JAPAN: (March 10-April 6)
Total time in Japan March 10-April 6:
March 10: Tokyo, Japan (March 10-16)
Scoot flight from Singapore to Tokyo (go early to spend a few hours at the Singapore airport)
Arrival in Tokyo and settle in. Take it easy with a walk around nearby neighborhoods.
March 11: Tokyo
Head to Asakusa for Sensoji Temple, then Ueno Park—an early sakura spot.
March 12: Tokyo
Spend time in Shinjuku Gyoen (which often sees early cherry blossoms) and Shibuya for shopping and the famous crossing.
March 13: Tokyo
Visit Yoyogi Park for more sakura (bloom times vary), Harajuku (famous for street crepes, Takeshita Street), and Akihabara (night ad lights, lots of “maid” cafes).
March 14: Kamakura
Day trip to Kamakura (fun city) for temples and the Great Buddha, plus more temples.
walking tour I found on AllTrails. It’s a little far, but I’m sure it's not bad for you guys. Good souvenirs on the main street downtown (11 miles)
March 15: Tokyo - maybe 2 days
Take the Hakone Loop (https://www.earthbeneathourfeet.com/post/hakone-loop-circuit-itinerary) for views of Mount Fuji, lakes, and onsen (hot springs).
Hakone has some of the best hiking near Tokyo
The lake is very pretty, and you can take a boat ride across if you’d like
Take the cable car up to Mt. Hakone (gas vents). The black hot spring eggs at the top are famous in all of Japan for extending your lifespan (haha) - sulphur and iron
You can also book a guided tour that gets you even closer to the volcano - look on Viator
There is a famous art museum and multiple onsen in town
Stay at a ryokan with an onsen (hot spring bath) in the countryside, such as Hakone or Nyuto Onsen. It’s a relaxing way to end a day of sightseeing and an authentic Japanese experience.
March 16: Tokyo - Fuji Five Lakes
Your best bet for visiting Fuji 5 Lakes is probably to get a bus tour. Sites are pretty spread out, and a bus gives you a nice itinerary while not relying on you to find your way around. You can reserve these to depart from Tokyo, and they take the whole day.
The Ancient Village is very fun to explore old style architecture, and each hut offers a slice of Japanese art. One of the most famous views of Mt Fuji, cherry blossoms, and a pagoda here.
I don't remember when exactly in spring these bloom, but here are nice flowers
Great views of Fuji, but make sure it’s not rainy/cloudy when you go. Shiraito falls is definitely worth the detour. Top 2 waterfalls I saw in Japan. There are also a few lava tube caves on the north side that I didn't visit.
Stay at Lake Kawaguchi for a panoramic view and visit Chureito Pagoda nearby for a picture-perfect scene.
March 17: Take bullet train to Kyoto - These are some of the most iconic temples in all of Japan and should be a major part of your trip.
March 18: Kyoto (hotel: Piece hostel with private room)
Rock garden, gold temple, etc.
The bamboo grove will be crowded unless you get there first thing in the morning (which is why I offered the alternative).
If you want to get off the beaten path, Arashiyama offers some unique temple experiences without so many people.
Moss Temple
Preserved old buildings. I found a neat silk art shop here too.
mini bamboo forest + mini stone town?
Statues of many expressions
While you’re here, you can also check out the Arashiyama Monkey Park, and the Rankyo gorge. There are also touristy old fashioned boat rides.
March 19: Kyoto
Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple (lights at night for cherry blossom trees) and the Gion district. Cherry blossoms may start along Philosopher’s Path and Maruyama Park.
Fushimi Inari take the 6 am train Yes
March 20: Kyoto
Explore Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji. If sakura season is early, Kiyamachi Street could also be in bloom.
Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Kyoto, especially in the Gion or Higashiyama districts. Some tea houses offer ceremonies with English explanations and insights into the art and culture of Japanese tea.
March 21: Nara (get up early)
Day trip to Nara for Todaiji Temple, Nara Park (friendly deer), and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Nara is very fun. Buy the deer crackers and enjoy being swarmed. Todaiji temple and Kasuga Taisha are worth seeing. Near big Buddha Shrine, there is a large mountain you can gain entry to for 150円 keep going up log stairs to a higher viewpoint - keep going up further for the highest viewpoint.
March 22,23: Kumano Kodo (ask Max about how to get from Nara to Kumano) - Yakobasu (overnight bus)
Pilgrimage trail kumano kodo 2 days hiking (select a route)
Both William and I did this. There’s not a lot of info online, but it’s actually pretty popular. I went during the off-season in Winter. If you want to do this during Spring, you will need to book places in advance. There is a handy website here. There are several very distinct routes. The most popular, the Nakahechi, is about 50-60 miles long with some 10,000 ft elevation gain. Now, you can choose sections of this and use the bus to skip others, as William did. Popular sights: endless cedar forests, mountainous rice paddies, tiny mountain villages, major shrines, one of Japan’s tallest single drop waterfalls next to a shrine (which was recently under construction), a natural hot spring river, and possibly Japan’s oldest onsen. You can actually find the route on AllTrails, but it’s confusingly split into three parts. If you need more info, I can give you my route. My only complaint was that there was a lot of elevation gain, and not so many views past the trees.
