First time In Japan Itinerary Check 21 Nights - Nov 19 to Dec 10 -(Tokyo/Kanazawa/Fukui/Kyoto/Hiroshima)
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Hello everyone! My wife and I are planning a 3-week trip to Japan for autumn coloris. We love food/photography /temple/gardens . We try to mix "must-sees" and slow-paced wandering.
After doing some research, I put together the following Itinerary. I'd really appreciate your thoughts.
Here is our daily schedule with specific spots grouped geographically
- Nov 19 (Arrival):
Afternoon: Shinjuku - Hotel check-in
Evening: Shinjuku - Omoide Yokocho .
- Nov 20: Morning: Aoyama - Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo avenue -> Omotesando walk
Afternoon: Nakano - Nakano Broadway
Evening: Nakano - Local alleys Izakaya .
- Nov 21: Morning: Asakusa - Senso-ji Temple dawn (7 AM arriva)
Afternoon: Ueno - Ueno Park autumn colors walk & Ameyoko market
Evening: Akihabara.
- Nov 22:
Morning: Harajuku - Meiji Jingu Shrine forest walk
Afternoon: Shimokitazawa ?
Evening: Shibuya - Shibuya Sky observatory ?
- Nov 23: Morning: Kagurazaka - Geisha district stone alleys Afternoon: Shinjuku -
Evening: Komagome - Rikugien Garden autumn night illumination.
- Nov 24: or day trip to kamakura
Morning: Daikanyama - T-Site architecture walk
Afternoon: Shibuya -
Evening: Shinjuku - Wagyu Yakiniku dinner.
- Nov 25: Morning: Hokuriku Shinkansen train to Kanazawa (2h30). Luggage sent to Kyoto via Takkyubin
Afternoon: Nagamachi - Samurai district & Nomura-ke House
Evening: Higashi Chaya - Geisha district at dusk & Kazue-machi riverbank walk.
- Nov 26: Morning: Kenroku-en - Garden dawn opening at 7 AM & Kanazawa Castle grounds
Afternoon: Omicho Market - Snow crab lunch & 21st Century Museum of Art
Evening: Katamachi .
- Nov 27:
Morning: Limited Express train to Kaga Onsen or awara Onsen
Afternoon: if possible Hiyo Moss Garden (Koke no Sato)
Evening: Kaga Onsen or awara Ryokan check-in, Onsen baths & Kaiseki dinner.
- Nov 28:
Morning: Train to Fukui Station (Drop daypacks in lockers)
Afternoon: Eihei-ji Temple - Zen head monastery
Evening: Echizen town - Echizen Oroshi Soba dinner.
Night in Fukui city ?
- Nov 29:
Morning: Katsuyama - Hakusan Heisenji Shrine moss temple forest trail
Afternoon: echizen ?
Evening Thunderbird train to Kyoto
Evening: Kyoto - hotel & walk in Pontocho alley.
For Kyoto what exactly we do every day is not yet perfectly defined
- Nov 30:
Morning: Fushimi Inari - Shrine arrival at 6:30 AM for mountain hike
Afternoon: Nishiki Market perhaps
Evening: Nanzen-ji - Eikando Temple autumn night illumination tour.
- Dec 01: Morning: Arashiyama - Bamboo Grove at 7 AM & Tenryu-ji Zen garden // Afternoon: Saga-Toriimoto - Historic street & Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple bamboo path // Evening: Central Kyoto - Dinner.
- Dec 02: Morning: Gion - Hanami-koji street stroll & Kennin-ji Temple // Afternoon: Higashiyama - Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka stone streets -> Kiyomizu-dera Temple at sunset // Evening: Higashiyama - Kodai-ji Temple night illumination walk.
- Dec 03: Morning/Afternoon: Day trip choice: Nara OR Uji or osaka// Evening: Kyoto - Kamogawa riverside walk.
- Dec 04: either stay in Kyoto or Day trip Morning
Ohara or kamakura Sanzen-in Temple moss gardens & Hosen-in
Evening: Kyoto - Central dinner & luggage packing.
- Dec 05:
Morning: Shinkansen to Himeji Castle visit (Drop daypacks in lockers)
Afternoon: Himeji perhaps Koko-en -> Shinkansen to Hiroshima & hotel check-in
Evening: Hiroshima - mitaki dera .
- Dec 06:
Morning: Hiroshima - Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome & Museum visit
Afternoon: Hiroshima - Shukkeien traditional landscape garden walk
Evening: Hiroshima Station.
- Dec 07:
Morning: Ferry ride to Miyajima Island & Itsukushima Shrine O-Torii gate
Afternoon: Miyajima - Momijidani Park maple valley & Mt. Misen ropeway to the summit
Evening:stay at miyajima or Return to Hiroshima.
- Dec 08: Morning or Afternoon : tokyo (Left window for Mt. Fuji view) :
Evening: Toyosu - TeamLab Planets digital art experience & Odaiba sunset.
- Dec 09:
Morning: Yanaka - Yanaka Ginza old town walk & Nezu Shrine
Afternoon: Kappabashi - Kitchenware & knife shopping Evening: Asakusa - Final high-end Sushi dinner.
- Dec 10: Morning: narita Airport for 8 AM flight departure.
Also we therefore question ourselves on these specific points :
Pacing: Does this feel too rushed? We want to avoid "temple burnout" but still see the best Spot for Maple.
Logistics in Fukui: Is public transport easy enough between Kanazawa, Kaga, and Fukui, or should we rent a car for these 3 days?
Kaga or Awara Onsen: Which one provides a more authentic/traditional vibe for a Ryokan stay?
Kyoto Day Trips: Is 3 or 4 days in Kyoto enough? We are hesitating between Nara, Uji, and Kurama have you arguments to help us choose?
Also We love food. Is it okay to skip Osaka if we are staying in Kyoto, or is it a "must" for foodies?
We love too see an old coastal villages like ine but i feel it might be complicated as a Day trip from Kyoto have you suggestions Around Fukui or Hiroshima ?
Thank you for your help!