Hello,
We are planning a trip to Japan for the Fall of 2025. We would like to visit a city, but also experience the rural areas. Love to kayak, hike, snorkel.
Thinking about starting in Kyoto, but really have no clue. Looking for suggestions on a rough two week itinerary. Really just need some high level suggestions to start research.
Many thanks!
You should include the following cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima with Miyajima. They have so much to see and experience.
See if you can get lucky to book a meal and/or a walking tour with Yakitori Sakamoto. She is a fabulous guide!
Not sure if mainland Japan is still warm enough for snorkeling.
You might have to drop it or add Okinawa.
If you intend to travel by train, try to plan based on the regional rail pass geographical coverage.
You can pick a few prefectures along the Sanyo Shinkansen or in San'in.
Hiroshima, Hyogo and Okayama all have capital cities surrounded by nature.
The same can be said of the prefectures in Shikoku and Kyushu.
How does one typically get to a remote location? For example if you are staying in Kyoto and want to visit a temple or do a hike outside of the city?
It is very easy to hike from Kyoto. Sometimes, a short train ride to a starting point, sometimes just a hike from the outskirts of an "in town" temple complex. I'm a hiker!
I've done several of these mentioned in this article:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-hikes-kyoto#
in depth articlé on a popular route: https://www.insidekyoto.com/kurama-to-kibune-hike
Another good article with other starting points for trails - I've done some these also:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2427.html
This is a popular multi-day route:
https://boutiquejapan.com/nakasendo-trail/
If you use AllTrails, it is also a good resource for Japan.
Great resource for high level research on many aspects of Japan Travel:
https://www.japan-guide.com
