Hi guys, I am planning a trip to Japan at the end of the year with my girlfriend, this is my third time going to Japan but first time planning a trip. Since this is my first time planning a trip I am quite anxious as to whether things will pan out well so I will appreciate any help and advice we can get! We are planning this trip with the intent of sightseeing and to try out as many local foods as much as possible and a bit of shopping!
Questions are:
* Is the overall itinerary realistic and are certain days are too packed/rushed. We are moving to several regions over the course of this trip and am wondering if that is too much.
* We will be hitting new years in Tokyo and according to my knowledge, stores and services will be less accessible during this period, is there anything that we should keep note in mind.
* The last few days of our trip will be centered around Tokyo and the places listed can be subjected to change, if you guys have any places in mind that you think we would like, feel free to comment on it.
* Any food recommendations are welcomed, thanks!
* Is Nikko feasible within one day with our plan, and would 2nd January be way too crowded considering its the new year?
**-** **Dec 18, Mon: Arrival at Kansai Airport, Kyoto afterwards**
Arrival at Kansai International Airport in the morning, head to accommodation in Kyoto, explore the area near our hotel afterwards. Overall it’s just a slow day to get us settled in.
**- Dec 19, Tues: Kyoto**
Nishiki Market and Hanamikoji street as well as Kawaramachi shopping district in the morning, followed by Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka in the afternoon.
We plan to stop by the Pokemon center in Kyoto as well since we are both big Pokemon fans.
**- Dec 20, Wed: Kyoto**
We plan to take a one day tour guide to the various shrines, temples and sights in Kyoto
[https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g298564-d13365618-PERFECT\_KYOTO\_1Day\_Bus\_Tour-Kyoto\_Kyoto\_Prefecture\_Kinki.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/attractionproductreview-g298564-d13365618-perfect_kyoto_1day_bus_tour-kyoto_kyoto_prefecture_kinki.html)
**- Dec 21, Thur: Kyoto and Nara**
Visit Nara for a half day trip, mainly Nara Park
Return back to Kyoto after for the rest of the day
**- Dec 22, Fri: Kyoto > Nagoya**
Leave Kyoto for our next accommodation at Nagoya in the morning, after which we plan to explore Nagoya at our own pace.
**- Dec 23, Sat: Nagoya (Kiso Valley)**
Leave early in the morning and head towards Nakatsugawa via the Chuo Line, after which board a bus for Magome and spend the rest of the morning there.
After Magome we plan to take a bus towards Tsumago in the afternoon.
We then leave Tsumago in the evening and head towards Nagiso station whereby we will go back to Nagoya,
**- Dec 24, Sun: Nagoya > Takayama**
Leave Nagoya in the morning and head towards our Ryokan in Takayama, we then plan to explore the area for the rest of the day.
**- Dec 25, Mon: Takayama (Shirakawa-go)**
Take the bus from Takayama Nohi Bus Center and visit Shirakawa-go as a day trip and vice versa when returning back to Takayama in the evening.
**- Dec 26, Tues: Takayama**
This is more of a relaxed day, so we can catch a breather and not get too worn out. Basically plan to just go to areas around Takayama and explore.
**- Dec 27, Wed: Takayama > Nagano**
Leave Takayama in the morning to head for Nagano. ( This is more of a free day and we are still deciding on what to do on this day, any suggestions around Nagano would be great)
**- Dec 28, Thur: Nagano**
We plan to take a full day tour to visit, Yamanouchi, Zenko-ji Temple, Obuse
[https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g298565-d13182020-Full\_Day\_Private\_Nagano\_Tour\_Zenkoji\_Temple\_Obuse\_Jigokudani\_Monkey\_Park-Nagano\_Na.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/attractionproductreview-g298565-d13182020-full_day_private_nagano_tour_zenkoji_temple_obuse_jigokudani_monkey_park-nagano_na.html)
After the tour we plan to shop at MIDORI Nagano
**- Dec 29, Fri: Nagano**
Head for Togakushi-Jinja in the morning and plan to explore the area
**- Dec 30, Sat: Nagano > Tokyo**
Leave Nagano for Tokyo in the morning and spend the rest of the day exploring around our accommodation
**- Dec 31, Sun: Tokyo (Shibuya)**
Spend the day in Shibuya and plan to experience NYE there
**- Jan 1, Mon: Tokyo (Akihabara and Harajuku)**
Head for Akihabara in the morning and then head to Harajuku in the afternoon for the rest of the day
**- Jan 2, Tues: Nikko**
> Plan to head for Tobu-Nikko Station in the morning.
> Bus towards Shinkyo bridge
> Walk to Toshugu Shrine
> Bus to Kegon falls
> Bus back to Shinkyo
> Explore area afterwards
> Train back to Tokyo
**- Jan 3, Wed: Tokyo (Yokohama???)**
Plan to visit Yokohama on this day but we are not entirely certain about this day yet so this is still subjected to changes.
**-Jan 4 , Thur: Narita airport**
Spend whatever little time we have left exploring a bit of Tokyo before heading off to Narita airport for our flight back home
1 comment
Are you much of a walker? The Nakasendo section from Magome to Tsumago is so worth it but it’s quite hilly and about 7km’s so only if you feel up to a hike. Depending on your fitness 2 and 1/2 – 4 Hours It’s got the cutest free tea house halfway and the autumn colours are stunning.
Also, I’m sure you’ve done heaps of research but just in case morning markets at Takayama are small but fun. And there’s the Higashiyama Walking Course there which takes in about 15 temples/shrines all in a row. I’d also highly recommend the Hida Folk village nearby which they’ve moved a few houses from Shirakawa-Go to but then you’re going there anyway so might not be so worth it. At the folk village there’s a place where you can do some craft stuff, like make your own chopsticks, keyrings, dolls, paint a cat. It’s actually a really fun thing to do. There’s another one of those in the middle of town too.
May just want to double check when things are open based on travelling around New Years.