17-day Tokyo/Chubu/Kyoto Itinerary Advice for a First-Timer

Hello! I’m visiting for the first time in November and would appreciate some feedback on my itinerary. I tried not to pack too much in, as I enjoy having some degree of flexibility when I travel in case I find something amazing or end up wanting to add/decrease days in certain areas.

Thanks in advance for your input! 🙂

Notes:

* Late 20’s female traveling from Washington, DC
* Do not speak Japanese, but studying up on basic words/phrases for trip
* Enjoy visiting a mix of cities and countryside areas when traveling
* I enjoy driving during my travels, as it allows me more freedom to explore and take photos. Tolls aren’t a problem.
* I love photography! My favorite thing to do when traveling is to take cool pics to remember my adventures.
* Interested in: culture, regional specialities, history, ryokan, cultural icons (I’m reading Musashi now), food (not a picky eater at all), izakayas, sake, shopping, hiking, anime, gaming, making friends with locals and other travelers
* Not interested in: theme parks, clubbing, art (I like it to a degree, but not a gallery/museum person)

**Day 1-5: Tokyo**

* Stay in Shinjuku business district hotel for first 2 nights to recover from jet lag, then stay at hostel in Shibuya for 2 nights to meet other travelers
* Shop
* Akihabara
* Asakusa, Sensoji Temple
* AirBnB izakaya experience one night
* AirBnB photoshoot experience one night
* Shinjuku Garden
* Nintendo Tokyo

**Day 5-7: Nagano/Shibu Onsen**

* 2 slower-paced days to break up busy-ness of trip and get some rest
* Take shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano (1.5 hr trip)
* Pick up rental car in Nagano
* Drive to ryokan outside of Shibu Onsen (45 min drive)
* Use ryokan as home base for 2 nights (I found one that accepts solo travelers, and is in a rural setting which is a big plus for me!)
* Use car to explore the area and do some photography
* Hike
* Shibu Onsen
* Obuse (optional)

**Day 8: Matsumoto**

* Drive 1.5 hours from ryokan to Matsumoto
* Matsumoto Castle
* Drive 2 hours to Kiso Valley
* Stay at ryokan

**Day 9: Kiso Valley**

* Walk Magome-Tsumago trail
* Drive 2.5 hours back to Nagano
* Return rental car in Nagano
* Stay in Nagano, rest

**Day 10-15: Kyoto**

*Train from Nagano to Kyoto (4 hours)
* Stay in hotel for 2 nights, then hostel for 3 nights to make friends
* Fushimi Inari
* Kinkaku-ji
* Gion
* Higashiyama
* Nishiki Market
* Kimono photoshoot experience

**Day 16: Back to Tokyo**
• Fly or train from Kyoto to Tokyo

**Day 17: Depart**
• Depart for home 15:00

The Chubu region schedule is the part I’m most unsure of. Originally, I planned to visit Takayama and Kanazawa too, but it seemed pretty tight on the itinerary with driving and all. I’d love to fit at least Takayama in if possible though, suggestions are welcome!

Thank you again for your help and recommendations. This sub has already been so helpful for planning my trip!

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