I will be visiting Japan soon with my brother. We will be staying just under 90 days, with 1-month rentals in Osaka and Tokyo surrounded by a few weeks in hotels. We need to stay for at least 30 days in Osaka/Tokyo in order to receive a significant discount. I am a photographer and hope to capture beautiful architecture, landscapes, and wildlife during my stay. I am hoping to capture both fall foliage and winter landscapes. Let me know what suggestions you guys have, and if you have any tips for good photo locations.
I tried to leave enough room in each day to be semi-flexible with activities. I don’t plan to follow this down to the minute, just as a guideline.
**Japan Itinerary:**
Asterisk (*) = Accommodations have been booked.
| Date | Location | Days | Temp |
|——|———-|——|——|
| Oct. 16 | OKC>Tokyo* | 1 | |
| Oct. 17 | Tokyo | 1 | 68° / 54° |
| Oct. 18-19 | Nikko | 2 | 65° / 51° |
| Oct. 20-22 | Fujiyoshida | 3 | 63° / 50° |
| Oct. 23-24 | Kanazawa* | 2 | 68° / 54° |
| Oct. 25-26 | Hiroshima* | 2 | 73° / 59° |
| Oct. 27-29 | Nagasaki | 3 | 74° / 60° |
| Oct. 30-Nov. 30 | Osaka* | 31 | 67° / 51° |
| Dec. 1-Jan. 2 | Tokyo* | 32 | 52° / 37° |
| Jan. 3-Jan. 4 | Obanazawa | 2 | 35° / 23° |
| Jan. 5-Jan. 9 | Hokkaido | 5 | 31° / 19° |
| Jan. 10-Jan. 13 | Nagano | 4 | 39° / 24° |
| Jan. 14 | Tokyo>OKC* | 1 | |
**Japan Itinerary**
—
**Oct. 16-17:** Oklahoma City to Minneapolis to Tokyo
*Flight:* Oklahoma City (Will Rogers) > Minneapolis (St. Paul) – (7:15 AM – 9:25 AM)
*Flight:* Minneapolis (St. Paul) > Tokyo (Haneda) – (10:55 AM – 2:15 PM)
– Buffer day to adjust to jet lag
—
**Oct. 18-19:** Nikko
*Train:* Tokyo Station > Nikko Station – 4 hours (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
**Day 1 (Oct. 18):** Explore Nikko
– **Toshogu Shrine** (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM)
– **Futarasan Shrine** (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
– **Shinkyo Bridge** (5:30 PM – 6:30 PM)
**Day 2 (Oct. 19):** Lake Chuzenji
– **Bus:** Nikko Station > Lake Chuzenji – 40 minutes (11:20 AM – 12:00 PM)
– **Lake Chuzenji & Kegon Waterfall** (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
– **Bus:** Lake Chuzenji > Nikko Station – 40 minutes (4:20 PM – 5:00 PM)
—
**Oct. 20-22:** Fujiyoshida
*Train:* Nikko Station > Fujiyoshida Station – 5 hours (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
**Day 1 (Oct. 20):** Explore Fujiyoshida
– **Arakurayama Sengen Park** (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
– **Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine** (5:30 PM – 7:00 PM)
**Day 2 (Oct. 21):** Day trip to Aokigahara
– **Bus:** Fujiyoshida Station > Aokigahara – 30 minutes (9:30 AM – 10:00 AM)
– **Narusawa Ice Caves** (10:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
– **Aokigahara Forest** (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
– **Bus:** Aokigahara > Fujiyoshida Station – 30 minutes (3:30 PM – 4:00 PM)
**Day 3 (Oct. 22):** Fuji Lake and Train
– **Lake Kawaguchi** (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
*Train:* Fujiyoshida Station > Kanazawa Station – 5 hours (2:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
—
**Oct. 23-24:** Kanazawa
**Day 1 (Oct. 23):** Explore Kanazawa
– **Kenroku-en Garden** (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
– **Kanazawa Castle** (12:30 PM – 2:30 PM)
– **Evening at Asano and Sai Rivers** (7:30 PM – 9:30 PM)
**Day 2 (Oct. 24):** Geisha District and Local Neighborhoods
– **Kanazawa’s Samurai District (Nagamachi)** (10:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
– **Higashi Chaya District** (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)
– **Omicho Market** (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM)
