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Takayama / Shirakawa-go - worth a stop (10-day itinerary)?
Hi, My husband and I are planning a trip to Japan for 10 days end of May. We will be starting in Tokyo and ending in Kyoto, spending 4 days in each city. What we’re not sure of is whether it will be worth reserving 2 days between Tokyo and Kyoto to visit Takayama / Shirakawa-go. I saw that it’s a beautiful place, but a little worried that the transit will take too long. Any feedback on their experience to Takayama/Shirakawa-go would be much appreciated and if it’s worth stopping by between Tokyo and Kyoto - will only have two days, including travel. An alternative would be to go directly to Kyoto after Tokyo and spend 6 days there instead of 4. Or if there are other cities that anyone highly recommends, please do share! Also, during the two day period, we are looking to stay at a ryokan. Since our two alternatives are currently Takayama/Shirakaway-go or extended stay at Kyoto, we’re looking at Wanosato (Takyama) or Kanamean Nishitomiya (Kyoto). If anyone has other recommendations for a ryokan where it’s not too out of the way for the Tokyo-Kyoto travel, that’d be much appreciated also. 1. Tokyo - 4 days (Tokyo Hilton) 2. Takayama / Shirakawa-go OR Kyoto OR other alternative?? (Undecided but forsure Ryokan stay) 3. Kyoto - 4 days (Suiren) Thank you! |
IMO, you would not have sufficient time to truly appreciate Takayama itself (let alone Shirakawago) with only 2 days -- and you would give up valuable time in Tokyo and Kyoto. IMO, Takayama and Shirakawago are best seen in a loop of 5 days that would also include Kanazawa.
FWIW, while it greatly depends on one's interests, I would have hated having less than 6 days for Kyoto and Nara -- even on a first visit. For a ryokan, consider just one night. The experience involves elaborate meals, and for the better ryokan, you would have to be at the ryokan by 4 or 5 p.m, so a stay isn't really well suited to multiple nights on a first visit, assuming the purpose is to see sights. Staying at one can be an extraordinary experience, though, so do consider staying at one! If you really want to see something other than Kyoto and Tokyo for a day or two, consider Koyasan, Hakone/Fuji 5 Lakes, Hiroshima/Miyajima, or Nikko/Lake Chuzenji. Hope that helps! |
Two days? How many nights? Is it 2d/1n, 2d/2n, or 2d/3n?
Hakone for a night (or two) at a traditional onsen ryokan would be an excellent choice. |
Thanks for your recs! Two days would be 2d/2n. |
Thanks for your detailed recommendations! |
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