Planning Assistance 40 days trip

Greetings fellow travelers!

We are excited to embark on a new adventure to Japan in April/May 2024, and we are currently seeking recommendations for hidden gems that are worth visiting during our 10 free days.

We have already planned out an itinerary that includes 8 days in Tokyo, 12 days between Biei, Sapporo, Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and their top spots, 4 days in Kyoto, and 2 days in Mount Fuji and its surroundings.

And we have already visited in previous visits the following spots: Matsumoto, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Nakasendo, Hiroshima, Hagi, Onomichi, Osaka, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Huis Ten Bosch, Kumamoto, and Beppu. We are trying not to repeat some of this places.

With all these places on our list, we are certain that there are still many hidden gems that we have not yet discovered. Therefore, we would appreciate it if you could share any suggestions that you have for places to visit during our free days. We are open to exploring both natural and cultural spots, and would love to experience the authentic side of Japan that is not usually explored by tourists.

Furthermore, we are also curious about the Shizuoka or Mie prefecture, and would love to know if there are any interesting places to visit around that time of year. We are interested in hearing your thoughts and suggestions, and are grateful for any insights you may have to offer.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Regards!

up

What about Wakayama?

Am not a serious hiker but enjoyed short scenic hikes esp Magose Toge trail https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4959.html and hiking from Daimonzaka to Nachi Fall https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4955.html

Also, Shikoku is often overlooked

Places that come to mind: (roughly in a N-S direction):
Nikko
Hiraizumi
Aizu Wakamatsu
Matsumoto
Izu peninsula
Ise
Nara !!!
Hikone
Himeiji
More time in Kyoto
Takamatsu
Naoshima
Teshima
Shimantogawa
Matsuyama
Shimanami Kaido
Dazaifu
Nagasaki
Kagoshima

Takamatsu is easy to get to and explore. Sado Island has some cool things as well. However, some of the places you could visit take time getting there and back - Yakushima for example or places around Kyushu.

Can you drive?

Kagoshima. I loved the Flower Park Kagoshima and also the Healthy Land Spa. Sengan-en is nice, too. Also have stayed in Kirishima Onsen. For a very special experience I recommend staying at the lovely ryokan called Ryokojin Sanso that has privately reserved outdoor baths in the woods. It is possible to get there by train and bus from Kagoshima, but requires careful planning and you have to phone the inn for a pickup once you get to Kirishima Onsen town (or take a short cab ride). It is modestly priced and has excellent meals but is not one of those over the top high-end places. Very authentic, and very welcoming.

Mie, by all means. You can do the entire coastal Kii peninsula including Wakayama, and stop several places along the way (Kii-Katsuura is a nice place to spend the night). There is some great hiking on the Iseji section of Kumano Kodo, which is far less visited than the Nakahechi. If you really, really like seafood, try to spend a night at the Owase Seaside View in Owase. You can get there by train but it�fs not a limited express stop so you have to time your transit carefully. (And don�ft stay there if you don�ft love seafood.) If you�fre in that part of Japan, then also go to Ise, which is a gem but not a hidden one (at least, not from the point of view of Japanese native tourists).

For the eastern part of Kii peninsula, you might get some ideas from this report (the author had a car but I have had many peak experiences in this area traveling only by train; you just have to plan carefully).
https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/central-japan/190318.html

I would also recommend more time spent in Kyoto visiting the less famous places. So many foreign tourists only go to the famous places, and they have no idea what they are missing. Many of my peak experiences in Japan have been in and around Kyoto, and I keep finding more wonderful places there. I�fm not going to give you a list, but you have plenty of time to do some research on this subject and you will benefit from doing it yourself.

I've searched the must-visit places in each area you planned to visit:

Must-visit places in Tokyo are Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine, Akihabara, Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, Tokyo Tower, and more here https://gowithguide.com/japan/tokyo

In Biel, the Patchwork Road, Shirogane Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, Shikisai-no-oka Panoramic Flower Gardens and more https://livejapan.com/en/in-hokkaido/in-pref-hokkaido/in-furano_biei_s...

