I saw a cheap fare during a window in my work schedule that worked and booked it on a whim. This is likely the least prepared I’ve been for an extended international trip so I could use some feedback/advice/sanity check. I am leaving mid-December.
**Interests/Goals:**
* **Food**: Ideas for local, traditional, and interesting (not high end) away from tourist centers are welcomed!
* **Nature**: Views of Mt. Fuji, temples, and forests
* **Speciality Coffee**: Such as Glitch, Chatei Hatou, etc
**Day 1-3: Tokyo**
* We’ve spent a week in Tokyo so we can wing it and avoid typical tourist activities
* Nakiryu – if we have time
* **Looking for great tonkotsu, tantanmen, and tsukemen ramen; yakitori, yakiniku, and curry**
**Day 4-6: Osaka**
* From Tokyo via Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen line
* Dotonbori, Shotengai, Kuromon Market, Horie District, Amemura Area, Shinsaibashi-suji, Hozenji Yokocho
* Day trip to Nara
* Day trip to Kobe
* **Looking for eats! Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, street food, anything else**
**Day 7-9: Kyoto**
* From Osaka via Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen line
* Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkaku-ji, Nishiki Market, Iwatayama Monkey park
* **Looking for food recommendations! Soba, udon, teppanyaki, set meals, etc**
**Day 10: Kanazawa**
* From Kyoto via Thunderbird line
* Naga-machi Buke Yashiki District, Kenroku-en and Gyokusen Inmaru Gardens, Omicho Market
* **Reccs for crab, sushi, and other seafood; other reccs welcome!**
**Day 11: Nagano**
* From Kanazawa via Hokuriku-Shinkansen line
* Zenko-ji, Snow Monkey Park
* Relax day
**Day 12: Kawaguchiko Lake / Fuji Five Lakes**
* From Nagano via Matsumoto and Isawaonsen Station transfers **(this is the transit I have the most concern about. Any advice appreciated)**
* Fuji-Hakone Pass to get around
**Day 13-14: Hakone**
* From Kawaguchiko via bus
* Hakone ropeway, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, Mishima Skywalk, Onsens
* Use pass to return to Tokyo via Shinjuku Station
**Day 15-16: Tokyo**
Does this seem feasible? Are there any obvious transportation issues that stick out? All destinations seem to be accessible via train + bus.
9 comments
Are you getting a jr pass? If not you can just take a normal train between Osaka and Kyoto. It’s only a 40min ride
I think you shouldn’t limit your food recommendations in each city as Japan has so many good food. The specific items you listed xan be found in all cities
You don’t seem to be going anywhere near a forest, despite that being one of your main interests?
The standard of food in Japan is high, so I’d suggest just entering what type of food you’re after into Google Maps and eating at a highly rated local place. It’s not really worth travelling far for those very standard types of food.
I’d suggest not treating Osaka purely as a base for day trips: it’s a really interesting city. I’d suggest staying there rather than going to Kobe.
Fuunji for tsukemen in Tokyo Station. They have a location in Shibuya but that can get pretty busy. The Tokyo one is pretty quick and there are six other ramen shops to choose from.
In Osaka, I would suggest going for Tonkotsu at Chiyomatsu. Line up early before it opens to avoid a long queue. Just off Dontonbori.
Try the street food at Nankinmachi in Kobe, super impressed.
I’m going to try Konjiki Hototogisu in Shinjuku next week, I’ll come back to this thread and let you know how it is. It’s a Michelin-starred ramen restaurant in Shinjuku.
Consider clearing Kawaguchiko / Mt Fuji / Hakone first.
Tokyo -> Kawaguchiko -> Hakone -> Odawara / Mishima (if doing sky walk) -> Osaka
Shirakawago might be nice if you can spare 1 more day in Kanazawa. I did Takayama and Shirakawago in 1 day recently. Takayama not worth it imho, but train ride there has nice sceneries.
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Can consider basing yourself near Kyoto Station instead of Osaka if doing day trips to Nara and Kobe.
I’d recommend going to Uji for the days you are in Kyoto. It has such a relaxing vibes, but only if you’re into like small town vibes place. It’s not crowded and you can just walk around and relax. Also of you’re into matcha you would love that place.
Im going to japan for 14 days and leaving in 2 weeks lol you are much more prepared than i am. So following.
For great tonkatsu, time your trip to Osaka so that you are at Nagoya around lunch time. In the station there is a Takashimaya Dept store. Go up to the 13/14th floors and have Nagoya style Miso katsu or Miso nikomi katsu.