I have some concerns regarding my upcoming trip. If you have time to provide feedback, I would greatly appreciate it. This will be a two person trip with my father (~60s) and me (~20s). It’s a surprise trip for my dad’s birthday (and mine is a week later), so I want to make sure he has the best experience (our first time in Japan).
Context:
We have different preferences: my dad prefers the modern, urban side (Tokyo and Osaka), while I’m more interested in historical areas (Kyoto, Nikko, Nara)—shrines, temples, mountain landscapes, and traditional wooden towns. Another note my father isn’t in good shape for long periods of activity/walking, so I’m hoping this plan strikes a good balance.
Here’s my current trip itinerary. My apologize with lack of Tokyo planning given the city’s size, there will be plenty to do (so it left blank for now) but I’d love any suggestions. Also I’ve left a few parts intentionally ambiguous because we enjoy a bit of discovery (e.g popping into places that look good at a glance to eat, explore more or shop).
The main feedback I’m looking for is whether the Nikko and Nara day trips are realistic, and whether my time in Kyoto and Osaka feels about right for my dad.
Tokyo ~ 6 nights (March 26 ~ March 31)
- Day trip (on 3rd night) Nikko (Optional not sure if my dad would like it):
- EST arival: 9:20 am (spacia x train)
- Nikko: Pass world heritage area
- I’m leaning not to get the full-area pass. As much as I’d love to see Kegon Falls, Lake Yunoko, and Ryūzu Falls, that seems too ambitious for one day and with my father and could feel overwhelming and ruin the impression.
- Also since this is late March, I’ve read it can be quite cool could that be an issue?
- Gojū-no-tō
- Rinnoji Temple
- This particular shrine is stunning with it unique design gold leaf surrounding with sereal forest landscape.
- I would love to see the imaginary elephant that the architecture attempt to draw without ever seeing one, also the sleeping cat statue.
- Look through shrine, Buddhist temples, admire gate, and see resting place Tokugawa Ieyasu.
- Taiyuin temple Tamozawa Villa
- if possible
- Shinkyo Bridge
- Once done walking around head back into Nikko city center enjoy some food then take train station back to tokyo
- EST departure: 6:00 pm (Spacia x train) Asakusa station
Kyoto ~ 3 nights (April 1 ~ April 4)
- Day 1 (April 1: est arrival from train 11:00am)
- Reach to Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine and walk through the thousand torii gates.
- Eat and rest as it might be too much.
- Day 2 (April 2)
- Head to Arashiyama Bamboo forest
- Optional (Monkey park iwatayama)
- Kinkaku-ji
- Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Look through Imperial Garden
- Eat and rest
- Head to Arashiyama Bamboo forest
- Day 3 (April 3)
- Heian Jingu Shrine
- Yasaka Shrine
- See the cherry trees
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Nice view of kyoto
- Jishu-jinja shrine
- Walk around Gion
Osaka ~ 3 Nights (April 4 ~ April 7)
- Day 1 (April 4)
- Walk around new world district, eat, and rest (relax day after kyoto)
- Day 2 (April 5)
- Two options
- Osaka Castle/garden or take train to (Kobe to see Himeji Castle)
- Walk around Shinsaibashi shop and eat
- Two options
- Day trip (on 3rd Osaka Night) Nara (April 6)
- Todaiji Temple
- The scale of the buddha statue would be interesting to see.
- Horyuji Temple
- The preserve building will be wonderful sight to see.
- Kasuga Taisha
- The donated lanterns look quite wonderful to see in person.
- Nara Park
- Friendly wild deer sounds like once a lifetime experience.
- Todaiji Temple
Tokyo ~ 1 Night (April 7 ~ April 8)
- A little rest for the flight back home
I’m a bit bummed about Kyoto there’s so much to see and do with so little time. It’s the highlight for me. Do you think adding a 4th day is reasonable? I could drop the Nikko or Nara day trip to make room. I know early April is crowded, so I’m hoping the transportation for the trains and buses won’t be too overwhelming. Also my father thinks Kyoto is “boring” based on his family’s past experience, and I’d love to change his mind or, if not, limit our days there so it doesn’t feel boring for him. It sacrifice that I can swallow if so.
Sorry for the long ramble I’d really appreciate any feedback if possible. Thanks so much for reading, and have a wonderful day.
Edit 1: (Thanks for the feedback guys)
- Removal of Nikko, Osaka Castle/Himeji Castle, Monkey Park, Horyuji.
- Looking into reducing some other aspects of temples and shrines.
- Reducing some of Kyoto days activities to ensure a smaller amount of time needed for transport.
by TwistZr