**UPDATED EDIT:** So far it seems the biggest suggestion is to remove Beppu from the itinerary. There was the suggestion to replace it with Nagano. I looked into it and not sure I’m that interested based on travel time, cost, and the adjustment of schedule.
I did see the Noto Peninsula and was interested in that area but the transport time from there to Hiroshima is too much even for me.
Since we’re definitely going to Hiroshima, can anyone suggest an area on Kyusha island that might be better than Beppu? The only other option I would probably consider is just to stay in Kanazawa for an additional night and remove Beppu. Also, I’m wondering why Beppu seems to be undesirable here. We figured Beppu and the ferry would just be something different.
Also, regarding some comments about not being able to see much. My opinion, is that I’m not going to be able to see a lot on a short trip anyway unless we stay in just 1 or 2 areas like the usual itineraries but we are not interested in doing that. We are ok with not seeing everything b/c it’s just not possible.
I guess what I’m really looking for feedback on the actual itinerary of sights to see and how my days are spent at each area listed.
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**ORIGINAL POST:**
Looking for input on the itinerary below. I think I included all of the important info. I tried my best to research sights to add to the itinerary. Honestly I have no idea if this is aggressive or not. I feel like some days are crazy and some days a bit slower. I’m hoping that these days will balance each other out.
The flights & accommodations have been booked except our ferry trip (books 3 mths out) and our last 3 nights in Tokyo.
**DATES OF TRIP:** 11/09 – 11/24
**DURATION:** 14 full days
**WHO’S GOING:** 2 women in their mid-40s in decent shape / both first timers
**LOCATIONS:** 2 nights in Tokyo, 2 nights in Kanazawa, 2 nights in Hiroshima, 1 night in Beppu, 1 overnight on ferry from Beppu to Osaka, 4 nights in Kyoto, and last 3 nights in Tokyo.
**PURPOSE OF VISIT:** experience and enjoy the culture and beautiful scenery of Japan. Buy as many Japanese souvenirs as possible 😃
**ITINERARY:**
* **DAY 0 THU – 11/09 (Travel day / Tokyo):** \* arrive in Narita around 15:00 \* Goal is to only have carry-ons and personal items to avoid having to collect checked bags. (We are bringing a duffle bag to fill with all of our purchases for the flight home.)
* Hoping to be at hotel by 18:00 if all goes well & no checked bags
* Check in & wash up
* Staying in Kubikicho so figured we could grab some dinner real quick then off to sleep
* flying from NY so we’ll be exhausted
* Night 1 in Tokyo
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* **DAY 1 FRI – 11/10 (Tokyo):**
* Will probably still be jet lagged
* Meji Jingu Shrine
* Once dark head to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to see night view or maybe a yakatabune dinner cruise
* Night 2 in Tokyo
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* **DAY 2 SAT – 11/11 (Travel day / Kanazawa) :**
* Tokyo hotel ➡️ Kanazawa \~ 3-3.5 hours via 2 trains
* Drop luggage at hotel or in train station locker
* sightsee & dinner around Kanazawa
* Night 1 in Kanazawa
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* **DAY 3 SUN – 11/12: (Shirakawago / Kanazawa)**
* \- Still unsure about Shirakawago. I’m wondering if more time would be better spent in Kanazawa but also I’m having a hard time letting go of this site.
* Kanazawa ➡️ Shirakawgo \~ 2 hrs via 1 bus
* Spend about 3 hours to have lunch and walk around the Shirakawago straw farm houses village
* Should be back in Kanazawa by 17:00 to have dinner and see anything else we can during the night
* Night 2 in Kanazawa
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* **DAY 4 MON – 11/13 (Travel day / Hiroshima):**
* Kanazawa ➡️ Hiroshima \~ 4 hrs via 2 trains
* Maybe spend morning to early afternoon in Kanazawa
* leave for Hiroshima around 14:00
* See Atomic Bomb Dome at night.
