Originally Posted by married 2 miles
I'd appreciate thoughts on following 10 day Japan itinerary:
1.Tokyo (arrive early evening)
2.Tokyo
3.Fuji/Hakone - Lake Ashi
4.Takayama
5.Takayama - Kyoto
6.Kyoto
7.Kyoto/Nara (Kyoto hotel)
8.Kyoto/Himeji castle (Kyoto hotel)
9.Kyoto (should this be switched to Tokyo?) (Tokyo hotel)
10.Tokyo
11.Tokyo/to airport (5:50p.m. flight)
Is this too intense? Can we do day trips to Kamakura and Nikko from Tokyo?
Someone suggested a Prince ryokan (not the hotel) near Lake Ashi - but I can't find it.
Wow! Others will probably disagree with me, but that looks really full and hectic. I am of the "relax and enjoy" school of travel rather than the "8 countries in 7 days" school.
This seems VERY dense.
For the same 10 days, I would schedule my arrival in Japan at either NRT or KIX and then exit the country at the end of the time via the other airport. That would eliminate backtracking and free up one travel day for other things. If that is not possible, then I would probably plan at least 3 days in Tokyo, a day or two in Hakone, 4 or 5 days in Kyoto (2 or 3 days in town and 2 days for daytrips to Nara, Himeji or wherever,) then train all the way to Narita the afternoon before departure day. The day of departure, before the late flight home, I'd spend the morning in Narita City, then go to the airport. An alternative would be to eliminate Hakone or make it a daytrip and add another day to Tokyo, allowing daytrips to Kamakura and/or Nikko (both easy out-and back trips.)
Don't mean to sound discouraging, but as it is, your itin seems a bit ambitious. I would be afraid that you haven't left time to actually experience the places you are planning to visit.
JR