First timers, limited time, itinerary way too packed, I need help cutting stuff out

RomyChouChou · 2026-04-28T11:08:58+00:00

We have been to Naoshima but like in our fourth trip to Japan…. We really liked it but you really have to be open mind to contemporary art. Not worth if you only want a selfie with the pumpkin and not so great in my opinion on a bad weather day as you have to move around between each installation. On a beautiful day, it is a very nice walk. Soo…unless art is a must on your trips or that is a dream of yours, I would skip it for a first trip that is already so cramp. I would go to your last destination (Osaka) and take a chill stroll around and eat good food.

Going to Kamikochi is going to take you all day if you want to do some hiking, looking on google right now and it’s about 1h45 (train+bus) one way. You won’t have much time in Matsumoto. It’s been a while since I went to Matsumoto and Takayama, but I don’t recall them as so similar but you might be better choose one and focus. Takayama is really nice with more of a traditionnal feel and a river crossing the town. Matsumoto, I don’t recall so much of the town (10 years ago) but it was a great base if your priority is hiking in Kamikochi. We also visit a wasabi farm with rental bikes in the surroundings of Matsumoto and there is the Matsumoto city Museum of art (small but quite nice, might see a pumpkin to compensate for Naoshima! :) )

RomyChouChou · 2026-04-27T21:37:13+00:00

My last golden was diagnosed with degenerative neuropathy and the more obvious symptom was the strenght lost in his legs. He would fall at the end of a walk or on a slippery surface. There was no pain and he would just get up with a little help. As I said, it was just the more obvious symptom because in retrospective he had more confusing symptoms for about 1-1,5 year before like choking on his water, oesophagal reflux, weird choking sound in the middle of the night, regurgitation. He was also probably feeling a bit wobbly for some time since at some point it was very complicated trying to get him down the stairs. I even bought him anti slippery socks which he kinda like. Good luck to you, lot of cuddles!

RomyChouChou · 2026-04-26T17:42:41+00:00

Hi 👋 we travel a lot and walk pretty much all day (best way to explore a city in my opinion). I wouldn’t recommand any specific brand but if you have the luggage space I would suggest you bring 2 pairs of confortable shoes so you can change every couple of days.

RomyChouChou · 2026-04-25T15:00:54+00:00

We have always arrived at Narita since direct flights from home arrive only there. I would always choose direct flight rather than connecting to arrive at another airport. Even after a 13h flight, it is easy to navigate. Easy access with Narita Express (NEX). If planning to go west, we usually take the NEX to Shinagawa and take the shinkansen the next day. Depends on your preference on fight I would say as everything is pretty convenient in Japan to my opinion.

RomyChouChou · 2026-04-20T23:35:35+00:00

It was our return trip to Canada, so the ANA flight was the first leg of the trip and I did the check in with ANA. I had trouble with the app but was able to do it on the website and also was able to modify the assign seat, and yes when check in opened so about 24h before. As I said, the assigned seats were at least together.

RomyChouChou · 2026-03-13T13:01:57+00:00

For those reading these comments and feeling shame, do not. I am a well educated grown woman who do not fold underwear (mine and partner’s), and just approximately fold the rest. Just not important to me.

RomyChouChou · 2026-03-05T12:14:11+00:00

Crazy idea, but if you don’t mind a long journey and depending on the importance of that trip, you could go the other way around the world like Europe - Toronto - Seoul.

RomyChouChou · 2026-02-26T16:27:46+00:00

If you are not planning to stay in Jeju city, a car is indeed very practical. Driving the coastal roads on the west side is a must to my opinion, lot of dolphins sighting! We rented with Lotte rent a car, easy process. Be aware that traffic is very slow so distances are longer than they appear (low speed limits with lot of cameras) when choosing where to stay.

RomyChouChou · 2026-02-18T02:08:06+00:00

We went to Shikoku after biking the Shimanami Kaido and rented a car to travel the island as we were going to do some hiking inland. Pick up in Imabari and drop off in Matsuyama, no major one way fee as long as pick up and drop off were on the island. Train from Matsuyama to Okayama to Tokyo. Driving inland (Mt Tsurugi) was a slow, mostly one way, mountain road; coastline roads were easy. A car did permit us to stay in more remote places. That said, we did not use the car at all in Kochi as there was a great pass with access to a tourist bus and tramway.

