Hi everyone,
My partner and I are going to Japan for the second time in May 2025, and have slowly started planning so we can get onto booking flights and accommodation. On our first trip eight years ago we only visited Tokyo and Kyoto, so we're only staying in Tokyo for a few days this time round (and will focus more on neighbourhood exploring) and are completely skipping Kyoto.
I'd love advice on whether our plan so far looks sensible in terms of how we've ordered the stops on our trip (and whether any journeys will be particular nightmares, we know some will be long but they looked doable).
I would also be super grateful for any recommendations on whether there are stops you'd recommend us adding to the itinerary, given we still have flexibility as haven't yet booked flights. For a bit of background on our interests, we love wandering in local areas, history museums, art, crafts (in particular ceramics), hiking and cycling, food and architecture.
Any advice on where it would be best for us to stay in Tokyo, given our plans are a bit all over the place, would also be gratefully received!
Thanks so much.
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
- Spend the day just settling in, walking around our local area
Day 2: Tokyo
- Shibuya
- Omotesando
- Yoyogi Park
- Meji Shrine
- Visit a few shops for ceramics shopping
- If we have energy, visit Mori Art Museum (we likely wont' have energy)
Day 3: Tokyo
- Walk around Nakameguro and into Daikanyama in morning, visit Kyu Asakura
- Afternoon trip out to Koenji, visit temples
Day 4: Tokyo
- Asakusa. See if we can get up early to see Senso-ji again before it's crowded, if not just explore area including Kappabashi and side streets
- Walk into Kuramae
- Keep afternoon open for anything that takes our fancy
Note we may try to get Sumo tickets if we can, would skip one of the above activities for that.
Day 5: Hakone
- Travel to Hakone in morning
- Open Air Museum
- Owakudani (maybe skip one of these if we don't have time for both)
- Check into Ryokan and spend afternoon there
Day 6: Takayama
- Travel to Takayama (a long trip)
- Explore the old town
Day 7: Takayama
- Miyagawa morning market
- Rent bikes and cycle the countryside
Day 8: Takayama and Hirayu Onsen
- Hida no Sato folk village
- Sake tasting
- Travel to Hirayu Onsen in early afternoon
- Spend afternoon walking in Hirayu
Day 9: Kamikochi
- Take bus to Kamikochi and hike
- Retun to Hirayu Onsen for the night
Day 10: Osaka
- Travel to Osaka
- Dotonbori in evening
Day 11: Osaka
- Kuromon Ichiba market
- Wander Osaka, visit other Shotengai
Day 12: Osaka
- Minoh National Park?
- Or an activity related to the Osaka EXPO, depending on what's on
Day 13: Hiroshima
- Travel to Hiroshima
- Peace Park
- Memorial Museum
Day 14: Hiroshima
- Day trip to Mijayima
- Hike Mt Mizen
Day 15: Fukuoka
- Travel to Fukuoka
- Fukuoka Art Museum
- Explore city
Day 16: Travel to South Korea
- Take the morning ferry to Busan
Thank you everyone!
by Stonemuses1