Japan itinerary advice
#1
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Japan itinerary advice
My partner and I are 25 and will be travelling through Japan for the first time from May 10 - June 2. I have spent days putting together this itinerary below, and before I start booking accomm/transport wanted to check and see if it's look good to all you experienced travellers.
At the tail end of the trip I've allocated Mon 29 May and Tues 30 May to Osaka, however I only need one of these days (which will be spent on a day trip to Nara) in Osaka so therefore have one extra free day to allocate somewhere else in the itinerary. Thoughts on which location needs an extra night?
Also, looking at the route below, is a JR pass worth purchasing?
10 May Arrive in Tokyo 5pm.
11 May Tokyo (day trip to Shibazakura at Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu)
12 May Tokyo
13 May Tokyo (day trip to Nikko)
14 May Tokyo
15 May Tokyo (sumo wrestling tournament)
16 May Tokyo (baseball match, Yomiuru Giants v Yakult Swallows)
17 May Tokyo > Hakone (8.26am-9.21am train)
18 May Hakone > Kanazawa (11.49am-15.48pm train)
19 May Kanazawa
20 May Kanazawa (bus to) Shirakawago 8.10am-9.25am then (bus to) Takayama 2.35pm-3.25pm
21 May Takayama > Kyoto (13.35pm-18.47pm)
22 May Kyoto
23 May Kyoto
24 May Kyoto
25 May Kyoto
26 May Kyoto > Naoshima (8.30am-10.37am)
27 May Naoshima > Miyajima (8.28am - 11.05am)
28 May Miyajima to Hiroshima (10.55-11.48) and then Hiroshima to Osaka (16.57-18.33pm)
29 May Osaka
30 May Osaka (Nara day trip)
31 May Osaka > Koyasan (9.41am-11.30am)
1 June Koyasan > Osaka (15.27pm-17.24pm)
2 June Osaka
At the tail end of the trip I've allocated Mon 29 May and Tues 30 May to Osaka, however I only need one of these days (which will be spent on a day trip to Nara) in Osaka so therefore have one extra free day to allocate somewhere else in the itinerary. Thoughts on which location needs an extra night?
Also, looking at the route below, is a JR pass worth purchasing?
10 May Arrive in Tokyo 5pm.
11 May Tokyo (day trip to Shibazakura at Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu)
12 May Tokyo
13 May Tokyo (day trip to Nikko)
14 May Tokyo
15 May Tokyo (sumo wrestling tournament)
16 May Tokyo (baseball match, Yomiuru Giants v Yakult Swallows)
17 May Tokyo > Hakone (8.26am-9.21am train)
18 May Hakone > Kanazawa (11.49am-15.48pm train)
19 May Kanazawa
20 May Kanazawa (bus to) Shirakawago 8.10am-9.25am then (bus to) Takayama 2.35pm-3.25pm
21 May Takayama > Kyoto (13.35pm-18.47pm)
22 May Kyoto
23 May Kyoto
24 May Kyoto
25 May Kyoto
26 May Kyoto > Naoshima (8.30am-10.37am)
27 May Naoshima > Miyajima (8.28am - 11.05am)
28 May Miyajima to Hiroshima (10.55-11.48) and then Hiroshima to Osaka (16.57-18.33pm)
29 May Osaka
30 May Osaka (Nara day trip)
31 May Osaka > Koyasan (9.41am-11.30am)
1 June Koyasan > Osaka (15.27pm-17.24pm)
2 June Osaka
#2
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Should be a great trip! Just a few comments:
Many people visit Nikko as a day trip from Tokyo. I was glad I spent a night there, as it gave me time to see Kegon-no-Taki, a bit of Lake Chuzenji, and to hike a bit of the Kanmangafuchi Abyss.
I regret that I gave Kanazawa only 1.5 days and that I gave Takayama only a day. I wish I had given Kanazawa 3 nights, with 2 more for Takayama, for a total of 5 nights in the area.
I was glad I spent 2 nights – and 2 full days – in Nara. Many people just visit it as a day trip, but there was more than enough to keep me happily busy, particularly if you count the extraordinary temples just outside Nara in Ikaruga.
It seems that you will be in Kyoto during the Aoi Festival and Kamogawa Odori – do consider making time for them!
