ElNombre

I will be travelling to Japan for the second time on 27 September 2016 and returning on 10 October 2016, flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka ( the plane won't land in Tokyo until 8:00am of 28th).

During my first visit, I went to (Tokyo, Kamakura, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima & Osaka).

I am in the process of drafting up ideas for itineraries. I've come up with two possible options:

The First:

Tokyo (day trip to Nikko) 3 nights - Matsumoto 1 night - Kanazawa 2 nights - Takayama 1 night - Nagoya 2 nights - Osaka (day trips to Mt. Koya & Himeji) 3 nights.

The Second:

Tokyo (day trip to Nikko) 3 nights - Kanazawa 2 nights (day trip to Takayama) - Nagoya 2 nights - Fukuoka 3 nights (day trips to Daizafu & Kagoshima or Nagasaki) - Osaka 2 nights (day trip to Mt. Koya)

In your personal opinions, which of the two looks the most interesting/ and or feasible in 12 days? This will also be my honeymoon, so I'm a bit conscious of not trying to cram too much into one trip (as commuting from place to place isn't without its stresses).

A very subjective question, but which is (more) worthy of a commute, Nikko or Koyasan?

Also, I was initially interested in hiking around Kamikochi, but it doesn't look the easiest to reach (two buses, and neither of us drive). Are there other 'hiking spots' that can fit into the above itineraries?

Interests wise, we enjoy museums, castles, bird watching, light hiking and shopping (if that helps at all, when giving opinions).

I don't mind purchasing a 7 Day Japan Rail Pass, as I found if convenient during my first visit. However, I understand it might not be cost effective for my first itinerary.

Any recommendations or input would be greatly appreciated.

BigRuss

<<This will also be my honeymoon, so I'm a bit conscious of not trying to cram too much into one trip>>

Based on your two itineraries, no, you're not conscious of the cram factor. One itinerary has six different places you'll stay overnight, the other has five and a larger scope of travel in the country.

You say that YOU have come up with two options, both seem completely nuts for a honeymoon. Have you discussed them with the future La Nombre? Has she been to Japan before? Has she any input?

The honeymoon is not the time to drag yourself all over creation to visit everything you may want to see. Pick 2-3 hubs and day trip from there.

russ_in_LA

I'm not sure if you are a specific reason for going to Nagoya, but I would delete that and add one night to each of Kanazawa and Takayama, in the following order:

Tokyo (day trip to Nikko) 3 nights
Matsumoto - 1 night
Takayama - 2 nights (you can take the bus from Matsumoto in about 2 hours)
Kanazawa -3 nights
Osaka (day trips to Mt. Koya & Himeji) 3 nights

This is still busy, but a bit less so. I loved Koyasan, but for me the appeal was the temple stay and seeing the Okunoin Temple and cemetery at night, so I'm not sure it's worth it as a day trip, but you may feel differently. If you do end up doing it as a day trip, see the temples in the center of town during the day, and then head to the cemetery a couple hours before dark, that way you can see the temple before it closes, but then walk back along the lantern lit pathways after sundown - magical!

kja

Congratulations and best wishes!

Some thoughts on your plans:

Personally, I would not try to fit Kanazawa and Takayama into a single 3-night stay under either of your scenarios: I thought this pair of cities warranted at last 5 full days. YMMV.

Personally, I would NOT, under any circumstance, attempt a DAY trip to Koyasan. For one thing, it is too time-consuming and difficult to visit in a single day trip. For another thing, one of the reasons to visit Koya-san is, IMO, to stay overnight at one of its temples.

Many people enjoy a day trip to Nikko; I thought it merited an overnight stay.

If you haven't already done so, I recommend that you scour japan-guide.com , not to mention trip reports on this board, and also trip planning threads here, as you can learn a LOT from information that people never thing to include in their trip reports.

Good luck!

CaliforniaLady

I second russ_in_LA's itinerary--it looks perfect. It is maybe one more stop than i would do, but you seem to want to travel quickly, so it's fine.

I don't see the wisdom of heading all the way down to Kyushu for this trip--the train ride would be at least four hours each way. I found the area to have some amazing hiking, so go there for your next trip.

mrwunrfl

I like the second one better. Just fly to Kyushu from Tokyo. You can get a special fare for visitors for under $100 from ANA (at their website), maybe JAL. Other carriers might get you there for less. I suggest going to Nagasaki but Kumamoto or Kagoshima would work. Your day tripping from Fukuoka is not a great idea, imo.

The first itinerary is ok. Both have Nagoya. Why is Nagoya on your itinerary? If the answer to that didn't pop into your head just now then maybe you can scratch it.

Taking the bus to Kamikochi is pretty easy. Actually, I went the other way. From Takayama and then a change at Hirayu Onsen where I stopped for a soak before catching the next bus. Then a leg-stretcher stop at a ski resort before getting to Kamikochi. It is really pretty and an easy walk in the immediate area. You could spend the night there - I saw serious looking hikers with packs as wells as daytrippers like me. Bus to Matsumoto is quick enough. The one thing I learned was that on arriving at Kamikochi you should reserve a seat on the bus that you will use to leave. You'd be going west, maybe you can get that ticket (Kamikochi to Takayama) in Matsumoto before you leave. Anyway, the bus riding is worth it. Of course, you can just return to Matsumoto to continue your trip instead of busing all the way to Takayama.

ElNombre

Many thanks all, your input has been much appreciated!

We're swaying more towards the first itinerary now, with a view of exploring Kyushu in a future visit (hopefully there will be future visits).

We're likely to take the advice to drop Nagoya, russ_in_LA's amendments look great!

Mr ElNombre expressed an initial interest in the Railway Museum in Nagoya, but he concedes that he's already been to excellent train-related museums in our native Europe. I was also interested in the Tokugawa Art Museum, but I wouldn't been particularly distraught if I had to give it a pass.

Also, as I we don't particularly want to stay overnight at Koyasan, we very well might drop that from the itinerary. And, if we're really feeling up to it, go to Kamikochi (likely from Takayama).

Relax BigRuss, irrespective of the use of the 'I' and 'my' pronouns in the original post (my bad), I regularly consult with Mr ElNombre. He however is a bit too comfortable deferring travel plans to me. *sigh*

Thanks again!

MinnBeef

I took the bus from Matsumoto to Kamikochi and it was easy. A straight shot. You might be there at a good time for koyo/fall colors. I was there on the 13th of Nov, two days before the park closed for the winter, so not as much to see and a bit chilly. The only downside to doing this as a day trip was that I felt I was rather rushed in my hiking (really, more walking along a river bed) in order to catch the bus back to Matsumoto. But if colors are peaking while you are in Matsumoto, Kamikochi might be worth it. Else, I'd probably skip it in favor of something else.