Crossposted from r/JapanTips!
Hello!! I’m going to Japan for three weeks over April May and I have about half an itinerary. My first week will be with two friends (one is only coming for the middle 5 days) and we’ve already booked our Tokyo accommodation. My next two weeks are solo! My general plan is Tokyo, travel through Alps to Kanazawa, pop into Kyoto, quick onsen stop in Kinosaki, then not sure – I need to depart from Osaka but would like to travel around more before ending up there last.
I’m also constrained by the Ryokan booking I have in Kinosaki Onsen on Day 15 – couldn’t get another booking!
I’ve also been informed some of my travel is in Golden Week… and I think I should start booking more hotels… I’m doing a mix of budget and mid-tier. Probably a few hostels.
Day 1 – Travel
Day 2-8 Tokyo (7 nights)
– Land in Tokyo in the AM, check into apartment
– Lots of exploration around the city
– Two potential day trips which are centred around getting into the countryside or nature (Hakone or Kawaguchiko, and Kamakura – Nikko felt a little far)
Day 9 Nagano (2 nights)
– Last friend leaves!
– Travel from Tokyo to Nagano
– Honestly not sure what I want to do in Nagano. Maybe add another onsen trip but I’m trying to keep overall costs low. Maybe see the snow monkeys but it might be nice not to do travel too much.
Day 11 Alpine Route through to Kanazawa
– Travel from Nagano to Ogizawa and then to Omachi to start the route.
– Intending to complete the route in a day and travel from Toyama to Kanazawa to check in in the evening.
Day 12 Kanazawa (total two nights)
Day 13 Travel to Kyoto (total 2 nights)
I think I’m honestly fine with two nights in Kyoto – it feels like it’ll be crowded and at this point I may be Temple-d out – I can always come back from Osaka.
Day 15 Kinosaki Onsen (1 night)
At this point my itinerary is wooly and I’m not sure how to end things!
Day 16 A big day…
– Travel from Kinosaki to Himeji and check out the castle (a need for me!)
– Travel to Hiroshima and stay there overnight instead of Himeji
Day 17 – 18
– Hiroshima and a day trip to Miyajima Island (2 nights in Hiroshima total)
– Travel onwards after check out on Day 18
Then I’m not sure. I could travel back to Osaka and spend Day 18-23 there and do some day trips and check out the city (might be nice after all the travel above). I’m interested in Fukuoka but don’t think I can travel all the way there from Hiroshima and back to Osaka. I’m also always interested in more onsen time!
Day 23 – AM flight
What do we think?
by bloodstainedkimonos