Earlier this year my girlfriend and I visited Japan for the first time, and recently wrote this trip report about it. It was so amazing that we decided to go again next year. This time we want to experience the Sakura season, so we’ve booked March 28 – April 17 (yes, I know we definitely won’t have the country to ourselves).
We only have the round trip flights to Tokyo booked for now, the rest is still flexible.
The trip will include a mix of places we haven’t been yet, and some we’ve already visited but where we feel there’s still plenty left to do (you could be in Tokyo for a year and never get bored, right?).
We do want to take it a bit slower this time, especially in Tokyo and Kyoto where we’ve already been. We’ve got some activity options for those cities, but it’ll be less about ticking off as many must-sees as possible since we’ve already covered a lot of the “usual suspects.”
Here’s the plan so far, along with some concrete questions. I’d also love to hear if there are must-dos I’m forgetting (and didn’t already do on my first trip), or if there are things I listed that aren’t really worth it. We enjoy culture, nature, hiking, history, good food and drinks (bar hopping), nights out, sports, outdoor activities, but also some relaxation here and there.
Saturday March 28 – Tuesday March 31: Tokyo
- Yoyogi Park (Sunday): last time we weren’t there on a weekend, curious about the dancing Elvises.
- TeamLab. Question: I don’t know if Borderless or Planets is better. Anyone who’s been to both and can share a comparison?
- Nakamise Dori (the shopping street was already closed last time we visited Senso-ji).
- Day trip to Nikko. Or should I save that for a future autumn trip with the fall colors?
Otherwise we’ll take it easy, stroll around, and see what we feel like. Check out neighborhoods outside the city center, like Nakameguro, Akabane, and Kichijoji (maybe visit the Ghibli museum). Wandering without a set plan. Any tips for quieter, charming neighborhoods?
Tuesday March 31
Morning flight Tokyo → Fukuoka
Pick up rental car in Fukuoka. Start of ~1 week Kyushu road trip
Drive Fukuoka → Nagasaki
Evening in Nagasaki: Mount Inasayama night view
Wednesday April 1: Nagasaki
- Peace Park (Atomic Bomb Museum)
- Dejima
- Shinchi Chinatown
Thursday April 2
Drive Nagasaki → Takachiho Gorge
Explore Takachiho Gorge (rowing boat, etc.)
Drive Takachiho Gorge → Kurokawa
Late afternoon + evening in Kurokawa, enjoy onsen
Friday April 3
Morning: more onsen in Kurokawa
Drive Kurokawa Onsen → Beppu
Afternoon + evening in Beppu, more onsen
Questions:
- Is Beppu worth it? Or would Yufuin be better?
- I haven’t included Mt. Aso in this plan. Should I try to fit it in somehow? For example, instead of Beppu/Yufuin stay another night in Kurokawa and make a day trip to Mt. Aso? Or add an extra day to the Kyushu road trip and cut that day from somewhere else in the itinerary?
Saturday April 4
Morning: more onsen in Beppu, maybe the Hells of Beppu
Drive Beppu → Fukuoka. Return rental car
Afternoon + evening in Fukuoka:
- Food stall (yatai) safari
- Saturday night in Tenjin
Sunday April 5: Fukuoka
- Ohori Park
- A museum in Fukuoka
- Some shopping at Canal City
Monday April 6
Train Fukuoka → Miyajima
Day on Miyajima:
- Itsukushima Shrine/Torii
- Daisho-in Temple
- Hike Mount Misen
- Tsutsumigaura Beach
Overnight on Miyajima
Tuesday April 7
Morning train Miyajima → Himeji
Himeji Castle + Kokoen Garden
Train Himeji → Kobe
Afternoon + evening in Kobe: Kobe beef dinner
Wednesday April 8
Morning in Kobe
Train Kobe → Kyoto
Note: We’re considering skipping the Kobe overnight and instead going straight to Kyoto, then doing Kobe as a day trip from there. That means a bit more train travel, but also avoids another single-night stop, which might make the trip more relaxed.
April 8 – April 11: Kyoto
- Kinkaku-ji
- Ginkaku-ji
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Sakura party at Hirano Shrine (April 10)
Questions:
- Is Nara (park) worth it? The bowing deer seem a bit touristy to me, but people seem enthusiastic about Nara.
- Is it worth going to Amanohashidate? It looks beautiful and is one of Japan’s “Three Scenic Views,” but it’s quite a long day trip by train from Kyoto.
Saturday April 11
Train Kyoto → Nagoya
Day + overnight in Nagoya
Question: Is Nagoya worth a one-night stop, or should we skip it and use the time elsewhere?
Sunday April 12
Train Nagoya → Hakone
Mt. Fuji views + onsen
Overnight in Hakone
Question: We really want to see Mt. Fuji, last time we didn’t because of clouds. Is it better to stay overnight in Hakone on the way to Tokyo, or as a day trip from Tokyo when the weather is clear? Staying overnight on our way to Tokyo saves travel time compared to a round trip from Tokyo, and gives us more rest + a chance to see Fuji in the early morning. But less flexibility with the weather.
Or is there a better spot than Hakone for Fuji views (on our route or easily accessible), either as an overnight on our way to Tokyo or a day trip from Tokyo? Lake Kawaguchi? Lake Yamanaka?
Monday April 13 – Friday April 17: Tokyo
April 13: Train Hakone → Tokyo
Do whatever we didn’t get to in the first Tokyo days. Keep it relaxed, not too much planning.
April 17: flight home
This is our rough plan. We’d also love to spend one or two days off the beaten path in the countryside (inaka?), but not sure how or where. Does anyone know good options for that, or should I save it for a future Japan trip?
Thanks for reading and for any input, I really appreciate it!
by Nizzeyy