Japan - where to go tips

[BarrelOfOtters]

Hiya

I lived in Japan 20 years ago for a couple of years, and knew the area around Osaka and Shikoku fairly well.

We are booked to go at the end of the year for -with DH who hasn't been before. We were going to spend 3 days in Tokyo, 4 days in Kyoto and 2 days in Nara = but after that are wondering where best to go. Any tips? We've got another 8 days.

Hiroshima & MiyaJima, stay in a Ryokan for a few nights or Japanese Alps or Fuji lakes, depends what you’d most enjoy I guess?

I absolutely adore Okinawa, but also enjoyed going to Nagano and the beautiful castle there

Okinawa! And a little longer in Kyoto

Check out Hakone and the Izu? Great views of Fuji. Amazing onsens

Carry on down to Hiroshima and then Fukuoka and then fly to Ishigski-jima.

We'd like to do some countryside, rent bikes for a day, hike a bit. Hakone is a good shout as is Hiroshima.

We had an amazing time in Takayama a few years back.

@Pharos anything in particular you'd recommend?

Takayama is a good shout, we enjoyed there too.

Equally Kanazawa was interesting especially the samurai district plus we did a great cooking course which I’d be happy to recommend.

For the Fuji lakes, we stayed on Lake Kawaguchiko and hiked all the way around it one day - it was c20km but all flat and a really nice walk. Views of Fuji were amazing …

a couple of my pics …

You could go from Tokyo to Kyoto via Fuji Five Lakes region and/or the Japan Alps - eg Shin Hotaka for a lovely ryokan stay, Takayama and then Kanazawa. It’s a well connected/well travelled route that would give you some hot springs, mountain views, a glimpse of Fuji and lots of culture (Kanazawa and Takayama are both gorgeous and Kanazawa has Kenroku-en).

I would definitely also consider adding Hiroshima and Miyajima after Kyoto as an option!

Kiso Valley might fit? I second Kanazawa, Takayama, maybe Shirakawa Go? Not sure how late in the year you are going but Tateyama Alpine route? Hiroshima and Miyajima. We are going again this year and spending a lot of time based out of Tokyo + daytrips.