Aomori - Hirosaki Castle, Nebuta Festival, Aomori Museum of Art, and more https://aomori-tourism.com/en/spot/index_1_2_3.html

Akita - Kakunodate Samurai District, Lake Tazawa, Namahage Museum, and Oga Peninsula and more https://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1203.html

Yamagata - Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen, Zao Onsen, and Okama Crater and more attractions here https://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1205.html

Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, and more sightseeing here https://gowithguide.com/japan/kyoto

Last, Mt. Fuji Bucket List https://jw-webmagazine.com/mt-fuji-bucket-list-best-things-to-do-aroun...

Definitely spending more time in Kyoto would be my advice too, especially if you want to find less touristy places. There is so much to see in the city and around i.e. doable as a half-day trip. I lived in Kyoto for a year and go back regularly, and every time I find new fascinating spots where I am on my own. Also you�fd be less stressed than if being constantly on the move. And have more flexibility to adjust to weather.

These are a few �eminor�f sights in Kyoto that in my view a serious visitor to Japan should be familiar with (�eminor�f only as in less frequented, they are first rate experiences in all respects). There are many others but using these as a test - if you haven�ft been, it�fs time to focus on Kyoto more!
Northwest – Daitoku-ji and beyond to Genko-an and Koetsu-ji
Northeast – Shugaku-in, Shisen-do, Manshu-in
Southeast – Tofuku-ji
West – Adashino nenbutsu-ji, Daikaku-ji, Myoshin-ji
Mt Hiei
Kurama/Kibune/Ohara (+hike between the three)
Hike along Kiyotaki-gawa from Takao from Saimyo-ji

Admittedly evenings in Kyoto are a bit quieter but if you want something different Osaka is half an hour away by cheap and frequent trains (JR/Hankyu/Keihan). It�fs entirely feasible to go for the evening – many locals do.

I hope you have not booked your hotels or bought domestic air tickets yet. If I were you, I would note:

1. Cherry blossom seasons spread northward. To maximize your chance of seeing sakura, start with the south and then travel to Hokkaido last.

2. Be mindful of Golden Week, which is a national holiday week in Japan.

3. Ensure you have at LEAST three to five, if not more, onsen ryokan stays.

4. For popular locations during sakura seasons, you will need to book your hotels early to secure the best prices. However, do understand that smaller hotels may not begin accepting bookings too far in advance.

Hello Everyone, thank you very much for your responses!

You all gave me a lot of helpful advice, now is up to us to do the research.

Will come back to the post if some question arises!

And to answer one of the questions, yes, we can drive!

Regards

Good to hear back from you.

I'm a strong proponent for using public transport when available - but sometimes driving lets you see another part of Japan which can't be easily explored via train or bus.

One example can be a drive I did around Lake Shiga a few years ago (Lake Shiga is next to Kyoto!)

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3376
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3377
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3378
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3379
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3380
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3381
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3382

I also passed Hikone which is also a nice day trip from Kyoto

Rural Nara is also nice - specifically around Sakurai

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3042
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3043
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3044

We had a fantastic day at Meiji Mura, outside Nagoya, in April this year. It's an outdoor museum which is basically a park full of buildings from all over Japan, I loved it.

Also went to Okayama, did day trips to Kibutsu Shrine and Ritsurin Koen, which is in Takamatsu.

Around Kyoto/Lake Biwa, Enryakuji is a wonderful day out, and Hikone castle is quite lovely.

I'd second Kagoshima it's a lovely little city, with its very own volcano and an almost sub-tropical feeling, very far from the centre of empire and with a lot of history to learn about. And beautiful gardens and good seafood-we took a tour of the market which we very much enjoyed.

Whatever you do, have a great time in Japan!

What about visiting some of the islands?

e.g. near Kyushu Yakushima and Amami Ōshima.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4690.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4650.html

Down in Okinawa, Miyakojima, Ishigakijima etc.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7200.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7300.html

What about the Northern part of Kyoto prefecture,
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3996.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3985.html

Can go from there to Kinosaki Onsen
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3525.html

I haven't yet visited the Oki islands but they seem lovely, nice trip combined with Matsue and Tottori maybe.