**Edit: Thank you so much to everyone for their input! Decided to go with Takayama because everyone recommended it 🙂
Really paralyzed by indesicion and would love some itinerary feedback. I currently have two competing Japan itineraries and would like the people to pick. Tokyo stays the same, days 3 to 11 are what vary.
-Dates: October 27th to November 8th (12 nights, 11 full days)
-My boyfriend and I are well travelled and in our mid 30's
-We love nature, hiking, architecture, history, good food and cool bars. We do not like shopping, high end restaurants, or partying.
-Our Tokyo dates are non negotiable, please do not recommend more time there! 3 nights is enough for me. Wanting to experience more of the preserved historic/nature side of Japan.
-I'm so excited to see temples and shrines (I'm an architect), but am I doing too many?
Itinerary Option 1:
Day 0: Arrive Tokyo (Hotel in Ginza)
Day 1: Tokyo- Ueno, Yanaka, and Asakusa
- Onigiri Bongo + Mermaid Coffee Ikebukuro
- Yanka Ginza
- Nezu Shrine + Toshogu Shrine
- Lunch in Ueno: Ameyoko Shopping Street
- Senso-ji Temple in evening
Day 2: Tokyo- Shibuya, Daikanyamacho, Nakameguro
- Togoshiya Onigiri Place + About Life Coffee Brewers
- Meiji Jingu Temple
- Iyoshi Cola
- Daikanyamacho + Nakameguro
Day 3: Takayama
- Train from Tokyo
- Higashiyama Temple Walk
- Asahimachi/Dekonaru Yokochō
Day 4: Takayama
- Market
- Hida Folk Village
- Showa or Retro Museum + Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine or Hie Shrine
- Funasaka Sake Brewery + Harada Brewery + Hirata Sake Brewery
Day 5: Kyoto
- Arrive 11:00 a.m.
- Lunch at Gochisou Yakimusubi Onimaru Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi
- Fushimi Inari
- Drinks at music bar Beatle momo, GOOD morning RECORD BAR, Rocking chair
- Dinner in Gion
- Yasaka Shrine + Kodai-ji at night
Day 6: Kyoto – Southern Higashiyama Ward
- 7:00 a.m. Cab to Kiyomizu-Dera
- Mitsuo Pottery and 松韻堂 Pottery
- Walk Sannenzaka St to Hokan-Jii Pagoda
- Gion: Kodai-ji, Ishibe-Koji Alley, Kennin-ji (+Shorenin and Chionin if have energy left)
Day 7: Kyoto – Philosopher’s Path with bikes
- Bike to Philosopher’s Path (or Bike Tour with The Good Day Velo)
- Murin-an Garden + Teahouse
- Nanzen-ji, Eikandō Temple, Hōnenin Temple, Ginkaku-ji
- Rokujuan Cafe
- Face House
- Nijo Castle (if have energy/time)
Day 8: Kyoto – Hike Kurama to Kifune
- Train to Kurama, cable car up
- Hike to Kifune Shrine
Day 9: Kyoto – Arashiyama
- Early Coffee at Arabica + Bamboo forest
- Tenryu-ji
- Arashiyama Yusai-Tei Gallery
- Jojakkoji Temple + Giōji Temple
Day 10: Izu – Ochiairo Ryokan
- Ochiairo Ryokan Experience
Day 11: Izu – Ochiairo Ryokan
- Ochiairo Ryokan Experience
Day 12: Departure from Tokyo
- 9:00 a.m. – Train to Narita
- 5:00 p.m. – Departure
Itinerary Option 2:
Option 2 would basically be to get rid of Takayama and add that time back into Kyoto. Would give some itinerary breathing room, and I also want to visit Uji + Byodo-in Temple and Omihachiman.
Days 0-2: Tokyo
Days 3-4: Ochiairo Ryokan moves here
Days 5-11: Kyoto, with 2 added day trips to Uji and Omihachiman
by __olive__oil__