Hello all! I am travelling to Japan with my partner from October 14 to 28 and I would like to know your opinion my itinerary. Please let me know if it is reasonable or if I’m biting off more than I can chew. We love hiking and we’re looking for nice scenery. We’re hoping to see some foliage, explore the culture and eat lots of delicious food. We don’t like the big cities as much and don’t plan on doing much shopping. I left a couple of free days in Tokyo at the end in case the weather doesn’t cooperate with us and we need to shift the schedule slightly. All of your opinions would be greatly appreciated!
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**October 14:**
* Land in Tokyo (Narita)
* Narita to hotel in Shinjuku (should arrive to Hotel by 5PM)
* Explore Shinjuku: Shinjuku Gyoen, Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai
**October 15: Tokyo**
* Tsukiji outer market for breakfast
* Senso-ji shrine
* Meiji shrine
* Yoyogi park
* Shibuya crossing
* Pokemon Center store in Shibuya
**October 16: Tokyo – Day trip to Mt Fuji**
* Train to Kawaguchiko station (travel time 2.5 hours)
* Sightseeing bus red line (Chureito pagoda, Mt Fuji panorama ropeway, Oishi park)
**October 17: Tokyo to Kyoto**
* Tokyo metropolitan government building
* Train from Tokyo to Kyoto (travel time 2h15min – hoping to arrive by 1:30PM)
* Kiyomizudera temple
* Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka
* Potoncho alley
**October 18: Kyoto**
* Fushimi Inari shrine
* Kinkaku-ji temple
* Philosopher’s path
**October 19: Kyoto – Day trip to Nakasendo trail**
* Train Kyoto to Nagoya then train to Magome (travel time 3 hours)
* Nakasendo trail Magome to Tsumago (3-4h)
* Train Tsumago to Nagoya then train to Kyoto (travel time 3 hours)
**October 20: Kyoto – Day trip to Nara**
* Train Kyoto to Nara (JR Nara station) (travel time 40-70 min)
* Kofukuji temple
* Todaiji temple
* Nara Deer Park
* Hike Mount Wakakusa (1h45)
* Kasuga Tiasha shrine
* Yoshikien gardens (if time)
**October 21: Kyoto – Day trip to Osaka**
* Train Kyoto to Osaka (travel time 15 min)
* Kuromon market
* Shinsekai district
* Dotonbori street
* Namba yasaka shrine
* Osaka castle
* Shitennoji temple
**October 22: Kyoto to Takayama**
* Train Kyoto to Nagoya to Takayama (travel time 3h30)
* Samachi-suji district (Old town)
* Yoshijima heritage house
* Sakurayama Hachimangu shrine
* Higashiyama walkway
**October 23: Takayama to Shirakawago to Toyama**
* Migayawa morning market Bus to Shirakawago (travel time 45min)
* *(Alternatively, we can rent a car from October 23 from Takayama and return on October 25 in Toyama, to be able to drive Shirakawago and Mount Tate instead of taking the bus. Would this be a good idea?)*
* Store luggage in locker
* Shiroyama viewpoint
* Explore the village
* Gassho-zukuri farmhouse
* Deai-Bashi bridge
* Retrieve luggage from locker
* Bus to Toyama (Shirakawago to Tonami Station South gate Toyama – leave at 3:30PM, arrive at 4:50PM)
* Grab dinner
**October 24: Toyama – Hike Mt Tateyama**
* Train from Toyama to Tateyama, then take the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route to Murodo (travel time 2h40min)
* Hike Mt Tateyama (3h30)
**October 25: Toyama to Tokyo**
* Train Toyama to Tokyo (travel time 2h30)
* Free day
**October 26: Tokyo – Day trip to Nikko**
* Train to Nikko (travel time 2-3h)
* *Consider getting a Nikko pass*
* Shin-kyo bridge
* Rinnoji temple
* Tosho-Gu shrine
* Kanmangafuchi abyss walking trail
* *OR instead of shrines and temples, take a bus to Sambommatsu (travel time 45 min) and hike Mount Nantai (5 hours)*
**October 27: Tokyo**
* Free day
**October 28: Leave Japan**
* Flight out (NRT) late afternoon
*Edit: formatting*
4 comments
Following this post. I’m there literally the same dates with a bit of a different itinerary, so I’m curious what others have to say.
Shinjuko Goen after 5pm looks unreasonable on day 1 as 1/ it us enormous and 2/ sunset will be at 5.08. There are many temples open at night that are well lit plus night observation points instead perhaps.
The Metro Govt Building is free but does not have as spectacular views as the other observation decks. I thought it was just OK but ymmv.
If you have a JR Pass the train journey will be longer than 2.15hrs as you cannot use the faster Nozomi but only by an extra ~20mins
Your Alpine route plan looks sound as your aim is to hike rather than see the dam. From Toyama will allow a faster start.
Consider swapping Oct 19 and 21. You could then go to Takayama at end of day rather than return to Kyoto. You would then wake up in Takayama on Oct 22 rather than head there via Nagoya (again) in the morning saving you travel time overall.
On the JR Pass front prices will increase a lot before you arrive but there is a theory if you buy one in September you will still be covered in October as there is a period of validity. No idea if in fact this will turn out to be accurate
I like your planning. Should be a great trip.
Hello, make sure to put some time in your schedule for food. Queues here can be daunting, so unless you want to eat fast food for your whole trip I’d try to slot at least 90 mins for lunch and dinners.
Also, check the opening times of everywhere you plan to go.
I’m pretty sure you won’t be able to visit Shinjuku gyoen, as it closes by 18.
I think lockers at Nagoya would be safe for empty lockers. Have not been (going in November) but Google says it is the fourth biggest city in Japan. I have read for smaller stations the staff will direct you to an overflow service if lockers all taken (costs more). Perhaps do some Google searches on locker availability at Nagoya station to get a degree of comfort.
I use luggage forwarding but would also be worried about getting it to Takayama in time. I usually send it to a future city rather than the next one to be safe and travel light or send it days before I depart my current city. Toyama may be a good bet as you have two nights there.
Takayama is smallish in size but an extra 3 hours would not go astray as sunset will be just after 5pm. Your current plan would be doable if leaving from Kyoto.