Hello everybody, my gf and I are going to visit Japan from 19 December to 4 January. This is my second time but first one for her, so we are trying to mix the classic Tokyo-Kyoto travel with something new for me.
We are used to intense travels (early wake-up and long days) but it's the first time we are doing that relying only on public transport.
That's what we are thinking of:
19 Dec – TOKYO (Asakusa) [Takuhaibin to Kyoto]
- 11:20 landing in Haneda
- Visit Asakusa and Hagoita-Ichi Matsuri at Senso-ji Temple
- Overnight stay: Tokyo
20 Dec – TOKYO → KANAZAWA
- Early in the morning. transfer to Kanazawa
- Check-in and then visit Kenroku-en, Higashiyama, Omicho market
- Overnight stay: Kanazawa
21 Dec – KANAZAWA → SHIRAKAWA-GO → KYOTO
- 08:00 Bus Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go
- 09:25 Visit Shirakawa go
- 13:00 Bus Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa
- (If needed) more time in Kanazawa then transfer to Kyoto
- Overnight stay: Kyoto
Is one day even enough to visit Kanazawa AND Shirakawa-go? Should we move to Kyoto the next day, in order to have more time to explore Kanazawa?
22 Dec – KYOTO
- We don’t have a plan about Kyoto since a friend of mine organizes tours in Kyoto and we are still waiting news from her.
- Overnight stay: Kyoto
23 Dec – GHIBLI PARK
- Early departure to Ghibli Park
- Overnight stay: Kyoto
I know it's difficult to buy the tickets, if we can't we are going to spend one more day in Kanazawa or in Kyoto. Anyway this day can be switched with the 22th.
24 Dec – KYOTO [Takuhaibin to Osaka]
- We are going to plan this day as soon as my friend tell me the plan for the 22th.
- Overnight stay: Kyoto
25 Dec – HIMEJI → HIROSHIMA
- Himeji’s Castle in the morning
- Transfer to Miyajima in the early afternoon
- Overnight stay: Hiroshima
26 Dec – HIROSHIMA → OSAKA [We’d like to book the same hotel of the 28th and leave the baggages there, if not we are going to look for a locker]
- Visit Hiroshima in the morning
- (if not tired) Kobe for afternoon and dinner
- Overnight stay: Osaka
Should we skip Kobe and simply go back to Osaka and relax?
27 Dec – OSAKA → KOYASAN
- Transfer to Koyasan (08:00 → 12:00)
- Visit Okunoin Cemetery and temples
- Overnight stay: Shukubo in Koyasan
28 Dec – KOYASAN → OSAKA [takuhaibin to Tokyo]
- Transfer to Osaka
- Osaka’s Castle, Dotonbori, Kuromon Market
- Overnight stay: Osaka
29 Dec – OSAKA → HAKONE
- (if needed) Visit Osaka
- Transfer to Hakone
- Relax in onsen ryokan
- Overnight stay: Hakone
Or maybe is it better Fujikawaguchi-ko? I am afraid of the transfer (which is way longer and harder) in those last days on the year.
30 Dec – HAKONE → TOKYO
- Hakone Loop
- Transfer to Tokyo
- Overnight stay: Tokyo
31 Dec – TOKYO [Shinjuku]
- Haranjuku
- Oji Kitsune no Gyoretsu
- Overnight stay: Tokyo
We chose Shinjuku for the position and public transport, is it better to look for a hotel in a different place? Would you suggest the Joya no Kane instead?
1 Jan – TOKYO
- Hatsumode
- Sendagi, Nezu, Yanaka
- Overnight stay: Tokyo
2 Jan – TOKYO
- Imperial Palace (since it is open)
- Ueno
- Akihabara
- Overnight stay: Tokyo
3 Jan – TOKYO
- Shibuya, Ginza, Tokyo Tower, Rappongi Hills and Tsukij Market. (Not in this order)
- Overnight stay: Tokyo
Not sure if we are going to try to see all of those or cut/move something.
4 Jan – GOOD BYE JAPAN
Do you think this is doable? What would you change? Do you have any advice to make it less stressful as possible? Thank a lot in advance!
by Revolutionary_Ice985