Hey there! Would love some feedback on whether our itinerary for our upcoming September trip is achievable before I start locking in accom. Some things to note are that it is both of our second time visiting Japan (so don't be alarmed by the lack of time in Kyoto). The main things we wanted to achieve was a substantial amount of time in Tokyo and some time in a more traditional/quiet/rural area hence us spending time in the Alps. I know the beginning of our trip will be a bit hectic with moving around but hoping it's doable! Would love some ryokan/onsen recs for Takayama if anyone has any. Thanks!
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 02
Osaka Day 1 (Travel Day)
- Land in Osaka 7:40pmÂ
- Check into Hotel
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 03
Osaka Day 2 – Kyoto Day tripÂ
- Arashiyama (Kyoto)
- Gion Area
- Nishiki MarketÂ
- Kiyomizu-DeraÂ
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 04
Osaka Day 3
- Hiroshima Day Trip
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 05 → ALPS LOCATIONS: TAKAYAMA, SHIRAKAWA-GO, KAMIKOCHI, Shinhotaka Ropeway
Osaka to Takayama (Alps) Day 1
- TRAIN: Limited Express Hida Train (4 hours 20 mins) Leaves Osaka at 7:08am weekdays, arrives 12:23pm
- Hotel Check in
- Explore TakyamaÂ
- Higashiyama Walking Course (3.5km) (Start Point 10 minutes from Takayama station or Sanmachi Suji
- Sanmachi Suji: Historic neighbourhood with shops, breweries and restaurantsÂ
- Harada Sake Brewery
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 06
Takayama day 2Â
- Takayama Morning Markets (on the bank of the Miyagawa River)
- Day trip to Shirakawa-go – buses come hourly, some require pre-reserved seats, 50 minutes, 2600 yenÂ
- Explore Shirakawa-goÂ
- Shirakawa Kaido main street restaurants, shops and food stalls, and Shirakawa-no-yu hot spring at end of the streetÂ
- Myozen-Ji TempleÂ
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 07
Takayama day 3
- Kamikochi Day TripÂ
- Take a bus from ~Takayama~ to ~Hirayu Onsen~ (60 minutes, 1600 yen, hourly), from where there are two buses per hour to Kamikochi (25 minutes, 1180 yen one way, 2090 yen round trip).
- Kappabashi BridgeÂ
- Taisho Pond to Myoji Bridge HikeÂ
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 08
Takayama day 4Â
- Free DayÂ
- Onsen
- Shinhotaka Ropeway (maybe)
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 09
Takayama to Tokyo day 1Â
TRAIN: JR Hida Express line from Takayama to Nagoya. Bullet train from Nagoya to Tokyo (4.5 hours)
Explore ShinjukuÂ
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10
Tokyo Day 2Â
- Shibuya, Harajuku
- Meiji Jingu ShrineÂ
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 11Â
Tokyo Day 3
- Team Lab & Tsukiji Fish MarketÂ
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12
Tokyo Day 4
- Disney
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13
Tokyo Day 5
- AkihabaraÂ
- Akiba Cart (need IDP)
- Team Lab Borderless (maybe)
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14
Tokyo day 6
- AsakusaÂ
- Senso-Ji templeÂ
- Kitchen Kujo Tokyo Cooking Class / Buddha Bellies
- Baseball game on this night @ Tokyo Dome 6:00pmÂ
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15
Tokyo to Osaka day 4
(Free day in Osaka, maybe visit Kyoto)
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16
Osaka Day 5 (Travel Day)
(Free day in Osaka, maybe visit Kyoto)
Travel to Sydney, Flight @ 9:25pmÂ
by queen_gee