Originally Posted by
Fliar
I was hoping to pick the amazing collective travel brain here.
My wife and 12-year old daughter will be visiting Japan in mid-April for a week. It will be our daughter's first visit. My wife has been 3-4 times and I visit Japan at least twice a year. Our daughter is well-travelled and I am keen for her to experience a traditional ryokan at least once during our trip.
My wife is eager for our daughter to visit Kyoto but 1) the prices are insane at the moment, 2) I have been many times, and 3) last year I found the crowds off-putting. If we were to go I wouldn't mind revisiting Hiiragiya (it's been 20 years!) or Sowaka, where I stayed last year.
But I have been looking for alternative destinations. We will have 4 nights for a mini trip before returning to Tokyo. I was thinking of visiting Takayama (have not been), in which case we'd probably rent a car, or perhaps go to Asaba (based on recommendations here).
I have been to Hakone (Gora Kadan) myself but would not mind something rural instead. I walked the Kumano Kodo trail just before covid but was not impressed with any of the ryokan I stayed in at the time.
Given all this, we would very much welcome any suggestions you might have!
I enjoy Takayama, but it often feels even more crowded than Kyoto given how compact it is. If your daughter hasn't been to Kyoto, then I'd suggest you guys hit the ancient capital instead. But only if you're prepared to get up at the crack of dawn (and dusk.) If not - and if a nice ryokan is the priority - then how about a nice suite at Asaba? It's convenient to get to/from Kyoto, and (as long as you get one of the nicer rooms), the quintessential ryokan experience.... refined Omotenashi service, sophisticated kaiseki meals and modern yet very Japanese architecture and aesthetics.
Another possibility is to hit a cherry blossom spot. Full bloom dates can vary wildly from one year to the next, but parts of the Tohoko region would likely be the hot spots in mid-April. Kakunodate might work; this year it was in full bloom beginning on 4/16 (for about 5 days) - Wabizakura would work, assuming you can get a room during this time. The Cherry Blossom festival there starts on April 15 and lasts for a week or two.