Help!!! Advice on itinerary!!!

[CazzaLouise]

Help!!! I am trying to work out a plan for my trip to Japan (most likely travelling on a JR Pass for the first 21 Days). Could anyone please give me some advice or suggestions of my draft itinerary so far?? Do you think it is best to go to Takayama before Kanazawa from Kyoto or the other way around...trying to cut down travel time as much as possible between destinations. Thanks!!

Day 1/Dec 3rd:Arrive Hiroshima 8:00pm
Day 2/Dec 4th Hiroshima
Day 3/Dec 5th Hiroshima – Miyajima (Day Trip)
Day 4/Dec 6th Hiroshima - Kurashiki
Day 5/Dec 7th Kurashiki – Okayama - Hattoji
Day 6/Dec 8th Hattoji – Himeji – Kobe
Day 7/Dec 9th Kobe
Day 8/Dec 10th Kobe – Osaka
Day 9/Dec 11th Osaka – Koya San (Temple Lodging)
Day 10/Dec 12th Koya San - Nara
Day 11/Dec 13th Nara – Kyoto
Day 12/Dec 14th Kyoto
Day 13/Dec 15th Kyoto
Day 14/Dec 16th Kyoto
Day 15/Dec 17th Kyoto
Day 16/Dec 18th Kyoto - Takayama
Day 17/Dec 19th Takayama
Day 18/Dec 20th Takayama - Kanazawa
Day 19/Dec 21st Kanazawa
Day 20/Dec 22nd Kanazawa – Nagano (Yudanaka)
Day 21/Dec 23rd Nagano - Nozawa Onsen (Skiing)
Day 22/Dec 24th Nozawa Onsen
Day 23/Dec 25th Nozawa Onsen
Day 24/Dec 26th Nozawa Onsen
Day 25/Dec 27th Nozawa Onsen - Tokyo
Day 26/Dec 28th Tokyo
Day 27/Dec 29th Tokyo – Hakone (Fuji)
Day 28/Dec 30th Hakone (Fuji) - Tokyo
Day 29/Dec 31st Tokyo
Day 30/Jan 1st Tokyo (Side Trips including Nikko, Kamakura ect)
Day 31/Jan 2nd Tokyo
Day 32/Jan 3rd Tokyo
Day 33/Jan 4th Tokyo
Day 34/Jan 5th Tokyo – Depart

[samurai007]

Yes, you want to go to Kanazawa first (see the famous park there), then Takayama, go hiking in the alps and make your way to Matsumoto by bus, and from there head over to Nagano. There is no backtracking that way.

[MMM]

Four full days in Kyoto may be overdoing it. Also keep in mind that a lot of Japan shuts down for New Years...Dec. 31 to Jan 3.

[kennooo]

Ok I love when people ask about the best places to come in Japan I have had so many family members and friends come to visit the I set up a free web page to put all the information I had to email them in one place

Check out

Japan Travel info in English

I still have more stuff to add on it but I think it will give you some insight for you 4 day stay in Tokyo and I agree with one of the previous posters you don’t have to visit Tokyu Hands it really is nothing special unless you come from some remote out post and have never see a craft / stationary store before.

Any ways good luck in Tokyo

[godwine]

I agree with MMM, you seem to be spending quite a bit of time in Kyoto. What are some of the things you wish to cover in Kyoto?

I planned 2.5 days when I took my friends there last year, we covered the major shirne and attraction in Kyoto, including Nara and Fushimi Inari (complete trail).

What about Tokyo? Where do you plan to go in Tokyo? Is Yokohama on your list? You may want to fit Yokohama in between Hakone and Tokyo

[kennooo]

I would cut down the kyoto and add 1 more day to Nara

Japan Travel Info