Hi all! I hope this post makes it, my last one wasn’t specific enough so I have firmed up our plans.
We are Aussie, have been to Japan several times before, and have friends in some cities. So we have been to the “Top Spots”, we’ve hit our Must See places, and now we’re looking forward to checking out some less famous (but probably just as touristy) spots. We love both the traditional side of Japan, the history and language and culture, but also the insane colourful side. Example: my two favourite places in the WORLD (and I have travelled a bit) are Gio-ji, and Kawaii Monster Cafe (when I heard about its closing I literally cried). We loved Robot Restaurant (also now closed) for its brain-warp of colours and sounds and craziness. We love cuteness like San-X characters. We also love bamboo gardens and meditative temples. Food is always a favourite for us, and animals – anywhere we can go to be close to animals is immediately a priority for us.
So here’s our itin:
– 20 Oct – Fly in, arrive evening
Stay Shibuya
– 21 + 22 Oct – Explore new things in Tokyo, including Miyashita park (last time we were there it was under construction)
Go to Machida Squirrel Garden
TeamLab Planets – I know we have to book for this
Visit Shimokitazawa
Either Tokyo SkyTree or Shibuya Sky
– 23, 24 Oct – Kyoto
Stay near Kyoto station as it’s easy and central – Henn Na Hotel hopefully!
Visit old favourites and old friends; Gio-ji of course, and wander around Arashiyama. Rilakkuma Cafe!!
Finally go to Starbucks Ninenzaka, as I have somehow missed it every other time.
Go up to the top at Kiyomizu-dera to see the foliage (I hope the foliage agrees to visit too)
– 25, 26, 27 Oct – Osaka
Wander around and visit friends.
Silver Ball Planet, Americamura in general, eat LOTS as we are staying at Vessel Inn right on Dotonbori (right next to the spot on the canal where we got engaged!)
Tavern Pachimon Wars
TeamLab Osaka Botanical Garden
Asahi Brewery tour – I know we have to book this too
– 28 Oct – head to Nagoya – travel and chill day
– 29 Oct – have our backpacks forwarded from Nagoya to Matsumoto.
Ghibli Park Aichi – I have the date that October tickets go on sale marked in my calendar!
After it closes at 5pm, head to Ena in Gifu
– 30 Oct – today is the day we hike.
From Ena, catch a cab to Nakatsugawa. WALK from Nakatsugawa, to Magome, to Tsumago, to Nagiso Station. This will take all day and all of our energy.
From Nagiso Station, head to Matsumoto for a night (I have a friend with a sofabed for us).
– 31 Oct – train to Narai. Walk around and enjoy.
After a day there, head to Karuizawa.
– 1 Nov – wander around Karuizawa. Relaxed day.
We’ve been here before and it was one of our favourite towns, so we’re just going to enjoy wandering in the woods, seeing Kumoba Pond with the foliage, and eating at some great restaurants.
– 2 Nov – head from Karuizawa to (maybe) Fujikawaguchiko, to stay at a fancy-pants ryokan with a private onsen for the night (our personal tradition).
– 3 Nov – fly home
… Okay so, my questions include :
– We love grungy, punky cool places, is Shimokitazawa worth visiting?
– Are there any animal cafes that actually treat the animals well? I don’t want to go to a place where the animals aren’t happy, but there aren’t enough animals in the itinerary for our liking!
– Has anyone ever walked the Kiso road? Is Nakatsugawa to Nagiso even doable in a day? Google maps and my research suggest yes, but I’m worried about the elevation. Do we need special shoes? Should we train for a walk like that? We’re not really hikers.
– I tend to think this itinerary doesn’t justify a JR pass. What do you think?
– Can you use Suica/Pasmo in Aichi/Gifu/Nagano? I doubt it but thought I’d ask. What can we buy that would cover these areas?
– Is it easy to get luggage forwarded? Everyone says it’s super easy, but I like to plan things in advance (obviously) so it makes me a bit nervous when people say to just ask when we get there. Is there a way to book this in advance?
– Does anyone have any personal recommendations for private onsen ryokan/hotels? I don’t care about the public onsens, I have a huge backpiece tattoo so private only. Ideally the checkboxes would be a) open air bath in the room from which you can view Mt Fuji, b) a kotatsu if it gets cold. I mean if it also had real hot spring water in the bath, and meals served in-room instead of in a restaurant, that’s just bonus points. What we really want is the Fuji bath and the kotatsu (assuming it’s cold in early November). Our budget for this one night is around $1000 (it’s my 40th birthday present). The real difficulty is this: **how do you figure out if the hotel offers kotatsu??** Even the rooms that specifically advertise tatami areas, they don’t always say they’ll have one. Previously in ryokans they’ve never advertised it, they just set it up as a surprise. Now I dream of them!
Anyway, let me know your thoughts! Thank you so much!! 🙂
2 comments
You should calculate the cost of all the long distance train and compare to the cost of the pass, but my guess is no.
Aichi it depends where, but the company who use Manaca would be ok, Gifu I do not know, Nagano local bus and private railway use Kururu card, will be more of a hassle to get than it will to pay cash for a couple of rides. And you would likely have to pay a deposit so even more hassle if you want your money back. If you want to know if you can use a card, you need to check for specific company, not for a general area.
Private Onsen/Hotels:
I would probably recommend Hoshinoya Kyoto in Arashiyama. It’s only accessible by boat and the views are stunning. You should probably email about the baths. It says they have spa treatments available. My friend stayed here for her anniversary and LOVED it. Said it was her best hotel experience ever.
You can also check out Muni Kyoto, Ranzan and Arashiyama Benkai — and see what services they provide. All are in Arashiyama all along the river! So stunning views!