I'm going to Japan for my honeymoon and it's the first time in the country for either of us. We're currently planning the last week of September into the first week of October, but that can move a week or two. I have a few questions:
– Can I stay in one place for Norikura and Komikochi? I see all these posts saying stay in Komikochi, but I want luxury accommodation and there are better options outside. Also seeking feedback on the ryokan choice/location for this leg of the trip. Will I regret three nights in a ryokan as a westerner? In general, this leg of the trip feels not there yet.
– Are we moving around too much? We are high energy but I want to be realistic.
– Should I push our trip back one week to allow us to go to the Hachiman Festival in Takayama? If we do that, would you cut Kaurizawa or something else?
– Am I seeing the neighborhoods in Tokyo in the right order/are they coupled well? Are we missing something that's great for a culture couple?
– Should I reverse the order, going to Kanazawa first and then coming slowly back to Tokyo via the Alps?
– I'm thinking we'll naturally get up early because of the time change, so I tried more for morning things than evening
– Are we going to be dying of crowds in these hiking spots? Would you recommend other ways to see the Alps?
Itinerary Check:
Tuesday 9/29: ARRIVE in Tokyo, neighborhood walk Akasaka (Buddhist temple with foxes, Jie-Jinja Temple), grab ramen nearby; ANA Intercon
Wednesday: EXPLORE TOKYO Teamlab Borderless, lunchtime food tour in Shibuya, walk off lunch in the gardens (Meiji Jingu), early yakatori dinner from piss alley; ANA Intercon
Thursday: RELAX DAY Walk outer market if up for it in the am, visit Taito arcade for racing and dance games, massage/spa, luxe dinner at the hotel or close by, go to EDM set at night if good performer; ANA Intercon
Friday: EXPLORE TOKYO MORE Go back to areas we passed but haven't stopped at yet, grab all the snacks, JDM car tour at night; ANA Intercon
Saturday: GO TO NATURE Leisurely but early breakfast, forward luggage to Takayama, and go to Kaurizawa via train. Check in and grab bikes from the hotel and grab lunch and bike to the bird sanctuary and stone churches. Flying squirrel tour at dusk at Picchio Wildlife. Multi-course dinner at the hotel overlooking the water, Kasuke; Hoshino Kaurizawa
Sunday 10/1: GET TO ALPS Bird watching at sunrise followed by meditation in the garden. Pick up rental car and drive to Alps ryokan (BUT TELL ME IF I SHOULD STAY IN KOMIKOCHI). Stop at Shiraito Falls, the volcano area, and Daio wasabi farm on the way. Dinner at ryokan; Yatsusankan outside Takayama?? Or Wanasato?
Monday: KOMIKOCHI LIGHT HIKES Breakfast at ryokan, go to Komikochi, hike around Myojin pond and see monkeys, walk Dakesawa marsh, eat at the fish hut, return to Ryokan (leave by 4); Yatsusankan
Tuesday: BIGGER HIKE VISTAS Hike Norikura to summit, relax in ryokan; Yatsusankan
Wednesday: WHITE ROAD Drive from Takayama to Kanazawa via the white road. Stop at Shiakawa-go (optional hike Mt. Sapiowa) and Fukube-no-Otaki waterfalls. Arrive in Kanazawa and grab dinner wherever we see; Sanraku Hotel
Thusday: KANZAWA Explore geisha and samurai districts, eat omakase lunch, shop crafts and see castle; Sanraku Hotel
Friday: GET BACK TO TOKYO Enjoy a cafe in the morning then take the bullet train back to Tokyo, Michelin meal, drinks with a view; Andaz Tokyo
Saturday: Free morning to explore anything we felt we missed, flight leaves around 4
by Automatic-Giraffe352