Hi All,
I am going to be going on my first solo trip Japan and would appreciate some feedback and/or advice!
I am planning on having a mostly slow and relaxed trip, which is why I have quite a bit of just exploring around areas. The things I have listed for each day is more of just what I want to do so if I don’t have time or it’s unrealistic to stop at all of them it’s fine.
Along with this I am a little confused about how the Rail Passes, Suica cards, and Pocket Wifi/E-sim works after hearing that there are some changes to these, specifically Rail Passes and Suica cards and would appreciate some help with that.
Thanks!
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* Nov 5 – Tokyo
* Land in Tokyo \~3pm
* Head to Ueno and check into hotel
* Relax and adjust
* Nov 6 – Tokyo
* Visit shrines in Asakusa
* Check out the shopping street
* Relax in Ueno Park, maybe go to a museum
* Nov 7 – Tokyo/Nikko
* Day trip to Nikko
* Nov 8 – Yamanouchi
* Go to Yamanouchi
* Visit a brewery
* Relax
* Nov 9 – Yamanouchi
* Jigokudani Monkey Park
* Brewery
* Visit the onsens
* Nov 10 – Takayama
* Go to Takayama
* Stop by Okuhida on the way and explore
* Explore Takayama
* Nov 11 – Takayama
* Visit the morning market
* Visit Hida Furukawa during the day
* Nov 12 – Kanazawa
* Head to Kanazawa
* Stop by Shirakawa-Go on the way
* Explore in the evening
* Nov 13 – Kanazawa
* Kenrokuen
* Seisonkau Villa
* Higashi Chaya District
* Kanazawa Castle (Maybe)
* Nov 14 – Kanazawa
* Naga-Machi
* Visit museums
* Visit a shrine or two
* Nov 15 – Miyajima
* Head to Miyajima
* Relax and explore
* Nov 16 – Kyoto
* Go to Mazda museum in the morning
* Head to Kyoto
* Explore Kyoto
* Nov 17 – Kyoto
* Osaka day trip
* Tenma
* Aquarium
* Art Museum
* Nov 18 – Kyoto
* Fushimi Inari Shrine
* Kinkakuji
* Shugakuia Villa
* Nov 19 – Kyoto
* Arashiyama
* Kokedera
* Monkey Park Iwatayama
* Nov 20 – Nagoya
* Head to Nagoya
* Relax
* Nov 21 – Hakone
* Go to Toyota Museum
* Travel to Hakone
* Explore
* Nov 22 – Tokyo
* Slow morning in Hakone
* Head to Tokyo
* Around Shibuya
* Explore
* Nov 23 – Tokyo
* Imperial Palace
* Visit more museums
* Hangout in a park
* Nov 24 – Tokyo
* Walk around Shibuya/Shopping areas
* Prepare to go home
* Nov 25 – Home
* Leave Japan
2 comments
>Rail Passes, Suica cards, and Pocket Wifi/E-sim
JR pass is going up in price in October, so you need to do some math on whether the pass or just buying tickets individually makes more sense.
What’s changed with the Suica cards? I don’t think anything has. You just need to get one of the cards (Suica or Pasmo) when you arrive and it will work for a big chunk of your subway requirement and its also useful in other ways (vending machines, admissions at some attractions).
I got a Pasmo card in the spring and it worked all over the place (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc).
Pocket wifi vs. e-sim is personal preference. Wi-fi lets you attach more devices, but you need to carry it around and make sure it’s charged. E-sim is more convenient. I got a Sim card at a Bic camera when I got to Tokyo and that saved me from carrying the pocket device everywhere.
I think your plan is totally fine. Leaves lots of space for exploration, etc. I would take a day from Kanazawa and visit Hiroshima since you’re going to Miyajima. I would also recommend looking at Koyosan, love that place.
You need to book Kokedera way in advance and I believe it’s a little tricky. Take care of this sooner than later because we planned way ahead and still couldn’t get in.
Check [this thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/15ebhwb/issuing_of_personalized_suica_and_pasmo_cards_is/) about the suspension of sales of Suica and Pasmo cards.