Chelsea is a phenomenal planner and we have quite the trip put together. Check out our planned itinerary and all links and research we compiled. We are starting to digest the highs and lows and this page will be updated accordingly.
Flight to Japan
March 11, 2019All we know right now is that we are leaving LAX… and heading west
Heading to Japan
March 11, 2019 4:15 pmAfter nine months of planning, we are headed to Japan for 17 days!
2 Days In Kyoto
March 12, 2019We’ll be traveling after our first night directly to Kyoto and staying 2 nights.
While in Kyoto we plan to visit Inari but approach it from a less frequented section pass by several temples visit before descending up the gates.
Read a ReviewSee Related ContentTransit Day – Kyoto to Kagoshima
March 15, 2019We plan to leave Kyoto at 7 am and head to Hiroshima. Checking our backpacks for the day will allow us to explore Hiroshima a bit before heading to Kagoshima for the night.
A Morning in Hiroshima
March 15, 2019Stopping in Hiroshima the plan is to drop our bags and do a quick morning walking tour before heading to Miyajima in the afternoon and then finally off to Kagoshima for the night.
Planning Helps:
See Related ContentWhile in Hiroshima try local food such as oysters and Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki lunch before Miyajima?
There are many oyster bars where you can enjoy grilled oysters from 1 piece. My recommendation would be “oyster curry-pan” which is fried bread-roll stuffed with curry and two pieces of oysters!
An Afternoon Miyajima
March 15, 2019After exploring a bit we are anticipating relaxing on banks watching the golden hour cast its light on the Great Floating Tori. High Tide is at 3:10 and will be going out during sunset at 6:20.
See Related Content3 Days on Yakushima Island
March 16, 2019
This was one of the harder elements of the trip to plan out, but we are very excited about the wilderness to be experienced.
This was also the only location Chelsea felt confident about renting and driving a car on the unnatural side of the road!
So, where is Yakushima!
Find in Google Maps
Fukuoka
March 20, 2019Fukuoka Cherry Blossom Spots:
- https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4807.html
- https://www.kyuhoshi.com/2017/01/26/10-best-places-to-see-cherry-blossom-in-kyushu/
Sights to See:
- Fukuoka Castle (Maizuru Park)
- Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
- Nishi Park (Nishi Koen)
- Atago Shrine
Fukuoka Food:
Fukuoka‘s open air food stands (屋台, Yatai)
Typical dishes enjoyed at yatai are grilled chicken skewers (yakitori), hot pot (oden) and most famously Hakata Ramen, a local noodle dish featuring relatively thin ramen noodles in a pork bone based soup (tonkotsu).
See Related ContentImbari to Onomichi on a Bike
March 21, 2019
It took a bit of research and email communication to get everything reserved and planned out to enjoy this cycling day. We’ll start early in Matsuyama, pick up our bikes and forward our luggage on. We are planning on taking the ferry from Setoda on but may finish the whole route if we are making good time.
From Our Planning Notes:
Biking route: One-Day – City Bike (w/ basket) – Distance 41.5KM or 48KM
“The beauty of this plan is it gives you a lot of freedom around where you start and finish. If you rent a regular bicycle you can drop if off at any of the terminals along the way. In my opinion the bridges between Ikuchijima to Imabari were more architecturally stunning and so I would focus my time on them. In this example, you start from Imabari, but you could also start from Onomichi and accomplish the same route.
- Let’s imagine you spent the night before the ride in Matsuyama after ferrying over from Hiroshima – after waking up and having a good breakfast you would make your way to JR Matsuyama Station and take the Yosan-line Limited Express bound for Imabari.
