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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/marikasimo on 2025-05-21 14:11:46+00:00.
I'm going to Japan at the end of next month! It's a last minute trip and I will be joining my sister-in-law, who grew up there, for a portion of the time. (She takes my niece and nephew to her hometown each summer to visit family and attend the local elementary school.)
My itinerary is bare bones because I don't like to over plan. I am really not a shopper, but I enjoy visiting historical and cultural sites and nature. I would like to take a cooking or art class... any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Day 0-3: Tokyo
- I'll be at the airport for a few hours before my family, so I'll buy my Suica card.
- Sister-in-law will take me and the kids sight-seeing. (Asakusa, Shibuya, Ueno Park)
- We have tickets to Teamlabs Planets
Day 4: Train to sister-in-law's village in Shimada
Day 5: Spend time on extended family's ranch, visit the river, hang out with the kids
Day 6: Train to Kinosaki (remainder of trip is solo)
- Say goodbye to family and continue solo to Kinosaki
- Planning to make the express train that arrives around 4pm
- Check into guesthouse
- Walk around town, relax in onsen for a few hours
Day 7: Kinosaki
- Morning: Take ropeway to shrine and hike
- Afternoon: Considering renting a bike and exploring surrounding area
- Evening: visit Onsen again
Day 8: Train to Kyoto
- Arrive by 3p to check in at hotel (near station) and drop off luggage
- Evening tour of Fushimi Inari
Day 9: Day trip to Hiroshima
- Free walking tour at Hiroshima memorial Park
- Visit the famous Shinto Shrine / Tori Gate
Day 10: Kyoto
- Early Morning: Monkey Park
- Late Afternoon: Visit Gion district
- Souvenir shopping?
Day 11: Day trip to Nara
- Visit a museum, explore, eat some food
- Deer Park
- Giant Buddha
Day 12: Depart
- Take train from Kyoto back to Tokyo to make 5pm flight.
My Main worry: I will be solo for the last portion of my trip and this will be the first time I've travelled to a country solo where I don't know the language. Will I get lost on the trains? Seems overwhelming--regional, local, express, highspeed, basic fare, different machines for different ticket types.... oh my!! I have an Android and based on recommendations on this sub I've downloaded the Smartex app, the Navitime app, and I plan to but a Welcome Suica? card when I arrive at the airport...though I don't know if I require ALL three of these things. Any other apps I need?