u/Banivv

Deuxième fois au Japon ! 🇯🇵 20 jours (Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa & Nara) J'ai besoin de vos conseils ! 😆

Salut tout le monde ! 👋 Mes amis et moi (un groupe de 4) partons au Japon ce novembre pour un voyage de 20 jours. Je vais vlogger le voyage, et nous essayons de finaliser notre rythme.

Nous aimerions avoir vos avis d'experts là-dessus ! Tout commentaire, conseil ou drapeau rouge que vous remarquez serait énormément apprécié. 🇯🇵

✈️ Le voyage commence

3 nov. : Vol avec Japan Airlines de Paris (CDG) à Tokyo (HND).

🗼 4-7 nov. : Tokyo et Kamakura

4 nov. : Arrivée à Haneda dans l'après-midi. Visite en soirée de la Tokyo Skytree.

5 nov. : Visites dans le cœur de Tokyo (Palais Impérial, Musée de l'Aquarium d'Art, Temple Zojo-ji, Tokyo Tower, et teamLab Planets).

6 nov. : Excursion d'une journée au sud à Kamakura et à l'île d'Enoshima (Temple Hasedera, Grand Bouddha de Kōtoku-in, Sanctuaire Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū).

7 nov. : Exploration des principaux quartiers ouest (Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku) avec arrêts au Sanctuaire Meiji, au carrefour de Shibuya, et à Kabukicho.

🏯 8-9 nov. : Kanazawa et Shirakawa-go

8 nov. : Train de bon matin pour Kanazawa. Visite du parc du château, du jardin Kenroku-en, et du quartier des maisons de thé de Higashiyama.

9 nov. : Excursion en bus à Shirakawa-go pour admirer le village, les maisons traditionnelles, et le point de vue d'Ogimachi.

⛩️ 10-14 nov. : Kyoto, Osaka, et Himeji

10 nov. : Finir Kanazawa, puis prendre le Shinkansen pour Kyoto. Premières visites : Temple Tōfuku-ji et Fushimi Inari Taisha.

11 nov. : Journée complète à Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera, quartier de Gion/Ninenzaka/Hanamikoji, Ginkaku-ji, et d'autres temples).

12 nov. : Pavillon d'Or (Kinkaku-ji), Château de Nijō, Sanjūsangen-dō, et le Musée National de Kyoto.

13 nov. : Excursion d'une journée au majestueux château de Himeji et jardin Koko-en, suivi d'une soirée animée à Osaka (Aquarium Kaiyukan, Dōtonbori, et Den Den Town).

14 nov. : Journée libre à Kyoto.

🦌 15-17 nov. : Mont Kōya, Wakayama, et Nara

(Note : Nous louons une voiture à Nara pour cet itinéraire spécifique afin d'avoir plus de liberté. Première fois qu'on conduit au Japon ! 🚗)

15 nov. : Prendre la voiture de location à Nara, conduire jusqu'au mont Kōya. Visite des sites sacrés (Kongōbu-ji, Okuno-in) et sanctuaire Kumano Hayatama-taisha.

16 nov. : Continuer à explorer la région (Chutes Nachi, Sanctuaires Kumano, Sources Chaudes de Yunomine) puis retourner à Nara.

17 nov. : Explorer Nara (Jardins Yoshiki-en, Jardins Isuien, Temple Tōdai-ji, Mont Wakakusa, et sanctuaire Kasuga-taisha).

🌋 18-19 nov. : Hakone et Mont Fuji

18 nov. : Train de Nara à Hakone. Moment de détente dans un onsen, visite du parc Gora et du musée en plein air.

19 nov. : Vallée volcanique d'Owakudani, croisière en bateau sur le lac Ashi, et arrêt à la Porte de la Paix (Sanctuaire Hakone), puis retour à Tokyo.

🍁 20-23 nov. : Nikko et départ

20 nov. : Voyage à Nikko. Découverte du Pont Shinkyō, du Sanctuaire Nikko Tōshō-gū, et des gorges de Kanmangafuchi.

21 nov. : Téléphérique d'Akechidaira, Chutes Kegon, et lac Chūzen-ji, puis retour à Tokyo avec le train Spacia X.

22 nov. : Dernière journée libre à Tokyo.

23 nov. : Vol de retour tôt le matin de HND à CDG.

Quelques questions spécifiques pour vous tous :

Est-ce que le rythme du road trip pour la boucle Mont Kōya/Wakayama est réaliste pour quelques jours avec une voiture de location ?

La transition entre les villes vous semble-t-elle correcte pour un groupe de 4 avec des bagages ?

Comme nous avons quelques journées libres, quels sont vos lieux incontournables pour dénicher des jeux rétro, des mangas, ou des trucs Pokémon ?

