JAPAN 13 DAYS

Japan offers a rare harmony between ancient tradition and hyper-modernity. You can explore 1,000-year-old shrines
in the morning and neon-lit, high-tech districts by afternoon. This contrast is grounded by Omotenashi, a philosophy of selfless hospitality that ensures world-class service and safety for every traveler.

Japan’s lifestyle centers on social harmony and meticulous order. Economically, it’s a global powerhouse driven by high-tech manufacturing, yet faces an aging population. Its personality is defined by stoic politeness, deep-rooted discipline, and a quiet, group-oriented humility.

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Tips:

• Travel Guides: Lonely Planet Jordan and Rough Guide to Jordan.

• "Fast Track" services at Queen Alia International Airport make airport procedures quicker and simpler.

• Visa required – Most tourists can get a single-entry visa on arrival or apply for an E-Visa before traveling..

• Travel Adapters: Type C and Type G most common.

Phase 1: Tokyo (The Cultural Spark)

Base: The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Tokyo Shiodome (2 Nights)

• Day 0: Friday, May 15 – Arrival & Ease

• Transport: Take the Airport Limousine Bus directly to the hotel front door.

• Evening: Relax in Shiodome/Ginza.

• Day 1: Saturday, May 16 – Sumo & Logistics

• Activity: Morning Sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan (Direct via Oedo Line).

• Luggage Move (CRITICAL): Before 9:00 AM, drop your large bags at the front desk. Request shipping to Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel.

• Why: Since shipping takes 24 hours, your bags travel while you enjoy Tokyo/transit. You will pack a small overnight bag for tonight and tomorrow.

Phase 2: Kanazawa & The Alps

Base: Kanazawa (2 Nights) & Takayama (3 Nights)

• Day 2: Sunday, May 17 – The Bullet Train to Kanazawa

• Transport: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki) from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa (approx. 2.5 hours).

• Arrival: Check into Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel. (You will have your small overnight bag only; your main luggage arrives tomorrow evening).

• Day 3: Monday, May 18 – Kanazawa "Wow" Experience

• Activity: Visit Kenrokuen Garden (one of Japan's top three) and the Higashi Chaya (Geisha district).

• Evening: Your large suitcases will be waiting for you at the hotel front desk/room.

• Day 4: Tuesday, May 19 – Shirakawa-go to Takayama

• Luggage Move: Before leaving, drop bags at the front desk to ship to Takayama Ouan.

• Activity: Take the Nohi Bus to Shirakawa-go. Explore the world-heritage thatched-roof farmhouses.

• Arrival: Take the afternoon bus to Takayama. Walk 3 mins to Takayama Ouan. Your bags arrive tomorrow (Day 5), so keep your overnight essentials for tonight.

• Day 5: Wednesday, May 20 – Kamikochi Nature

• Activity: Day trip to Kamikochi. This is your "Wow" nature experience—stunning alpine river views and mountain peaks.

• Evening: Return to Takayama. Your large bags will be waiting at your hotel.

• Day 6: Thursday, May 21 – Shinhotaka Ropeway

• Activity: Double-decker ropeway into the Northern Alps. Total ease with high-altitude views.

Phase 3: Kyoto (The History)

Base: Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo (4 Nights)

• Day 7: Friday, May 22 – The "Wide View" Hida

• Luggage Move: Take your bags with you today. The Limited Express Hida train has spacious luggage racks. It is a 4-hour scenic ride directly to Kyoto.

• Arrival: Taxi from Kyoto Station to Onyado Nono (3 min ride) for a "zero-stress" check-in.

• Day 8–10: Explore Kyoto at your leisure.

Phase 4: Osaka (The Finale)

Base: Swissôtel Nankai Osaka (2 Nights)

• Day 11: Tuesday, May 26 – The Move to Namba

• Luggage Move: Before 9:00 AM, ship bags from Onyado Nono to Swissôtel Nankai Osaka.

• Transport: Take the JR Special Rapid to Osaka Station.

• Zero-Stress Taxi: Take a taxi from Osaka Station to Swissôtel. Your bags will arrive this evening.

• Day 13: Thursday, May 28 – Easy Departure

• Transport: Take the elevator from the hotel lobby directly to the Nankai Rapit Express platform for a 35-minute ride to Kansai Airport (KIX).

