First time in Japan | Solo traveler | Not into overly touristy things | Prefer nature mixed with culture.
Flying into Tokyo (Narita/Haneda), flying out of Osaka (KIX) at 11:55 AM on March 27th.
TOKYO – 4 nights (March 10-14)
Base: Hotel Century Southern Tower, Shinjuku
Day 1 (March 10): Late evening arrival, check in, rest.
Day 2 (March 11) – Western Tokyo neighborhoods:
– Koenji: Bohemian neighborhood with vintage shops, indie cafes, covered shopping arcades (avoiding typical tourist areas)
– Nakano Broadway: Multi-story mall with niche anime/manga shops, less touristy than Akihabara
– Shimokitazawa: Hipster neighborhood with record shops, small theaters, cozy izakayas for dinner
Day 3 (March 12) – East Tokyo & traditional areas:
– Morning: Fukagawa temples (Fudo-do, Tomioka Hachimangu) – old working-class Tokyo feel without Asakusa crowds
– Kiyosumi Gardens – traditional garden with far fewer visitors
– Ryogoku: Sumo district, try chanko nabe
– Yanaka: Old Tokyo neighborhood that survived WWII, wander Yanaka Ginza, temple district, cemetery
Day 4 (March 13) – Day trip to Kamakura:
– Hiking between temples via Daibutsu trail through forested mountains
– Skip crowded Great Buddha area, focus on Kita-Kamakura temples
– Coastal town atmosphere with beach/mountain setting
Day 5 (March 14): Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast, then depart for Matsumoto
MATSUMOTO – 1 night (March 14-15)
Day 5 (March 14): Arrive afternoon, evening walk around illuminated castle area
Day 6 (March 15):
– Morning: Matsumoto Castle (one of 12 original castles in Japan, striking black exterior)
– Quick visit to Nakamachi Street (preserved merchant district)
– Afternoon train to Takayama (2 hours)
TAKAYAMA – 2 nights (March 15-17)
Preserved Edo-period mountain town
Day 6 (March 15): Arrive late afternoon, explore old town streets by lamplight, Sanmachi Suji district
Day 7 (March 16):
– Early morning: Takayama Morning Markets (Miyagawa & Jinya-mae) – local produce, pickles, crafts
– Takayama Jinya (only surviving Edo-period prefectural office)
– Afternoon: Sake brewery tastings, merchant houses, hike to Shiroyama Park for mountain/town views
– Evening: Try Hida beef at traditional izakaya
Day 8 (March 17): Day trip to Shirakawa-go
– UNESCO village with gassho-zukuri (thatched-roof) farmhouses, 250+ years old
– Mountain valley setting, likely still snowy in March
– Tour inside farmhouses, hike to viewpoint overlooking village
– Return to Takayama, then bus to Okuhida Onsen
OKUHIDA ONSEN – 1 night (March 18-19)
Legendary mountain hot springs in Northern Alps.
