TLDR: Currently have 6 nights Toyko, 5 nights Kyoto, 1 night Miyajama, 3 nights Osaka… considering adding in 2 nights in Takayama at the expense of either Tokyo, or Kyoto, Osaka and Miyajama.
I'm visiting Japan for the first time in March and could do with some itinerary help – below are our current dates and plans.
Keen to experience a lot, but don't want to feel like we're constantly 'on the move'. We are going to the Formula 1 on the Sunday and are currently planning to do this from Kyoto (with a direct return bus booked), though can change this.
Our main interests are food, culture and shopping, and we are keen to do at least one night in a ryokan (currently planned for Miyajama).
We would love to be able to squeeze in Takayama, but my thoughts are this might be a bit tight. It looks like most trains to Takayama (either from Tokyo or Kyoto) go via Nagoya, which seems a good travel hub for the Formula 1. If we were to do Takayama, we'd therefore do it before (i.e. at the expense of Tokyo) or after (i.e. at the expense of 2-3 nights in Kyoto, Osaka, and Miyajama) the Formula 1.
Opinions very welcomed. I doubt it will be our last trip to Japan!
22nd-28th March: Tokyo
- Explore local areas
- Nice dinners
- Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
- Explore Ueno Park and Tokyo National Museum
- Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street in Harajuku
- Shibuya Crossing
- Day trip to Mount Fuji
- Fish market?
28th March: Tokyo > Kyoto
- Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- stay in Gion District
29th March: Kyoto (Sunday at Formula 1)
- Day at Formula 1 – travel organised from Kyoto to F1 track
- Back to Kyoto that evening
30th March – 1st April: Kyoto
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and/or Ryoan-ji Temple
- Nijo Castle
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and/or Tenryu-ji Temple
- Iwatayama Monkey Park and/or Togetsukyo Bridge
- Explore parts of City
2nd April: Kyoto > Osaka > Hiroshima > Miyajama
- Early train from Kyoto to Osaka (leave cases at station)
- Morning + early afternoon Hiroshima
- Miyajama for ryokan stay (1 night)
3rd April: Miyajama > Hiroshima > Osaka
- Back to Osaka via Hiroshima
- Shopping in evening
4th-6th April: Osaka
- Kobe for lunch
- Explore parts of city
- Shopping in evening
by Ok-Bass-9440