*Train:* Kanazawa Station > Hiroshima Station – 5 hours (4:30 PM – 9:30 PM)
—
**Oct. 25-26:** Hiroshima
**Day 1 (Oct. 25):** Explore Hiroshima
– **Peace Memorial Park and Museum** (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
– **Hiroshima Castle** (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
– **Shukkeien Garden** (3:30 PM – 5:00 PM)
*Ferry:* Hiroshima Port > Miyajima Ferry Terminal – 20 minutes (5:30 PM – 5:50 PM)
**Day 2 (Oct. 26):** Stay on Miyajima Island
– **Itsukushima Shrine “floating” torii gate** (9:00 AM – 10:30 AM)
– **Mount Misen – See monkeys** (11:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
– **Momijidani Park – See deer** (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM)
– **Omotesando Shopping Street** (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
—
**Oct. 27-29:** Nagasaki
*Ferry:* Miyajima Ferry Terminal > Hiroshima Port – 20 minutes (9:00 AM – 9:20 AM)
*Train:* Hiroshima Station > Nagasaki Station – 4 hours (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
**Day 1 (Oct. 27):** Nagasaki City
– **Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum** (2:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
– **Nagasaki Harbor** (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
**Day 2 (Oct. 28):** Islands
– **Gunkanjima Island** (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
– **Dejima Island** (11:30 AM – 1:00 PM)
– **Meganebashi Bridge** (2:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
**Day 3 (Oct. 29):** Nature and Temples
– **Suwa Shrine** (10:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
– **Kofukuji Temple** (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)
– **Sunset view from Mt. Inasa** (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
—
**Oct. 30-Nov. 30: Osaka**
**Osaka:**
– **Super Nintendo World**
– **Universal Studios Japan**
– **Osaka Castle**
– **Dotonbori**
– **Shitennoji Temple**
– **Sumiyoshi Taisha**
– **Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku**
**Day Trips from Osaka:**
**Day Trip 1: Kyoto (Higashiyama)**
– **Kiyomizu-dera Temple**
– **Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka Streets**
– **Yasaka Shrine & Maruyama Park**
– **Gion District**
**Day Trip 2: Kyoto (Northern Kyoto)**
– **Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)**
– **Ryoanji Temple**
– **Arashiyama Bamboo Grove**
**Day Trip 3: Kyoto (Southern Kyoto)**
– **Fushimi Inari Shrine**
– **Tofukuji Temple**
– **Daigo-ji Temple**
**Optional Day Trips from Osaka:**
**Kiyomizu Temple Night Viewing:** November 18 – November 30, 2023
– Day trips to **Nara**
– Day trips to **Kobe**
– Day trip to **Koyasan**
– Day trip to **Uji**
– Day trip to **Himeji**
—
**Dec. 1-Jan. 2: Tokyo**
**Tokyo:**
**Chiyoda:**
– **Imperial Palace**
– **Akihabara**
**Shinjuku:**
– **Kabukichō**
– **Shinjuku Gyoen Park**
**Shibuya:**
– **Shibuya Crossing**
– **Meiji Shrine**
– **Yoyogi Park**
**Taitō:**
– **Asakusa**
– **Sensoji Temple**
– **Asakusa Hanayashiki**
**Koto:**
– **Odaiba**
**Optional Day Trips from Tokyo:**
– Day trips to **Yokohama**
– Day trip to **Narita**
– Day trip to **Kamakura**
– Day trip to **Hakone**
– Day trip to **Mt. Takao**
– Day trip to **Saitama**
—
**Jan. 3-Jan. 4: Obanazawa**
*Train:* **Tokyo Station** > **Oishida Station** – 3 hours (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
*Bus:* **Oishida Station** > **Ginzan Onsen** – 40 minutes (12:30 PM – 1:10 PM)
**Day 1 (Jan. 3):** Arrival & Explore Ginzan Onsen
– **Ginzan Onsen** (2:00 PM onwards)
**Day 2 (Jan. 4):** Waterfalls
– **Explore Obanazawa** (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
– **Trek to nearby waterfalls** (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
