Japan 2019 Map & Itinerary

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Mar 30: Arrive Tokyo

Take the train to Shibuya Station and try to find the exit. Walk to the hotel and meet up with Susie & David. Go to dinner. Accommodation: Shibuya Granbell Hotel

Mar 31: Explore Tokyo on foot

See the cherry blossoms at Nakameguro Canal. People watch in the Harajuku Fashion District. Visit the Hachi Statue outside Shibuya Station under the neon lights, and join the masses at the world's busiest pedestrian intersection, Shibuya Crossing.

Apr 1: Drive to Hakuba in the Japanese Alps

Pick up the car for 3.5-hr drive to ski resort that hosted 1998 Nagano Olympics. Check into traditional Japanese-style ryokan. Dine locally at Ohyokurri.Accommodation: Hotel Hakuba Hifumi

Apr 2: Snow Play & Onsen Bath

While the men ski and snowboard at Happo-One Ski Resort, the ladies experience their first onsen bath at Mimizuku-no-yu.

Apr 3: Drive to Matsumoto via Azumino

Visit Japan's largest wasabi farm, Dai-o Wasabi-nojo. Try wasabi ice cream and pick up wasabi snacks for the car journeys. Drive to Matsumoto and stroll the grounds of Japan's oldest wooden castle, Matsumoto-jo. Walk through the Nakamachi traditional merchant district. Accommodation: Matsumoto Maunouchi Hotel

Apr 4: Drive to Toyama

Cross the mountains (watch for snow monkeys!) on a 3-hr drive to this city on a Unesco-awarded "beautiful bay." Enjoy the views and a walk at Chokei-ji temple.Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Toyama

Apr 5: Explore Toyama

Have coffee at "the most beautiful Starbucks in the world" and walk through Kansui Park. Drive 3 hrs onto the Noto Peninsula, passing through tiny seaside villages. Check into 400-year-old ryokan on the Sea of Japan.Accommodation: Lamp No Yado

Apr 6: Enjoy Lamp no Yado

Enjoy the onsen with its sea views and spectacular Japanese cuisine. Take a walk around the Noroshi Lighthouse.

Apr 7: Explore the Noto Peninsula

Drive past the Okunoto salt farm, where salt is reaped from the sea. Stop for a walk at the Senmaida Rice Terraces. Stop in Waijima City to shop for lacquerware and lunch before continuing the scenic drive to Kanazawa (total 3.5 hrs).

Apr 8: Explore Kanazawa

Wander around the bustling Omicho Market. Have grilled eel and sushi for breakfast. Visit the top-rated Kenroku-en garden on the peak day for cherry blossoms. Participate in a tea ceremony. Drive 1 hr to Ainokura traditional village, a World Heritage site in the mountains.Accommodation: Minshuku Yomoshiro

Apr 9: Drive to Kyoto

Explore Ainokura village. Drive 3.5 hrs to Kyoto. Have dinner to celebrate Marce & Ian's 25th wedding anniversary. Wander the Gion entertainment district hoping to spot a Geisha. Accommodation: The Royal Park

Apr 10: Explore Kyoto

Wander around on a rainy day. Find an old Strapps album in a record shop. Marvel at plastic food displays in windows. Have the best dinner of the trip at Teppan Manryu, a teppanyaki hole-in-the-wall.

Apr 11: Drive to Koyasan

Drive 2.5 hrs to one of Japan's most spiritual places. Explore the monastic complex, including Buddhist temples and a cemetary in a dramatic forest setting. Spend the night in a shikubo (temple accommodation including meals). Accommodation: Shojoshin-in

Apr 12: Drive to Naruto

After morning prayers and a visit to the Danjo Garan red temple, drive 3.5 hrs through the skyscraper-lined freeways of Osaka onto the Akashi Bridge, one of the world's longest susension bridges. Stop for a walk on the glass floor promenade 216 feet above the Akashi Strait. Continue to the inland island of Shikoku.Accommodation: Ryokan Koen Mizuno

Apr 13: Explore Shikoku Island

Recover from an uncomfortable night of fish head stew and dubious cleanliness by driving 3.5 hrs toward Iya Valley. Explore the imaginative Nagoro scarecrow village and cross two ancient vine bridges. Accommodation: Hotel Iya Onsen

Apr 14: Enjoy Iya Onsen & Surrounds

Take the cable car down to the riverside onsen. Visit the Peeing Boy statue. Relax.

Apr 15: Ferry & Yellow Pumpkin Art Walk

Take Takamatsu ferry to Naoshima island and do seaside walk past public art exhibits. Picnic lunch. Ferry to Honshu Island and drive to Okayama. Marvel at the high-tech parking structures.Accommodation: Koraku Hotel

Apr 16: Visit Korakuen Garden

Walk around this top-rated Okayama garden, which includes a breeding ground for Japanese cranes.

Apr 17: Biking on the Kibi Plain

Rent bikes for an easy 9-mile ride through a rural area, with a shrine and pagoda to visit along the way. Drop off bikes and return by train with the most customer-service friendly conductor.

Apr 18: Drive to Hiroshima

2.5 hr drive to HIroshima, drop off car. Visit Hiroshima Peace Park & Museum. Last sushi supper.Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel

Apr 19: Attend Baseball Game

Take the tram to within walking distance of Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium. Join the red-clad hordes surging to the game past street vendors to see the Hiroshima Carps take on the Yokohama DeNa BayStars. Watch the game and fanatical fans with their organized cheering.

Apr 20: Fly Home

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