Hi all! Planning a 17 days trip, our second trip (my third) to Japan.
Some background:
* On our first trip we’ve been to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Hakone.
* I’ve also traveled with a friend before and had been to Takayama, Nikko, Osaka, Nara and Yokohama.
* I’ve been so lost on planning this trip since originally I thought this would be the one to visit the north (Hokkaido) or the south (Fukuoka) but since the timing is just right for fall we changed plans…
* We’re foodie travelers, so any food recommendations in any of the smaller city destinations (and Osaka) are highly appreciated
Started to put together a tentative itinerary for our upcoming trip and would love to get feedback on what may not work/not realistic/doesn’t make sense. we’re trying to enjoy the fall colors as much as possible and see some new places. However, since it’s tourist season, I want to start booking hotels asap, and we can’t wait for accurate forecast to come out… so trying to travel around to hopefully catch as much of it as we can.
**Day 1, 11/8: Tokyo**
Land 3:30 pm
train to Tokyo
check into hotel (hopefully in Shinjuku area)
Shinjuku for ramen dinner
**Day 2, 11/9: Tokyo**
Hanging in Tokyo for the day
Ueno park,
Ginza,
Akihabara
**Day 3, 11/10: Nikko**
Hopefully still jet lagged, we’ll take advantage of it to wake up early for a day trip to Nikko to see the fall colors
Shinkyo BridgeRinno-ji Temple and/or Treasure House
Toshogu Shrine
Maybe Kegon Falls if we can make it
**Day 4, 11/11: Tokyo**
Hanging in Tokyo for the day
ikebukiro
Rikugien gardens
Nippori
**Day 5, 11/12: Toyama**
Activating 7 days JR pass at Tokyo station
Taking the Shinkansen to Toyama
Checking into hotel
Kurobe Gorge (if relevant, would have to check on leaves situation.. husband does not like onsen so planning on a short, half day thing) If not – hanging around Toyama, Kittokito Market or Himi Banyagai Harbor Market for fresh seafood
**Day 6, 11/13: Toyama – Shirakawa-go – Osaka**
Taking the train + bus to Shirakawa-go
Spend the day in Shirakawa-go till last bus leaves
Bus + Train to Osaka, check into hotel
Namba for dinner
**Day 7, 11/14: Osaka**
Chill day in Osaka
Osaka castle
Namba
Shinsekai
All the food I can possibly eat
**Day 8, 11/15: Osaka**
Trains to Minō Park + falls,momiji festival
Back to Osaka for evening stroll and more food
**Day 9, 11/16: Osaka – Koya san – Osaka**
1 day Koya san trip (we do not plan on temple stay, it’s not really our thing…)
Okuno-in Cemetery & Temple
Kobo Daishi
Kongobuji
Back to Osaka for evening stroll and more food
**Day 10, 11/17: Osaka – Fuji**
Taking the trains/Shinkansen from Osaka to Fuji,
Bus to the five lakes area
Check into hotel
hang in Lake Kawaguchi area, Ropeway, Sengen Park
**Day 11, 11/18: Fuji – Tokyo**
Oishi park,Nagasaki park,
Chureito Pagoda
Make the way back to Tokyo, check into hotel
**Days 12, 11/19: Tokyo**
ikebukiro
Rikugien gardens
**Days 13, 11/20: Tokyo**
Tokyo Ramen Festa 2023
Explore Meguro,
Evening in Roppongi
**Days 14, 11/21: Tokyo**
shinjuku gardens
Meiji Jingu Gaien
Maybe check out the Hanazono Shrine Antique Market
**Days 15, 11/22: Tokyo**
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens,
Tokyo Dome area,Imperial Palace
**Days 16, 11/23: Tokyo**
Harajuku,
Yoyogi park,
Shibuya
**Days 17, 11/24: Tokyo**
Last day, flight leaves at 4:30 pm so breakfast, park and packing.
I have yet to finalize plans in any of those places… Especially in Tokyo we plan to pick an area and wonder around…
Any thoughts/tips are welcome!
4 comments
**Just a reminder that our FAQ is being updated with more information and you can start** [**here**](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/faqs/japantravel) **with regards to trip planning if you need tips, or have questions about planning your travel to Japan.** You can also join our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/3f7KBUMwU4)
Thank you!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/JapanTravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Kurobe Gorge is a pretty long day trip from Toyama City – especially if you’re only arriving in Toyama that morning. Toyama to Unazukionsen is about an hour already, plus another hour on the Kurobe Gorge railway to Keyaki-daira. Himi is over an hour away too, and Kitokito market isn’t that easy to get to on public transport either. If you’re okay with travelling for them then ignore me, but just thought I’d warn you before you spend 5+ hours of the day on public transport! It’s a nice city but as someone who lived there for years I don’t think there’s too much to do for a tourist – great for food though.
I’d recommend the Kurehayama Observation Deck though, you can walk to the top of the hill and get a nice view of the whole city – if the autumn leaves are out it’ll be very pretty too. There’s a load of stone buddha statues around there and some little museums at the bottom too.
For food:
Sushi Masa – small counter sushi place, might need to make a reservation but not too expensive and serves a lot of local specialities
Kitokito Sushi – local conveyer belt sushi chain, pretty good quality and there’s a location in the station
Gingyo – small izakaya with really good food, have a few locations but might need to make a reservation if it’s a weekend
If you want any other food/drink/general recommendations then feel free to message me because I’ve got lots!
I think a few hours at Shirakawa-go are plenty.
In Toyama, we had a great meal at the izakaya Chabuyu after we couldn’t get into Daito. Sushi-Ei is a great old school sushi shop.
Most likely Kurobe Gorge will be past peak fall colors by the time you go, Koyasan will definitely be past peak.
Shirakawago (also past peak foliage wise) is entirely touristified and very small, only requires a couple of hours unless you go into every single shop and house.
Are you uninterested in Kyoto? It’s a really different vibe with fall colors.