My partner and I (both 31) are planning a first time trip to Japan in August this year. All dates are still flexible except the dates of our flights and stay on Fuji.
**Monday 8/7: Arrive at Narita \~2 pm**
\- Check into Hotel (likely in Shinjuku)
\- Tokyo Metropolitan Building Observation Deck
\- Dinner near Hotel
**Tuesday 8/8 – Tokyo**
\- Morning: Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park
\- Afternoon: Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku
**Wednesday 8/9 – Tokyo**
\- Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market and/or Toyosu Market
\- Afternoon: Imperial Palace, National Art Museum
**Thursday 8/10 – Tokyo**
\- Morning: Sensoji Temple, Ueno Park
\- Afternoon: Asakusa
\- Evening: Yakult Swallows Game
**Friday 8/11 – Tokyo**
\- Morning: Rain Date for Sensoji Temple or Meiji Shrine
\- Afternoon: Shimokitazawa
**Saturday 8/12 – Train to Hiroshima**
\- Morning: Activate 7 Day JR Pass, Travel
\- Afternoon: Hiroshima Peace Memorial and Museum
**Sunday 8/13 (Obon) – Hiroshima**
\- Day Trip to Miyajima
**Monday 8/14 (Obon) – Train to Kyoto**
\- Morning: Hiroshima Castle
\- Afternoon: Travel
**Tuesday 8/15 (Obon) – Kyoto**
\- Morning: Fushimi Inari Shrine
\- Afternoon: Hokanji, Kinkakuji
**Wednesday 8/16 (Obon) – Kyoto**
\- Morning/Afternoon: Nara or Osaka day trip
\- Evening: Obon Bon Fires in Kyoto
**Thursday 8/17 – Train to Tokyo, Local Transit to Fujikawakuchiko**
\- Morning/Afternoon: Travel
\- Evening: Check into Hotel
**Friday 8/18 – Fujikawakuchiko**
\- Day Hikes
**Saturday 8/19 – Fujikawakuchiko**
\- Day Hikes
**Sunday 8/20 – Fujikawakuchiko**
\- Day Hikes
**Monday 8/21 – Fuji Hike – Day 1**
\- Forward Luggage to Tokyo
\- Hike to the Seventh Station on the Subashiri Trail, Stay overnight
**Tuesday 8/22 – Fuji Hike – Day 2**
\-Morning: Summit
\-Afternoon/Evening: Local Transit to Tokyo
**Wednesday 8/23 – Fly out of Haneda**
Notes:
\- We’ve included extra time in Fujikawakuchiko incase of bad weather.
\- We may bump the travel days to Hiroshima and Kyoto forward one day to have an extra day in Tokyo.
\- We may drop the Fuji hike depending on weather and how hectic it may be to fly the next day. In that case we’ll return to Tokyo a day earlier.
\- We’re experienced hikers on the east coast in the US. The altitude on Fuji is the only thing I think will be new for us.
Questions:
\- Anything I should know about Obon in Hiroshima or Kyoto other than the crowds?
\- Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!
4 comments
Ok, 1st thing I noticed is you have 5 Days of “Hikes”.
Being an avid camper/hiker myself, I think this is too much IMHO, for a few reasons. 1) Sure Japan and World Heritage Sites are nice, but you’ll be missing a whole bunch of what “Japan” has to offer, and more than just their scenic trails. If you REALLY want to do a super cool trek, look up “Nakasendo Trail”. The Magome–Tsumago is the most popular section of the Nakasendo trail and it’s easy to see why—the path takes you through two of the most well-preserved historic post towns and lets you stroll through stretches of the Japanese countryside and a peaceful forest and waterfalls along the way entire a hike is about 3 hrs, not including sight seeing in towns. Basically this could be done in 1 Day all-in-all. I would insert this just BEFORE Kyoto, it would be a great change of pace from Tokyo, then Kyoto itself is arguably the Best City in the World. Maybe send your luggage to Kyoto from Tokyo and Stay a night along the trail.