I trust you know that you don’t actually have to be in Osaka the night before a flight out, unless that flight is exceedingly early. And unless you have a very particular reason for visiting Osaka, you might reconsider whether to include it.
Hope that helps!
Many people visit Nikko as a day trip from Tokyo. I was glad I spent a night there, as it gave me time to see Kegon-no-Taki, a bit of Lake Chuzenji, and to hike a bit of the Kanmangafuchi Abyss.
I regret that I gave Kanazawa only 1.5 days and that I gave Takayama only a day. I wish I had given Kanazawa 3 nights, with 2 more for Takayama, for a total of 5 nights in the area.
I was glad I spent 2 nights – and 2 full days – in Nara. Many people just visit it as a day trip, but there was more than enough to keep me happily busy, particularly if you count the extraordinary temples just outside Nara in Ikaruga.
It seems that you will be in Kyoto during the Aoi Festival and Kamogawa Odori – do consider making time for them!
I trust you know that you don’t actually have to be in Osaka the night before a flight out, unless that flight is exceedingly early. And unless you have a very particular reason for visiting Osaka, you might reconsider whether to include it.
Hope that helps!
#4
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Hey kja, thanks so much for the tips re Aoi Festival and Kamogawa Odori - will definitely be taking the time to check them out.
Have also taken on your advice, and I think to allow an extra time in Kanazawa and Takayama I will skip Shirakawago this time and use that day stay in Takayama (and visit the Hida Folk Village), and scratch that day in Osaka to allow another day in Kanazawa.
Hey BigRuss, Miraikan looks AWESOME definitely right up our alley. Thanks so much!
Have also taken on your advice, and I think to allow an extra time in Kanazawa and Takayama I will skip Shirakawago this time and use that day stay in Takayama (and visit the Hida Folk Village), and scratch that day in Osaka to allow another day in Kanazawa.
Hey BigRuss, Miraikan looks AWESOME definitely right up our alley. Thanks so much!
#5
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Gosh 8 nights is a lot of time for Tokyo. I see you've got some activities pencilled in there, so I imagine you've already spent quite a bit of time assessing what you want to see and do in both Tokyo and Kyoto, which has lead to this weighting of nights between the two?
If I'm reading it correctly, you've only allocated 5 nighsts in Kyoto... personally I'd move one of the Tokyo nights to Kyoto to make it 7 : 6 but that's based on my finding more that draws me to Kyoto than Tokyo. In reality, there's plenty to do in both and you'll enjoy the time in whichever of the two you spend it.
That said, if you got bored in Kyoto you could do half day / full day trips to Yamazaki (if you like whisky), Uji (for green tea and famous temple), Kobe (which I've still not made it to but is on my list)...
I'd move the extraneous Osaka night you've mentioned to Kanazawa or Takayama - as Kja said, together the two merit 5 nights though I'd be hard-pushed to say which of them should get the 3 nights and which the 2.
If I'm reading it correctly, you've only allocated 5 nighsts in Kyoto... personally I'd move one of the Tokyo nights to Kyoto to make it 7 : 6 but that's based on my finding more that draws me to Kyoto than Tokyo. In reality, there's plenty to do in both and you'll enjoy the time in whichever of the two you spend it.
That said, if you got bored in Kyoto you could do half day / full day trips to Yamazaki (if you like whisky), Uji (for green tea and famous temple), Kobe (which I've still not made it to but is on my list)...
I'd move the extraneous Osaka night you've mentioned to Kanazawa or Takayama - as Kja said, together the two merit 5 nights though I'd be hard-pushed to say which of them should get the 3 nights and which the 2.
#6
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What Kavey said about too many nights in Tokyo and putting one to Kyoto, If not 2,
Himeji castle s/b an easy 1/2 day trip from Kyoto. It's considered the premier castle in Japan and was closed for renovation when I first went to Japan in Nov. 2013. It has long since re-opened and is one of the top places I'm looking forward to visit when I return to Japan late next month.
Himeji castle s/b an easy 1/2 day trip from Kyoto. It's considered the premier castle in Japan and was closed for renovation when I first went to Japan in Nov. 2013. It has long since re-opened and is one of the top places I'm looking forward to visit when I return to Japan late next month.