Hi Everyone,
I (M29) will be in Japan for the first time between 2nd October and 2nd December this year for 62 days in total. I will be travelling solo on a budget of \~70 euros per day.
I have built this itinerary using the examples from Japan-guide and tried to make it more realistic as those are seemingly extremely high intensity, especially when stitched together.
I hope to have made a mix between relatively intense travel (so I can see a lot) broken up with extended stays in the bigger cities with a some rest days. A nice mix of nature/big cities/culture & history is the aim.
Please share your recommendations on efficiencies, places to skip, places to stay longer, places to add, should I get the JR pass (I am thinking not) etc. Share the hard truths! My current concern is this would be too high intensity as it’s about 2.8 days average per location, but not 100% sure at the moment.
Are there any specific parts where you think that the cost to visit is not worth it in terms of the experience?
(I have not booked any internal flights, trains, or accommodation yet)
**Day 1 to 12 – Tokyo**
* **1 -** Arrive at Narita from Korea – pick up a Suica IC prepaid card for loading travel balance in greater Tokyo area and sim card from Narita airport – take the low cost bus to Tokyo station – rest day at accommodation.
* **2** \- West Tokyo Full Itinerary – Starting at Harajuku Station to Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Omotesando shopping street, Shibuya,Shinjuku, cgo up Tokyo metropolitan government building – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051\_west\_tokyo\_full.html
* **3** \- Go to the Studio Ghibli Museum – assuming I can get a ticket!
* **4** \- Imperial palace and Ginza itinerary – start at Tokyo station to Imperial east garden, outer park, Ginza, Marunouchi – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051\_imperial\_ginza\_half.html
* **5** \- Trip to Takaosan for hiking – take the train from Shinjuku station to Takaosanguchi station – enjoy the nature and hikes in the park
* **6** \- Day to trip to Nikko – buy the Nikko pass ticket – take the train from Asasuka to Nikko- start at JR or Tobu Nikko station, Shinkyo bridge, Shoyoen garden, Rinnoji temple, Toshogu shrine, Futarasan shrine, Tamozawa imperial villa – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3822\_nikko\_town\_full.html
* **7** \- TeamLabs Planet & afternoon rest.
* **8** \- Day trip to Kamakura – – take the JR Yokosuka train from Tokyo station to Kamakura – start at Kamakura station, Hasedera temple, great buddhe of kamakura, Zeniarai benten shrine, Genjiyama park, Tsurugaoka hachimangu shrine, Komachidori street.
* **9** \- Day at Tokyo DisneySea theme park
* **10** \- Shinagawa itinerary – starting at Shinagawa station, Yatsuyama bridge, Kyu-tokaido, Shinagawa ura, Shinagawa shrine, Ebara shrine, Tarrada art complex, Shinagawa whale, going on forever, what museum (maybe), pigment tokyo, tokyo tennoz by diego, the shamisen by aryz, what cafe, tennozu fureai bridge, the space betweenby hibi, unyo maru boat, tap by ito makoto, canal views, sengakuji temple, takanawa gateway – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051\_shinagawa\_half.html
* **11** \- Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo & rest afternoon
* **12** \- Asakusa and Odaiba full Day itinerary – Starting at Asakusa station to Kaminarimon gate, Nakamise Dori, Sansoji temple, Sumida river boat ride, Hama rikyu garden, Aquacity and decks, Diver city, Miraikan science museum – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051\_odaiba\_asakusa\_full.html
**Day 13 to 14 – Hakone -** where is best to stay for the round course of the area? Togendai (keeping in mind my onward step)? A specific Onsen?
* **13** \- take Odakyu line train from Shinjuku to Hakone-yumoto station – buy the Fuji Hakone pass for this – then check in to Onsen for relaxation.
* **14** \- carry out the Japan guide round course of Hakone https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html
**Day 15 to 16 – Fuji Five Lakes – Kawaguchiko**
* **15** \- Take the odakyu hakone highway bus to gotenba, then from gotenba the Fujikyu bus to Kawaguchiko. Explore the lakes region and enjoy the view of Fuji from the northern shore or the lake.
* **16** \- Visit Fuji Q Land for rollercoasters.
**Day 17 – Matsumoto**
* **17** \- Take the bus from Kawaguchiko to Kofu and then the train to Matsumoto. Once checked in to accommodation visit the Matsumoto castle.
**Day 18 to 19 – Nagano**
* **18** \- Take the train from Matsumoto to Nagano station – check in to accommodation then go to the Togakushi shrine and Sanmachi Suji.
