Hey all, I’m planning a last minute 2 1/2 month solo trip in Japan this March and am wondering what y’all think about my itinerary.
A little background about me is 30 yr old single male into food, nightlife, city life, temples/shrines, gaming/anime, some nature/onsen time but not too much. This will be my 3rd time in Japan. My travel style is to sort of get the feel of living there. I don’t like constantly moving around too often. I like to have a base somewhere (typically a city) and do some day trips with some time between.
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**March 16 – April 2nd : Tokyo (17 nights)**
Hotel in Aoyoma as Base
Some nightlife nights:
Shinjuku/Shibuya/Roppongi
Hang out in some of my favorite spots:
Kichijoji, Ginza, Akasaka, Aoyama, Ometesando
Check out new spots:
Chiba, Saitama, Setagaya
Day Trips:
Nikko
Ibaraki
Kanazawa(Overnight)
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Couple days to just rest and relax
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**April 2nd – April 3rd: Lake Kawaguchiko (1 night)**
\- Nice Onsen Ryokan booked 1 night on lake
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**April 3rd – April 6: Kyoto (3 nights)**
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Hotel near Pontocho Alley as Base
Revisiting some favorites:
Fushimi-Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Gion, Arashiyama/Bamboo Forest
New spots:
Byodoin Temple, Katsura Imperial Villa
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**April 6 – April 23: Osaka (17 nights)**
Hotel near Glico Sign as base
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Never been to Osaka so all new spots for me:
Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, Shitenno-ji, Tenjinbashisuji, Sumiyoshi, Osaka Aquarium, Umeda Sky, Tsutenkaku Tower, Senkoji Temple, Kuchu-Teien Observatory, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Minoo Falls
1 day Universal Studios
Couple nights of nightlife enjoying around Dotonbori
Couple days of relaxing and resting
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Day trips:
Kobe
Nara
Hiroshima/Miyajima
Kurashiki
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**April 23 – 27: Fukouka (3 nights)**
Hotel in Tenjin as base
New Spots:
Fukuoka Tower, Ohori Park and Castle Ruins, Tenjin Area
Hakata area (Kushida, Tochoji, Rakusuien, Sumiyoshi)
Day Trip:
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
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**April 27 – April 29: Beppu (2 nights)**
Beppu Onsen relaxing at ryokan and enjoying life
New Spots:
Hells of Beppu
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**April 29 – April 30: Yufuin (1 night)**
Another Onsen Ryokan
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New Spots:
Kinrin Lake, Yufuin Main Street Artisian Shops
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**April 30 – May 3: Nagasaki (3 nights)**
New spots:
Nagasaki Peace Park / Bomb Museum, Dejima, Mount Inasa, Glover Garden
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**May 3rd – May 9th: Okinawa (6 nights)**
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1 Night in Naha
Shikinaen Garden, Shuri Neighbourhood, explore city
2 Nights on Ishigaki Island (flight)
Kabira Bay, Phantom Island, Tamatorizaki Observatory, Ishigaki Yaima Village and Limestone Caves
2 Nights on Hateruma (ferry)
Nishihama Beach, Cape Takanazaki, Sokonatameike, Pemuchi Beach
1 Night back on Naha
Naminoue Beach/Shrine , Kokusai Dori
**May 9th – May 25th: Tokyo (16 nights)**
Relax and wind down in my favorite city
Day trips:
Nagano
Nagoya
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So this is the itinerary I’m leaning towards. I’ve kind of decided to leave out northern japan for a trip on its own next time. What do you guys think? Anything stand out or something cool along my route you suggest I see?
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Appreciate your time!