I’d eliminate the rest of the “Day Hikes” and save your real hiking for Mt. Fuji. I think 3 days of hiking would be perfect. This allows for the rest of the time to enjoy Japan.
2) Even though you might be eliminating “Day Hikes” you will still do PLENTY of walking every day. Both times we were there we averaged anywhere from 8-13 miles in a day.
3) Another thing I’m not sure you are quite aware of is how HOT Japan is. It’s due to it’s Humidity I’m from Florida and there were times in End of September that it was simply WAY TOO HOT. 5+ days of Hiking and in a row might be A LOT in the heat.
While Nara is a good day trip to do, you may want to dedicate a Full Day and more importantly Night to Osaka. Dotonbori really comes alive at night and eating and drinking a long here is something to really try and do. There is in excellent place to stay really close “[Dormy Inn Premium Namba Hotel & Onsen](http://www.agoda.com/sl/03523cc71df).
As for restaurants [Izakaya Toyo](https://g.co/kgs/7UKnkE)(on Netflix) and Japan’s famous [Jiggly Cheesecake @ Rikuro’s ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/N9WgroLLR6xBqi6p8) believe it or not, it makes an excellent breakfast with a cup of coffee. (BYOC). I THINK like a Day and a half you could cover most of what you would want out of Osaka.
As for your Tokyo Itinerary [Teamlab Planets](https://g.co/kgs/UzoW3k) was arguably my favorite thing to do in all of Japan. Make sure you don’t miss that. [Kikanbo](https://g.co/kgs/8wmyXb) in Asakusa is the best Ramen I have ever had (Skip breakfast and go very hungry for lunch it’s a lot). And [Tapas Molecular ](https://g.co/kgs/wbx2KP) (Molecular Gastronomy) sits at top as the best meal I’ve ever had in my life.
I’m sorry I know that’s a lot, but it’s something I think you should digest and think about. Also make reservations for as many restaurants as you can, and DON’T BE LATE to reservations. If you find yourself with an extra day I’d add it to Kyoto. You’ll understand when you get there, there’s such a large variety of stuff to do from Hiking, Nature, Shrines, Kinkakuji, Gion, Nishiki Market, Pontocho Alley, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari (another great Day Hike), Kiyomizu Dera (another “hike” if you start at the bottom near Yasaka Pagoda) try to time it for Sunset. Have a great time and GL to you.
I’d recommend renting bikes and cycling round Lake Kawaguchi – maybe instead of one of the day hikes. You can rent bikes same day (just make sure you’re early – 9:30am) and you can make it round the lake in a day with plenty of stops and food breaks.
Nice, I don’t see people go to a baseball game often. I’m a fan of the Yakult and Jingu stadium is great. You’ll have a lot of fun, it’s a different experience. Are you sitting on the 1st base side (home team) or 3rd base (visitor)? Looks like they are playing the carps.
I don’t particularly find the Imperial palace that interesting. The grounds aren’t as nice as some other parks. Consider the Hamarikyu gardens a little to the south. Also, the shotengai in Yanaka, south west of Nippori station is nice.
I wouldn’t bother visiting Nara from Kyoto. There is plenty to see in Kyoto without the long train ride. Osaka is an option. Also, I absolutely love Himeji which is between Hiroshima and Osaka on the shinkansen line. It’s been under repair for nearly a decade and it’s finally done. It’s still made of wood compared to Hiroshima castle which is mostly concrete. If you can find the time in your itinerary it’s a great place to visit and the only castle you need to visit during your trip. You can probably visit on your way too or from Hiroshima if you leave early-ish, but Engyoji might be difficult to fit in.
Don’t worry about the Fuji hike, especially if you do it overnight. I walked it as a dayhike and it’s totally fine if your physically fit. If you haven’t reserved the hut I would do that asap.
For some nice hikes with Fuji views I recommend Settogatake. Best views and the hike is not so crowded cause it’s a bit further from kawaguchiko.
https://www.allthepeaks.com/post/settogatake-yamanashi