* **19** \- Take a day trip to the Yamanouchi monkey park using the snow monkey pass purchasable at Nagano station.
**Day 20 to 21 – Toyama via Alpine route** \- have you done the Alpine route? How intense is it? What is the weather at the end of October? The route is open but I don’t want to be super cold!
* **20** \- Take the bus from Nagao to Ogizawa then use the alpine route ticket to Toyama – ticket should be purchaseable from Nagano. Details on the Alpine route: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7550.html
* **21** \- Explore Yatsuo no Machinami district, Naksui park, and Changqing temple.
**Day 22 to 23 – Takayama**
* **22** \- Take the Takayama train line from Toyama to Takayama. Relax at accommodation and wander Takayama.
* **23** \- Takayama Itinerary – Takayama Jinya, Sanmachi suji, Kusakabe heritage house, Hachiman shrine, and Higashiyama walking course – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5912\_takayama\_full.html
**Day 24 – Shirakawago**
* **24** \- take the Nohi bus from Takayama to Shirakawago and overnight at a guest house if available – explore the village. If accommodation is not available go via Shirakawago to Kanazawa.
**Day 25 to 26 – Kanazawa**
* **25** \- take the Nohi bus from Shirakawago to Kanazawa. Explore Kanazawa at leisure.
* **26** \- Kanazawa itinerary – Omicho market, Oyama shrine, Gyokuseninmaru garden, Kanazawa castle, Kenrokuen garden, Seisonkaku villa – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4213\_kanazawa\_full.html
**Day 27 to 28 – Nagoya**
* **27** \- take the limited express train from Kanazawa to Nagoya – after checking in to accommodation **go** to the Toyota museum.
* **28** \- Ghibli park if I can get tickets.
**Day 29 to 36 – Kyoto**
* **29** \- take the Shinkansen from Nagoya to Kyoto – rest at the accommodation
* **30** \- Eastern kyoto full day itinerary – Ginkakuji temple, philosophers path, Nanzenji, Keage incline, Heian shrine, Yasaka shrine, Kodaiji temple, Higashiyama streets, Kiyomizudera – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950\_eastern\_kyoto\_full.html
* **31** \- Northern kyoto itinerary – Daitokuji temple complex, Kinkakuji pavilion, Ryoanji temple and garden, Ninnaji temple, Kitano tenmagu shrine, and Nijo castle – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950\_northern\_kyoto\_half.html
* **32** \- Nara day trip – take the Miyakoji rapid train from Kyoto to Nara station. Central golden hall, eastern golden hall, national treasure museum, Nara national museum, Nandaimon gate, Daibutsuden hall, Nigatsudo hall, Kasuga Taisha – return to Kyoto.
* **33** \- Kenninji temple, Eikan-do Zenrin-ji temple – slower day
* **34** \- Arashiyama full day itinerary – monkey park, Togetsukyo bridge, Tenryuji, bamboo groves, rent bike from Arashiyama station, Jojakkoji, Gioji, Saga-toriimoto preserved street, Otahi Nenbutsuji, Daikakuji – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950\_arashiyama\_full.html
* **35** \- Fushimi Inari Shrine up mount Inari – 4km to top, Nishiki food market (try takoyaki and Taiyaki and matcha)
* **36** \- Rest day
**Day 37 to 40 – Osaka**
* **37** \- take the JR special rapid train from Kyoto to Osaka – Osaka walking tour – Shinsekia, Nipponbashi den den town, Kuromon maket, Doguyasuji shotengai, Hozenji Yokocho, Dotonbori – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4028\_osaka\_deep.html
* **38** \- Osaka itinerary – Museum of housing and living, Tenjinbashi-suji shopping street, Osaka castle, Osaka museum of history, Shitennoji temple, Sumiyohi taisha – https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4028\_osaka\_history.html
* **39** \- Mount Koya day trip – take the JR Osaka inner loop line to Shin-Imamiya or Namba and buy a Koyasan world heritage ticket. Travel from there to Gokurakubashi and take the cable car to Koyasan and then the bus to the town. Visit Okunoin temple, Kongobuji temple, Garan, Daimon gate, Women pilgrims course.
* **40** \- Universal Japan
**Day 41 – Kobe**
* **41** \- take the JR train from Osaka station to Kobe Sannomiya station. Visit Rokko mountain hike from shin-kobe station, nunobiki waterfall, miharashi observatory, nunobiki herb garden, upper station observation deck.
**Day 42 – Himeji**
* **42** \- take the train from Kobe Sannomiya station to Sanyo-Himeji station. Visit Himeji castle and Kokoen garden.
