JJapan Trips

3 weeks itinerary Matumoto – kanazawa – Hiroshima – kyuushuu

  • October 1, 2025

Hi everyone,

I’ll be in Japan this November for 3 weeks and I’d love to get your feedback on my itinerary.
I’ve already been to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, so this time I’m aiming for less touristy places, more nature (kouyou 🍁), hiking, and a slower pace (staying several days in one place instead of rushing around).

πŸ—“οΈ Draft itinerary

Nov 8–9 β†’ Tokyo (recovery from flight, short walks)
Nov 10–13 β†’ Matsumoto base

  • Day trips to Kamikōchi (hiking), Norikura Kōgen, and local castle/soba town vibes

Nov 14 β†’ Kiso Valley (Magome β†’ Tsumago hike) β†’ move on to Kanazawa
Nov 15–17 β†’ Kanazawa base

  • Explore the city, Kenrokuen garden, day trip to Shirakawagō or Noto peninsula

Nov 18–21 β†’ Hiroshima base

  • Day trips: Miyajima, Onomichi, Peace Park, possibly Kintaikyō bridge in Iwakuni

Nov 22–24 β†’ Fukuoka (Hakata) renting a car and doing ryokans in various city in kyuusuu

  • Side trips: Dazaifu, Yufuin, Beppu

Nov 25–27 β†’ Takamatsu base (Shikoku)

  • Day trips: Naoshima (art island), Iya Valley (Kazurabashi bridges, hiking)

Nov 28 β†’ Return to Tokyo (Okayama β†’ Shinkansen β†’ Tokyo), last night in the city

I calculated that the 21-day JR Pass (~Β₯80,000) is worth it for this route (saves about Β₯12,000 vs buying separate tickets). Local buses (e.g., Kiso Valley, Kamikōchi, Naoshima) I’ll pay separately.

Does this flow make sense, or am I missing something great around those bases?

Any tips for reservations I absolutely need to make in advance (I know about Yufuin no Mori, Naoshima museums, and Kamikōchi buses)?

Is spending 3 nights in Matsumoto and Kanazawa too much / too little?

Should I be worried about bear encounters during my hikings ?

I’d love to hear if you think this is a good balance of nature, autumn colors, and culture without being too rushed. Thanks in advance! πŸ™

here is a more detailed version so that you can analyse everything day by day:

Sat Nov 8 – Arrival in Tokyo (evening)

  • Arrival at Narita or Haneda.
  • Transport β†’ central Tokyo (don’t activate JR Pass yet; take Keisei Skyliner or Monorail + JR).
  • Overnight in Tokyo.

Sun Nov 9 – Tokyo (rest)

  • Free day. No long-distance transport.
  • Overnight in Tokyo.

Mon Nov 10 – Tokyo β†’ Matsumoto

  • Train: Limited Express Azusa (Shinjuku β†’ Matsumoto), ~2h40.
    • Can be reserved with JR Pass.
    • Reservation recommended but not essential.
  • Afternoon: Matsumoto Castle, town center.
  • Overnight Matsumoto (3 nights).

Tue Nov 11 – Kamikochi day trip

  • Train: Matsumoto β†’ Shin-Shimashima (30 min, Alpico train, non-JR, ~Β₯700).
  • Bus: Shin-Shimashima β†’ Kamikochi (1h10, Alpico bus, ~Β₯2,500).
    • Reservation required in 2025 via JapanBusOnline / Alpico.
  • Hiking (Kappabashi, Myojin Pond).
  • Return by same route.
  • Overnight Matsumoto.

Wed Nov 12 – Norikura Kogen day trip

  • Bus: Alpico bus Matsumoto β†’ Norikura Kogen (~1h30, ~Β₯2,500).
    • Reservation recommended but not critical.
  • Hiking around waterfalls and plateaus.
  • Return bus.
  • Overnight Matsumoto.

Thu Nov 13 – Matsumoto (free day)

  • Possible activities: Daio Wasabi Farm (Azumino, JR Oito Line), relaxing in town.
  • Overnight Matsumoto.

