16 day itinerary, Oct - looking for feedback

Hi all,

This is my 3rd time in Japan, and my husband's first. I've been quite a while ago so I don't mind returning to some of the same places.

My husband did say that he wants to drive - I saw some posts on Izu peninsula and it looks like it could be a nice chance to see rural japan, a bit less touristy, I think. I just put some points on a map and split it into days, I hope it makes sense.

We also have 2 free days towards the end in the Kyoto area, eventually we will have to make our way back to Tokyo. What would you do if you had 2 days?

I think that ideally we would like to take a short break from the busy city - maybe something with more nature, or a charming small city/town with local shops, etc. (for reference, we like old-timey European medieval towns, I don't know what would be the Japan equivalent).

I think Hiroshima and Miyajima is a bit out there and that 2 days would result in a very hurried visit - I would feel we missed more than we gained - but maybe I am wrong.

I would appreciate any feedback you could give - is the itinerary making sense? Is Izu a good idea? Am I totally of the mark?

Thank you all!


Date Sleep What to do
10 Flight
11 Tokyo Arrive at 4pm
12 Tokyo
13 Tokyo
14 Hakone
15 Hakone
16 Izu - Arrive in Atami - explor the city
17 Ito - Get car in Atami - Jogasaki Coast, Mt Omoru, Izu Shaboten Zoo, explore Ito
18 Shimoda - Shuzenji, Joren Falls, Kawazu Falls, wasabi fields of Ikadaba, drive through loop bridge, shimoda
19 Sleep in Atami or Kyoto? Ryugu Sea Cave, Cape Irozaki, Nishiizu, drive back to Atami to return car
20 Kyoto
21 Kyoto
22 Kyoto
23 Nara day trip fro Kyoto
24 ?? ??
25 ?? ??
26 Tokyo? ??
27 Tokyo
28 Tokyo Fly home

It's a rental car, but if you choose a company where you can drop it off, you don't have to go to Atami twice.
For example, in the case of this company, there are offices at the south exit of Mishima Station and Atami, so if you go to Nishiizu, you can also return it to Mishima Station.
(The price may be a little higher)
https://www.nipponrentacar.co.jp/service/oneway_tei.html

I am a big fan of inner Nara prefecture
Asuka, Imaicho, Muro, Hasedera, Tanzan shrine…so that would be one option. You could do your daytrip to Nara in transit. Check out in Kyoto, visit Nara (leave luggage in a locker) sleep Eg in Yamatoyagi or Sakurai.
http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.com/search/label/Nara?m=1


I am also a big fan of Lake Biwa:
Hikone, Omi Hachiman, Miho museum …
http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.com/search/label/Shiga?m=1
Miho museum isn’t always open but in October it is open
https://www.miho.jp/calendar/


You could also look into Miyama in Kyoto prefecture. And maybe combine it with Lake Biwa area. A car for Miyama might be a good idea. It’s doable by public transport. But not convenient.

If renting an other car is an option that can be useful in all these areas. Not necessary but can make travel easier.