Merci d'avance pour votre aide ! 🙏

​Hey everyone! 👋 My friends and I (a group of 4) are heading to Japan this November for a 20-day trip. I'll be vlogging the trip, and we are trying to finalize our pacing.

​We'd love to get your expert eyes on this! Any thoughts, advice, or red flags you spot would be massively appreciated. 🇯🇵

​✈️ The Journey Begins

​Nov 3: Flight with Japan Airlines from Paris (CDG) to Tokyo (HND).

​🗼 Nov 4-7: Tokyo and Kamakura

​Nov 4: Arrival at Haneda in the mid-afternoon. Evening visit to the Tokyo Skytree.

​Nov 5: Sightseeing in the heart of Tokyo (Imperial Palace, Art Aquarium Museum, Zojo-ji Temple, Tokyo Tower, and teamLab Planets).

​Nov 6: Day trip south to Kamakura and Enoshima Island (Hasedera Temple, Kōtoku-in Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū Shrine).

​Nov 7: Exploring the major western districts (Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku) with stops at Meiji Shrine, the Shibuya Crossing, and Kabukicho.

​🏯 Nov 8-9: Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go

​Nov 8: Early morning train to Kanazawa. Visit the castle park, Kenroku-en Garden, and the Higashiyama tea house district.

​Nov 9: Bus excursion to Shirakawa-go to admire the village, traditional houses, and the Ogimachi viewpoint.

​⛩️ Nov 10-14: Kyoto, Osaka, and Himeji

​Nov 10: Wrap up Kanazawa, then Shinkansen to Kyoto. First visits: Tōfuku-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha.

​Nov 11: Full day in Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera, Gion district/Ninenzaka/Hanamikoji, Ginkaku-ji, and other temples).

​Nov 12: Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Nijō Castle, Sanjūsangen-dō, and the Kyoto National Museum.

​Nov 13: Day trip to the majestic Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden, followed by a lively evening in Osaka (Kaiyukan Aquarium, Dōtonbori, and Den Den Town).

​Nov 14: Free day in Kyoto.

​🦌 Nov 15-17: Mount Kōya, Wakayama, and Nara

(Note: We are renting a car in Nara for this specific leg to have more freedom. First time driving in Japan for us! 🚗)

​Nov 15: Pick up the rental car in Nara, drive to Mount Kōya. Visit sacred sites (Kongōbu-ji, Okuno-in) and Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine.

​Nov 16: Continue exploring the region (Nachi Falls, Kumano Shrines, Yunomine Hot Springs) then drive back to Nara.

​Nov 17: Explore Nara (Yoshiki-en, Isuien gardens, Tōdai-ji Temple, Mount Wakakusa, and Kasuga-taisha Shrine).

​🌋 Nov 18-19: Hakone and Mount Fuji

​Nov 18: Train from Nara to Hakone. Relaxing time in an onsen, visit Gora Park and the open-air museum.

​Nov 19: Volcanic valley of Owakudani, boat cruise on Lake Ashi, and a stop at the Peace Gate (Hakone Shrine), then return to Tokyo.

​🍁 Nov 20-23: Nikko and Departure

​Nov 20: Travel to Nikko. Discover Shinkyō Bridge, Nikko Tōshō-gū Shrine, and the Kanmangafuchi Gorge.

​Nov 21: Akechidaira cable car, Kegon Falls, and Lake Chūzen-ji, then return to Tokyo on the Spacia X train.

​Nov 22: Final free day in Tokyo.

​Nov 23: Early morning flight back from HND to CDG.

​A few specific questions for you all:

​Is the road trip pacing for the Mount Koya/Wakayama loop realistic for a couple of days with a rental car?

​Does the transition between cities look okay for a group of 4 with luggage?

​Since we have a couple of free days, what are your absolute must-do spots for finding retro games, manga, or Pokémon stuff?

​Thanks in advance for the help! 🙏

​Hey everyone! 👋 My friends and I (a group of 4) are heading to Japan this November for a 20-day trip. I'll be vlogging the trip, and we are trying to finalize our pacing.

​We'd love to get your expert eyes on this! Any thoughts, advice, or red flags you spot would be massively appreciated. 🇯🇵

​✈️ The Journey Begins

​Nov 3: Flight with Japan Airlines from Paris (CDG) to Tokyo (HND).

​🗼 Nov 4-7: Tokyo and Kamakura

​Nov 4: Arrival at Haneda in the mid-afternoon. Evening visit to the Tokyo Skytree.

​Nov 5: Sightseeing in the heart of Tokyo (Imperial Palace, Art Aquarium Museum, Zojo-ji Temple, Tokyo Tower, and teamLab Planets).

