First trip in Japan
Hello everyone!! I’ve only just discovered Reddit and I was told that the community is very helpful, so I’m leaving my message here hoping it reaches some kind souls who can give me some advice 🙌
My boyfriend and I are going to Japan for our first trip from November 3rd to December 4th (arriving in Tokyo on 3/11 and leaving from Tokyo as well on the evening of 4/12).
The goal is to see the Momijigari 🍁 but also to have a good balance between cities, nature, traditions, and gastronomy without rushing. It’s difficult because there are so many things to do that make you want to do everything!! I’ve been planning this trip for a while now, but I’m completely stuck and stressed about the itinerary since it’s our first big trip and our dream destination 🥹
We’re going to do everything by train / public transportation (Do you think we should get the JR Pass?), ryokan stays, temple stays, minshuku, onsen, capsule hotels / hostels, homestays, overnight trains (we love trains, yes hahaha)
Of course depending on the best value for money once the itinerary is finalized 🤞
So for the itinerary I was thinking:
- Tokyo 4 nights (I’ve seen that staying in Asakusa or Ueno is a good idea?)
- Nikko 2 nights (tattoo-friendly ryokan accommodation - if you have any suggestions?)
- Kawaguchiko 2 nights (a ryokan accommodation with a Fuji view would be a huge plus 🥹)
- Matsumoto 1 night (I think accommodation with a local host via Airbnb)
- Kamikochi & Okuhida 2 nights (I think ryokan accommodation in Kamikochi)
- Takayama 3 nights (family guesthouse)
- Shirakawago 1 night (minshuku)
- Kanazawa 2 nights (Airbnb room with a local host - hoping we’ll be able to travel from Shirakawago to Kanazawa with the Hilda Panorama Express train if the bridge is repaired by then…)
- Kyoto 7 nights (hostel or Airbnb room)
- Nara 1 day (I’ve seen that it’s more than enough)
- Koyasan 1 night in a temple stay / shukubo, I’ve seen that Fudo-in or Daien-in were pretty good
- Himeji 1 night in a hostel or room with a local host
- Kinosaki Onsen 1 night at ONISHIYA SUISHOEN or Kinosaki Yamamotoya
- Amanohashidate + Ine 1 night (overnight stay in a funaya in Ine, I’ve seen that you can book on the tourist office website but everything is in Japanese so it’s complicated)
- then the last night back to Tokyo from Osaka on the Sunrise Express at 00:30, arriving in Tokyo at 7:00, and flight in the evening
What do you think? It’s a lot of information, so thank you to anyone who takes the time to give me their opinion 🙏🏼