I’m in fourth year of medical school and I’ll start a 4 week clinical rotation in Moroyama, Saitama in September. Following that, I’ll have a two-week window to travel around Japan. They are covering my flights and accommodation in Moroyama. During the week, I’ll be working at the hospital but I’ll be free to travel on the weekends.
I’ll be arriving in Moroyama on September 1st.
**1. Weekend (September 2nd and 3rd):** Starting off slow, visiting the sorrounding area like Kawagoe and Omiya. I don’t want to stray too far because I don’t think it’s polite to leave right away since I will be their guest.
**2. Weekend (September 9th and 10th):** Ideally climbing the Yoshida-Track of Mount Fuji. I’d like to go the weekend before but I won’t because of the aforementioned reasons. As far as I know it is the last weekend where it would be possible to climb Mount Fuji. I am a rather fit 23 year old but I have only gone hiking in the mountains once in my life before. Maybe I’ll have to scrap that, haven’t yet booked anything either. Do you guys know of any alternatives?
**3. Weekend and Respect for the Aged Day (September 16th to 18th):** Visiting Tokyo during these days. I won’t make any plans because I’ll probably be accompanied by the Japanese exchange students and I guess they will show me around.
**4. Weekend (September 23rd and 24th):** Nikko
* Saturday: Following the Okunikko Full Day Hike on [japan-guide.com](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3822_okunikko_full.html)
* Sunday: Following the Nikko Town Full Day Walk on [japan-guide.com](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3822_nikko_town_full.html)
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**Free Travel Period:**
**Sep. 30th to Oct. 1st: Tokyo**
* I will spend two more days in Tokyo to visit places I didn’t get to see the first time around
**Oct. 2nd to Oct. 6th: Kyoto**
* Oct. 2nd – Southern and Central Kyoto
* Fushimi Inari Shrine
* Tofukuji Temple → Temple with spectacular autumn leaves
* Nijo Castle
* Pontocho Streets
* Gion Tatsumi Bridge and Gion area
* Oct. 3rd – Eastern Kyoto
* Ginkakuji (45min)
* Philosopher’s Path (60min)
* Nazenji Temple (60min)
* Heian Shrine (45min)
* Yasaka Shrine (30min)
* Kodaiji Temple (45min)
* Higashiyama Streets (60min)
* Kyomizudera Temple (60min)
* Nanzenji Temple
* Oct. 4th – Nara
* Oct. 5th – Arashiyama
* Togetsukyo Bridge (15min)
* Tenryu-ji temple (45min)
* Bamboo Groves (30min)
* Monkey Park (90mins)
* Jojakkoji Temple (30min)
* Gioji Temple (45min)
* Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street (45min)
* Otagi Nenbutsuji (60min)
* Daikakuji (90min)
* Oct. 6th – Northern Kyoto and Himeji Castle
* Ryoanji Temple (60min)
* Kinkakuji Temple (45min)
* Ninnaji Temple (60min)
* *Shinkansen to Himeji (1h)*
* Himeji Castle
* *Shinkansen to Hiroshima (1h)*
**Oct. 7th – Miyajima**
* Omotesando Arcade
* Itsukushima Shrine
* Daisho-in Temple
* Mount Misen
* Miyajima Ropeway
* Momijidani Park
* Senjokaku Pavilion
* *Return to Hiroshima*
**Oct. 8th – Hiroshima**
* Peace Memorial Museum
* Hiroshima Memorial Park and Flame of Peace
* Atomic Bomb Dome
* Hiroshima Castle
* Shukkeien Garden
* Mitaki-dera Temple
* *Shinkansen to Osaka (1,5h)*
**Oct. 9th – Osaka**
* Osaka Castle
* Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
* Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street
* Exploring Umeda and the surrounding area
**Oct. 10th to Oct. 11th – Mount Koya**
* First day:
* Breakfast in Osaka
* *Train to Koyasan (2h)*
* Okunoin Temple (2-3 hours)
* Temple Lodging
* Second day:
* Check out of the temple lodging after breakfast
* Kongobuji Temple (45-60min)
* Garan Temple (45min)
* Daimon Gate (5min)
* Women Pilgrims Course (60min)
* *Train to Osaka (2h)*
* Maybe exploring Korea Town in Tsuruhashi and Nakazakicho
**Oct. 12th – Osaka**
* Exploring the Namba area (Den Den Town, Kuromon Market, Dotonbori)
* Exploring Shinsekai and the surrounding area
* Shitennoji Temple (60min)
* Sumiyoshi Taisha (50min)
**Oct. 13th – Hakone**
* *Train to Odawara (2,5h)*
* Making my way around Hakone following the itinerary on [japan-guide.com](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html)
**Oct. 14th – Departure**
* Relaxed morning in Hakone
* Return flight from Haneda Airport at 2140
Just to add a bit about my interests: I studied architecture before med school, so I’m really into Japanese architecture (think Tadao Ando, Sou Fujimoto, and Arata Isozaki). Additionally, I’d love to squeeze in some hiking to experience Japan’s natural beauty.
Now, I’ve got quite a few packed days lined up, but I’m all good with missing out on a sight or two if things get a bit hectic. On the flip side, I’m a bit unsure about how to wind down in the evenings while in Kyoto, any recommendations for a solo traveler?
Here’s where I need your help: I’m trying to figure out how to fit in the trip to Mount Koya and also make the most of my last day in Hakone. Is it even doable to explore all of Hakone if I hop on a train from Osaka in the morning and what’s there to do on the morning of my departure from Haneda? Is a trek all the way down to Hiroshima worth it?
Thank you for your feedback and suggestions.
1 comment
Tadao Ando is actually from the Kansai region and has a few buildings in the Osaka and Kobe areas that you can visit. If you’re visiting Himeji, you could probably make a day of it stopping at a few along the way. If you’re interested in hiking, the Koshino House is in Ashiya, a small town near Kobe, that is also home to the trailhead for Mount Rokko. There are a bunch of different adventure options for that peak.
Hiroshima isn’t my favorite, but I get why it’s popular with visitors. It’s famous for oysters and hiroshima-yaki, and Miyajima is cool. I would just decide what’s most important to you personally!
As for solo travel in Kyoto, it’s a very solo traveler friendly city. Kyoto has a ton of really nice cafes and small restaurants where you can while away the hours. Independants near Nishiki Market has small plates and drinks with live music in the evenings and is a good spot if you’re flying solo. It’s also nice to just stroll along the Kamo-gawa in the evenings.