Hi everyone,
This will be my first time traveling to Japan with my parents for 3 weeks from late March to early April. Feeling overwhelmed while planning the trip. Hoping to get feedback on my itinerary.
Some questions I have:
1. Are there any specific areas and/or affordable mid-range hotels you recommend we stay at for each location (Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Kinosaki Onsen)? We’re willing to splurge for a ryokan during our stay at Kinosaki Onsen.
2. What’s the most convenient area to stay in Tokyo on my last day for easy access to Haneda Airport?
3. Is the JR pass worth getting? If yes, should we get the 7-day or 14-day pass?
4. Any attractions/food you recommend us visiting and trying? Is there anything on the itinerary that isn’t worth doing/seeing? We’re more interested in historical, nature, and cultural sites. Although we want to try local food/snacks, we’re not big foodies nor are we shoppers.
Itinerary
Wed, March 20 (Day 1): Tokyo – Arrive in Tokyo at 3PM. Go to hotel, get situated, and relax.
Thurs, March 21 (Day 2): Tokyo – Explore Asakusa(Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street), Sumida Park
Fri, March 22 (Day 3): Tokyo – Meiji shrine, Harajuku (Kiddyland, Daiso), Shinjuku (Government Metropolitan Building, Shinjuku Gyoen, Gut’s Soul)
Sat, March 23 (Day 4): Tokyo – Day trip to Mount Fuji at Lake Kawaguchiko (Ropeway, Kawaguchi Sengen Shrine, Chureito Pagoda) Anything else to do nearby? Possible to visit Hakone on the same day?
Sun, March 24 (Day 5): Tokyo – Open to exploring Tokyo (Options: TeamLab Planet, Uniqlo Ginza, Animate Ikebukuro, Shimokitazawa, etc.)
Mon, March 25 (Day 6): Tokyo – Day trip to Kamakura + Enoshima (Hasedera/Hokokuji Temple, Sasuke inari shrine, Great Buddha, beach)
Tues, March 26 (Day 7): Tokyo – Day trip to Nikko (Kegon Waterfall, Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge)
Wed, March 27 (Day 8): Tokyo – Open to exploring Tokyo (Options: Ueno Park)
Thurs, March 28 (Day 9): Kanazawa – Kenrokuen Garden, Seisonkaku Villa, Omicho Market
Fri, March 29 (Day 10): Kanazawa – Day trip to Shirakawa-go & Gokayama
Sat, March 30 (Day 11): Kanazawa – Ninjadera, Higashi Chaya District, Nagamachi, Kanazawa Castle
Sun, March 31 (Day 12): Kyoto- Kitano Temnangu, Kiyomizu-dera, Nishiki Market, Fushimi Inari in the evening/sunset
Mon, April 1 (Day 13): Kyoto – Day trip to Nara (Deer Park, Todaiji Temple, Great Buddha Hall)
Tues, April 2 (Day 14): Kyoto – Nijo Castle, explore Gion, Higashiyama, and/or Pontocho
Wed, April 3 (Day 15): Kyoto – Day trip to Osaka (Osaka Castle, Ohatsu Tenjin Temple, Dotonbori)
Thurs, April 4 (Day 16): Kyoto – Kinakuku-ji, Arashiyama (monkey park & bamboo grove)
Fri, April 5 (Day 17): Kyoto – Day trip to Kobe (Steakland)
Sat, April 6 (Day 18): Kyoto – Open
Sun, April 7 (Day 19): Kinosaki Onsen. Any tattoo-friendly ryokan recommendation?
Mon, April 8 (Day 20): Kinosaki Onsen
Tues, April 9 (Day 21): Tokyo
Wednesday, April 10 (Day 22): Head home from Haneda Airport