Last October I spent two and a half wonderful weeks in Japan. As I half suspected would be the case, having longed to visit for so long, I was hooked. I always knew Ifd want to visit more than once, but our trip has so been in my thoughts that wefve just booked flights to go back for another two and a half weeks later this year. There are many other places we love to visit, but right now, I canft get Japan out of my mind!
To give you an overview of my first trip, herefs the itinerary (and a plug for Japan Guide):
http://www.kaveyeats.com/2012/11/our-magical-holiday-in-japan-an-intro...For our 2013 trip we have 19 nights to play with and I would welcome any suggestions about where we might go. Some thoughts:
We enjoyed the entire trip, but Kyoto was probably our favourite place. Whilst we did see and do a fair bit, illness meant we lost a day and a half and we had already excluded some attractions just because of our limited time. So wefre planning to go back to Kyoto for 5 nights.
Tokyo has so much to see and do and again, we only made a scratch. However, I think wefll restrict our Tokyo time to 2 nights on arrival and 2 before departure.
We loved both Takayama (we were there for the autumn festival) and Nara and we know wefve certainly not seen all or even most of what they have to offer, but have decided we wonft revisit these destinations on this trip. We spent a few hours in Hiroshima and one night on Miyajima. Again, we really enjoyed them, and know therefs more to see, but wefre not including either this time.
I didnft warm to Osaka, but we only spend half a day and an overnight there. I know itfs a foodie mecca, and food is a major focus of the trip, so Ifd like to give Osaka another chance. Ifm currently thinking of allocating 2 nights to Osaka, but would love your inputs on what we could do there. We enjoyed our afternoon at the cup noodle museum last time. We might visit the aquarium this time, but not really sure. I read about the fish market there, much smaller but more accessible than Tokyofs Tsukiji, and would be very interested in visiting if this is possible. Mostly I want to eat and drink local specialities during these days.
That leaves 8 nights to play with.
Ifve been reading about Kyushu and that certainly appeals. Wefre open to doing it by public transport or happy to rent a car and self-drive once wefve trained across from the East.
Or we could go North East from Tokyo to Nikko and explore Honshu or Hokkaido.
We wouldnft try and do more than one of those, as we like to travel slowly rather than flit around too much.
Wefre very happy to see more of rural Japan, but wefre not hikers and Ifm not brave enough to use shared onsen baths, especially single gender ones. So it depends on how accessible the attractions are and how we could fill our time wherever we go that will help me make the decision.
I would particularly like to visit areas which are famous for production of a food or drink item, whether itfs rice, sake, tea, a particular fish, seafood or meat, soy sauce, a type of pickle, whisky or beer, really anything at all food or drink. If therefs any way for me to arrange, via local tourist boards or any other way, to visit specific producers to learn about them in more detail, Ifd absolutely love to do this so I can write about them and share the experience. Hey, Ifm a blogger, itfs part of the enjoyment for me! (Indeed, Ifm still only half way through writing about the last trip, but determined to finish that before we leave for the next one!)
Any recommendations for our undecided 8 nights?
