First timer japan, osaka or hokkaido?

[xiaosinsinful]

Hey guys thinking of enbarking in a solo trip to Japan (first time there). Just wanted your opinion on whether to go Tokyo/Osaka or trip to Hokkaido in May 2018.
For solo trip is it visible to drive around for ease of Travelling in Hokkaido?

When: thinking of going around may total 10 days in all.

Budget: what's the Budget like? Mostly spend on food and entertainment/site seeing.

Accomodation: don't mind if it's not fancy just a clean room with hot shower is fine, although I still would love to experience a open concept Osen hopefully with a good view.

For those who went on their solo trip don't mind can pm me your iternary. I am open to all suggestions.thanks in advance!

 

[thwysg]

Depends on where your interests are and how much your budget is. Scenery for Hokkaido, Tokyo and Osaka for city vibe. Early May has lots of flower festivals.

If it was me, I'll just stay in either Osaka (include Kyoto) or Tokyo for all 10 days.

Accommodation - depends on individuals. For my mister, he needs a room with attached bathroom. So hostels are out for him. There's hostels, business hotels (some include free simple breakfasts) and mid-ranged to high-end luxury hotels. For ryokan, not cheap for single travelers. Some do not accept single travelers.

Food - restrictions or allergies? You need to consider your budget if you wished to have very cheap, mid or expensive meals.

 

[xiaosinsinful]

Depends on where your interests are and how much your budget is. Scenery for Hokkaido, Tokyo and Osaka for city vibe. Early May has lots of flower festivals.


If it was me, I'll just stay in either Osaka (include Kyoto) or Tokyo for all 10 days.


Accommodation - depends on individuals. For my mister, he needs a room with attached bathroom. So hostels are out for him. There's hostels, business hotels (some include free simple breakfasts) and mid-ranged to high-end luxury hotels. For ryokan, not cheap for single travelers. Some do not accept single travelers.

Food - restrictions or allergies? You need to consider your budget if you wished to have very cheap, mid or expensive meals.

Wow sounds fun thinking about it, just not really decided where to go but from what you said you are leaning towards Osaka? Won't recommend Hokkaido then?? For me I guess more of site seeing hopefully able to catch Sakura?

For accomodation I think it's ok ba just a simple room that's clean is fine. So can save a bit here.

Food wise I don't think will be saving anything here would probably go all out on this front.

 

[thwysg]

Wow sounds fun thinking about it, just not really decided where to go but from what you said you are leaning towards Osaka? Won't recommend Hokkaido then?? For me I guess more of site seeing hopefully able to catch Sakura?

For accomodation I think it's ok ba just a simple room that's clean is fine. So can save a bit here.

Food wise I don't think will be saving anything here would probably go all out on this front.

Sakura. You'll need to be in Hokkaido around end April to early May. That's during the Golden Week.

Saving on accommodation - use hostels or business hotels. Check the room and bed sizes offered. As for ryokan, you can choose to splurge on one night. But it'll be expensive - at least 25,000yen, depending on the location, season that you're visiting and the ryokan (cheap or expensive).

I'm not familiar with driving so cannot advise you on that. Have always use public transport when in Japan. Maybe will consider driving next time when I visit Hokkaido or Okinawa during non-winter seasons.

 

[xiaosinsinful]

Sakura. You'll need to be in Hokkaido around end April to early May. That's during the Golden Week.

Saving on accommodation - use hostels or business hotels. Check the room and bed sizes offered. As for ryokan, you can choose to splurge on one night. But it'll be expensive - at least 25,000yen, depending on the location, season that you're visiting and the ryokan (cheap or expensive).

I'm not familiar with driving so cannot advise you on that. Have always use public transport when in Japan. Maybe will consider driving next time when I visit Hokkaido or Okinawa during non-winter seasons.

Was thinking late May to chain with Labour Day holiday, might just chain with good Friday instead if there's a good price for the fare.

Ya probably will do what you suggested hostel or business hotel but spending a little on ryokan, is there any in Osaka? Was under the impression that ryokan is more ulu and away from town like places in Hokkaido.

