I’m a 39M doing my first Japan trip solo. I’ll be finishing a group tour in Tokyo mid February and then have 6 days on my own before flying out.
Since I’ll likely come back to Japan after a few years with family, I’m wondering if this is the time to do the harder / less family-friendly logistics now.
I’m torn between two options:
Option 1: Tokyo & Surroundings (easier, flexible)
Tokyo (neighbourhoods, food, wandering)
Kawazu (early cherry blossoms), fly out from Tokyo
Option 2: Mountain Route (more logistics, more unique?)
Tokyo
Kawazu (early cherry blossoms)
Takayama
Shirakawa-go
Kanazawa (samurai districts)
Osaka (fly out)
My thinking is that Tokyo anyway needa to be done with family, but snow towns and rural routes might be better done solo when I have the freedom and energy.
Would you suggest the mountain villages now and save Tokyo depth for later?
Or am I underestimating how rewarding it is to just slow down in Tokyo for a first trip?
Appreciate any perspectives 🙏
Places covered in tour package
Osaka: 1.5 days
Kōyasan: 1 day
Hiroshima: 2 days (including Miyajima)
Kyoto: 2 days
Hakone: 1 day
Tokyo: 1.5 days
by arunksrct