Ironing out the itinerary and this is what I have come up with so far. Flights and hotels are already booked but all hotels are refundable. However, the 2 nights at Park Hyatt Kyoto dates are pretty much set in stone since those are the only 2 consecutive nights I was able to get during the trip with points and award availability is limited there. If an additional award night becomes available for 5/2, I will probably add that and cancel Cross Hotel Kyoto to avoid an additional check out/in hassle.
I’ve done a full week in Tokyo on my own many years ago but this is my Fiancee’s first time in Japan so I want to do some of the main highlights with her in Tokyo. Kyoto, Osaka and Nara are a must and we definitely want to do a Ryokan with an Onsen so we decided to splurge with one I found in Takayama that looks really nice and I’m quite set on this specific Ryokan (though the dates can be changed to optimize itinerary updates as long as it doesn’t conflict with our 2 award nights At Park Hyatt Kyoto).
Kanazawa looks interesting and is close in proximity to Takayama with connection directly to Osaka from there but that is the one part of my itinerary that I’m not 100% convinced on. I’m wondering if it will be too much but I think 2 nights in each place isn’t too bad since you get the evening to explore and settle in, then a full day, plus the morning before heading on to the next leg of the trip. Also, the longest travel time is between Tokyo and Takayama and that night we will be taking it easy and enjoying the Ryokan and Onsen for the most part after the long journey. Every other leg of the itinerary between hotel stays would be less than 1-3 hour trains/Shinkansen. We only plan to take 1 carry-on sized luggage and a backpack each so shouldn’t be too cumbersome.
I’m wondering if it makes more sense to skip Kanazawa and go straight to Osaka from Takayama and adding 1 night each to Osaka and Kyoto to take our time enjoying those 2 places more. Is my current itinerary too ambitious or are there days where I can addd more to?
I know it will be Golden Week for the second half so we will just have to make the best of it and try to get to the more popular places earlier or just live with the crowds. I plan to book the Shinkansen tickets and other tickets as soon as I am able to start booking. Anyone with experience being in Osaka and Kyoto during golden week?
Also, open to any restaurant suggestions. I love all types of Japanese food including sushi but my fiancee does not eat any seafood and is grossed out by the thought of it. She has recently opened up to trying shrimp but still couldn’t get over the texture unless it was fried. I would like to try Omakase at some point since the price/quality in comparison with the US is so much more attractive so will likely have to try that on my own but if anyone knows a place that has Omakase with other options for non seafood eating people or if they would be OK with her just accompanying me and not eating?
Any thoughts, suggestions, encouragement or feedback regarding our itinerary so far is appreciated. Also, I’m wondering if it’s worth getting the 7 day Hokuriku Arch Pass…it seems to be pretty close to break even from what I can tell and transit to Takayama isn’t fully included.
4/21 Arrival day @ HND 3:30PM
*Check-in at Onyado Nono Asakusa (3 nights)
*After settling in for a bit, head out for a bite nearby
* Head to Akihabara and wander around. Look for an arcade and Don Quijote
* Tokyo Tower in the Evening
4/22 Full Day in Tokyo
* Wake up early grab breakfast somewhere on the walk to Senso-ji (is 9am early enough to avoid major crowds? What’s the ideal time without being super early? We are not typically morning people lol)
* Walk to/along Sumida River
* Metro to Ueno Park
* Metro to East Gardens of Imperial Palace then walk to Chidorigafuchi Park
* teamLab Borderless
(we can probably add more this day)
4/23 Daytrip to Kamakura
*Points of interest
* Kamakura Hasedera
* Kotoku-in
* Hokokuji Temple and Bamboo Forest
* Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
4/24 Shinkansen to Takayama
*Depending on route chosen and weather, possibly get a view of Mt Fuji on the way (if not, hopefully on the way back from Kyoto we can catch a glimpse)
*Arrive at Takayama Sta. By 3:30pm for shuttle pick up, then Check-in to Ryokan Hidatei Hanaougi around 4:00p (2 nights)
*Onsen relaxation and Kaiseki dinner featuring Hida Beef
4/25 Full Day in Takayama
*Points of Interest
* Takayama Old Town
* Sanmachi Historical Area
* Nakabashi Park
* Takayama Jinya
* Hida Folk Village
4/26 Takayama to Kanazawa
*Considering if it is worth stopping at Shirakawa-go for half day en route to Kanazawa. Might skip on Shirakawa-go since we will see Hida Old Town which is similar.
*Bus to Kanazawa, Check-in Tokyu Stay (2 nights)
*Evening exploring Kanazawa
4/27 Full Day in Kanazawa
*Points of interest
* Kenroku-en
* Omicho market
* Higashi Chaya District
* Kanazawa Castle Park
* Seison-kaku
* Naga-machi District
* Myouryuji
(spread some of these out to prior day if we skip Shirakawa-go)
4/28 Kanazawa to Osaka
*Early Thunderbird to Osaka, Check-in Swissotel Nankai (2 nights)
*Points of Interest
* Dotonbori
* Shinsaibashisuji
* Namba Parks
* teamLab Botanical Garden in the evening
4/29 Full Day in Osaka
*Points of Interest
* Osaka Castle + Park
* Shinsekai
* Abeno Harukas
* More around Namba
4/30 Osaka to Kyoto
*Maybe leave luggage in a locker and explore Umeda before heading to Kyoto
*Check-in Park Hyatt (2 nights, maybe 3 if another award night becomes available) leave luggage if early check in is not available
*Points of Interest (lots to do but everything is close proximity for the most part)
* Ninenzaka
* Hokan-ji temple
* Sannenzaka
* Kiyomizu-dera
* Kodaiji temple
* Hanamikoji street
* Gion
* Yasaka-jinja shrine
* Maruyama Park
5/1 Full Day in Kyoto
(this day seems to be the most ambitious day with 3 sights in different parts of town.)
*Points of Interest
* Arashiyama + Bamboo Forest
* Togetsukyo Bridge
* Sagano Romantic Train
* Kinkaku-ji
* Keage Incline
* Nanzen-ji temple
5/2 Kyoto to Nara Daytrip
*Will need to check out from Park Hyatt and check in to Cross Hotel at some point in the day if a other award night does not become available
*Arrive by 9am in Nara (Half Day)
*Points of Interest
* Kofoku-ji
* Nara Park
* Todai-ji
* Nishiki Market
*Train back to Kyoto
*Points of Interest
* Pontocho
* anything else that we may have missed from prior days
5/3 Kyoto (Half Day) + Shinkansen to Tokyo
*Half day in Kyoto before heading back to Tokyo
*Points of Interest
* Fushimi Inari Taisha
* Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
*Evening in Tokyo, Check-in Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (2 nights)
*Points of Interest
* Kabukicho
* Omoide Yokocho
5/4 Full Day in Tokyo (Final day)
*Points of Interest
* Starbucks Reserve Roastery
* Yoyogi Park
* Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
* Shibuya Scramble Crossing
* Shibuya Sky
* Shibuya Mark City
5/5 Departure Day from HND @ 11:45am