For driving probably if I go to Hokkaido. Got this idea from the countless threads and online Google searches of Hokkaido seems like many are doing it also for the convinience.

What's your recommendation for first timers with regards to what I want to ? Mainly sightseeing eating and entertainment. Budget say $3500??

 

[thwysg]

Was thinking late May to chain with Labour Day holiday, might just chain with good Friday instead if there's a good price for the fare.

Ya probably will do what you suggested hostel or business hotel but spending a little on ryokan, is there any in Osaka? Was under the impression that ryokan is more ulu and away from town like places in Hokkaido.

For driving probably if I go to Hokkaido. Got this idea from the countless threads and online Google searches of Hokkaido seems like many are doing it also for the convinience.

What's your recommendation for first timers with regards to what I want to ? Mainly sightseeing eating and entertainment. Budget say $3500??

I'm lost. Labour Day is 1 May (Golden Week) whereas for Good Friday is 30 Mar (sakura peak season).

Osaka? Closest probably is Arima Onsen. Else go Ogoto Onsen in Otsu town where it's just 10-20 min away from Kyoto city (30-40min away from Osaka). You get to see Lake Biwako. Hikone Castle is nearby too.

$3,500 for flights, accommodation and all other expenses?

 

[BiomedicalPasta]

What is a business hotel?

 

[thwysg]

What is a business hotel?

It’s a no-frills hotel? Like Toyoko Inn, Super, Dormy Inn, Richmond, Daiwa Roynet chains. They have many single rooms for business travelers. More affordable than other big names.

 

[xiaosinsinful]

I'm lost. Labour Day is 1 May (Golden Week) whereas for Good Friday is 30 Mar (sakura peak season).

Osaka? Closest probably is Arima Onsen. Else go Ogoto Onsen in Otsu town where it's just 10-20 min away from Kyoto city (30-40min away from Osaka). You get to see Lake Biwako. Hikone Castle is nearby too.

$3,500 for flights, accommodation and all other expenses?

Sry saw the wrong dates I actually meant planning to go around Vesak Day period but since you mention end April early May maybe change my travel dates to around Labor Day week. So what you're saying is both dates late march - early May is a good time to go??

For my Budget is it too Low? Dont really know what to expect though what's a realistic Budget??

 

[espanajessie]

Was thinking late May to chain with Labour Day holiday, might just chain with good Friday instead if there's a good price for the fare.

Ya probably will do what you suggested hostel or business hotel but spending a little on ryokan, is there any in Osaka? Was under the impression that ryokan is more ulu and away from town like places in Hokkaido.

For driving probably if I go to Hokkaido. Got this idea from the countless threads and online Google searches of Hokkaido seems like many are doing it also for the convinience.

What's your recommendation for first timers with regards to what I want to ? Mainly sightseeing eating and entertainment. Budget say $3500??

Hokkaido has plenty to see in may. Like whale watching, bear watching, shiretoko will be amazing then. Possibly some sakura at the mountain areas. And you will have awesome seafood in hokkaido.

I did a 21 days round trip honshu during the same period as your trip. I did saw some other species of sakura along Hakone Mt Fuji area. Mt Fuji is beautiful then. You can still see snow at the 5th station. I went to Tateyama Kurobe alphine route, which had beautiful snow wall that is more than 20m high. This is something you can only see during mid apr to end may...
Toyama has these glowing squids ard end apr i think.

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[espanajessie]

Sry saw the wrong dates I actually meant planning to go around Vesak Day period but since you mention end April early May maybe change my travel dates to around Labor Day week. So what you're saying is both dates late march - early May is a good time to go??

For my Budget is it too Low? Not really know what to expect though what's a realistic Budget??

I'm doing my hokkaido trip now on a 1.5k per pax budget with 5 nights onsen.
I did a 13 day kyushu with 2.8k budget and with 10 night onsen
3.5k is alot ... you can even get yourself 1 night luxury resort haha

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[thwysg]

Sry saw the wrong dates I actually meant planning to go around Vesak Day period but since you mention end April early May maybe change my travel dates to around Labor Day week. So what you're saying is both dates late march - early May is a good time to go??