This is a fantastic, well-structured itinerary. It balances the "Golden Route" with the incredible scenery of the Japanese Alps while utilizing the Takkyubin (luggage forwarding) service perfectly to keep things stress-free.

To make it even more efficient and ensure you don't miss those "Wow" moments, here are a few refinements and a couple of scenic "upgrades" to consider.

1. The "Nagoya Loop" Strategy (Efficiency)

On Day 7: You currently have yourself taking the Hida Limited Express all the way to Kyoto.

• The Pro Tip: While the train goes all the way, it is often faster and more scenic to take the Hida Limited Express only as far as Nagoya, then transfer to the Shinkansen for the final 35-minute sprint to Kyoto.

• The Benefit: This cuts down total travel time, and because you are shipping your bags or using the spacious Hida racks, the transfer in Nagoya is very easy.

2. Don’t Miss: The "Kitchen of Kanazawa"

On Day 3: You have Kenrokuen and the Geisha district.

• The Add-on: Make sure to walk through Omicho Market for lunch. It is the "Kitchen of Kanazawa."

• The Wow: Seeing the local seafood (especially the snow crab or sea urchin) and the vibrant colors of the market is a great contrast to the quiet gardens of Kenrokuen.

3. The "Early Bird" Kamikochi Strategy

On Day 5: Kamikochi is breathtaking, but it gets crowded by 11:00 AM.

• The Efficiency: Since you are based in Takayama, take one of the earliest buses.

• The Wow: Get off at Taisho-ike Pond instead of going all the way to the bus terminal. Walking from the pond to Kappa Bridge (about an hour on flat ground) gives you the "Mirror Lake" reflection of the mountains—the single best photo op in the Alps.

4. Kyoto: The "Arashiyama" Scenic Add

Between Day 8–10: Since you love scenery and "Wow" experiences:

• The Activity: Head to Arashiyama and take the Sagano Scenic Railway (The Romantic Train).

• The Wow: It winds through a gorge along the Hozugawa River. Afterward, you can walk through the Bamboo Grove. It fits your "easy scenery" vibe perfectly.

5. Osaka: The "Top-Down" View

On Day 11/12: You are staying at the Swissôtel, which is already high up.

• The Add-on: Visit the Umeda Sky Building or Abeno Harukas at sunset.

• The Wow: Osaka is a "neon sea" at night. Seeing the scale of the city from the open-air deck of the Sky Building is the perfect finale to the trip.

🏯 KANAZAWA (Great bases near sights & station)

Excellent choices under ~$150–$110

• Hyatt Centric Kanazawa – Stylish, comfortable option near major attractions.

• Kanazawa Sainoniwa Hotel – Beautiful boutique hotel with refined design.

• Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa – Great location & breakfast, excellent value.

• Kanazawa Hakuchoro Hotel Sanraku – Classic slightly upscale choice near gardens.

• Hotel Nikko Kanazawa – Reliable classic hotel with large rooms.

• Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel and Soki Kanazawa – Solid comfortable hotels at great prices.

💡 Optional ryokan‑style: Higashiyama Kageroi Machiya — a charming machiya‑inn style stay with a traditional feel (~$190).

🏞️ TAKAYAMA (Historic town atmosphere)

Comfortable & easy walking to Old Town

• HOTEL WOOD TAKAYAMA – Well‑reviewed, excellent value.

• TOKYU STAY Hida‑Takayama Musubi no Yu – Chic contemporary option near station.

• Takayama Ouan Hotel – Onsen option with good services.

• Mercure Hida Takayama – Comfortable mid‑range choice.

• Oyado Koto No Yume – Stylish guesthouse/inn with a local feel.

• Hotel around Takayama, Ascend Hotel Collection – Well‑priced chain choice.

More elevated ryokan experiences (still under ~$350 on many dates)

• Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan – Traditional and beautiful; great location in old town.

• Yatsusankan – Scenic inn in Hida area.

• Hidatei Hanaougi – Classic high‑end ryokan with onsen & excellent service (often within budget depending on dates).

Note: Luxury ryokans like Wanosato often exceed ~$350.

🏙️ KYOTO (Central & evocative neighborhoods)

Great options under ~$200–$250

• The Celestine Hotel Gion – Stylish Gion hotel with refined rooms.

• The Westin Miyako Kyoto – Trusted larger property with comfort and great service.

