Itinerary Check and Questions – 22 Days Oct/Nov 2023 in Osaka, Kyoto, Takayama, and Tokyo

Hello All in JapanTravel.

Massive thanks to this subreddit for helping us (married couple) and friends discover and plan this trip to Japan. This is so much appreciated.

We (married couple m and f, both in our early 30s) will be travelling to Japan from 14 Oct till 04 Nov 2023. We shall join up with 2 groups of friends along this trip – with each of us having work constraints so getting leaves at the same time was a challenge.

Japan has long been on our list, and it’s finally happening! I love anime/manga while she’s mildly interested in it – we both are looking forward to the food, the autumn foliage (as far as possible), and taking the time to enjoy the trip rather than try to do all the attractions or places of interest.

We like to usually balance our days and nights, with some ‘TO DOs’ and ‘Might DOs’ (we would like any kind of suggestion or comments on this as well). We want to make sure the trip is viable in terms of time management.

***Our main questions are here*** (with some other ones in the detailed trip per days below):

* Based on the itinerary, would a 7-Day JR Pass or 14-Day Pass be worthwhile? If at all? We plan to get the ICOCA card for bus trips for sure. We plan to order the JR Pass before the announced price increase.
* Is doing 1 night in Hakone and the next one in Kawaguchiko (or vice versa), and back to Tokyo the day after doable or should we pick either of one and do the 2 nights in one spot?
* If possible we want to enjoy the local culture and/or festivals along the way in the locations we will be – it would be awesome if anyone could suggest some.
* Any comments and unsolicited advice are most warmly welcomed!

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**Sat 14 Oct – Osaka**

We land at KIX at around 8 am, and either we will take the train or the Airport Limousine bus (depends on if we will forward our luggage to the hotel from the airport or haul it with us through the train).

We are considering getting the Osaka Amazing 2-Day Pass and will try to do Umeda Sky Bulding, Osaka Museum of Living and Housing and the HEP Five Ferris Wheel. Head to the hotel for the checkin and get an early night in.

**Sun 15 Oct**

Osaka Castle, Shitennoji Temple, Kuromon Ichiba Market

**Mon 16 Oct – Day Trip to Kobe**

Walk around Kobe Chinatown Nankin-machi, have lunch at Wakkoqu (or another spot), and get to Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens

Was thinking about trying to fit in 1 or 2 Sake Brewery Museums.

**Tue 17 Oct – Universal Studio Day**

Spending the whole day here till late evening. Will get the Express Pass and try to get in the park as early as possible.

Will forward our luggage to our Kyoto Hotel

**Wed 18 Oct – Osaka to Nara and then to Kyoto**

We are considering taking the Kintetsu Aoniyoshi Express train to go to Nara. Will try to do the Nara Park, Todaiji Temple, and Kofukuji Temple.

Get to Kyoto late afternoon, and checkin the hotel before going on night walk around Pontocho Alley and maybe the Yasaka Shrine at night after dinner.

**Thurs 19 Oct**

Will try to get an early start if possible so as to get those photos from Ninenzaka and Sanenzaka, and go to the Kiyomizu Dera for a walk around. Will try for both Kodaiji temple and Kennin-Ji temple.

Is it worth going through the Philosopher’s Path at this time of the year? And then, Ginkakuji.

**Fri 20 Oct**

Will again aim for an early start. Start at Fushini Inari (Thousand Gates), Tokufu-ji Temple – and considering Byodo-In. Shopping for a bit at Teramachi Kyoto Network.

Will try to fit in the Kyoto International Manga Museum, Nishiki Market, and SAMURAI & NINJA MUSEUM with EXPERIENCE (will see how it goes).

**Sat 21 Oct**

Another early morning it is then…

Going for the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove – and trying to choose between either the Sagano Romantic Train or Hozugawa River Cruise. Will go to the Tenryu-Ji Temple and Okochi Sansa Garden.

Considering the Saihoji Kokedera Moss Temple and the Katsura Imperial Villa.

**Sun 22 Oct to Mon 23 Oct – Kyoto to Okuhida Onsen Village** (meeting with friends)

Will have already forwarded our luggage to the next hotel from Kyoto to Takayama City. Will be taking the JR Hida Limited Express (if we make it on time that is). As we will be spending 2 night sin Okuhida Onsen Village and another 2 nights in Takayama, I am considering the 4 day Alps Wide Free Passport from Alpico – any guidance/advice on this one?

As the trip will be quite long, we might either just stay in the hotel or try to check out the Hirayu Ōtaki Waterfall, Hirayu Folk Museum, and Okuhida Bear Park.

A day trp to Kamikochi – walk around and try some of the hike pathways. Try the Shinhotaka Ropeway ride if time permits.

**Tue 24 Oct to Wed 25 Oct – Going to Takayama**

Take the bus to Takayama City – walk or cycle around the city. Just chilling around.

Miyagawa Morning Market, Gyojin Bridge, Higashiyama. Will be forwarding the luggage to our Tokyo hotel.

**Thurs 26 Oct – Going to Kanazawa**

Take the Nohi bus to Shirakawa-go, and then to Kanazawa. Tsuzumi-mon Gate, Omicho Ichiba, and Hyakumangoku-dori.

**Fri 27 Oct – Day in Kanazawa and Shinkansen to Tokyo**

Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en, Higashi-chaya district (Geisha) and then take the Shinkansen early afternoon to Tokyo. Will aim for an early night and checkin at the hotel directly.

**Sat 28 Oct to Mon 30 Oct – Tokyo Sightseeing** (meeting with friends)

Have not exactly mapped out the Tokyo part of the trip, but we do have a rough idea of what we want to do. We do not plan to do it all but there will be quite some eating/drinking during these days as we will be meeting up with friends.

Studio Ghibli Museum, Nakano Broadway, Afternoon Activity: Ginza Shopping Walk

Shinjuku, Meiji Jingu, Yoyogi Park, Harajuku, Shibuya crossing, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Asakusa/Ueno, Sensō-ji, Nakamise Dori street, Tokyo Skytree

**Tue 31 Oct to Thurs 2 Nov – From Tokyo to Fujikawaguchiko and Hakone (and back to Tokyo)**

Considering the highway bus from Shinjuku station – Chureito Pagoda, Oishi Park, Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, Fujisan Herb Garden and Deck.

Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, Sightseeing Boat Cruise, Gotemba Premium Outlet (2-3 hours stop before going to Hakone). Gonna try to do part of the Hakone Free Pass Loop.

**Thurs 2 Nov to Sat 4 Nov – Last 2 days in Tokyo**

Might try for a day trip to Yokohama – Tokyo Gendai and Gundam if time/energy permits.

Will try to catch up on shopping or any attraction we might have missed (e.g. Tsukiji Market, TeamLab, Pokemon Centre). Will be leaving late at night.

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