u/Fred_bear_33

Hey everyone! My hubby and I are planning a ~4-week spring trip to Japan focusing on ukiyo-e art, historic post towns, traditional architecture, and day trips. We will be travelling by public transport, trains where we can and buses for some of the day trips.

We’re intentionally skipping the Takayama Spring Festival dates to avoid massive crowds (experienced the madness of Gion Matsuri in 2018 and want a calmer vibe this time!).

Here is our current day-by-day draft. Would love any feedback on pacing, transit flow, or recommendations along the route!

Tokyo Transit & Osaka (March 26–31)
Mar 26 (Day 1): Arrive in Tokyo (overnight depending on flight arrival, or head straight west).

Mar 27 (Day 2): Transit to Osaka. Check in and explore the neighborhood.

Mar 28 (Day 3): Universal Studios Japan (Full day).

Mar 29 (Day 4): Day trip to Mount Koya (Koyasan) – Okuno-in cemetery and mountain temples.

Mar 30 (Day 5): Osaka Art & City Walk – Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum in the morning, wandering Namba/Shinsaibashi, dinner & street food in Dotonbori.

Mar 31 (Day 6): Relaxed morning in Osaka; train ride to Kyoto.

Kyoto (March 31 – April 4)
Apr 1 (Day 7): Day trip to Kibune & Kurama – Kifune Shrine, mountain hike over to Kurama-dera.

Apr 2 (Day 8): Fushimi Inari & Southern Kyoto – Early morning at Fushimi Inari Taisha, followed by southern/eastern temple exploration.

Apr 3 (Day 9): Philosopher’s Path & Art/Distillery – Morning walk along Philosopher’s Path. Afternoon at Yamazaki Distillery (if we snag tickets) OR Arashiyama Yusai-tei art gallery & grounds.

Apr 4 (Day 10): Final morning in Kyoto; train to Kanazawa.

Kanazawa (April 4–7)
Apr 5 (Day 11): Kanazawa Atmosphere – Exploring Higashi Chaya teahouse district and Nagamachi Samurai district.

Apr 6 (Day 12): Day trip to Shirakawa-go – Self-guided bus trip to check out the gassho-zukuri farmhouses.

Apr 7 (Day 13): Kenroku-en & Castle Park – Kenroku-en Garden in the morning, Kanazawa Castle Park, and catching up on missed spots.

Apr 8 (Day 14): Morning transfer to Takayama.

Takayama (April 7–11)
Apr 8 (Day 14): Old Town & Blossoms – Sanmachi Suji historic district and cherry blossom walk (hopefully they’ll be out!) along the Miyagawa River.

Apr 9 (Day 15): Day trip to Hida Furukawa – Exploring the town, canals, and surrounding area.

Apr 10 (Day 16): Hida Folk Village – Hida no Sato open-air museum, central town exploration probably stopping at some sake breweries to see if we can find some we enjoy.

**Apr 11 (Day 17):**train to Matsumoto.

Matsumoto (April 11–15)
Apr 12 (Day 18): Ukiyo-e & Castle – Japan Ukiyo-e Museum in the morning, wandering town, visiting Matsumoto Castle.

Apr 13 (Day 19): Day trip to Narai-juku – Exploring the Nakasendo post town.

Apr 14 (Day 20): Daio Wasabi Farm & Miso – Morning trip to Azumino/wasabi farm; local miso factory visit in the afternoon.

Apr 15 (Day 21): Train to Nagano.

Nagano & Obuse (April 15–17)
Apr 15 (Day 21): En route to Nagano, stop in Obuse to visit the Hokusai Museum, leave luggage at station in coin lockers. Check into Nagano.

Apr 16 (Day 22): Nagano City & (Optional) Snow Monkeys – Zenko-ji Temple area. Undecided on Jigokudani Monkey Park due to mixed reviews on park conditions/animal welfare.

Apr 17 (Day 23): Hokuriku Shinkansen back to Tokyo.

Tokyo & Departure (April 17–20/21)
Apr 18 (Day 24): Day trip to Kamakura & Enoshima - exploring the island as much as we can in the time we have and also checking out Kamakura.

Apr 19 (Day 25): Tokyo Ukiyo-e Day – Sumida Hokusai Museum & Ōta Memorial Museum of Art (Harajuku).

Apr 20 (Day 26): Digital Art & Food – teamLab Planets DMM and Kewpie Mayo Terrace (Kewpie Museum).

Apr 21 (Day 27): Final shopping/sightseeing & departure flight home.

Specific Questions for things I have concerns about :
Pacing check: Does the transit flow between Kanazawa → Takayama → Matsumoto → Nagano feel manageable by bus/train with luggage?

Jigokudani Monkey Park: Has anyone visited recently in mid-April? Interested in feedback on whether it's worth the trip given welfare/seasonal conditions.

Alternative recommendations: Any hidden gem ukiyo-e spots or historic craft workshops along this route that we missed?

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice!

Hi all, my husband and I will be in Penang for the fifth time in a fortnight, however it’s our first time being there in durian season. We’ve never tried durian before and are very keen to do so.

Any suggestions/ guidance on the best place for a tourist to try durian? We’re staying in Georgetown near Cheong Fatt Tze.

Thanks!

Repost from DualCitizenshipNerds - Hi all, I recently left Australia to fly to the UK with ANA via a 3 day stopover in Tokyo. I left Australia on my Australian passport, and this is what I checked into the flight using, and entered Japan using. I was planning on entering the UK on my UK passport as per the new rules. However when I went to board the flight from Tokyo to London with my Australian passport, ANA denied me entry as I didn't have an ETA on my Australian passport. I then handed over my UK passport and after a lot of discussion they let me on the flight.

Question - how do I avoid this happening in the future. I have to leave Australia on my Australian passport, and thus it's the one I checked into the flight with, therefore I assume it's the one I have to enter the stop over country with, is that correct? And, as I've entered the stopover country with it I have to leave the stopover country with it. I appreciate any and all advice.

Hi all, I recently left Australia to fly to the UK with ANA via a 3 day stopover in Tokyo. I left Australia on my Australian passport, and this is what I checked into the flight using, and entered Japan using. I was planning on entering the UK on my UK passport as per the new rules. However when I went to board the flight from Tokyo to London with my Australian passport, ANA denied me entry as I didn't have an ETA on my Australian passport. I then handed over my UK passport and after a lot of discussion they let me on the flight.

Question - how do I avoid this happening in the future. I have to leave Australia on my Australian passport, and thus it's the one I checked into the flight with, therefore I assume it's the one I have to enter the stop over country with, is that correct? And, as I've entered the stopover country with it I have to leave the stopover country with it. I appreciate any and all advice.