Michael and Caitlin are going to Japan for their honeymoon! Check back here to get updates on where they are going, pictures from their travels, and more!
Here is the currently planned route:
and tentative itinerary:
03/25/2019 – Land in Hiroshima
03/26/2019 – Hiroshima
03/27/2019 – Miyajima
03/28/2019 – Himeji
03/29/2019 – Osaka
03/30/2019 – Nara
03/31/2019 – 4 Days in Kyoto:
Day 1 = Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Day 2 = Takenaka Inari Shrine & Sakura Night Boat Cruise
Day 3 = Geisha, Geisha, Geisha
Day 4 — Yamazaki Distillery
04/04/2019 – Traveling to Matsumoto: Depending on whether we want to hit the road earlier or later we will spend more time in either Matsumoto or Kyoto.
04/05/2019 – Matsumoto: If the Japanese Macaque are out then we will spend the morning with a trip to Nagano to visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Otherwise there’s plenty to do in Matsumoto, including Matsumoto Castle, Fukashi Shrine, Daio Shrine, and Daio Wasabi Farm.
04/06/2019 – Hike the Nakasendo Trail from Tsumago to Magome: This is the old route that connected Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo period. Magome has been beautifully restored with a broad stone walkway lined with carefully tended foliage. This town’s embellished preservation contrasts with the rugged authenticity of neighboring Tsumago. After our day of hiking we will take the train to Nagoya to catch some zzz’s before we venture on.
04/07/2019 – 3 Days in Hakone:
Day 1 = The world’s oldest hotel — Founded and run continuously by the Fujiwara family since 705AD, one of Keiunkan’s greatest assets is its remote location in a deep, stunning valley of the Minami Alps. This ryokan is well known for its impeccable service and delicious many course Kaiseki meals! Rooms overlook the Hayakawa river where guests can watch deer forage by the river from the private onsens in their room.
Day 2 & 3 = Soak up Hakone’s nature — Some points of interest will be Lake Ashi and the Hakone Open-Air Museum.
04/10/2019 – Day trip to Kamakura: This beachside village is only an hour from Tokyo and boasts a Great Buddha and some must see temples (Hasedera Temple, Hachimangu Shrine, and Zuisenji Temple).
04/11/2019 – 5 Days in Tokyo:
Day 1-3 = Get our Tokyo on — We want to see everything! Hopefully we can check out Toyosu Market, Imperial Palace, Tokyo National Museum, Rijugien Garden, Shinjuku, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya street crossing, people watching in Harajuku, and the Ghibli Museum.
Day 4 = Day trip to Nikko National Park — The town at the entrance to Nikko National Park has Japan’s most lavishly decorated shrine. It has been the center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries, and Nikko National Park continues to offer scenic, mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys and hiking trails.
Day 5 = Soak up some last rays in Tokyo before we head home