March 24: Osaka (this may be difficult with timing) - might to stay 2 days in Osaka
Head to Osaka. Explore Osaka Castle and its surrounding park (often has early sakura), Shinsaibashi, and Dotonbori.
park in Arashiyama - Monkey park
Consider joining a food tour in Osaka (Japan’s kitchen)
March 25: Hiroshima (I really liked Hiroshima and Miyajima)
The museum and memorial park are powerful.The museum gets very busy, so make sure you plan for that.
Hiroshima castle is also interesting, as it was completely rebuilt after the bomb.
Hiroshima is famous for a variation of okonomiyaki
Visit Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
March 26: Miyajima
If you go a little further south from there, to the town of Iwakuni, there’s one of the most famous bridges in Japan
There is also a castle on the other side of the bridge that offers a nice view.
Not only to see the floating torii gate at high tide, but also low tide (floating gate vs. being able to walk right up to it).
there’s a very nice and scenic hike you can do. Actually, it’s more of a mountain range, so you can make your own loop, or just take the cable car up.
There are also two shrine areas -- one near the torii, and the other halfway up a mountain. The second is worth exploring too.
Itsukushima Shrine
March 27: Miyajima
visit the Art Islands accessible from the southern tip of Okayama. Naoshima is the most popular, followed by Teshima, and then the others. These islands have modern art exhibits and sculptures scattered throughout.
Okayama for Korakuen Garden and early cherry blossoms.
March 28: Shimanami
Shimanami Kaido Cycling Route (2 Days)
The Shimanami Kaido is Japan’s most famous multi-day cycling route, stretching about 70 kilometers across a series of bridges and islands in the Seto Inland Sea. This route offers stunning ocean views, small towns, and cherry blossoms on islands along the way in late March to early April.
I didn’t have to book a bike, probably because it was off-season. I just googled a bike rental shop near the starting point as soon as they opened, and it was very easy to get one.Dropping it off on the other side was just as easy. Not all rental shops have this feature, so make sure you find one that does. Try to reserve a bike in advance if you can since Spring is always much busier.
The route is very obvious with good markings, but you can also follow the AllTrails route -- just note that they try to make you cross the first bridge. I’m pretty sure there isn’t a bike lane for that bridge, so you should just follow the official start which puts you on a foot ferry. I did have a flier I got from the bike shop that advertised other routes -- basically once you get on each island, instead of going direct, you can take detours. If you want to do two days, you’ll definitely want to do a few. I did not deviate much since I was on a tight schedule, but I did take one stop by a very cool temple complex that was developed by a Japanese architect who studied in Italy: Kousanji.
Start in Onomichi (Hiroshima Prefecture). Rent bikes at one of the many rental shops, and begin the route across Mukaishima Island. Ride about 20 kilometers, stopping to explore temples and local cafes, then stay overnight on Innoshima Island or Ikuchi Island.
Continue biking across bridges, passing through Ikuchi Island (known for its citrus groves and the Kosanji Temple with its beautiful gardens). End the day on Omishima Island or Hakata Island. Stay overnight at a ryokan (Japanese inn) to enjoy a local meal and relax.
March 29: Omishima
End the day on Omishima Island or Hakata Island. Stay overnight at a ryokan (Japanese inn) to enjoy a local meal and relax.
The city also has a Cat Alley that was a quick, fun walk. There is also a cable car to a mountain temple with a nice view.
Finish the route by biking to Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, then return by bus or ferry to Hiroshima or another destination.
March 30:Okunoshima
On your way back, before Shimanami Kaido, you can consider a detour to Okunoshima, Rabbit Island. I haven’t been, but it has an interesting WW2 history, and true to its name, you can play with the wild rabbits.
Finish traveling back towards Tokyo
March 31: Tokyo
Day excursion to Chidorigafuchi and Imperial Palace East Gardens for scenic cherry blossoms along the moat.
April 1: Tokyo
Day excursion to the Meguro River and Nakameguro district—well-known for cherry blossoms illuminated at night.
April 2: Day trip Mt. Takao from Tokyo
Mt. Takao is perhaps the most climbed mountain in Japan. Easy access from Tokyo and a cable car and chair lift make it very easy. It does have a good view of Mt. Fuji. If you want to extend your hike, I liked this one which follows the mountain range. At Takao station, there is a public onsen you can use to recover.
April 3: good to stay in an Onsen
Hakone Ropeway. Don’t miss Owakudani Valley and a boat ride on Lake Ashi.
Northwest to Mitake station - mountains
This was a fun trail. You can take a monorail that saves you the first long hill (or walk up like I did) to Mt. Mitake. There’s a nice little mountain village with a shrine. From there, you can stay on the ridge or hike down a bit to a waterfall. Other interesting things: somewhere a guy was playing a ceremonial horn that echoed in the mountains. There was a rock with a chain that led to a tengu statue. Mt. Odake has a great view of Mt. Fuji. You can also hike Hatonosu Canyon, which is quite beautiful.
April 4: Tokyo
Day trip to Nikko
Highlights: Home to the Toshogu Shrine, the ornate mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Nikko is also known for the Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, perfect for nature walks.
April 5: Tokyo
Team Labs Planets - need tickets (wear shorts or pants to roll up) - plan 4 hours
Potential late cherry blossoms can be seen along the Meguro River and Chidorigafuchi.
Consider joining a food tour in Tsukiji Market in Tokyo https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/sightseeing/tsukiji-alternatives-markets/
April 6: Depart Tokyo 5:15 PM United
Museum of contemporary Art
