Hi there. We’re super excited to finally get to go to Japan. It will be our (husband and myself) first trip. We’re retired so not youngsters but are pretty fit but not big adventurers. We like to have a little more time to discover things and not be going from dawn to dusk every day. So we’re planning a week in Tokyo, 2 nights in Hakone, a week in Kyoto, 5 nights in Osaka/Kobe, 2 nights in Koyasan, 2 nights in Hiroshima and 4 nights in Fukuoka. We’d like to see the highlights and find some gems that are off the beaten path, without being too difficult to get to. Thanks kind Reddit folks!
Here’s what I’ve planned so far by day.
\- I’d particularly love comments on if my plans seem reasonable or if days should be broken up bc of logistics.
\- I’d also love any suggestions on nearby places off the beaten path that we shouldn’t miss. We have room in this itinerary to add a new place if it’s truly special. I’ve done a lot of global travel but never been to Japan so I feel like this trip is to see the biggest hits and see if we can discover a few gems. We’re hoping a month gives us time to do both.
\- Do you see any red flags with the itinerary? If you hate the hotel I’ve picked, pls let me know why.
\- I’m super excited about the food in Japan and you’ll note I’ve planned to visit a lot of them. If you have suggestions for places that aren’t too touristy but you loved your meal, please let me know. I’ll be flying blind. Any gluten free suggestions are particularly helpful. We eat early so hopefully can avoid the crowds.
\- I’d love to ebike part of the Kurushima Kaiko route. My husband would not enjoy this so it would be solo so I just want to take the better part of a day and do part of it and then train or ferry back to Onomichi. Does anyone know if there is a train or ferry that leaves later in the day from the Innoshima or Ikuchi island that returns to the mainland so I can ride back to Onomichi? And are bikes allowed on trains or ferries?
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Tokyo. Arrive 3 pm. Go to Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marounichi
1 Tokyo Tower / VR Ctr / Shinjuku Gyoen Ntl Garden / Shibuya Ctr & sky at night / Shinjuku Yokojo
2 Senso-Ji / Kabuchiko
3 Mishima sky walk in Yokohama
4 Unclear if Teamlabs is open in Tokyo but if it is, we’ll probably visit
5
6
7
Eat Sushi Yajima (res-req)
Omoide Yokocho area
Obei sushi- heard this was good local sushi. Any thoughts on this?
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Hakone at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu
1 Coffee at Timuny / Open Air Museum / Owakudani
2 Lake Ashi
3
Food suggestions in Hakone? I am gluten free and eat at odd hours so didn’t want to buy the preset dinner but am open if it’s excellent where we’re staying.
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Kyoto at Hotel Granvia Kyoto
1 Kiyomizu-dera / Kiyumizuzaka / Ninenzaka / Sanneizaka / Hanamikoji
2 Fushimi Inari Taisha / Nishiki Mkt
3 Arashiyama / Tenruji Temple / Romantic Train / Hozugawa River Boat
4 Kinkakuji Temple / Kurama to Kibune hike / Pontocho to eat
5 Yasaka Shrine / Nazenji Temple
6 Eikando Temple
Eat Matsusaka Bamboo Higashiyama Sanjo
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Osaka/Kobe stay at Tokyo Stay Osaka Hommachi
1 Osaka Castle / Dotonburi
2 Shinsekai / Teamlab Osaka
3 Himeji Castle / Kobe Chinatown
4
5
Eat Mouriya Honten (res-req)
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2 nights at the Koyasan at Koyasan Shukubu Ryusein. I don’t have anything planned here bc I figure it will just be hanging out at the onsen and walking the grounds.
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Hiroshima stay at Hotel Granvia Hiroshima
1 Site loop bus / Rabbit Island / Onomichi
2 Atomic bomb dome / Peace Museum / Shukkien Garden / Itsukushima
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Fukuoka stay at Miyako Hotel Hakata. We booked Fukuoka for an off the beaten path experience but if you have a better city/area, please suggest.
1 Bike tour
2 Nokonoshima Island / Ohorikoen / Tenjin to eat
3 Asian Art Museum / Tsukasa to eat
4
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Fly out of Osaka at 6 pm
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