Solo
📄 This guide will take you through the 3 weeks I spent solo travelling in Japan in the fall of 2023, including Tokyo, Shirakawa-go, the Nakasendo Trail, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. I've included attractions, experiences, cafes, restaurants, and my accommodations. The associated videos can also be found on my YouTube channel!
Tokyo
I started my trip in the megacity of Tokyo, landing at Narita airport and taking the Narita express to Tokyo station. I chose to stay in the Akasaka neighbourhood (not Asakusa - people get them confused!) as Reddit had indicated that it was a bit less touristy but still incredibly convenient for the metro lines. And Reddit was right, this was a great base to explore from! I stayed for a total of 6 nights in Tokyo before heading to my next stop.
Okuhida
After leaving Tokyo, I took two trains and two buses to get to the Okuhida region, known for its hot springs. I only stayed a night here.
This ryokan is unique in that it has private onsens, if you're not comfortable with the public baths. The onsens are beautiful, and I found that it wasn't as expensive as other ryokans. The food provided was not at the level of other guesthouses that I stayed at but the rest of the experience here more than made up for it.
Shirakawa-gō
Shirakawa-gō is a small traditional village and UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its thatched-roof houses. I'd highly recommend staying overnight by booking one of the guesthouses in the village but you'll need to book early (at least 3 months in advance)! I used this website to find stays: https://shirakawa-go.gr.jp/en/. (I stayed in Furusato, if you're wondering)
The Nakasendo Trail
After departing from Shirakawa-go, I took a bus to Nagoya, then a train to Nagiso station. From there, another bus to the ryokan in Tsumago. The Nakasendo trail is a historic route connecting Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo), and the segment between the historic post towns of Tsumago and Magome is now a popular and well maintained trail to hike. It's recommended to stay a night in each town. TIP: You can rent bear bells at the tourist centre in either town (whether or not they work is another question, but you might as well). Don't forget to also go to the tourist centre afterwards to get a little certificate for completing the trail!
Kyoto
From Magome I took a local bus to Nakatsugawa station, then a train to Nagoya station, and finally a shinkansen to Kyoto. Japan's ancient capital is packed with historic temples to experience. I stayed here for 3 nights
Hiroshima and Miyajima Island
Hiroshima is most known for the atomic bomb dropped by the the US Army Air Forces in 1945, so some of its main sights are related to this important piece of history. However, there are also other things to see and do here. I stayed in Hiroshima for one night. Miyajima Island is only a short 10 minute ferry ride from Hiroshima and is great for a half day trip. Wild deer roam freely around the island.
Osaka
Another major city in Japan, Osaka is known for its food and nightlife. It's located close to Kyoto so many people often visit the two together. I stayed here for 2 nights.
Koysasan
Before returning to Tokyo, I stayed a night on mount Koya (Koyasan), a Buddhist temple town. You can book a stay in one of the temples, have a vegetarian Buddhist dinner, and observe the monk's prayers in the morning. I booked my temple stay through here: https://eng-shukubo.net/
Back to Tokyo
Exploring Japan: A 3-Week Journey From Tokyo to Hiroshima
3 Stays
1 Experience
16 Restaurants
39 Locations
12 cities, Japan • 7 days ago
