Here's my trip itinerary, most of the accommodations are booked except for the last leg – I'm hoping the insights from this group will help me make a decision there.
Also, please feel free to rip this itinerary apart and point out any blind spots and commute complexities.
Oct 24 – Oct 28: Tokyo
Depending on what I decide for the last leg of this trip – one day will be a day trip to either Kawaguchiko or Kamakura+Enoshima
Rest of the days are for typical touristy city experiences – Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa, Yanaka, Jimbocho etc.
Oct 28 – Oct. 31: Matsumoto
Shinkansen to Nagano – Trip to Togakushi
Day trip to Kamikochi
Light/Rest Day – Matsumoto castle, museum, onsen etc.
Oct 31- Nov 1: Magome
Hike Nakasendo trail from Tsumago to Magome
Nov 1- Nov 5: Kyoto
For this trip the focus is on North & East Kyoto.
– Nara day trip
– Fushimi Inari + Uji(optional)
– Kiyomizudera, Gion District, + Kurama Kibune Hike (optional)
– Philosopher's Path, Kamagowa River Delta, Pontocho
Now this is where I have two options to end the trip:
Nov 5 – Nov 8: Kanazawa
Samurai district, residence + Ninja temple (optional), Ishikawa Library(super excited)
Shirakawago Day Trip
Kenrokeun Garden, Higashichaya District, Utatsuyama Park
Checkout on Nov. 8, ~9/10am shinkansen to Tokyo, ~6pm flight from Narita
Nov 5 – Nov 8: Kawaguchiko
Reach Kawaguchiko late evening – 4-5 hour commute from Kyoto
Sunrise at Cheurito Pagoda, Cycle around lake kawaguchiko
Oshino Hakkai, Sunset at Lake Yamanaka (optional)
Checkout on Nov.8, depending on how I feel about shopping, bus to Shinjuku and then Narita Express to airport OR direct limo bus to airport.
Questions:
- Ending the trip in Kawaguchiko is super tempting – but Fuji had no snow cap at this time last year and the views are anyway weather dependent. Given this, is it worth attempting to stay in Kawaguchiko over Kanazawa? Also, Kawaguchiko has tourist crowds (i see the irony) year round so I'm unsure if this will give me a peaceful end to the trip?
- Kanazawa seems to have the laid back city vibe I was looking for, I love the accommodation options I'm getting there but I'm worried if it might feel like a similar experience right after Kyoto and is better parked for a future trip? Also, if something goes wrong with the shinkansen route on checkout day, the only option would be to book a last minute flight to Tokyo which will be super stressful.
So, is it better to bet on Mt. Fuji? Or stay in Kanazawa and accept the shinkansen risk?
Ideally I'd like to have seen a snow capped Mt. Fuji on a day trip from Tokyo and end the trip in Kanazawa – but I have zero confidence in the day trip views given my dates for Tokyo aren't really known for either snow cap or visibility.
Edit – more questions:
- Any recommendations for hourly private onsens in Matsumoto? And how to book them?
- Reviews/experiences for Ninja Temple? Google reviews are very conflicting and I'm worried about language barrier.
- Any chance if Ishikawa lib. has a few English books too? Is it walk-in? Or requires desk booking?
- Any recommendations for affordable Shojin-Ryori? I explored Nagano and Kyoto options but the they're quite expensive.
- Would appreciate a POV on Team Lab Planets, specially Japanese – Is it worth a trip? Tourist Trap?
- Hoping to see some immersive Kusama rooms in Matsumoto, has anyone been there lately and can correct/confirm my expectation?
by sortedstories