​Nov 6: Day trip south to Kamakura and Enoshima Island (Hasedera Temple, Kōtoku-in Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū Shrine).

​Nov 7: Exploring the major western districts (Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku) with stops at Meiji Shrine, the Shibuya Crossing, and Kabukicho.

​🏯 Nov 8-9: Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go

​Nov 8: Early morning train to Kanazawa. Visit the castle park, Kenroku-en Garden, and the Higashiyama tea house district.

​Nov 9: Bus excursion to Shirakawa-go to admire the village, traditional houses, and the Ogimachi viewpoint.

​⛩️ Nov 10-14: Kyoto, Osaka, and Himeji

​Nov 10: Wrap up Kanazawa, then Shinkansen to Kyoto. First visits: Tōfuku-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha.

​Nov 11: Full day in Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera, Gion district/Ninenzaka/Hanamikoji, Ginkaku-ji, and other temples).

​Nov 12: Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Nijō Castle, Sanjūsangen-dō, and the Kyoto National Museum.

​Nov 13: Day trip to the majestic Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden, followed by a lively evening in Osaka (Kaiyukan Aquarium, Dōtonbori, and Den Den Town).

​Nov 14: Free day in Kyoto.

​🦌 Nov 15-17: Mount Kōya, Wakayama, and Nara

(Note: We are renting a car in Nara for this specific leg to have more freedom. First time driving in Japan for us! 🚗)

​Nov 15: Pick up the rental car in Nara, drive to Mount Kōya. Visit sacred sites (Kongōbu-ji, Okuno-in) and Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine.

​Nov 16: Continue exploring the region (Nachi Falls, Kumano Shrines, Yunomine Hot Springs) then drive back to Nara.

​Nov 17: Explore Nara (Yoshiki-en, Isuien gardens, Tōdai-ji Temple, Mount Wakakusa, and Kasuga-taisha Shrine).

​🌋 Nov 18-19: Hakone and Mount Fuji

​Nov 18: Train from Nara to Hakone. Relaxing time in an onsen, visit Gora Park and the open-air museum.

​Nov 19: Volcanic valley of Owakudani, boat cruise on Lake Ashi, and a stop at the Peace Gate (Hakone Shrine), then return to Tokyo.

​🍁 Nov 20-23: Nikko and Departure

​Nov 20: Travel to Nikko. Discover Shinkyō Bridge, Nikko Tōshō-gū Shrine, and the Kanmangafuchi Gorge.

​Nov 21: Akechidaira cable car, Kegon Falls, and Lake Chūzen-ji, then return to Tokyo on the Spacia X train.

​Nov 22: Final free day in Tokyo.

​Nov 23: Early morning flight back from HND to CDG.

​A few specific questions for you all:

​Is the road trip pacing for the Mount Koya/Wakayama loop realistic for a couple of days with a rental car?

​Does the transition between cities look okay for a group of 4 with luggage?

​Since we have a couple of free days, what are your absolute must-do spots for finding retro games, manga, or Pokémon stuff?

​Thanks in advance for the help! 🙏

Hi everyone! I’m planning a road trip in the Kii Peninsula with 3 friends (4 adults total + luggage) this November. We are willing to start very early to make this work. We’ll be staying near Tofukuji station in Kyoto the night before our departure.

Day 1 (Nov 15):

• 06:30 AM: Depart Tofukuji (Kyoto) for KIX.
• 08:30 AM: Arrive at KIX, pick up rental car.
• 10:30 AM: Arrive in Koyasan & start visit (Garan + Kongobuji).
• 01:30 PM: Depart for Hongū Taisha.
• PM: Visit Hongū Taisha + Yunomine/Kawayu Onsen.
• Overnight: Shingu.

Day 2 (Nov 16):

• AM: Visit Hayatama Taisha (Shingu) early, then head to Nachi Taisha & Waterfall (aiming for the Daimonzaka trail).
• PM: Depart Nachi by 02:00 PM for the drive back to KIX to return the car, followed by a train to Nara.

My main concerns:

1. Drive Time (Koyasan to Hongū): Google Maps estimates 1h40, but given that we’ll be 4 adults in a standard rental car, is this realistic, or should I budget 2h30+ due to the narrow/winding mountain roads?
2. Day 2 Rush: Is it doable to visit Shingu and Nachi (including the hike) and drive all the way back to KIX in time for an evening train to Nara, or is this setting us up for failure and exhaustion?
3. Logistics: Since we are starting from Kyoto at 6:30 AM, is our Koyasan arrival time realistic, or are we underestimating morning traffic getting out of the city and reaching the mountain?

Any tips or "reality checks" from those who have driven this route recently? We are open to cutting out one site if it makes the trip more enjoyable. Much appreciated!