Hello everyone,
My boyfriend and I are planning to visit Japan this year during autumn time, most likely during mid-late September -> beginning of October.
As probably everyone did while planning this kind of trip, it feels a bit overwhelming, and we would really like to find the best option so that we enjoy it, but also see and do as much as possible.
We are thinking of spending 18-20 days in Japan, and then fly to Seoul for ~2 more days to enjoy the great cuising of Korea, and do some shopping for skincare :).
HELP NEEDED WITH:
– Please help us validate or change the objectives we want to visit (nothing is set in stone, but we are trying to make a list of the most important things to visit/do).
– Please help us pick the best option in terms of order to visit these places
Location we want to visit, and some objectives:
Tokyo
- Historic: Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Chofu Jindaiji Temple
- Pop culture: Akihabara, Harajuku, Nakano Broadway, Super Potato
- Nightlife: Shinjuku (Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho), Shibuya (Sky Tower, crossing)
- Activities: Game center / arcade, Karaoke
- Shopping: Ginza (souvenirs), retro second-hand stores
- Special events: Sumo tournament (Ryogoku Kokugikan, mid-late Sep / Oct)
- Autumn foliage: Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue
Yokohama + Kamakura
- Kamakura temples & Great Buddha
- Enoshima island climb
- Zushi beach
- Yokohama Chinatown & city attractions
Takayama + Shirakawago
- Takayama old town & morning market
- Hida beef street foods
- Hida Folk Village / Bagpipe café
- Shirakawago village detour
Kanazawa
- Kenroku-en Garden
- Higashi Chaya-gai & Kazue Machi Tea district
- Omicho Market
- Kanazawa Castle
- Machiya townhouse stays
- Matcha desserts, gold leaf ice cream
- Kanazawa crafts: washi paper, temaki balls
- Sushi: Kirari
Kyoto
- Temples: Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari, Enko-ji
- Arashiyama: Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji, Togetsukyo bridge, Iwatayama Monkey Park
- Higashiyama historic quarter
- Nishiki Market, Pontocho Alley
- Kamogawa river walks
- Nighttime: Kodai-ji temple
Nara (day trip)
- Deer Park
- Todai-ji Temple
- Kasuga Taisha
- Nakatanidou: Yomogi Mochi
- Historic city center
Osaka
- Universal Studios Japan & Nintendo World
- Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku Tower (Kushikatsu food)
- Dotonbori canal nightlife
- Umeda Sky Building panoramic views
- Retro shopping / Super Tamade supermarket
Hiroshima
- Hiroshima Peace Park & Museum
- Miyajima Island: Itsukushima Shrine
Travel Flow options:
Option A: Tokyo Part 1 → Rest of the locations → Tokyo Part 2 → Seoul
Tokyo (4d) → Yokohama/Kamakura (1d) → Takayama/Shirakawago (2d) → Kanazawa (2d) → Kyoto (5d) → Nara day trip (0.5-1d) → Osaka (2d) → Hiroshima (1d) → Tokyo (2d) → Seoul (2-3d)
Option B: Osaka First → Rest of the locations → Tokyo → Seoul
Osaka (3d) → Hiroshima (1d) → Takayama/Shirakawago (2d) → Kanazawa (2d) → Kyoto (5d) → Nara day trip (0.5-1d) → Tokyo (3d) → Seoul (2-3d)
Option C: Tokyo First → Rest of the locations → Osaka → Fly from Osaka area to Seoul
Tokyo (4d) → Yokohama/Kamakura (1d) → Takayama/Shirakawago (2d) → Kanazawa (2d) → Kyoto (5d) → Nara day trip (0.5-1d) → Osaka (2d) → Seoul (2-3d)
I already want to thank in advance everyone that had the patience to read everything, and those that will also provide some recommendations based on my questions.
by Webseal95