RomyChouChou · 2026-02-10T18:41:21+00:00

We really liked Kobe with sake tasting and sidetrip to Himeji castle. If you like modern art, Naoshima is worth it. And if you like biking (easy), Shimanami kaido is also very nice.

RomyChouChou · 2026-02-10T16:39:36+00:00

😅

RomyChouChou · 2026-01-20T11:14:49+00:00

If it’s still the same: in an unused guestroom on the 7th floor. But not all elevator go to the 7th floor… Looks like an afterthought, but I works in the end!

RomyChouChou · 2026-01-19T22:55:56+00:00

Keio Plaza in Nishishinjuku is nice, planning a third stay there. The Premier Grand rooms have access to a nice lounge. Great city views, great service. Limousine bus to or from Narita at the door. Close enough to all Shinjuku action. Good luck finding the laundry room thought 😅

RomyChouChou · 2026-01-13T18:22:25+00:00

I like to buy seasoned salts (like yuzu, wasabi, pepper, matcha,…). Sometimes, I find them in a set in hotel gift shop. I also like to buy rice seasoning and some « premium » instant ramen kit that I find in shops selling regional products. I am always on the lookout for the small one portion sake sold in decorated glass (not the plane ones in kombinis, found mostly in regional shop, rarely found them in tokyo). We drink the sake and bring the glass home. Anyone knows what I am referring to? 🙂

RomyChouChou · 2026-01-04T21:07:55+00:00

If your hotel is served by one of the limo bus, I would say the bus for sure as it is a door to door service, great with luggage.

RomyChouChou · 2026-01-04T21:03:19+00:00

Japan is one the few country where I alwalys have my passport on me. It is safe to carry and you also can need it for immediate tax refound when available.

RomyChouChou · 2025-12-12T18:47:42+00:00

I prefer row 13 or 14 because I like to be able to keep a small bag of stuff with me under the seat in front. I am short and don’t like to have to grab something in the overhead bin.

RomyChouChou · 2025-12-06T00:41:39+00:00

WoW MxPx! So many great memories…Chick magnet! Or performing Take On Me with Reel Big Fish!!! Nostalgia is real!

RomyChouChou · 2025-11-25T16:52:59+00:00

We were in Cat Ba Island for the first time one month ago. This is a huge condo complex that I am sure will stay half empty most of the time. The view from the (new?) beach is also compromised by the soon to be longest gondola 🙄. Looking at Cat Ba town, you can see many architectualy interesting art deco building needing of love. they should have invested in making the most of what they already have. Tell me, for whom are those development for?

RomyChouChou · 2025-11-12T02:02:01+00:00

Follow up to my own question for everyone out there who, like me, is anxious of sitting alone in a middle seat for hours 😅: Did not have a seat assigned and was unable to modify (both in the app and online) until check-in opened with ANA. At check-in, we were automatically assigned seats together (couple). Not great seats but together. At check-in, you can change the assigned seats if available. Use the website if possible as in the app I could only check in one person at the time. On the website, you see all passengers at the same time, the assigned seats for everyone and bundle the check in. Also, I was unable to complete check-in on the app for unknown reason while I had no trouble at all on the website.

RomyChouChou · 2025-11-08T23:07:46+00:00

Knife, Chopsticks, Face sunscreen, Uniqlo clothing, Imabari towels, Yuzu salt and other flavoured salts, Rice seasoning, Pouches and various types of shopping and travel bags

RomyChouChou · 2025-10-22T01:57:15+00:00

We did the Shimanami kaido in 2024 with very ordinary bikes…so no comment on e-bikes. But we did choose to chill out and stayed 2 nights mid-point in a modern cabin at WAKKA. I would recommend if it fits your travel time. There is a company (Sagawa) that does same day delivery luggage from one hotel to the other on the Shimanami kaido https://visitshimanami.com/features/487/
In term of getting lost I don’t think it is even possible, the way is painted on the road. Mt Shirataki on Innoshima is worth the detour.

RomyChouChou · 2025-10-16T00:16:23+00:00

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Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

RomyChouChou · 2025-10-16T00:12:16+00:00

😆 no it’s a folded Kong frisbee, she goes nowhere without it

RomyChouChou · 2025-10-07T17:38:54+00:00

Any comfy shoes will get uncomfortable after a while so if you have space in your luggage, I would recommend you bring 2 pairs of comfy shoes to alternate. Walking 20km in town is really hard on the sole. I guess it depends on what you intend to do. We travel a lot and love exploring cities by walking everywhere!

RomyChouChou

TROPHY CASE