Hello,
I have seen some amazing answers to questions on this site, so I thought I would ask my own.
I arrive in Toyko in the afternoon on May 19 . I will be staying there four nights with a day trip to Nikko on the 22nd.
May 23 - Tokyo to Kawaguchiko for 2 nights
May 25 - Kanazawa for 1 night
May 26 - Kamikochi for 2 nights
May 28 - need to arrive in Magome, Gifu Prefecture between 08:30 and 11:30 to drop off baggage to be forwarded to Tsumago while I complete the walk. Stay in Tsumago for 1 night.
May 29 - Tsumago to Kyoto for 4 nights with day trips to Uji and Nara (Can Uji and Nara be done on same day?)
June 2 - travel to Koya San to stay in Buddhist temple for 1 night
June 3 - Kaya San to Osaka for 3 nights with 1 day-trip to Kobe (mmm...beef)
June 6 - from Osaka to Hiroshima, stopping at Himeji on the way. Stay 1 night in Hiroshima
June 7 - travel to Miyajima and stay 1 night
From June 8, I would like to travel through Kyushu. I would like to visit Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Mt Aso, Beppu, Ibusuki (for the sand baths), and Yakushima (2 nights). Is there anything else you can recommend?
I was thinking maybe:
June 8 - Miyajima to Beppu. Overnight in Beppu
June 9 - trip to Mount Aso on the way to Ibusuki
June 10 - travel to Yakushima for two nights
June 12-14 - Nagasaki and Fukuoka
I would like to return to Tokyo on June 17th with one night (June 16?) at a Ryokan in Kinosaki on the way.
This gives me one extra day. Can you recommend somewhere? Either a new destination, or more time in one of the places I've already mentioned? I enjoy hiking and nature, cooking and eating, history, culture, festivals, anything really. I don't generally visit museums or art galleries in my travels.
Also, are there any festivals or events that I might be able to enjoy given my itinerary?
Finally, can you recommend the best JR pass and when to activate it for the greatest savings? Should I just get a 3-week pass and activate it when I'll see the best savings? Or get a 3-week pass and a Kyushu pass?
Thank you so very much for any help you may provide.
Virginia