—
**Jan. 5-Jan. 9: Hokkaido**
**Day 1 (Jan. 5):** Overnight stay in Noboribetsu
*Bus:* **Ginzan Onsen** > **Oishida Station** – 40 minutes (7:00 AM – 7:40 AM)
– **Train:** **Oishida Station** > **Noboribetsu Station** – 8 hours (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
– **Bus:** **Noboribetsu Station** > **Noboribetsu Onsen** – 15 minutes (4:15 PM – 4:30 PM)
– **Onsen** (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
**Day 2 (Jan. 6):** Evening in Sapporo
– **Jigokudani (Hell Valley)** (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
– **Train:** **Noboribetsu Station** > **Sapporo Station** – 1 hour (2:30 PM – 3:30 PM)
– **Odori Park or Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade** (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
**Day 3 (Jan. 7):** Skiing
– **Sapporo Teine Ski Area** (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
**Day 4 (Jan. 8):** Sapporo Exploration
– **Hokkaido Jingu Shrine** (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
– **Mt. Moiwa Ropeway** (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
– **Okurayama Viewing Point** (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
**Day 5 (Jan. 9):** Day trip to Asahikawa
– **Train:** **Sapporo Station** > **Asahikawa Station** – 1.5 hours (9:00 AM – 10:30 AM)
– **Asahiyama Zoo** (11:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
– **Mount Asahi** (3:00 PM – 5:30 PM)
– **Train:** **Asahikawa Station** > **Sapporo Station** – 1.5 hours (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
—
**Jan. 10-Jan. 13: Nagano**
*Flight:* **Sapporo (New Chitose)** > **Nagano (Matsumoto)** – 2 hours (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
**Day 1 (Jan. 10):** Arrival in Nagano
– **Explore Nagano City** (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
– **Zenko-ji Temple** (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
**Day 2 (Jan. 11):** Nagano & Snow Monkeys
– **Train:** **Nagano Station** > **Yudanaka Station** – 45 minutes (9:45 AM – 10:30 AM)
– **Bus:** **Yudanaka Station** > **Snow Monkey Bus Stop** – 15 minutes (10:40 AM – 10:55 AM)
– **Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park** (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
– **Bus:** **Snow Monkey Bus Stop** > **Yudanaka Station** – 15 minutes (4:00 PM – 4:15 PM)
– **Train:** **Yudanaka Station** > **Nagano Station** – 45 minutes (4:30 PM – 5:15 PM)
**Day 3 (Jan. 12):** Day trip to Matsumoto
– **Train:** **Nagano Station** > **Matsumoto Station** – 1.5 hours (9:00 AM – 10:30 AM)
– **Matsumoto Castle** (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)
– **Matsumoto City Museum of Art** (2:30 PM – 4:00 PM)
– **Nawate Street** (5:30 PM –
7:00 PM)
– **Train:** **Matsumoto Station** > **Nagano Station** – 1.5 hours (8:00 PM – 9:30 PM)
**Day 4 (Jan. 13):** Final Night in Japan
– **Togakushi Shrine** (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
—
**Jan. 14-15: Nagano to Tokyo to Minneapolis to Oklahoma City**
*Train:* **Nagano Station** > **Tokyo Station** – 2 hours (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM)
*Flight:* **Tokyo (Haneda)** > **Minneapolis (St. Paul)** – (5:25 PM – 2:00 PM)
*Flight:* **Minneapolis (St. Paul)** > **Oklahoma City (Will Rogers)** – (6:10 PM – 8:33 PM)
—
Let me know if you all have any suggestions. Thanks so much for reading!
11 comments
Nothing useful from me sorry but this sounds like an amazing trip! Post a trip report with pictures after! 😀
no way, I’m doing the same thing. just I will be staying tokyo first for a month
Must be nice to be retired!
Sounds like an amazing trip, don’t forget to post pictures when you get back!
