Hi everyone, my husband and I will be traveling to Japan from Korea in late October. This will be our second time in Japan (we’ve been to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara previously). Our basic goals are to eat well, see the autumn colors, and explore the Kanazawa/Takayama area and the Nakasendo trail. I’d appreciate any tips or feedback on the outline of the itinerary and whether it’s feasible or efficient. Ideally we’d like to strike a balance between seeing/experiencing a lot while minimizing our time moving from place to place.
Day 1 Arrive in Tokyo
Day 2 – Fuji Excursion
* 08:30 – 10:25 Fuji Excursion train from Tokyo → Kawaguchiko
* 10:30 – 14:30 Mt. Fuji
* Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival
* Momiji Corridor
* Momiji Tunnel
* Panorama Ropeway
* 15:03 – 16:58 Fuji Excursion train from Kawaguchiko → Tokyo
* Sleep in Tokyo
Day 3 – Kanazawa
* 10:24 – 12:52 Train from Tokyo → Kanazawa
* 13:00 Kanazawa
* Higashichaya
* Nagamachi
* Myoryuji
* Sleep in Kanazawa
Day 4 – Takayama
* 07:30 Kenroku-en
* 09:40 – 11:05 Bus from Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go
* 11:05 – 13:15 Shirakawa-go
* 13:15 – 14:05 Bus from Shirakawa-go → Takayama
* 14:05 Takayama
* Old Town
* Sake tasting
* Sample Hida-gyu nigiri
* Sleep in Takayama
Day 5 – Nagoya
* 09:00 Takayama
* Morning market
* Hie Shrine
* 14:44 – 17:04 Train from Takayama → Nagoya
* Sleep in Nagoya
Day 6 – Magome-juku + Tsumago-juku
* 08:00 – 09:38 Train/bus from Nagoya → Magome-juku
* 09:40 – 13:00 Nakasendo trail to Tsumago-juku
* 13:00 Lunch in Tsumago-juku
* 15:24 – 17:07 Bus/train from Tsumago-juku → Nagoya
* Sleep in Nagoya
Day 7 – Back to Korea
* 14:00 Depart NGO
2 comments
Seems like a real swing-through type itinerary – not really spending any time to actually take in places. The most glaring one is Kanazawa – while it’s not a huge city or anything, I don’t think the few hours you’ll have after getting there in the afternoon, storing luggage, and general orienting in a new place are going to give you a good experience of it.
The Kanazawa and Takayama portion is pretty rushed. Kanazawa deserves a day and a half, maybe a day if you are rushed. Shirakawago in 2 hours – not sure if it’s worth it as you will just be rushing through town.