- 8:10 – Train departs Matsuyama for Imabari
- 8:46 – Train arrives at Imabari
- 9:00 – Pick-up bicycles at the rental terminal at the train station
- Bike from Imabari Station to Setoda Port (48KM)
- Cycling at 10KM an hour this would take almost five hours
- Cross the Kurushima-Kaikyo, Hakata Oshima and Tatara Bridges
- Explore around Setoda (Kosanji Temple + Hirayama Ikuo Museum)
- 18:00 – Return your bicycles to the rental station by Setoda Port before it closes
- 18:40 – Ferry from Setoda Port to Onomichi (arriving at 19:19)
- Alternatively, you could stay at one of the Ryokan on Ikuchijima and return to Onomichi the following day
For example, if your plan is to start from Imabari and travel to Onomichi, but for some reason, you cannot complete your journey you can still use the ferry to finish. The central town along the Shimanami Kaido is called Setoda and it’s possible to take a ferry from Setoda – Onomichi. So if you arrive at Setoda and don’t want to cycle all the way to Onomichi it’s possible to finish your day with a relaxing ferry ride to your destination instead. ”
- http://www.sunrise-itoyama.jp/archives/english/
- Luggage transfer: http://www.sagawa-exp.co.jp/stc/english/
- http://www.cyclonoie.com/shimanamikaido-e.php
- https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9746697,132.9794678,10.82z/data=!4m2!6m1!1s1MC-ztoJgHZM-VXkcfHZpCbxjKVs
- https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3478.html
- http://behere.asia/blog/cycling-the-shimanami-kaido — also has luggage shipping info
- http://www.go-shimanami.jp/global/english/bicycle/ — bike rental and printable guides
- https://giant-store-rental.jp/en/rsv/ — giant bike rental
Onomichi – Himeji – Okayama – Osaka
March 22, 2019Transiting day! We are working our way back towards Toyko but popping into various towns as we go.
From our planning notes:
Himeji Castle
The broad Otemae-dori Street leads straight from JR Himeji Station to Himeji Castle. You can walk from the station to the castle’s entrance gate in about 15 to 20 minutes. Sanyo-Himeji Station, served by Sanyo Railways, is located just a short walk north of JR Himeji Station and provides direct train connections to/from Osaka‘s Hanshin Umeda Station.
OKAYAMA
Okayama Castle (Crow Castle) and Korakuen Garden admission $6
Okayama Castle is about 1.5 kilometers or a 25-30 minute walk east of Okayama Station. Trams on the Higashiyama Line can be taken to Shiroshita stop (5 minutes, 100 yen, frequent departures) from where the castle keep can be reached in a 10-15 minute walk.
Osaka:
- Osaka Castle The recommended approach to Osaka Castle is through Otemon Gate at the park’s southwestern corner. The closest station is Tanimachi 4-chrome Station along the Tanimachi Subway Line and Chuo Subway Line. The closest JR station to Osaka Castle is Osakajokoen Station on the JR Loop Line, a 10 minute, 160 yen ride from JR Osaka Station.
- Sumiyoshi Shrine
- Tsutenkaku Osaka’s most nostalgic downtown area, Shinsekai
- Umeda Sky Building is a 10-15 minute walk from Osaka and Umeda Stations
- Shitennoji Temple
- Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum
- Dotonbori, the most touristic area with lots of neon lights and gigantic shop displays.
- Hozenji Yokocho Alley
Train to Takayama
March 23, 2019- https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5901.html
- https://medium.com/@gocentraljapan/5-reasons-to-visit-hida-takayama-city-4e1c11e1b088
If Wakayama is cherry blossom blooming possible train route–
(Osaka to Hanwa Line in Kansai
Located in Osaka Prefecture of the Kansai Region, the Hanwa Line runs from Osaka City to Wakayama. In late March, the Hanwa Line is ideal for viewing sakura cherry blossoms. You’ll be delighted to find your train view filled with pink or white blossoms, often swaying peacefully in the breeze along both sides of the railway.)
Mt. Fuji
March 24, 2019From the notebook:
- http://www.chaptertravel.com/a-day-trip-to-mount-fuji-from-tokyo/#unique-identifier-chureito
- https://en.japantravel.com/kanagawa/hakone
- https://triptins.com/hakone-round-course-day-trip/
- https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/hakone-travel-guide
- https://www.odakyu.jp/english/sightseeing/itineraries/hakone_highlights/
Shiraito Falls (Shizuoka)白糸の滝
https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1512/
You can reach the falls by bus from a few different stations and then a short walk.
Buses running between Shin-Fuji Station, Fujinomiya Station, and Fuji Five Lakes stop at Shiraito Falls. The walking trail down from the road takes less than five minutes. A bus from Shin-Fuji Station takes about an hour, but there are only a few buses per day.
Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen
The Tokaido Shinkansen line is located in the Shizuoka Prefecture of the Kanto Region. The line passes between Tokyo and Kyoto, and right from your seat, you’ll be treated to the famous bullet train side view of Mount Fuji. Plan your seating according to your destination for the best viewing.
If you’re headed south to Nagoya or Kyoto, the mountain will appear to the right of the train; if headed north to Tokyo, the left.Access to the Tokaido Shinkansen line is completely covered by the JR Pass.
Mt. Fuji to Tokyo
March 25, 2019From our planning notebook:
- Early morning to hopefully see mt Fuji reflection in the lake
- Check out Mt Fuji Agoda.com
- Day trips from Tokyo:
- NIKKO: https://jw-webmagazine.com/one-day-trip-to-nikko-ce880fb49a10
- https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3800.html
- Toyko Train route map: https://netmobius.freetls.fastly.net/images-stn-japan/JR_Tokyo_map.pdf
- Kotokuin temple in Kamakura south of tokyo
The Great Buddha is located a 5-10 minute walk from Hase Station, the third station from Kamakura along the Enoden railway line. The Enoden is a streetcar-like train that connects Kamakura with Enoshima and Fujisawa. Its terminal station in Kamakura is located just next of JR Kamakura Station.
-Kairakuen Garden
3 Days in Tokyo
March 26, 2019Our last three days will be spent exploring Tokyo. We don’t have a set daily plan yet but check out all of our research we have been combing over by taking a look at our planning notes below.
After we return, we will be updating this page to reflect on how the trip went.
Food and Leisure restaurants and bars:
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/tokyo/restaurants/all
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/tokyo/bars
Activities:
- https://jw-webmagazine.com/5-best-spots-for-vr-experiences-in-tokyo-ae7c3ace3976
- https://jw-webmagazine.com/7-most-gorgeous-japanese-gardens-in-tokyo-600b87064dd8
- https://jw-webmagazine.com/5-most-powerful-shrines-temples-in-tokyo-72fb95f1d635
- https://jw-webmagazine.com/top-5-spots-for-cherry-blossom-night-viewing-c5c509a2a26f
- Sensoji Temple
- Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo— cat temple
- “Nakamise Street”
- Kappabashi Street
- Ueno area Ameya Yokocho (AMEYOKO), Nezu Shrine, Yanaka Ginza
- Yanaka Cemetery
- Atari&Yanaka Beer Hall
- https://jw-webmagazine.com/yanesen-unspoiled-low-key-neighbourhoods-in-tokyo-b629ec90e41c
Recommended viewing spot of Tokyo Tower is Zojoji Temple, which is located right next to the tower
Free City View at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The famous tuna auction can be seen now at Toyosu Market. (Map: http://bit.ly/2J3JURX)
Harajuku:
- https://jw-webmagazine.com/10-harajuku-kawaii-photogenic-spots-425340acd3bd
- http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/en/rikugien/
- Chidorigafuchi (千鳥ヶ淵)
“After Rikugien, I headed to Tokyo Metro Nanboku Line Komagome station. Then I took Nanboku Line, transferred to Yurakucho Line at Iidabashi station, and got off at Koujimachi station.
The hours of boats are extended to 20:00 during sakura festival (26 March to 3 April in 2016), and won’t be closed on scheduled holidays. The fee is 800 yen for 30 minutes, but be prepared to wait in the line! I was there at about 2:00 PM and it was 2 hours wait! ”
Chidorigafuchi Boat Ride
Hours:
1st March to 30th November 11:00 – 17:30 (9:30 – 20:00 during sakura festival)
Closed on Mondays (No holidays during sakura festival)
Fee:
500 yen/30mins (800 yen/30mins during sakura festival)
For the latest information, Chiyoda Tourism Association has a website. Sakura festival is held usually from late March to early April every year, and during the festival, Sakura will lighten up at night and strolls will be out at Yasukuni Shrine, which is just 5 mins walk from Chidorigafuchi. So I went to Yasukuni Shrine to get another view of Sakura.
https://travelwithnanob.com/2017/04/23/cherry-blossoms-at-chidorigafuchi-moat-yasukuni-shrine/
Tokyo Food:
https://jw-webmagazine.com/top-10-ramen-restaurants-in-shinjuku-area-9b4117c410fa
Amazing!!! Have you ever considered being professional trip planners/guides?
Thanks! Where would you like to go?