Itinerary check for our 19 day trip in November

11 comments

1. I think Todoroki Valley is partly closed currently. Other than that, your itinerary seems *very packed and hectic -* it looks like this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip so you’re trying to squeeze as much as possible? One day in both Nikko and Hakone is very challenging because you have to factor in the travel time and check-in to your destination. I feel that two days each would probably be more doable.

   Also i hope you guys have excellent fitness because your schedule will test your stamina, especially as it gets to the second week or so.

2. Insanely crazy itinerary. Did you look at the map when planning the itinerary? Did you consider travel time at ALL? You are taking about traveling from Hakone all the way to Kyushu.

   Besides the Nikko and Hakone itinerary is way too packed. You will just end up doing touch and go at each attractions without actually soaking in the atmosphere. I would say spend a night in Nikko at least.

3. Wow, you are doing the utmost! Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses (or gaze at maple leaves).

4. I would try to take in as much of the fall foliage and seasonal events as possible. Here are some evening illuminations in November:

   – [Hogonin Temple](https://hogonin.jp/event/#night) in Arashiyma (Nov.11- Dec. 3)
   – [Kiyomizudera](http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/visit/special_night_viewing/) (Nov. 18-30)
   – [Nara](https://kotonara25.jp/en/): evening illuminations of six temples in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of being designated a UNESCO World Heritage site (Fridays and Saturdays evenings only in Nov).

5. Curious about the Tsujiki Omakase and Tsujiki in general? Are you eating at a specific restaurant? Also, is it true that the old fish market is now outside of town instead of in the center of Tokyo? Is it still worth visiting?

6. I can’t speak to all the aspects of your trips but I think this looks a bit overstuffed. You’re going to need downtime. You’re probably going to need more time for travel than you budgeted. Idk where you’re traveling from but even with sleeping on the flight, arriving in the afternoon for me completely wiped out my first day. It took HOURS to get my luggage, get a train, check into my hotel, etc. Plus, if you’re flying from the US, planes are a bit more likely to catch delays on the way over because of wind patterns. I would just say, the best times I had were times I didn’t have strictly itinerized and where I instead had blocks just vaguely planning to explore certain neighborhoods. Allowing yourself to sink into a place and stumble on things you didn’t plan for or didn’t expect is really nice.

   Now as to specifics- I see a lot of plans that kind of involve bouncing around cities a bit. If you can group your plans around certain areas of the city, especially in Tokyo, that can be really conducive to cut down travel time and let you walk/explore between neighborhoods as you make your way from place to place. That said, Tokyo transit is great. Also, planning for meals at convenience stores is probably realistic but may not need to be planned for per se- they’re everywhere and you’ll probably pick up snacks, fried chicken, and onigiri regardless for whether you carve out time to do it or not lol.

   For Kyoto your days look more balanced and doable. Gion is really beautiful at night if you want to save that or come back for the evening on day 15.

   I didn’t do Hakone but I think Nikko can feasibly be a day trip- just maybe nix kegon falls.

   Can’t speak to days 7-14 as I didn’t visit those areas.

   Good luck with your trip!

7. I like your itinerary. One thing. You can eat a great, cheap Japanese breakfast at Dennys or other family-style places as an alternative to a convenient store. But, of course anyone who dines at a all-you-can-eat natto place will probably be fine with an onigiri (I like the tuna). Most, if not all of the itineraries I see on this site are much too optimistic as far as doing a full day tour every day. I’d give yourself at least a full day rest after 2 or 3 days at Kyoto. And why does everyone want to visit urban areas? The beauty of Japan is in the countryside. Osaka? Please. No need to visit Osaka after all those other cities you’re visiting. Nagasaki and Hiroshima? Absolutely. And Fukuoka. Great places.

8. I echo the sentiments around here that the itinerary is too packed.

   For Day 8 Yufuin, have you checked with your Ryokan to see what time dinner will be served? Ryokan check in times is normally 3pm and dinner can be anywhere around 6pm-8pm. For example, my April Ryokan in Kinosaki for the check in we were welcomed to our room with tea and refreshments at 3pm and then they confirm a schedule for dinner and then brought us to select our yukatas. By the time we completed our check-in process it was maybe 1 hour and a half before dinner so we just linger and use our ryokan’s private baths (had to call front desk to see which private baths available and exchange for the keys for the bath).

   Also, you probably have to look into luggage forwarding because not all places may have luggage storage available, especially on weekends and usually only can fit small to medium size luggages.

9. All you can eat natto restaurant? Color me impressed. I absolutely enjoy it, but not sure I would ever consider an all you can eat restaurant where natto is the main focus. I tip my hat to you.

10. I agree with the general consensus that this is Too Busy. My one more specific suggestion on day 16 is get up early and see the bamboo forest first thing, then the monkeys. Starting at the forest hopefully beats the rush and gets you a better experience and saves time overall. The monkeys might not be around later in the day, so I’d try to get them in by early afternoon at the latest. The temple can wait until after those two things.

11. Day 14 – okonomimura doesn’t open till 11am – consider it for dinner on day 13 instead.

    If you stay at Super Hotel in Hiroshima, it is served as part of breakfast, but just Kansai style.