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 March: Tokyo
- Arrival in Tokyo around 4pm local time
- Evening: Explore local area, dinner
23rd March: Tokyo
- Quiet day (jet lag)
- Explore areas of the city and the food scene
24th March: Tokyo
- Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
- Explore Ueno Park and Tokyo National Museum
- Evening in Akihabara
25th March: Tokyo
Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street in Harajuku
Evening: Shibuya Crossing and explore Shibuya
26th March: Tokyo
- Day trip to Mount Fuji
27th March: Tokyo
- Fish market?
- Explore parts of City
28th March: Tokyo > Kyoto
- Travel to Kyoto: Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Evening walk 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: Kyoto
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and/or Ryoan-ji Temple
- Nijo Castle
31st March: Kyoto
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and/or Tenryu-ji Temple
- Iwatayama Monkey Park and/or Togetsukyo Bridge
1st April: Kyoto
- Explore parts of City
2nd April: Kyoto > Osaka > Hiroshima > Miyajama
Early train from Kyoto to Osaka
Leave main cases near station, onwards train to Hiroshima
Morning + early afternoon Hiroshima
Miyajama for ryokan stay (1 night)
3rd April: Miyajama > Hiroshima > Osaka
- Back to Osaka via Hiroshima
- Shopping in evening
4th April: Osaka
- Kobe for lunch
- Explore parts of city
- Shopping in evening
5th April: Osaka
- Explore parts of city
- Shopping in evening
6th April: Osaka > home
- Midday flight home
by Ok-Bass-9440