Dates: April 9th-23rd
Looking for advice on both our itinerary and also what neighborhoods might be good to stay in for our honeymoon. Note: this list of destinations was developed thanks to the advice of people who said we shouldn’t have to pick between Naoshima and Koyasan and should fit in both, so it’s perhaps a little packed.
Interests that will guide our itinerary include art, anime/manga, gaming (him), history (more him), gardens, animals, interesting bike routes (I’d want an electric rental), music, great views.
I am rusty, but was once fluent in Japanese and have lived there. Husband knows none but is starting basics on Duolingo.
Also, I am pescatarian, so no side trips specifically for Kobe beef etc.
Day 1:
Narita 3:55
Train to Kyoto, arr. 9-10pm, collapse at hotel. I have 2 refundable bookings at a couple of well-liked central places, just so that we have an option before everything gets booked
Day 2: Kyoto list of ideas
Arashiyama (could spend most of a day there w/ Togetsukyo, Monkey Mountain, bamboo forest etc.)
Kinkakuji
Nijo Castle
Nishiki Market
Imperial Palace?
International Manga Museum
Sanjuusangendou
Gion
Kiyomizudera
Relax/stroll along the Kamogawa (college nostalgia!)
Maybe Ninja Sweets
Cooking class would be nice
Day 3: Kyoto
side trip to Nara, eve out in Osaka (Dotonbori)
Day 4: Kyoto
side trip to Uji? (or tea ceremony elsewhere) and to Fushimi Inari Shrine
Other Kyoto things from list
Day 5: Kyoto
Other Kyoto things from list
Day 6: Early Himeji to Naoshima (afternoon).
Refundable booking at a basic place, just so that we have an option before everything gets booked. Benesse = too pricey
See Himeji Castle outside, inside, and gardens
Train to Uno port, rent bikes at Naoshima after dropping backpacks, see museums/installations until closing
Public Bath I Love Yu after dinner
Day 7: Naoshima morning/noon, stop in Kurashiki, late train to Hiroshima
More museums
Lunch in Kurashiki, wander willow canals and see Ivy Square
Bar in Hiroshima?
Day 8: Miyajima AM then Hiroshima
eat Momiji manju, see deer, Itsukushima Jinja
Peace Museum
Peace Park/Memorials, Genbaku Dome
Devour okonomiyaki (I really miss Hiroshima-style)
Day 9: Morning in Hiroshima, then midday train to Osaka & down to Koyasan Station around 4:30.
Ship bags ahead to Kawaguchiko before leaving Hiroshima
Have Buddhist dinner at temple (where?)
See Okunoin cemetery after dark
???
Day 10: Leave Koya mid/late morning, travel thru Osaka to Lake Kawaguchiko
Watch morning prayer
Explore Koya for another couple of hours?
Travel day, arrive at a Kawaguchi ryokan after dinner
Day 11: Kawaguchiko
Shibazakura festival at Lake Motosu
???
Relax in onsen w/ Mt. Fuji views
Day 12: Kawaguchiko, get back to Tokyo for late afternoon & evening out
Chureito Pagoda (for the money shot)
Kubota Itchiku Art Museum
Day 13: Tokyo 2.5 days in no order
Ghibli Museum
Any ethical animal cafe (not cats—allergies)
Tsukiji Outer Market seafood bowl brunch
Teamlab Planets
Meiji Jingu & Harajuku
Shibuya & Shibuya Sky
Akihabara
A park or garden
Side trip to Ashikaga wisteria? Couple hours north
Day 14: Tokyo cont’d
Other Tokyo things from list
Day 15: Tokyo cont’d. JR pass inactive. Keisei Ueno to NRT afternoon, flight 4:55
Other Tokyo things from list until ~1:30, then get bags and leave