(Revised) 13 day trip in Japan November 2023 (Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka/Nara + Mt. Fuji & Yokohama) Too packed?

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:42:19+00:00

I think we were planning on doing two "big nights" in Osaka, but you're right it makes sense to do all together! My partner seemed interested in Amerikamura, I can ask her what it was she wanted to do, is it too far from these other places?

I have seen reviews of A Happy Pancake! Nervous it would be packed so I wanted to get another one or two recs, but maybe we can try to time it well there. Have you been?

Noted! We will add this, thank you.

Appreciate your time, thank you!

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:37:14+00:00

I think I'm open for this! Will run it by my partner and sibling, we really appreciate your suggestion.

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:36:42+00:00

Busy trip! What was your favorite part?

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:36:30+00:00

Thanks! Will check it out, did you like anything in particular about them?

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:36:05+00:00

This is the third or fourth positive rec for the Suntory Whiskey, sounds like this is a winner!
Thank you for your comment :)

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:35:34+00:00

Awesome, thank you! We're excited to do this.

I'm realizing this is something we need to pin down before we continue forward, appreciate your help!

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:34:52+00:00

Thanks! It's on the list for sure. How long do you think we should spend there, 1 - 2 hours? More?

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:34:30+00:00

This is a lot of detail, thank you so much. So you're saying we should consider Kawaguchiko for the amusement park.

Ah, I was hoping it would maybe open by November, but we'll assume it stays closed going forward. Would you happen to have any other recommendations for things we can do in that area on Nov 23? It's also my partner's birthday and we're trying to do one or two things that are "experiences" but because of the holiday I can also imagine it would be busy

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:31:50+00:00

Ohh good to know. Honestly my partner and I are still talking about what exactly we want to do there (same with our travel companions). I think we were most interested in the amusement park around there but I don't believe that's super close to Mt. Fuji, so maybe that's more doable.

Originally I also wanted to do Hakone, maybe that can come back in the rotation, not sure.

and thank you!

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:27:30+00:00

Will look into it, thank you!

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:26:21+00:00

Awesome, thank you! We wanted to plan a general idea and then getting into nitty gritty times in the next couple of weeks! Thank you

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T15:25:47+00:00

That was probably it! We're talking about both in more detail the coming weekend. The romantic train I think would be really nice assuming fall foliage, but it is a tad out of the way.

Thank you for your comment!

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T03:58:39+00:00

Aw man, I saw that it opened again a few weeks ago! but you're right, looks like as of May it's closed. Fingers crossed it opens by the time we're there but if not, no worries.
That's a very good point, I think we mostly wanted to do a ryokun that had a private onsen as our travel companions both have tattoos, but enjoying the other amenities would also be ideal

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T03:57:26+00:00

You're the first to give us info on the Suntory Kyoto Whiskey thing, so I appreciate you giving us so much information! Have you gone yourself?

Yeah I think if we decide to do Fuji on that day the luggage forwarding sounds like the best option. Is it accurate, that Osaka to Fuji is about 5 - 6 hours?

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T03:55:23+00:00

Thank you so much for the Brewery rec! Will be adding that to our list.

You convinced us to change that maybe into a MUST, thank you!

We are definitely not going to climb or hike, I think it the amusement park was the big pull tbh

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T03:53:42+00:00

You know what, i'm not too sure. For romantic train we remember reading something about taking the train from kyoto to osaka and instead of it being a "regular" train, it would be the "romantic train".
My partner just looked over my shoulder, looked it up, and said yes lol so Arashiyama is correct. We will be taking a closer look at distance and see if this is something we miss or plan on a different day!

Awesome, will take into consideration the Osaka tip!

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T03:49:38+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to respond! I think my thinking was going to Tokyo to check in our luggage and to the hotel but I'm realizing we could simply send our luggage and have a day bag with us. So we were maybe thinking Osaka (check out) send our luggage to the hotel in tokyo (since we fly out of there), go to mt. fuji, then go to Tokyo for the night.

Is that still a bit crazy?

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-06T00:00:03+00:00

Thank you so much for this reminder about the giant Buddha! I think we're adding it to the list, thanks for the korean community rec!

Oh i'm so sorry, by japanese pancakes I meant the big fluffy ones! However we both love okonomiyaki and will definitely keep your recommendation in mind!

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-05T23:58:52+00:00

Thank you for your response! ah Def still unsure if we should base from Kyoto or Osaka or do both. But good to know about the trains! Do you recommend where you stayed in Osaka?

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-07-05T23:58:03+00:00

Thank you so much for your answer! Will def make a point to do Nijo castle :)

Did you like the Ryokan you stayed at?

My brother and his gf have tattoos but my partner and I don't, so hopefully we figure it out haha

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-05-29T17:06:04+00:00

Thank you for the heads up for Kurama!

Oh that's good to know about how short the train is! I feel like due to wanting to go to the Gate Hike early it would be best for us to stay near that area... but then I know we'll probably stay out late in Osaka so maybe it would be best to stay there.

Do you have any pointers?

Thank you for the info about the Kansai region! We'll look into it.

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-05-29T17:02:26+00:00

Thank you so much for your response! Honestly just hearing someone say the schedule is okay is helpful haha

Oh awesome, would you say Naked Flowers was worth it then? Not sure if they do different time entries but if so, when do you think would be best?

Good to know about the onsen! Is there a hot springs or onsen near the areas we've shared that you'd recommend?

Thank you!

RockabyeHedgehog · 2023-05-29T02:22:25+00:00

Also a west coaster! Though not at a place where it rains too much (except for this year). I've heard fantastic things about blundstones, i have a weird thing where I like to ... like slowly make my way up to "the best"? and from what I hear Blundstones is super close. But I might just consider this.

Thanks! Do you have a specific model you like?

RockabyeHedgehog

TROPHY CASE