Day 8 (March 18):
– Arrive late morning from Takayama (30-40 min bus)
– Check into onsen ryokan (looking at Yukimurasaki or Yarimikan)
– Afternoon: First outdoor onsen experience – riverside baths with 3,000m snow-covered peaks
– Optional: Shinhotaka Ropeway for panoramic Alps views
– Evening: Kaiseki dinner, night onsen under stars
Day 9 (March 19):
– Early morning: Sunrise onsen session (this is THE experience I’m most excited about)
– Traditional ryokan breakfast
– Late morning: Bus to Takayama, then train to Kanazawa
KANAZAWA – 2 nights (March 19-21)
Day 9 (March 19):
– Arrive afternoon
– Higashi Chaya District: Preserved geisha district with wooden teahouses
– Omicho Market: Fresh seafood dinner (kaisendon bowls, sushi)
Day 10 (March 20):
– Morning: Kenrokuen Garden (one of Japan’s three great gardens)
– Afternoon: Nagamachi Samurai District, visit Nomura Samurai House interior
– Possibly 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
– Evening: Katamachi entertainment district
Day 11 (March 21):
– Morning: Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple) – hidden doors, escape routes, fascinating defense architecture
– Afternoon: Train to Hiroshima
HIROSHIMA – 2 nights (March 21-23)
Day 11 (March 21): Arrive evening, try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki
Day 12 (March 22):
– Morning: Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome
– Peace Memorial Museum (allowing 2-3 hours – I know this will be heavy)
– Afternoon: Process the experience, walk along river or visit reconstructed Hiroshima Castle
– Evening: Explore downtown, Okonomimura building
Day 13 (March 23) – Miyajima Island:
– Ferry to island (25 min)
– Itsukushima Shrine with floating torii gate
– Hike Mount Misen (535m) – 2-3 hour round trip, 360-degree views of Seto Inland Sea (THE nature hike I’m looking forward to)
– Alternatively take ropeway partway up
– Explore island village, try grilled oysters
– Afternoon: Return to Hiroshima, train to Kyoto (2 hours)
KYOTO – 3 nights (March 23-26)
Peak cherry blossom season – accepting crowds for the beauty
Staying in northern/eastern area (Ginkaku-ji or Demachiyanagi) to avoid worst crowds
Day 13 (March 23): Arrive evening from Hiroshima, settle in, walk neighborhood
Day 14 (March 24):
– 6:30 AM: Fushimi Inari (ONLY this early to beat crowds, just lower sections)
– Late morning: Kiyomizu-dera Temple (wooden stage, cherry trees on approach)
– Walk down Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka traditional streets
– Afternoon: Gion & Higashiyama – Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park (cherry blossoms!), Kodai-ji Temple
– Evening: Philosopher’s Path at dusk (canal walk, possible early blossoms)
Day 15 (March 25):
– Morning: Daitoku-ji Temple Complex (multiple sub-temples, zen gardens, much quieter than famous sites)
– Lunch in northern Kyoto
– Afternoon: Shimogamo Shrine (UNESCO site through primeval forest, less touristy)
– Late afternoon: Nishiki Market (“Kyoto’s Kitchen” for traditional ingredients, street food)
Day 16 (March 26) – Day trip to Nara:
– Todai-ji Temple (giant bronze Buddha, arrive 8-9 AM)
– Kasuga Taisha Shrine (forest approach, stone lanterns)
– Nara Park deer (yes, touristy but fun)
– **Afternoon: Hike Mount Wakakusa** (342m, panoramic views, far fewer tourists on mountain)
– Return to Kyoto evening, pack for Osaka
OSAKA – 1 night (March 26-27)
Final night for easy airport access
Staying near Namba Station (Nankai line to airport)
Day 16 (March 26):
– Arrive from Kyoto late afternoon
– Evening: Dotonbori street food crawl – takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu
– Final night energy, embrace the chaos
Day 17 (March 27):
– 6:30 AM wake up
– 8:00 AM train to Kansai International Airport
– 11:55 AM flight
Key Questions for You Guys:
- Is the Alps portion (Matsumoto → Takayama → Okuhida → Kanazawa) too much movement? I’m changing hotels 4 times in 5 days here. Worth it for the onsen experience?
2 Should I skip Matsumoto overnight and just do the castle as a 3-hour stopover between Tokyo and Takayama? Would save one hotel change.
3. Is 3 nights enough for Kyoto during cherry blossom season, or should I cut something else (Kanazawa? One Hiroshima night?) to add a 4th Kyoto night?
4. Okuhida Onsen recommendations?Looking at Yukimurasaki or Yarimikan. Worth the splurge (~¥25,000-35,000/night with kaiseki)?
5. Any major gaps or things I should add/skip? I’m specifically avoiding Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove during day, and other mega-crowded spots.
6. Any worthwhile golf courses I could squeeze in. Big time golfer.
Any feedback appreciated – is this too much?
by r0mpy