Background: Solo female, 8th time in Japan, into old towns, nature feels, little shops, trendy neighborhoods.
I'm quite Type A so yes, I'm planning with time schedule in mind because of infrequent buses and trains in the rural areas ✌️
D1. Nagoya – Nakatsugawa
– Arrive noon at Chubu Airport, forward wheeled luggage to Matsumoto
– Explore Nagoya… Eat Hitsumabusi, check out Noritake Garden and Sakae area; maybe pass by Nagoya castle too but I've already been before
– *I plan to just Luup scooter/ebike around
– Night Shinkansen to Nakatsugawa where I'll be staying for a night
D2. Ryujin Falls daytrip – Magome
– Blocking out 7:30am-2pm for Ryujin falls because of bus+train timings. So excited for fall colors 🍁
– *Are there proper lunch options at Yumori Park/Ryujin falls or should I prepare a picnic?
– *Has anyone stayed at Onn Nakatsugawa? Is it possible to have the breakfast for takeaway? I know some hotels can offer takeway containers
– If daylight permits, will walk Ochiai to Magome but if not just take the bus
– *Would it be a crime to skip exploring Nakatsugawa-juku itself? I suppose I can cut my Nagoya exploration and go to Nakatsugawa after I arrive but I also kinda want to get a city feel before my rural exploration
D3. Magome to Tsumago trek – Kiso-Fukushima
– Sunrise + wait till shops open in Magome
– Trek 11am-2:30pm
– Late lunch + Tsumago exploration
– Might walk up to Nagiso if I feel like if or just take the bus
– Stay at Kiso-Fukushima
– *Yes, I'm transferring hotels because staying at Kiso-Fukushima instead of Magome gives me a way earlier headstart the following day
**D4. Atera Valley daytrip – Kiso-Fukushima – Narai
– Atera Valley in the morning
– *Because I'm able to take the direct train to Nojiri I can be at Atera Valley by 8am instead of 11:30am if coming from Magome by bus+train
– *Is 3hrs enough to explore the area using ebike? I read the rental is JPY1000 per hour which tbh is too much for bike rental but it is what it is lol. I'm only willing to spend up to 3k. Otherwise I can walk an allot till after lunch.
– Kiso-Fukushima exploration… temples, foot bath, and get bag from hotel
– Night at a semi-luxe place in Narai
D5. Narai – Matsumoto
– Chill morning in Narai
– *I know I could've just stayed another night at Kiso-Fukushima but I really love the feeling of waking up and being able to walk around these small towns without much people yet
– Head for Matsumoto in the afternoon
– If I feel like it I might squeeze Yabuhara or Kiso-Hikasawa
– Sunset + night at Matsumoto castle
– Stay in Matsumoto 2N
D6. Matsumoto
– Early morning at the park + Art Museum Once around opening time
– Alps Park morning till lunch (I'm a child at heart and wanna try the tobogans and playground courses hahaha, foliage should be great too)
– Castle area + shopping streets in the afternoon
D7. Matsumoto – Tokyo. Shopping and city feels
– Early morning shinkansen to Tokyo
– Drop bags at Akasaka hotel
– Harajuku + Omotesando shopping
– Check-in 2N + rest at hotel
– Night at Marunouchi area
D8. Tokyo. Thrift shopping
– Yakusuni Shrine in the morning for gingko trees
– Koenji thrift shopping
– Kichijoji thrift shopping and Inokashira Park
– Yebisu Illumination and/or Shibuya at night depending on energy level
D9. Tokyo. Autumn feels, art, bay area
– Early morning at Meiji Jingu Gaien + Yoyogi Park
– Back to hotel for breakfast
– Roppongi area art museums. National Art Center, 21-21 Design Sight, Midtown Design Hub
– Sunset at Blue Bottle Toyosu
– Check-in to Toyosu Manyo Banrai 1N
– *I know it's touristy but where else can I experience an onsen with city view? I guess I can avoid people by going into the onsens at wee hours
D10. Tokyo last day
– Tokyo University for gingko trees early morning, if I have time can stroll through Nezu Shrine/Ueno
– *Can I ride a Luup within Ueno park?
– Ueno Okachimaci for jewelry and last minute shopping
– Toyosu Senkakyu Banrai for last sushi
– Take 4pm bus to airport from Toyosu Station
– 7:45pm flight back home 😢
by trippinxt