Our family of 6 adults are going to Japan this October and would like to end our trip with an “off the beaten path experience.” We are hoping to end the trip exploring Yakushima but I would like to know if this seems feasible given our timeframe and current itinerary? We have traveled extensively through South America and Europe and are used to long travel days. I am posting our itinerary below:
Day one: Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo,pick up suica card/cash
Easy stroll( Shinjuka Gyoen or Kiyosumi Garden)
Simple dinner
Bed by 9 – 10
Day two: Tokyo
Shimbuya
Morning: Meiji Shrine
Yoyog Park
Walk to Harajuka – Takeshita Street
Evening: Shibuya Crossing Shibuya Sky #(prebook)
Tiny alleys like Nonbei Yokocho
Day three: Tokyo
Asakusa and Skytree
Morning: Senso-ji Temple (explore back alleys)
Stroll through historic district
Walk to Sumida River
Evening: Akihabara(electronics,anime) or Skytree
Day four : Hakone
Morning: Train to Hakone
Hakone sightseeing Lake Ashi cruise and ropeway
Evening: Kaiseki meal at ryokan
Stay; Bansuirou Fukuzumi
Day five:Kyoto
Morning: Train Hakone to Kyoto
Afternoon: Philosopher’s Path
Evening: Gion at dusk
Day six: Kyoto
Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Tenryu-ji Garden
Afternoon: Nishiki Market
Evening: Book special dinner
Day seven: Osaka
Morning: train Kyoto to Osaka( 15 minutes)
Kutoman market
Explore Dotonbori lights
Explore Osaka
Evening: return to Kyoto
Day eight: open day
Evening train to Fukuoka
Hotel : One Fukuoka Hotel
Day nine : Kagoshima
Morning: train Fukuoka to Kagoshima (one and a half hours)# reserve seat in advance
Afternoon: explore Kagoshima
Hotel: Sheraton Kagoshima
Day ten:Yakushima
Morning Jetfoil ferry Kagoshima to Yakushima( 2 hours)
# rent car
Afternoon: hike Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine(2-4 hours)
Hotel: Samana hotel Yakushima
Day eleven:Yakushima
Hike Yakusugi Land and Ohko Falls
Day twelve:Yakushima
Three hour drive around island
Day thirteen: Tokyo
Flight Yakushima to Tokyo(3 hours)
Hotel: The Kitano Hotel Tokyo
Day fourteen: Tokyo
Return flight home 5:35
by Sad-Elevator-3705