We arrive in Tokyo on Nov 10 and leave Tokyo Nov, which gives us 20 days. Trying to plan the trip and I’m a bit overwhelmed on how to figure out the part from Fuji to Takayama, Kanazawa, Kiso Valley, Kyoto. This is a rough draft and will make changes accordingly.
We were in Japan last Nov and spent 3 weeks in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. We liked Tokyo and Kyoto especially which is why we’re going back. But looking to add some other less crowded places. We want to visit some of the postal towns, see the autumn foliage, love the outdoors, and big on food. Don’t care too much about video games, clubs, nightlife. Hope that helps.
Day 1-5 Tokyo
Day 1: Arrival at Haneda 3pm, check in hotel, eat and rest
Day 2 Tsukiji market AM, Hamarikyu Gardens, explore Asakusa, dinner in Ginza
Day 3 Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho)- sunset at Shibuya Sky
Day 4 Akihabara or maybe day trip to Nikko?
Day 5 Travel to Fuji
Day 5-6 Mt Fuji
Train to Asama Fujiyoshida
Lake Kawaguchiko
Arakura Fuji Sengun Shrine
Streets of Fujiyoshida
Chureito Pagoda
(Best area for sunrise or sunset? Recommendations for accommodations?)
Day 7-8 Takayama
Train to Takayama
Explore Old Town(Sanmachi Suji)
Hida beef, Hida Folk village, – 1 hour bus ride to Shirakawago
Day 9-10 Kanazawa
Kanazawa castle, Geisha district, Samurai district, Kenroku-en garden, ninja temple
Day 11-12 Kiso Valley
NaKasendo Trail – Magome to Tsumago
(Should we stay night in Tsumago or nearby, maybe ryokan?)
Narai-juku, Kiso-Fukushima, Midono
Day 13-17 Kyoto
Yasaka Pagoda
Golden Pavilion
Arashiyama and Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji temple
Gion, Philosophers Path, Kitomizu-dera temple, Higashiyama
Nishiki Market
Nara day trip
Day 18-20 Tokyo
Shopping, anything like Teamlabs or similar exhibits? We did Planets last year and saw Borderless is closed.
Does anyone have any feedback on this itinerary, the order of cities visited? Does this look ok? Should I add anything near Kiso Valley? Or any “must do’s” I’m missing?
Does it make sense for a JR pass? Or rent a car? Thanks in advance!
3 comments
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OK from post stalking it sounds like you live on the US west coast, so jetlag is basically not a problem going towards Japan if you schedule an itinerary that requires getting up early (as you’ll be sleepy early). In this sense it is better to shift Tokyo towards the end (also you’ll catch christmas/winter illuminations then).
> autumn foliage
In the event this is your top priority, some rearrangement is in order. You’ll also have to pick and choose as you can’t catch peak everywhere. For example, either forget about foliage at Nikko or make it the first thing you do. Takayama / Shirakawago likewise peaks in early November, so if you like you could do these first and shift the five Tokyo days towards the end. So the trip becomes: Tokyo -> Nakasendo / Takayama -> Kanazawa -> Kyoto -> Fuji -> Tokyo.
For JR pass stuff, use a calculator to see if it makes sense. Hurry up, as you only have a few days to get it at the old price.
A couple of months ago I was looking for decent places to stay in the Magome + Tsumago area, and I couldn’t find anything, so decided to abort that part of my trip.