Hi all,
I’m planning a trip to Japan this November. I’m preparing to buy plane tickets, but before I do, I want to get some feedback on my itinerary. I’m not a huge city person, so I’m trying to balance out seeing the main sights in Tokyo and Kyoto with getting out into more rural areas. I am very into travel photography/nature/history, so getting great photo opportunities and seeing cultural/historical sites are probably my top priorities.
Day 1: Fly from US.
Day 2: Land in Tokyo in afternoon/evening.
Days 3, 4, 5: Explore Tokyo – Shibuya, Shinjuku, Sensoji Temple, Shimokitazawa, Imperial Palace. 1 day dedicated to Mt. Fuji day trip (to ensure best weather) – likely Fujiyoshida area (~2.5 hrs one way).
Day 6: Travel from Tokyo to Takayama, (4:23 hrs). Explore Takayama.
Day 7: Explore Takayama
Day 8: Travel to Shirikawa (1:15 hrs), spend the night.
Day 9: Travel to Kyoto, (3:43 hrs)
Days 10, 11: Explore Kyoto – Fushimi Inari Shrine, Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, Higashiyama historic district, Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Day 12: Travel to Nara (40 mins), see deer, Todai-ji , and Hozan-ji. spend night in Osaka (50 mins). If time/energy permits, explore Dotonbori.
Day 13: Train/Bus to Yunomine Onsen (~4 hrs from Osaka), spend the night
Day 14: Hike to Oyunahara and Hongu Taisha Shrine (1 hr). Take bus to Nachi Waterfall (2 hrs). Travel back to Osaka (~4-5 hrs) or Wakayama? Or spend night in Nachikatsuura and travel straight to Hiroshima on day 14 (~7 hrs). OR add extra day to travel back to Osaka/Wakayama?
Day 15: Travel to Hiroshima (1.5 hrs from Osaka or ~6-7 hrs from Nachikatsuura). Stop at Himeji Castle on the way.
Day 16, 17: Explore Hiroshima – A-Bomb Dome, Memorial Peace Park, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum – and Miyajima/Itsukushima Island
Day 18: Travel to Kumamoto (2 hrs). Rent car and drive to Takachiho (1.5 hrs by car).
Day 19: Explore Takachiho Gorge, Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine (15 mins by car), and Amano Iwato/Amano Yasukawara Shrine (39 mins by car). Either drive to Kurokawa Onsen (40 mins by car) to spend night or stay somewhere closer to Amano iwato shrine.
Day 20: Drive back to Kumamoto (1:15 hrs by car). Fly back to Tokyo.
Day 21: Fly back to US
I think the days I am still most unsure of are Days 13 and 14. I don’t have time to do more of the Kumano Kodo, but I still very much want to see the main shrines so I’ve planned this sort of abbreviated day using buses. Traveling straight back to Osaka that night will make for a pretty long day, but if I spend the night and then travel straight to Hiroshima, the next day will be even more filled with trains (~7 hours). Is there a spot between Nachikatsuura and Wakayama that’s worth a stop to split the difference? I’ve also considered adding in an extra travel day to get back to Osaka, but I’m really trying to keep my trip to 21 days and am not sure where to cut a day (Takayama? Nara? Hiroshima?). If anyone has any thoughts or has done this portion of the Kumano Kodo, I’d greatly appreciate it!
Also: is it worth it to try to time my trip to the autumn leaves? I’m worried it will be more expensive/crowded or the weather will start to turn. Currently thinking of ~Nov 10-Dec 1 or ~Nov 17-Dec 7
Thank you!
by MntnGoat25