Travel Plans/Winter 2009-2010

Tokyo (12/29-1/3)

We'll stay in Meguro-ku with Mika's family. Meguro is close to Shibuya, one of the largest transit centers in Tokyo.

Things to do in Tokyo:

• Kabuki-za (get tickets?)
• Jimbocho (book town)
• Osechi
• Roppongi Hills (view)
• Shibuya (easy) + Harajuku
• Meiji jingu or maybe a temple to ring the bell
• Asakusa

Train trip

Railpass Day 1 (1/4)

• Leave Tokyo early on first train possible (6AM or 7AM?)
• Arrive in Fukuoka about about 6-7 hours later around noon.

Possible detours stops include:

• Stop in Kyoto station to get vegetarian station Bento?

Place to stay in Fukuoka:

• Figure out more options

Things to do in Fukuoka:

• Meet up with Takara (mail her!)
• Figure out more options

Railpass Day 2 (1/5)

• Leave Fukuoka after lunch
• Travel to and stay in Beppu

Things to do:

• Onsen

Railpass Day 3 (1/6)

• Stay in Beppu and see the Hells
• Travel to Hiroshima and arrive in afternoon.

Things to do:

• Eat Hiroshima-yaki in Hiroshima
• Explore the Peace Park and atomic bomb memorial

• Go to Itsukushima Shrine? (The shrine in the ocean)

Railpass Day 4 (1/7)

• Leave Hiroshima in morning on an early train to Naoshima (WT)

• Travel to (WT) (Transit time: ~3-4 hours)
• Travel from Takamatsu to Osaka (WT) (Transit time: ~3-4 hours)
• Dinner and stay somewhere in Osaka

Things to do in Takamatsu:

• Rent bikes at cycle rental station (¥100)
• Visit Ritsurin Park (栗林公園 ritsurin kouen), 20-16 1-chome Ritsurin-cho, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa (about 3 minutes walk from JR Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi Station, 5 from the Kotoden Ritsurin Koen station.
• Eat Sanuki udon (as often and as much as possible)
  • WT recommends eating at the tsurumaru (鶴丸), it's not far from kawaramachi station. Since it's quite famous, you can ask around and people will guide you. (It's open after 8pm).

• Stay in Osaka
• Visit Kyoto for shrines, temples, etc.

Railpass Day 5 (1/8)

• Leave Kansai.
• Stay in Nikko(?) or somewhere else with hot springs on the way.

Links

• JR timetables and maps