For my Budget is it too Low? Not really know what to expect though what's a realistic Budget??

Both are super peak seasons. If you’re more or less confirmed, better check the hotel rooms soon. Sakura season probably harder to find cheaper rooms at good locations, especially weekends.

In the event you prefer to go end May, it’ll be the start of tsuyu season with short showers. There’ll be roses, hydrangeas and lilies for Honshu in season. It will be good weather in Hokkaido.

 

[xiaosinsinful]

Hokkaido has plenty to see in may. Like whale watching, bear watching, shiretoko will be amazing then. Possibly some sakura at the mountain areas. And you will have awesome seafood in hokkaido.

I did a 21 days round trip honshu during the same period as your trip. I did saw some other species of sakura along Hakone Mt Fuji area. Mt Fuji is beautiful then. You can still see snow at the 5th station. I went to Tateyama Kurobe alphine route, which had beautiful snow wall that is more than 20m high. This is something you can only see during mid apr to end may...
Toyama has these glowing squids ard end apr i think.

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Hokkaido sound pretty good, especially the seafood part. Which place would you recommend for a first timer going to Japan Hokkaido or Osaka??

Mind if you send me your travel destinations for your 21 days trip??

Did some searching for flights on the start of May and the end of May and found that end May's flight to be cheaper and more ideal for my travel plans currently leaning that side.

 

[xiaosinsinful]

I'm doing my hokkaido trip now on a 1.5k per pax budget with 5 nights onsen.
I did a 13 day kyushu with 2.8k budget and with 10 night onsen
3.5k is alot ... you can even get yourself 1 night luxury resort haha

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Hokkaido trip total 5 nights @ 1.5k ??how do you do so many days onsen? Thought it's quite ex or is that just the ryokan?? Btw the ryokan price includes dinner and onsen right?(info from watching Japan hour )

Mind if you send me Hokkaido itinerary? Btw for around April period start or end is Hokkaido or Osaka more ideal?? If going for Hokkaido might rent a car , not really sure it's efficient since I'm going solo. How do you travel in Hokkaido? Or do you just stay at a particular town??

 

[xiaosinsinful]

Both are super peak seasons. If you’re more or less confirmed, better check the hotel rooms soon. Sakura season probably harder to find cheaper rooms at good locations, especially weekends.

In the event you prefer to go end May, it’ll be the start of tsuyu season with short showers. There’ll be roses, hydrangeas and lilies for Honshu in season. It will be good weather in Hokkaido.

nothing is confirm yet the thought of going to Japan just came to me like yesterday. Just want to keep my options open for now. For start or end May which place do you recommend?? Did some research , Hokkaido seems to have better chance of catching Sakura end may??

Btw what's a comfortable Budget for 10 days??

 

[thwysg]

Hokkaido trip total 5 nights @ 1.5k ??how do you do so many days onsen? Thought it's quite ex or is that just the ryokan?? Btw the ryokan price includes dinner and onsen right?(info from watching Japan hour )

Mind if you send me Hokkaido itinerary? Btw for around April period start or end is Hokkaido or Osaka more ideal?? If going for Hokkaido might rent a car , not really sure it's efficient since I'm going solo. How do you travel in Hokkaido? Or do you just stay at a particular town??

You might need to take note that espanajessie probably didn’t travel on her/ his own in the ryokans. For the cost s/he spent for Kyushu trip, it’s not the cities. More laid back and not as expensive as compared to Kawaguchiko or Hakone.

I’m not saying it’s impossible but you need to factor in that you might end up paying 1.5-2 times more for a single traveler in a ryokan.

As for the budget, $3.5k isn’t a lot if you included train/bus passes, airfare and lodging.

 

[thwysg]

nothing is confirm yet the thought of going to Japan just came to me like yesterday. Just want to keep my options open for now. For start or end May which place do you recommend?? Did some research , Hokkaido seems to have better chance of catching Sakura end may??

Btw what's a comfortable Budget for 10 days??

