Hello! I will be traveling with my mom to the Chubu + Kansai Region during the Lunar New Year festivals this year. We’re good for Kyoto (4D) and Osaka (1D) but could use some macro-level help figuring out the Chubu region of the trip. Questions will be highlighted in **bold.**
***23 Jan (Mon) – Takayama***
* Arrive at Chubair International Airport at 735am.
* Take the train to Nagoya to exchange for the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass.
* Travel to Takayama via JR Hida and arrive by 1 pm.
* Leave our belongings in the Ryokan and explore the area.
* We’re using the amazing [trip report](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mg8ir9/autumn_weekend_in_takayama_gifu_prefecture/) curated by u/phillsar86 for Takayama. Shoutout!
***24 Jan (Tues) – Takayama + Shirakawago***
* Explore Takayama in the morning.
* Leave for Shirakawago at either 1150am or 150pm.
* Overnight stay at [Gensaku](https://shirakawa-go.gr.jp/en/stay/35/), a Gassho House. **(Note – This is fixed.)**
***25 Jan (Wed)*** ***- ??? + Kanazawa***
* Finish up whatever we haven’t done in Shirakawago before heading to the next location.
* **Question: Debating btw going back to Takayama or continuing to Kanazawa.**
Is Kanazawa worth spending a full 1.5 days there? Or does Takayama deserves more time?
* **Alternatively, if there’s something in the Chubu region that’s worth visiting, I’m open to suggestions as well.** *I’m against heading to Fukui for now as the Archaeological Museum is closed for repairs. SADLY.*
* Check-in at Kanazawa at night.
***26 Jan (Thurs) – Kanazawa + Kyoto (Night)***
* Explore more of Kanazawa.
* Once done, we’ll take the JR line back down to Kyoto and make it our base camp for the rest of the journey.
Many thanks if you have read through this itinerary! Honestly, the main question would be to do something on 25th January. I would prefer to stay a little longer at Takayama but the Gassho House reservations at Shirakawago are something that can’t be changed. 😛
3 comments
Hey, I’m going to the same regions in Jan too. I think Kanazawa is worth the time instead of going back to Takayama, which I’m worried won’t have that much to do outside of the old street, sake breweries. Considering going to Furukawa if I’m done exploring Takayama’s main area.
For Kanazawa, it’s a relatively simple route around Kanazawa station and taking the bus or walking. Visit Omicho Market > Kanazawa Castle > Higashi Chaya District > Kenrokuen, then there’s museums around the gardens for a day’s worth. Try seeing if this suits you!
I’d say Kanazawa has a lot you’ll miss out on in only a day and a half. (Source: It’s where I live) Aside from the amazing food (sushi, seafood, oden, curry, sweets, matcha, and ice cream) there are also a lot of traditional streets to explore, bars to have fun in, museums to check out, stores to shop in, and handicrafts to try. That’s all within downtown as well, there are plenty of shrines, parks, hiking trails and onsen to check out everywhere if you’re comfortable going off the beaten path.
Actually just today I met up with another redditor from here and showed them around. They definitely wished they were staying more than a night. I’ve lived here for three years for a reason! Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Gokayama and Anokura village are great side trips from Shirakawa-go. You didn’t exactly specify if you’re driving or not but you can only get there by car. I like them because they’re smaller versions of Shirakawa-go and you can enjoy it without the masses of tourists.