Would love feedback on this itinerary.
Background:
First solo travel journey!
Have from May 10-June 30, 2024.
Tentative plan:
– 2-3 weeks in Japan, then
– 2 weeks in China, then
– 2-3 weeks in Thailand, then fly back to USA
Male, 36 years old, has two large tattoos on left arm (relevant bc many onsets won’t allow access).
– Enjoys nature, off-the-beaten-path adventures, vegetarian food, meditating/yoga/mindfulness, culture and history and unique sights. Spirituality.
– Dislikes loud noises, bright neon lights, heavily populated areas, pollution, tourist traps.
Day 1: Depart USA
Day 2: Land @ NRT in Tokyo
Day 3: Tokyo
Day 4: Tokyo
((Room for potential side trip to Hakone?))
Day 5: Take train to Nagano, then bus to Shibu Onsen. Spend night at Ryokan in Yamanouchi.
Day 6: Bus from Yamanouchi to Snow Monkey park, then transit back to Nagano. Sleep in Nagano.
Day 7: Zendo-ji temple in AM, then rent a car. Drive from Nagano to Togakushi, visit ninja museum, shrines, kagami ike pond, then back to Nagano to return car. Catch last train to Matsumoto, sleep in Matsumoto.
Day 8: Visit Matsumoto Castle, take bus to Kamikochi. Kappa bridge–>go for hike (less than 5 mile). Catch bus to Hirayu Onsen to sleep for night.
Day 9: Bus from Hirayu Onsen to Shin-Hotaka Ropeway (Unless closed for repairs – if this is the case, look into renting a scooter or motorcycle to drive thru alps for the day?). Take bus to Takayama: Sake brewery tour, visit Old Town. Higashiyama temple walk. Sanmachi suji (Edo-era architecture). Spend night in Takayama.
Day 10: Bullet Train from Takayama to Kyoto.
Day 11: Explore Kyoto. Arashiyama (Bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji temple, Okochi-Sanso Villa, Togetsukyo bridge)
Day 12: Day trip to Nara. Visit Todaiji Temple, Isuien Garden, Kofukuji Temple.
Day 13: Explore Kyoto. Higashiyama walking route (Silver Pavillion, Path of Philosophy, Nanzen-ji, Chion-in, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Hizamazu-dera)
Day 14: Explore Kyoto. Yasaka shrine, Maruyama park. Shunkoin Zen Temple (Meditation/temple stay?)
Day 15: Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima. Explore Hiroshima.
Day 16: Day trip to Miyajima. Sleep in Hiroshima.
Day 17: FLEX DAY
Day 18: FLEX DAY
Day 19: FLEX DAY
Day 20: Fly to Beijing!
All criticisms, suggestions, or ‘attaboys’ appreciated!
1 comment
I’m jealous of how much time off you have!
Unless you are extremely interested in monkeys then snow monkey park is not worth it in May, there’s no snow and the monkeys won’t be naturally bathing.
Togakushi is fun but if you are traveling solo it would likely be cheaper to take the bus than to deal with car rental, safer too in the event you are not familiar with mountain driving.