Hi. I’m a mid 20s (m) solo traveler going to Japan for the first time and need a lot of help with my itinerary. I specifically need help with the Osaka/Kyoto chunk, but I’ll put specific questions at the end. (??? next to an activity means not sure if its worth it/will do if I have extra time). Also, I love hiking+food+shopping. Please let me know what you think.
**Day 10 (5/6): Busan→Fukuoka→Hiroshima**
* Land in Fukuoka at 10:05/Shinkansen to Hiroshima
* Reservation with to meet with Hibakusha at Social Book Cafe Hachidorisha at 15:00
* Peace Memorial Museum/Park/Atomic Bomb Dome
* Hiroshima Castle/Shukeien Garden???
* Okonomimura
**Day 11 (5/7): Hiroshima→Miyajima→Hiroshima**
* Yakigaki No Hayashi for Oysters at 10:30
* Itsukushima Shrine
* Daisho-in???
* Mount Misen Summit hike (Daisho-in Course)/Ropeway Down
**Day 12 (5/8): Hiroshima→Himeji→Osaka**
* Shinkansen to Himeji
* Himeji Castle
* Shinkansen to Osaka
* Check into Namba Station hotel at 15:00
* Dotonburi
**Day 13 (5/9): Osaka→Kobe→Osaka**
* Osaka Castle at 9:00
* Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street???
* Osaka Tenmangu Shrine???
* Umeda Sky Building
* Train to Kobe
* Reservation for Steak Aoyama at 17:00???
* Train to Osaka
**Day 14 (5/10): Osaka**
* Kuromon Ichiba Fish Market at 10:00
* Nipponbashi Den Den Town
* Shitennoji Temple???
* Abeno Harukas
* Shinsekai-suji Shopping Street
* Namba Yasaka Shine
* Amerikamura
**Day 15 (5/11): Osaka→Nara→Kyoto**
* Train to Nara
* Mochi: Nakatanidou at 10:00
* Lunch: Magura Koya at 11:00
* Kofukuji???
* Todaiji
* Mount Wakakusa
* Train to Kyoto
* Fushimi Inari
* Check into Shijo Kawaramachi Hotel
* Gion/Pontocho Alley/Shinbashi-dori/Kiyamachi
**Day 16 (5/12): Kyoto – Southern Higashiyama**
* Ginkakuji at 8:30
* Philosopher’s Path
* Nanzenji
* Nijo-jo
* Imperial Palace
**Day 17 (5/13): Kyoto – Northern Higashiyama**
* Kiyomizudera at 7:00
* Sannenzaka/Nienzaka/Yasaka Pagoda
* Kodaiji at 9:00
* Lunch: Gion Duck Noodle at 11:00
* Yasaka Shrine/Maruyama Park
* Shogunzuka Mound Hike
* Nikishi Market
**Day 18 (5/14): Kyoto – North/Arashiyama**
* Ryoanji at 8:00
* Kinkakuji Temple at 9:30
* Otagi Nenbutsiju and/or Adashino Nenbutsu-ji???
* Gioji
* Arashiyama Bamboo Groves/Okachi Sanso Garden
* Kimono Forest
**Day 19 (5/15): Kyoto→Takayama**
* Hida Wide View to Takayama
* Hida #25 at 8:31 to 12:14
* Check in at 15:00
* Relax at Onsen
**Day 20 (5/16): Kyoto→Takayama**
* Shirakawago or Hida Folk Village???
* Sanmachi Suji (Edo-era architecture)
* Higashiyama Walking Course
**Day 21 (5/17) : Takayama →Hirayu Onsen**
* Check out by 10:00 & ship suitcase to Tokyo hotel
* Bus to Shinhotaka Ropeway
* Bus to Hirayu Onsen
* Check in from 15:00-22:00
* Relax at Onsen
**Day 22 (5/18): Hirayu Onsen → Kamikōchi →Tokyo**
* Check out by 10:00
* Kamakōchi
* Last bus to Tokyo leaves at 16:50
* Check in Shinjuku hotel by 24:00
**Day 23-30 (5/19-5/26): Tokyo+day trips**
* Still working on it. Will post separately if I need help.
**QUESTIONS:**
**1. Kobe -** I know it would make way more sense to go to Kobe on the way from Himeji, but the restaraunt I have a reservation at isn’t open on Wednesday. How silly is it to plan my itinerary around a restaraunt like this? Is it even worth going to Kobe to eat Kobe or should I just have it in Osaka/Tokyo.
**2. Osaka -** I know these days are a bit crowded. Anything I should cut?
**3. Kyoto/Nara -** Honestly not sure whats going on here. Can’t figure how to organize these days. Is it worth going to Nara if I don’t care about the deer? I just want to see the mochi demonstration/todaji and I heard Wakakusa is an awesome hike. Should I just spend more time in Kyoto? Also, when should I do Fushimi Inari? I know these days are crowded. Would love advice on what I should cut.
**4. Shirakawago -** Does it make more sense to do this on day 19 or 20? Should I skip it all together for convience and do Hida folk vilage in Takayama instead?
If you made it this far thank you so much!!! Would really appreciate any advice.
by Anxious-Bowl-8244