So we (gf & I – 28yr olds) just booked flight tickets to Japan a few hours ago. This is all we've booked so far, and the trip is from September 30th (landing day) to October 18th. Yes, 2024. Here are the locations and a few activities that we've been thinking about for each. Please bear with me as this is a very anxiety-enduncing trip for me, but I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone! If you notice anything that doesn't make sense or we're not accounting for, please do let me know! 🙂
Day 0 – Sept 30th – Tokyo
Landing at 3h30pm at Narita. probably just going to get Suica cards (are they back? I've read a few things about chip shortages but maybe since Sept 1st they seem easily obtainable?), take transit into the city to our AirBnB (currently not booked at the time of writing), and head out to walk around the area, get acclimatized
Day 1to3 – Oct 1st to 3rd – Tokyo
Shibuya crossing, ikebukuro (recommendation), Shinjuku, Akihabara, yoyogi park, Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena, tokyo tower, senso-ji Temple
There's also the possibility of doing a day trip to Kamakura for a hike, as I've been told you could have views on Mt Fuji.
We would sleep in Tokyo that night, and leave on Day 4
Day 4-5 – Oct 4-5 – Either Nikko or Nagano
Looking to find maybe a Ryokan and Onsen in those areas. DEfinitely seems difficult considering our last minute trip!
Day 6-8 – Oct 6-8 – Kyoto
Taking a shinkansen to Kyoto. Fushimi Inari hike, Arashiyama bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji Temple and the Iwatayama Monkey Park, Gion District, Rengeoin sanju-sangendo, Gold & Silver temples.
Day 9 – Oct 9th-10 – Nara or Takayama?
We were initially thinking of going to Nara and sleep there, but now we've just been made aware of the Takayama Autumn/Hachiman Festival. Is this worth trying to attend? There doesn't seem to be available accomodations in the region, but there is maybe the option of staying south of the festival in Gero. Any thoughts?
Day 10-12 – Oct 10-12 – Osaka
We're currently a little low on Osaka activities other than the Osaka Castle. Here we could take a day trip to Nara if we do end up going to Takayama. There's also been talk about going to eat Kobe beef in Kobe.
Day 13-15 – Oct 13-15 – Hiroshima
Shinkansen to Hiroshima in the morning. Himeji, Peace Memorial Park & Museum. Mayajima Island, Mount Misen (might either do the hike or the rope cabin)
Day 16-18 – Oct 16-18 – Back to Tokyo
Shinkansen back to Tokyo, explore any other things we might have missed, want to see more of, etc. anything that wasn't listed in the first tokyo stay maybe!
Leaving at around 5pm on the 18th, going back to Canada!
Few additional questions/help
- In our case, would the JR pass be worth it, even after the increase in price last year?
- How much do you disencourage having suitcases? Especially for transit.
- How much money is worth taking out for this type of trip? I know that cash is king, but I was thinking like 2000 CAD (1000 each), but this seems excessive a bit. Is it worth taking out money in Japan at the ATMs or before leaving? Kind of getting mixed info on that one with travel vlogs on YT.
The itinerary feels quite… loose, and as we literally bought the plane tickets this morning, it feels very unorgniazed, and I am panicking (my gf is as cool as cucumber though, hence why I'm the one making the post). There are currently no accomodations that are booked for any of those places, so even those suggestions, warnings, good-to-know's are all welcomed 🙂 I am no seasoned traveler by any means! Thank you soooo much for any input and help.
by Jieas