Fri Nov 14 – Matsumoto β†’ Kiso Valley β†’ Kanazawa

  • Train: Matsumoto β†’ Nakatsugawa (Ltd. Exp. Shinano, 1h50).
  • Bus: Nakatsugawa β†’ Magome (~30 min, Β₯600–Β₯800).
    • No reservation; buy on board or at station.
  • Hike Magome β†’ Tsumago (~3h).
  • Bus: Tsumago β†’ Nagiso (~15 min, Β₯300–Β₯400).
  • Train: Nagiso β†’ Nagoya (Ltd. Exp. Shinano, 1h).
  • Train: Nagoya β†’ Kanazawa (Shinkansen, 2h).
  • Overnight Kanazawa (3 nights).

Sat Nov 15 – Kanazawa

  • Visit: Kenrokuen Garden, Omicho Market, Higashi Chaya District.
  • Overnight Kanazawa.

Sun Nov 16 – Shirakawago day trip

  • Bus: Kanazawa β†’ Shirakawago (~1h15, ~Β₯2,600).
    • Reservation required via Nohi Bus / JapanBusOnline.
  • Explore village, return bus.
  • Overnight Kanazawa.

Mon Nov 17 – Kanazawa (optional Noto Peninsula)

  • Possible car rental or local bus/train to Noto.
  • Overnight Kanazawa.

Tue Nov 18 – Kanazawa β†’ Hiroshima

  • Train: Kanazawa β†’ Shin-Osaka (Ltd. Exp. Thunderbird + Shinkansen, ~3h30).
  • Train: Shin-Osaka β†’ Hiroshima (Shinkansen, 1h30).
  • Overnight Hiroshima (4 nights).

Wed Nov 19 – Hiroshima

  • Visit Peace Memorial Park and Museum, Hiroshima Castle.
  • Overnight Hiroshima.

Thu Nov 20 – Miyajima day trip

  • Train: Hiroshima β†’ Miyajimaguchi (JR Sanyo Line, 30 min).
  • Ferry: Miyajimaguchi β†’ Miyajima (10 min, JR ferry, included in JR Pass).
  • Optional: Mount Misen ropeway (~Β₯1,800, ticket on site).
  • Overnight Hiroshima.

Fri Nov 21 – Onomichi day trip

  • Train: Hiroshima β†’ Mihara (Shinkansen, 30 min).
  • Train: Mihara β†’ Onomichi (local JR, 15 min).
  • Explore temple walk, bridges.
  • Return same route.
  • Overnight Hiroshima.

Sat Nov 22 – Hiroshima β†’ Fukuoka (Hakata)

  • Train: Hiroshima β†’ Hakata (Shinkansen, 1h). rent a car and go to Beppu
  • Overnight Beppu

Sun Nov 23 – Aso

  • Drive to mount Aso, waterfalls / hike, check if aso is open or not
  • Overnight Aso

Mon Nov 24 – Back to fukuoka

  • drop the car in fukuoka
  • Overnight Fukuoka.

Tue Nov 25 – Fukuoka β†’ Takamatsu (Shikoku)

  • Train: Hakata β†’ Okayama (Shinkansen, 1h45).
  • Train: Okayama β†’ Takamatsu (Marine Liner, 1h).
  • Overnight Takamatsu (3 nights).

Wed Nov 26 – Naoshima day trip

  • Ferry: Takamatsu β†’ Naoshima (20 min).
    • Reservation recommended if you want a precise schedule.
  • Museums: Chichu (reservation required), Benesse, Lee Ufan.
  • Return ferry.
  • Overnight Takamatsu.

Thu Nov 27 – Iya Valley day trip

  • Train: Takamatsu β†’ Oboke (JR, 1h45).
  • Bus: Oboke β†’ Kazurabashi (~20 min).
  • Hiking / vine bridges.
  • Return same route.
  • Overnight Takamatsu.

Fri Nov 28 – Takamatsu β†’ Tokyo

  • Train: Takamatsu β†’ Okayama (Marine Liner, 1h).
  • Train: Okayama β†’ Tokyo (Shinkansen, 3h30).
  • Overnight Tokyo.

by AntonyGud07