* Maybe okonomiyaki for dinner
* Night 1 in Hiroshima
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* **DAY 5 TUE – 11/14 (Hiroshima):**
* Peace museum, Shukkein Gardan, Korean memorial, Miyajima
* Night 2 in Hiroshima
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* **DAY 6 WED – 11/15 (Travel day / Beppu):**
* Probably leave in the morning if we were able to see all of the above
* Hiroshima ➡️ Beppu \~ 3 hrs via 2 trains and bus
* Will consider a luggage transfer
* if arrive in Beppu by 12:00
* leave bags at station or hotel and have lunch
* Takasakiyama Monkey Park
* Hyotan Onsen
* if arrive in Beppu later around 15:00
* Settle in at hotel then go to Hyotan Onsen
* Night 1 in Beppu
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* **DAY 7 THU – 11/16 (Beppu):**
* Based on previous day if arriving at 12:00
* Yufuin
* Beppu Ropeway
* If there’s time, maybe go see a couple of jigoku
* Based on previous day if arriving at 15:00
* Takasakiyama Monkey Park
* Beppu Ropeway
* If there’s time for Yufuin (not sure what time the shops and restaurants close)
* 17:45 start boarding ferry ➡️ Osaka (luggage will be shipped to Kyoto hotel)
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* **DAY 8 FRI – 11/17 (Osaka / Himeji Castle / Kyoto):**
* 06:35 ferry arrives into Osaka
* Himeji Castle
* Night 1 in Kyoto
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* **DAY 9 SAT – 11/18 (Kyoto):**
* Bike around to temples & shrine. If only biking one way would \~ 5km
* Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavillion)
* Okazaki-Jinja Shrine
* Shoren-inTemple
* Chion-in Temple
* Kiyomizu-dera Temple
* Night 2 in Kyoto
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* **DAY 10 SUN – 11/19 (Kyoto):**
* If we get there early enough before 07:00 then go through bamboo grove first. If arrive at 08:30 or later then do this after Tenryuji Temple
* Tenryuiji Temple
* walk through gardens and see the cloud dragon painting on the ceiling for Hatto (Dharma Hall)
* Okochi Sanso Gardens & Tea Room
* Jojakkoji Temple
* Gioji Temple
* Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
* Nagatsujidoori street for shopping & dining
* Togetsukyo Bridge
* Night 3 in Kyoto
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* **DAY 11 MON – 11/20 (Kyoto):**
* 06:30 Fushimi Inari
* Osaka National Bunrako Theatre / National Theatre to see a bunraku puppet show
* Dontonbori in the evening
* Night 4 in Kyoto
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* **DAY 12 TUE – 11/21 (Travel day / Tokyo):**
* Kyoto ➡️ Tokyo \~ via 2 trains
* Gotokuji Temple
* Shimokitazawa for shopping
* Night 1 in Tokyo
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* **DAY 13 WED – 11/22 (Tokyo):**
* Tsukuji Market
* Fukagawa Edo Museum
* Kappabachi
* Seno-ji
* Kanda Myojin Shrine
* Night 2 in Tokyo
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* **DAY 14 THUR – 11/23 (Tokyo):**
* Open day for whatever… ***Suggestions welcome***
* Night time yakatabune dinner cruise if we didn’t get to go in the beginning of our trip.
* LAST NIGHT IN JAPAN!!!
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* **DAY 15 FRI – 11/24:**
* 17:00 Fly out
6 comments
Beppu seems odd in this. Is there a specific reason to go to Beppu that you can’t do elsewhere and closer to other stops in Japan? It’s a lot of travel for monkey park and onsen.
This is a lot of traveling around from place to place and not a ton of time to see the sites in your main travel areas! Himeji is cool, but I’d say you would be fine without it and hang out in Osaka or have more time in Kyoto. Also, why are you taking two trains from Kyoto to Tokyo?
You are really going to miss out on Osaka.
How about for your last day in Japan getting tickets to see TeamLab Planets?
Forget about carrying everything on. You might save twenty minutes. Customs at Narita can take forever. You’re going for two weeks and you’re taking extra effort to save time at the least rewarding time in the trip.
The top draw in Kanazawa is Kenroku-en and it’s an absolute must. Best Japanese garden I’ve been to. Also make time for the castle ruins.
Hiroshima is relatively small and quiet imo. Wandered around at night myself and very little was open and there’s no reason to seek out the Bomb Dome at night. Especially since you’ll be back the very next day. Get there at a sensible time instead.
If you’re going to Hiroshima, Himeji is enroute and can be visited in a few hours. Stop over there or back, put your luggage in a locker.
Dontonbori is in Osaka not Kyoto. You can visit Osaka from Kyoto no problem, but the main appeal to Osaka is wandering and eating and I’d rather give it a full day.
Haven’t been to Gotokuji Temple. But I don’t quite get the idea of being in one of the most incredible cities in the world and then spending a good chunk of time to see a little cat shrine. Tokyo has so much better things to offer. Shinjuku, Shibuya, the Imperial Palace, Ginza, Shimbashi, Yanaka, Euno Park, the national museum.
funny we have same start date but doing everything in the opposite direction minus a few places.