One (tiny) tip for your visit to Miyajima island is to be a bit flexible with visiting the tori gate because of the tides and to move the shopping street a bit forward. A lot of shops and restaurants on the island shut down around 17:00 (even though the shopping street is open until 18:00) so if you wait too long you will have to rush or miss shops you might have looked forward to.
Why Nikko from Tokyo Station ? I would suggest to stay around Asakusa for the first night and take the Tobu train with the Tobu Nikko pass. The pass can also cover the bus around Nikko and to the lake.
Do not especially like the Kawaguchiko to Kanazawa. I would see doing Matsumoto and Nagano after Kawaguchiko and it would take less time in the train each day…. but I guess you want to report the snow monkey as late as possible to get them in the snow…
I would not do Kanazawa to Hiroshima… already too many days with long hours in the train.
Make no sense to do Himeji as a day trip from Kyoto while you pass by on the way to Hiroshima.
Tashirojima is not a day trop from Tokyo.
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…. did you even check the time required… Yamagata station to Sapporo station is not 6h, but more like 8h… so that make me doubt your numbers for other rides are right.
Also why go to Sapporo just to go back to Noboribetsu (you would pass by on the way to Sapporo) just to return to Sapporo ?
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Overall I think that you spend too much time in the train when you move between cities. I understand that you want to cover a lot of ground, by from my experience after several trips, I started to regret visiting a lot of place over many regions as I realized that there is much more to see in each regions and now I prefer spending less time and money on transport and visit a region deeper and not feel that I have to return soon after as I’ve skipped many places between.
I spent 3 months in Japan last spring and it was awesome! I would suggest a few things, but ill do it tomorrow, im on mobile now. So jealous!
When in Osaka you can consider going to minoh park/falls , you can get pretty photos there in autumn.
If you’re in Kobe, nunobiki falls is also another place to go
With all the time you have in Osaka, your optional day trips can become scheduled day trips as they are all well worth visiting, even more so at that time of year! I’d even suggest to check out Mt Rokko in Kobe if it’s good for autumn foliage. Arima onsen might be doable as a day trip too.
Within Osaka, I recommend to visit Spa World, and Tsurumi Ryokuchi Expo Park and the Open air Museum of Folk Houses for a different (and sometimes lesser seen) side of Osaka. Also, there are warerfalls in Kobe city and Osaka Prefecture (Minoh) which might be worth checking out too.
I’m not sure Koya-san is a day trip thing, might be doable but will be a long day. Same goes for your 2 Kyoto day trips as they sound like very long days, especially if you want to avoid crowds to take photos or spend time composing the shots.
The good thing is you have loads of time to explore the Kansai region which is awesome!
Fushimi Inari at night is its own special vibe, since if you’re into portrait photography. There’s a thriving and respectful hobbyist photographer/model scene in the big cities. If your Japanese is limited, apps like Google Translate are good enough to get through the language barrier with models whose English might be limited. I’m still in touch with many of my Japanese model friends, messaging them at least a few times a month on IG.
The last time I visited Fushimi Inari at night, it was October 31, 2019 from 9pm to 11pm, and there were 15-20 minute stretches where it was just me and the model, so you’ll have a lot of uninterrupted photography periods. Some of the local animals might say hello as well; we came across a family of boars that night.
I think your itinerary-in-progress is very manageable, especially if you have a lot of photography goals. A lot of photography-driven traveling also depends on how ambitious you are in capturing a moment, especially if it’s tied to the weather and sunrises/sunsets.
On vacations, I’ve learned to only have a maximum of three destinations per day, and to emotionally prepare myself to only fulfill 50% of my initial itinerary, because I want to allow myself for spontaneous moments and encounters. If I return from a vacation having achieved 70% of my itinerary, I would consider that a great success.
Just wondering what you are doing for the 30 days of accomidation in the one place and what that cost roughly. Thanks.
Any chance you are interested in Tea Plantations?
I have planning to visit Wakuza City to view the tea plantations. Seems like a great place for photography imo. Either Wakuza City or Ishitera.