• Cross Hotel Kyoto – Excellent central location and value.

• Dhawa Yura Kyoto, Hotel Alza Kyoto – Lovely boutique options.

• Hotel Granvia Kyoto – Fantastic if you want convenience at Kyoto Station.

• Gion Elite Terrace – Elegant choice near traditional streets.

• Other comfortable picks: GRANBELL HOTEL KYOTO, The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo, Kyoto Gion Hotel, Hotel Legasta – Higashiyama Sanjo, Gion Shijo Hotel.

• For a higher‑end Kyoto stay under budget: Hilton Kyoto (~$180–$220 many dates).

🌆 OSAKA (Final base before departure)

Excellent choices approaching true 4‑★ comfort

• InterContinental Osaka by IHG – Luxury flagship (often near your top price limit ~$300–$340).

• The Westin Osaka – Great comfort and service.

• Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier – Excellent mid‑range stay.

• Citadines Namba Osaka – Stylish choice in lively Namba.

• Hotel Forza Osaka Namba Dotonbori – Great location near Dotonbori.

• Zentis Osaka and Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka – Excellent value city hotels.

• More classic city choices: Hotel Granvia Osaka, Ibis Osaka Umeda hotel.

🧠 Tips for Booking

• Book early for May — it’s popular spring travel season in Japan and good inventory sells fast.

• Many of the Kyoto properties can price up close to your budget limit if occupancy is high — booking soon usually gets the best rates.

• Consider refundable rates or free cancellation if your plans are not finalized.

🧳 Final Tips for Each Stay

🔹 Kanazawa: Stay near the station or Higashi Chaya — ideal for easy sightseeing and day planning.
🔹 Takayama: Central (near JR and old town) makes sightseeing simpler if you don’t want lots of taxis.
🔹 Kyoto: Gion/Shijo or Kyoto Station areas are the most convenient for exploring (and luggage transit).
🔹 Osaka: Namba for food/night life vibe; Umeda for easy transit to KIX.

The "Wow" Experiences (The 2-Day Hit List) DIVERSION: TAIPEI, TAIWAN

If you have two full days, these are the high-end experiences that make the stop worthwhile:

1. Taipei 101 (VIP Treatment): For a "wow" moment, don't just visit the observatory. Book a table at Skyline 460 or a window seat at a high-end restaurant like Ding Xian 101. Watching the sunset from one of the world’s tallest green buildings is spectacular.

2. Private National Palace Museum Tour: This houses one of the world's greatest collections of Chinese imperial artifacts. A private, fast-track tour to see the "Jadeite Cabbage" and "Meat-shaped Stone" is a world-class cultural experience.

3. The "Mountain-Chic" Escape (Yangmingshan): Since you like "mountain-chic" itineraries, take a private car 30 minutes out of the city to Yangmingshan National Park. You can visit volcanic sulfur springs and then have a high-end tea service at a colonial-style villa overlooking the city.

4. Michelin Street Food: Taipei is the world capital of "elevated" street food. A private evening guide can take you to the Raohe or Ningxia Night Markets to find the specific stalls that have earned Michelin Bib Gourmand nods.

The Logistics: Why it’s "Stress-Free"

• The Airport MRT: The "Express" train from Taoyuan Airport (TPE) gets you into the city center in exactly 35 minutes. It is incredibly clean and efficient.

• Luxury Hub: Most 5-star hotels (like the Mandarin Oriental or W Taipei) are clustered in the Xinyi district, putting you within walking distance of the best shopping and the 101 tower.

• English Friendly: Compared to the smaller Japanese towns, Taipei is very easy to navigate in English, making a short 48-hour stay feel much more seamless.

Is it "Worth the Stop"?

• Yes, if: You love food, modern architecture, and want a city that feels safe and welcoming without the "heavy" tourist pressure of Kyoto.

• Skip if: You are strictly looking for the "Old World" samurai/temple aesthetic of Kanazawa. Taipei is a modern metropolis first, with history tucked into its corners.

Verdict for May 10–13: While it may be cloudier and more humid than Beijing or Kanazawa during those dates, the indoor luxury experiences (world-class dining, tea houses, and the National Palace Museum) mean the weather won't ruin the "wow" factor.

Would you like me to find a specific 5-star hotel in the Xinyi district that offers the best "wow" views of the Taipei 101 tower for those dates?