**Day 43 – Uno**
* **43** \- early start to take the Shinkansen from Himeji to Okayama, then the JR Uno line to Uno station. Check in to accommodation and then make way to Teshima island – rent a bicylce for 1000 yen for 4 hours and ride around the island, teshima art museum, Les archives du coeur, bike up mount danyama and see the chimes in La Foret des Murmures.
**Day 44 – Kurashiki**
* **44** \- take the JR Uno line to Okoyama and then from there to Kurashiki station. Bikan historical quarter, Kurashiki craft work village, Monogatarikan, Honmachi, Higashimachi, Kanruyji temple and Achi shrine in Tsurugatayama park
**Day 45 – Onomichi**
* **45** \- JR San’yo main line train from Kurashiki to Onomichi. Temple walk to Tennei-ji temple and cat alley. Hike to Senko-ji park for the observatory platform and Senko-ji temple.
**Day 46 to 49 – Hiroshima**
* **46** \- take the San’Yo line from Onomichi to Fukuyama then Shinkansen to Hiroshima. Rest.
* **47** \- Visit Mitaki-dera temple – maybe hiking trails up the mountain, Shukkeien garden, and Koko-kyo bridge.
* **48** \- Hiroshima peace memorial park, children’s peace monument, flame of peace, cenotaph, national peace memorial hall, peace memoiral museum, atomic bomb dome, and Hiroshima castle
* **49** \- Miyajima day trip – Omotesando arcade, Itsukushima shrine, Daisho-in temple, Mount Misen, Momijidani park, Senjoaku pavilion,
**Day 50 to 51 – Fukuoka**
* **50** \- take the highway bus from Hiroshima to Fukuoka. Visit the Kushida Shrine, Tochoji temple, market at Kushida Honmachi Shotengai street, Machiya folk museum, Sumiyoshi shrine, there is a Sumo tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai center if I can get tickets on this date 20/11!
* **51** \- Ohori park, Fukuoka castle ruins, Tenjin shopping mall for lunch, Tenjin central park, Momochi beachfront district.
**Day 52 to 53 – Nagasaki**
* **52** \- take the super express bus from Hakata to Nagasaki. Nagasaki peace park – climb mount Inasa at dusk.
* **53** \- Nagasaki itinerary – museum of history and culture, Kofukuji temple, Meganebashi bridge, Dejima, chinatown, Tojin Yashiki, dutch slope, confucius shrine, Oura church, Glover garden.
**Day 54 – Kumamoto**
* **54** \- Bus from Nagasaki station to Kumamoto station. Visit Kumamoto castle, Suizenji garden, and Hosokawa residence (if reopened).
**Day 55 to 59 – Okinawa**
* **55** \- Fly from Kumamoto to Okinawa, take the monorail from naha airport to naha city. Check into accommodation and then explore Naha city. Visit Tsuyoba pottery museum, Arakaki residence, Kokusai Dori shopping street, Heiwadori shopping arcade, Tsuboya Ufu Shisa statue, Saion Ufu Shisa statue, Makishi public market, Fukushen garden, Naminoue shrine, and Naminoue beach.
* **56** \- buy a 1 day monorail pass and visit Urasoe castle ruins, Urasoe yodore. Shuri castle – Sairaiin temple, Shurijo castle, Tamaudan mausoleum, Kinjo-cho stone path, and Okinawa prefectural museum.
* **57** \- buy a 1 day bus pass from the tourist center – Check out Yomitan – explore the November pottery market. Visit Zakimi castle. Shop and eat at depot island, visit christmas land, visit the beaches, sunset walk promenade.
* **58** \- take the ferry to Motobu Toguchi port – Ocean expo park aquarium buy a ticket from naha tourism centre first for a cheaper price. If time, go to the native Okinawan village and Omoro arboretum with native plants. Visit emerald beach and Bise village.
* **59** \- Tokashiki island via ferry – take local bus from the port to Aharen enchi. Go to lookout points there, walk to aharen beach for a swim, follow sondo aharen road to Tokashiku beach, hike back to the port via sondo otani road, go to west and east lookouts and stop at the site of mass suicide. Continue on sondo seinen no le road back to port. browse the village before the boat back.
**Day 60 to 62 – Tokyo**
* **60** \- fly from Okinawa to Tokyo – rest day
* **61** \- explore Tokyo for the last day and get any final souvenirs etc.
* **62** \- Go to airport around midday for onward flight leaving 6.30pm local time.
Looking forward to hearing about your recommendations and advice. Thanks!