End May is too late for sakura in Hokkaido. They usually end before mid May. Like I mentioned earlier, it boils down to your purpose of the trip. We don’t know your likes and no point for me or others to make a lot of suggestions and you ended up not liking any.

Start of May - a lot of things to see in Honshu and Hokkaido. End May - airfare and lodging are cheaper. Better weather in Hokkaido than in Honshu.

 

[espanajessie]

Hokkaido trip total 5 nights @ 1.5k ??how do you do so many days onsen? Thought it's quite ex or is that just the ryokan?? Btw the ryokan price includes dinner and onsen right?(info from watching Japan hour )

Mind if you send me Hokkaido itinerary? Btw for around April period start or end is Hokkaido or Osaka more ideal?? If going for Hokkaido might rent a car , not really sure it's efficient since I'm going solo. How do you travel in Hokkaido? Or do you just stay at a particular town??

actually its 7 nights. 2 nights in sapporo susukino which doesnt have onsen.
Thwysg is right that I'm not traveling alone and hence can share the cost.

You do not have to stay in an onsen ryokan to enjoy onsen. Many hostels have onsen baths too, and when they dont, you can always get a onsen pass to visit nicer onsens (open air kind).

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[espanajessie]

Hokkaido trip total 5 nights @ 1.5k ??how do you do so many days onsen? Thought it's quite ex or is that just the ryokan?? Btw the ryokan price includes dinner and onsen right?(info from watching Japan hour )

Mind if you send me Hokkaido itinerary? Btw for around April period start or end is Hokkaido or Osaka more ideal?? If going for Hokkaido might rent a car , not really sure it's efficient since I'm going solo. How do you travel in Hokkaido? Or do you just stay at a particular town??

ryokan price includes onsen and dinner (sometimes fancy dinner some are buffet)

Hokkaido Itinerary -
Day 1: SG - Sapporo
Day 2: Sapporo - Furano/biei/Daisetsuzan National Park.
Day 3: Asahidake Ropeway - Lake Akan
Day 4: Lake Akan - Lake Mashu/Sulphur Mountain/Kawayu/Kaminoko Pond - Utoro Sunset
Day 5: Utoro - Shiretoko National Park World Heritage Site - Rausu - Tsurui (Japanese Crane Place only winter times)
Day 6: Tsurui - Kushiro - Akan International Crane Center - Teshigawa Onsen
Day 7: Obihiro - Sapporo + Shopping
Day 8: Sapporo Nijo Market Brekkie - Outlet malls - Fly HONE

Transport: Car, only had to pump fuel 2.5x. Car Rental $400 + 150$


21 Days Honshu
Day 1: SG - Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo
Day 3: Tokyo - Hakone
Day 4: Hakone
Day 5: Hakone - mt Fuji Saiko
Day 6: Saiko - Shibazakura Moss park - Caves - Saiko
Day 7: Fujikawaguchiko
Day 8: Kyoto
Day 9: kyoto
Day 10: Kyoto
Day 11: Kyoto - Nara
Day 12: Nara
Day 13: Nara - Osaka
5Day 14: Osaka
Day 15: Osaka - Nagoya
Day 16: Nagoya
Day 17: Nagoya - Tateyama Kurobe Alphine Route - Unazaki Onsen
Day 18: Tateyama Kurobe Top
Day 19: Tokyo
Day 20: Tokyo
Day 21 Back to sg

Transport: Public Transport no JR Pass

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[espanajessie]

End May is too late for sakura in Hokkaido. They usually end before mid May. Like I mentioned earlier, it boils down to your purpose of the trip. We don’t know your likes and no point for me or others to make a lot of suggestions and you ended up not liking any.

Start of May - a lot of things to see in Honshu and Hokkaido. End May - airfare and lodging are cheaper. Better weather in Hokkaido than in Honshu.

When I was planning for my canada trip, I was like TS as well, because I dont know whats there to visit at all. I couldnt even narrow down to a specific city or to do a east to west tour.
Its not because I dont know what I want but rather I don't know what is there that i might be interested in.

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