Priorities: special gems, cultural immersion, great food/thrift, one amazing onsen/ryokan, autumn leaves. I will be in Tokyo about a week prior so don't factor in Tokyo time too much!
Here’s the draft:
- Tokyo (3N) → thrift, wine, neighborhoods
- Nikko (2N) → shrines + autumn nature
- Kanazawa (2N) → gardens, geisha/samurai districts, crafts/shopping
- Yamanaka Onsen (2N) → gorge walks + ryokan stay
- Kyoto (2N) → short taste: Fushimi Inari, foliage temples, Gion evenings
- Tokyo (2N) → wrap up, maybe Kamakura day trip
🚆 Longest transfer is Nikko → Kanazawa (~4 hrs).
My concern: Is this too much moving around (5 bases in 11 days)? Should I skip Kyoto to make it smoother, or will I regret not seeing it as a first-timer?
by platanosyamor