Hi,
I would really appreciate someone commenting on my itinerary. We (2 adults and a 4 year old) have plans traveling Japan from mid-April to end-May.
April 13-23 : Tokyo (including day trips Nikko and Disney)
April 24-25 : Lake Kawaguchiko (by bus)
April 26-28 : travel to Matsumoto (start JR 14 days railpass)
April 27-28 : Magome-Tsumago
April 29 : travel Tsumago to Hiroshima (start Golden Week)
Apr 30-May 1: Hiroshima (including day trip Miyajima)
May 2 : travel Hiroshima to Nagasaki
May 3-5 : Nagasaki
May 6 : travel Nagasaki to Osaka
May 7-8 : Osaka (day trip Koyasan?) (end Golden Week)
May 9 : travel Osaka to Takayama (end JR 14 railpass)
May 10-11 : Takayama (including Shirakawago)
May 12 : Shinhotaka (onsen and ropeway)
May 13 : travel to Kamikochi
May 14-16 : Kamikochi
May 17 : travel Kamakochi to Kyoto
May 18-24 : Kyoto (including day trip Nara)
Any comments on the itinerary are welcome! We would like a trip through Japan with enough time to see all the sights and to have lazy afternoons at a playground with our boy. Also we would like a good balance between busy cities and quiet country/mountainous/rural places.
Specific questions:
1. Do you think this itinerary will fit our wishes? Is it not too busy? Is there enough nature included?
2. I figured that a 14 days JR pass would be more economical than a 21 days pass, because of all the bus travel that's needed (and quicker) in the Japan Alps. Do you agree?
3. Would traveling on April 29 from Nagiso to Hiroshima be a problem considering the start of Golden Week? And does one of the other traveldays in that week be a problem?
4. Would you advice a day trip to Koyasan from Osaka with our 4 year old? He might more enjoy Hirakata amusement park, but we should maybe not miss out on Koyasan? We could also consider a overnight stay, is that advisable with a kid?
5. We would like to have a real onsen experience somewhere. I've included Shinhotaka onsen because it's on our way between Takayama and Kamikochi, but maybe there's another, better, less expensive option to find. I've read about Kinosaki for example. What about the combination of onsen and our 4 year old? Suitable? Advisable?
6. Totally different question: is there a nice beach setting somewhere along the way? Or will the sea be too cold in April/May for swimming?
Thank you very much!!!