After doing some preliminary research on Japan, it didn't take me long to realize that although Japan is very modern county, it's one country that does not bow to the use of the English language. Not only was it going to be difficult to book rooms in ryokans and hotels because websites are only provided in Japanese and no one at the other end of the phone line speaks English, but it quickly became evident that transportation was going to be a challenge - especially in some of the smaller towns that I was interested in visiting. Even navigating the Tokyo Metro is going to be a challenge. After all, how many subway systems do you know that is so difficult to get around in that people feel compel to write *how-to* guides about it? A simple guide is provided on the Tokyo Metro website. What is probably a more realistic guide can be viewed on the Exploring Tokyo website.
So after great thought, I decided to focus my efforts on finding a conducted tour that would take me to the places that I wanted to go to. I have to admit that I loathe conducted bus style tours so I completely avoid those. My two favorite companies - GAP Adventures and Intrepid Travel do offer tours to Japan but the prices seemed outrageous to me and neither offered an itinerary that really suited my desires. So, I kept on searching.
Then one day, I stumbled across a website for a company called Samurai Tours which specializes in tours to Japan. What attracted me to them was that they offered self guided tours which means they make all the hotel and transportation arrangements (including buying all the 14 day Japan Rail Pass as well as tickets for all the other modes of transportation that you be taking) but you are your own guide. Aside from breakfast, you are responsible for all your own meals and for all your entry fees. Perfect for me!! I ran the idea of the self guided tour by my brother and he was fine with it so I proceeded to work with Mike Roberts, the owner, to come up with an itinerary as well as accommodations. I had a few requirements that Mike had to cater to and he was easily able to accommodate for everything I asked for.
I started with the template itinerary that Mike has and then made the adjustments I wanted. So, here's the first cut of the itinerary which I just got from Mike today.
April 9. Arrive into Tokyo Narita Airport.
April 10-11. Tokyo.
April 12. Nikko (day trip from Tokyo).
April 13. Hakone.
April 14 - 15. Takayama.
April 16. Koya-San.
April 17. Osaka.
April 18. Hiroshima.
April 19. Miyajima Island (train and ferry from Hiroshima).
April 20. Hiroshima.
April 21 - 23. Kyoto.
April 24. Narita Airport to catch flight home.
Though the first cut of the itinerary looks good, there are still some adjustments to be made but it's all coming together!
Update: December 17
Final itinerary - after a round of changes. Added a day trip from Kyoto to Nara on April 23. Unfortunately, Mike could not book us into a ryokan in Takayama. It's a very small town and I'm guessing that a lot of places are already booked up for the two day festival. However, he did manage to arrange for us to stay in a Buddhist temple in Koya-San (should be interesting) and in a modern ryokan in Kyoto. With the itinerary nailed down, I can now focus on doing the rest of the planning!
