Hi all, I'm planning a trip with my partner for October/November '26.
I tried to tailor the trip to our tastes. Slightly more towards tech, wellness, cycling (my partner loves to cycle), cats, nature, veggie/vegan food. Slightly fewer temples. There are a few things to still fill in.
With regards to visiting Japan as a vegetarian: I'm aware of the struggles. I want to prepare with little cards and I already have gathered quite a large list of recommendations in my Wanderlog that I did not paste in here. As well as relying on konbinis. But please let me know where you enjoyed vegan food! 🙂
Base: Tokyo (Mitsui Garden Ueno Park)
Day 0: Depart from Amsterdam.
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo at 11:45, drop luggage at the hotel. Fight the jetlag.
Day 2: Tokyo day: Some things we like to say in our Tokyo days: Akihabara, Ikebukuro, Harajuku, TeamLab, Ueno Park, Odaiba, Shinjuku cat, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Skytree, Imperial Gardens. But also make sure to rest.
Day 3: Tokyo day
Day 4: Tokyo day.
Day 5: Day trip to Kawaguchiko or Yamanaka for Mount Fuji. Choose the exact day based on weather so Fuji is visible. Go by highway bus. Rent a bike. To do: Lake Kawaguchiko, Oishi Park, Momiji Tunnel, Yagizaki Park.
Base: Kasatsu (Ryokan Eidaya)
Day 6: Travel to Kasatsu, 3 hours travel. Leave a bit early from Tokyo. This Ryokan does vegetarian food.
Day 7: Chill in the onsens, enjoy the ryokan, explore the town, relax.
Base: Nagoya (Vessel Hotel)
Day 8: Travel to Nagoya, around 6 to 7 hours using the scenic Shinano train. Hotel near the station.
Day 9: SCMAGLEV Park. Explore Nagoya city center.
Day 10: Toyota Techno Museum. Travel to Osaka after.
Base: Osaka (Hotel tbd)
Day 11: Resting day.
Day 12: Kyoto. Temple plus shojin ryori lunch. Tenryuji Temple Shigetsu or alternative. Explore gardens and Arashiyama.
Day 13: Osaka. Dotonbori, enjoy the nightlife/bars. Neu Cat cafe.
Day 14: Day trip to Nara for the deer.
Day 15: Up to us to decide if we want to explore more Kyoto or Osaka.
Shimanami Kaido (Guesthouse Hostel Miharashi-tei)
Day 16: Travel day, 3 hours. Walk around Onomichi with Senkoji Temple and Cat Alley.
Day 17: Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road, 70 km. Store luggage in a locker in Onomichi. Overnight halfway or two thirds of the route.
Day 18: Second stretch of cycling. Travel back to Onomichi, pick up luggage, continue to Hiroshima. Hotel near the station.
Base: Hiroshima (Hotel tbd)
Day 19: See a bit of Hiroshima. Esp. the peace memorial. Take it easy after the long day before.
Day 20: Miyajima with temple and deer, or other Hiroshima activities.
Day 21: Hiroshima during the day. In late afternoon travel to Osaka. Hotel near the airport.
Day 22: Flight at 13:00.
My big question is, is this itinerary realistic? I tried to have at least a few nights per place. Or are there are any parts of the itinerary that are too rushed?
Is it silly to take the train inland from Kusatsu to Nagoyo? I'm hoping for a nice trainride with views, does anyone have experience with this?
by kittenswithmittons