Hi all!
Visiting Japan for 10 days, and wanted to check if our itinerary sounds feasible! I’ve been to Tokyo and Kyoto quite a few times, but have never visited Naoshima and the other islands. My partner and I love contemporary art and architecture, and though he has never been to Japan, I feel it essential for him to see those on this trip.
I am not the best at planning so this has been stressing me out quite a bit. Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated!
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**Day 1** \- 1pm Arrive in Tokyo
* Free time in Shibuya
**Day 2 -** Free day in Tokyo
* AM: Tsukiji Market
* Mori Art Museum / Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
**Day 3 -** Free day in Tokyo
* Edo-tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
* Shimokitazawa Thrift shops
**Day 4** \- Free day in Tokyo
*\*Overnight bus from Tokyo – Kyoto\**
**Day 5** \- AM Arrival in kyoto, Free day
**Day 6 -** Free day in Kyoto
* Gion District
* Nishiki Market
**Day 7-** Free day in Kyoto
Day 8 – \**Kyoto train to Takamatsu via Okayama\**
Free day in Takamatsu
* Isamu Noguchi Museum (really our only destination in Takamatsu—any suggestions on how else we can maximize this day?)
**Day 9** \- *\*8am-9am Ferry to Naoshima\**
* Benesse House
* Chichu Art Museum
*\*17:00 Ferry Naoshima to Takamatsu\**
**Day 10 -** \*Train from Takamatsu to Kyoto\*Free afternoon in Kyoto
**Day 11 -** *\*5:45am Train from Kyoto to Osaka\**
* 9:55 am Flight out from Osaka Kansai Airport
*\*is this cutting it too close? Would really rather stay in Kyoto on our last night but our flight is pretty – early is it better for us to stay in Osaka instead?*
I researched quite a bit and also read about Teshima, I know transit is quite easy and efficient in Japan so is this something we can also squeeze into our itinerary or is that too much?
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TL,DR: Day 1-4 Tokyo, Day 5-7 Kyoto, Day 8-9 Takamatsu & Naoshima, Day 10 Kyoto, Day 11 9:55 flight out from Kansai. Does this sound doable? 🙂
Thank you so much for your help!!! 🙂
3 comments
I’ve never been to Takamatsu but it looks a little out of the way for your itinerary – it’d be more straightforward to access Naoshima/Teshima from Uno (via Okayama) instead.
If you cut out Takamatsu you can fit in Teshima as well – that or reduce a day in Kyoto since you’re more into contemporary as opposed to traditional art and architecture
I think it‘s a good itinerary and very feasible. Travelling via Takamatsu is a great idea because it has more to offer than Uno and you will be able to take the early ferry.
I recommend staying the night on Naoshima. I did this and enjoyed the island a lot in the evening and morning after visiting the museums.
Then you could also visit Teshima on day 10 directly from Naoshima and return in the evening to Okayama (no need to go back via Takamatsu)
Note that some museums on Naoshima are closed on Monday and the museum on Teshima on Tuesdays.
I am going to Takamatsu in November. I will check out Isamu Noguchi, thanks.
Takamatsu has a very good garden in Ritsurin Garden. If of interest and timing works out there is a free observation deck on 34th floor of Takamatsu Symbol Tower open between 10am and 11am, the views look spectacular, also night time I believe but cannot confirm.
Okayama has one of the top 3 gardens in Japan. There is a castle as well you can get views if the garden from. The Castle is more of a museum.