (11-13)**
Osaka cocktail library akashic records
Osaka castle
Shinsekai
dotonbori
kuromon
round1
Nara (30 min by bus) – Buddha and deer park, Horyuji temple -wood
COMMUTE: 3 hours by JR to Kanazawa, get there afternoon/evening
**Kanazawa – 2 (13-15)**
Kanazawa night tour + dinner $100pp
Kanazawa castle – wood
Kenrokuen garden
DAY TRIP
SHIRAKAWA town (1 hr 45 mins each way)
COMMUTE: 3hr mins back to Tokyo by bus and JR, arrive late evening
**Tokyo 1 (15-16th)**
Any leftover activities – flight at 5pm
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I worry Kanazawa is one place too many, but my sister wants to see a small town and Shirakawa seemed like a great choice. Is this pace too much? We’ll be taking the JR
1 comment
I think the pace is generally okay for younger people / fast travelers. I would be concerned about your parents becoming tired or burned out as there is a lot of walking and moving around.
You are going to too many castles (Osaka, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Himeji), one is enough.
Shirakawago is completely touristified and only takes a couple of hours to see, but it is on the UNESCO list so worth going to tick a box.
Osaka-Nara is best by train, not by bus.