Hopefully the final update for my October trip, going solo to mainly see various festivals that are happening during my trip and autumn leaves in Nikko.
Sawara no Taisai, Nada no Kenka, Nikko Toshogu Autumn Festival, Kawagoe Festival
Here is what I have:
Day 1 – Friday Oct. 11 – MCO -> HND
Day 2 – Saturday Oct. 12 – Tokyo (Sawara-no-Taisai?)
• 15:40 PM: Arrive at HND
• Check in ~Tokyo Hotel~
• Train to Sawara (2.5 hours)?
• Sawara-no-Taisai Matsuri?
Day 3 – Sunday Oct. 13 – Tokyo (Sawara-no-Taisai)
• Train to Sawara (2.5 hours)
• Sawara-no-Taisai Matsuri
Day 4 – Monday Oct. 14 – Tokyo -> Himeji/Osaka (Nada no Kenka)
• Check out ~Tokyo Hotel~
• Train to Himeji/Osaka (4 hours)
• Check in ~Himeji/Osaka Hotel~
• 11:00 AM – 14:00 PM Nada no Kenka Matsuri
• Matsubarahachiman Shrine
Day 5 – Tuesday Oct. 15 – Himeji/Osaka (Nada no Kenka)
• 10:00 AM – 17:00 PM Azuki Museum
• 06:00 AM – 17:00 PM Nada no Kenka Matsuri
Day 6 – Wednesday Oct. 16 – Himeji/Osaka -> Nikko
• Check out ~Himeji/Osaka~ Hotel
• Train to Nikko
• Check in Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa?
• Nikko Tōshogū
• Nikko Autumn Festival
• Shinkyō Bridge, Shōyō-en Garden
Day 7 – Thursday Oct. 17 – Nikko
• Explore rest of Nikko
• Kegon Waterfall, Lake Chuzenji, Ryuzu Falls
• Senjogahara
• Nikko Autumn Festival
• Nikko Momijiza
Day 8 – Friday Oct. 18 – Nikko -> Tokyo
• Check out Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa?
• Train to Tokyo
• Check in Tokyo Hotel
Day 9 – Saturday Oct. 19 – Kawagoe
• Kawagoe Autumn Festival
Day 10 – Sunday Oct. 20 – HND -> MCO
I know its a lot packed in one week and definitely could see any one of these festivals not happening so I do have alternative plans for any of these days. But any advice or information regarding the festivals is always appreciated!
One question:
Should I stay at hotel in Himeji or Osaka to see the Nada no Kenka? If I stay in Osaka I can enjoy the nightlife there easily but may miss some of the earlier parts of the festival, also may visit Kobe again.
Also any ryokan recommendations for solo travelers is always welcome!
Thank you for any help!
by Kozure96