Contingencyplanning

[pop]

I had planned a trip to see Shirakawago covered in white powdery snow in last week of feb. This is my top priority. Other parts of the itinerary, takayama and kanazawa, are just added to complete the trip. In other years, late feb, would be a sure thing to see heavy snow in these areas. Not this year, unfortunately. I'm monitoring, but I want to plan for contingency.

Since I may not see Shirakawago covered in snow, I might as well head south and experience early spring weather and with el nino, i might see some flowers and greeneries in kyushu in late feb.

My only constraints are the flights. I fly into Nagoya early morning, 8.40 and fly out Osaka late at night, 23.30. Total only 5 nights.

Here is my contingency plan. Like to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Will get a 5 day JR pass.


Day 1, from NGO straight to Hakata, probably arriving late afternoon. Explore city.

Day2, day trip to Huis Ten Bosch and return to Hakata. Is this a day trip?

Day 3, visit Dazaifu or Uminonakamichi park or both if possible. Head to Yufuin overnight in onsen ryokan.

Day 4, hike Mt Yufu, then head to Beppu overnight in onsen ryokan.

Day 5, visit Jigoku Hells and Mt Tsurumi before heading to Osaka. Is it possible to squeeze in Kitsuki today?

Day 6, whole day for Osaka before flight at 11.30pm.

Instead of spending a night in Osaka, I could still allocate another night in Kyushu since I can still get to KIX from Beppu area in day 6. This way i can have more time for sightseeing in Kyushu.

What do you guys think?

 

[evilerniex]

all the way to Kyushu from Nagoya?
y not explore other parts of Chubu or Kansai since ur flight is there?

5-day JR pass? u mean the JR Kyushu pass? how are u getting from Nagoya to Kyushu, and then from Kyushu to Osaka? can just get the 7-day JR pass to cover everything.

Huis Ten Bosch can be done as a day trip from Hakata. there is direct ltd express train tt takes slightly less than 2hrs to get there. the direct return train ends quite early though, so u will need make a transfer for the return trip.

I spend 3/4 day at Beppu hells. but that include travelling from Hakata, and taking bus from Beppu station to the hells and another bus between the hells (there is a few that is situated away from the rest). since u are staying in Beppu, u probably can finish in about half a day.

 

[samtcy]

To get from Nagoya to Kyushu, and then Kyushu to Osaka, plus your travels within Kyushu itself, you'd probably have to get a 7 days JR railpass.

If you only get the JR Kyushu railpass, then how are u getting to Kyushu from Nagoya, and also to Osaka?

 

[pop]

Yes, i meant the 7 day jr pass.

Why not stay kansai area? Well, i have been there before and this trip was specifically for shirakawago in winter.

Since el nino has messed up winter, i am thinking southern part may have early spring flowers. In any case, i have not covered kyushu before and i do like to visit the onsens at beppu and yufuin and huis ten bosch probably have some flowers on show.

 

[Nalgene123]

Yes, i meant the 7 day jr pass.

Why not stay kansai area? Well, i have been there before and this trip was specifically for shirakawago in winter.

Since el nino has messed up winter, i am thinking southern part may have early spring flowers. In any case, i have not covered kyushu before and i do like to visit the onsens at beppu and yufuin and huis ten bosch probably have some flowers on show.

Shirakawa-go has been snowing for the last couple of days...and the entire place is actually white right now...the pattern of snowing has been sporadic and atmospheric temperature has been high this year...so the level of snow doesn't get built up like previous years...

http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats...block_no=1306&year=2013&month=11&day=&view=p1

you can navigate the link above for historical snowfall level of Shirakawa in Feb...that will give you a good idea of what to expect..

In terms of itenary...I would suggest to just stick with the original plan..however.. due to the ongoing unpredictable weather pattern.. I would suggest to keep your itenary flexible..which means that your plan must allow for last minute changes....so do book accommodations that allow for fee cancellation....

 

[evilerniex]

Yes, i meant the 7 day jr pass.

Why not stay kansai area? Well, i have been there before and this trip was specifically for shirakawago in winter.

Since el nino has messed up winter, i am thinking southern part may have early spring flowers. In any case, i have not covered kyushu before and i do like to visit the onsens at beppu and yufuin and huis ten bosch probably have some flowers on show.

I think the chances of seeing spring flowers in winter is not going to be higher than seeing snow in this unpredictable weather. better to plan ur trip ard places that are not so dependent on the weather. if there is snow/flowers then it is a bonus.

 

[pop]

Shirakawa-go has been snowing for the last couple of days...and the entire place is actually white right now...the pattern of snowing has been sporadic and atmospheric temperature has been high this year...so the level of snow doesn't get built up like previous years...

http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats...block_no=1306&year=2013&month=11&day=&view=p1

you can navigate the link above for historical snowfall level of Shirakawa in Feb...that will give you a good idea of what to expect..

In terms of itenary...I would suggest to just stick with the original plan..however.. due to the ongoing unpredictable weather pattern.. I would suggest to keep your itenary flexible..which means that your plan must allow for last minute changes....so do book accommodations that allow for fee cancellation....

No leh, i have been following the live web cam and Shirakawago has not snowed the past few days. Even the old snow is melting away. Ideally, if it shows at night, then next day get up, the fresh layer of snow will make it very pretty.

http://shirakawa-go.org/livecam/

 

[pop]

I think the chances of seeing spring flowers in winter is not going to be higher than seeing snow in this unpredictable weather. better to plan ur trip ard places that are not so dependent on the weather. if there is snow/flowers then it is a bonus.

Ya, spring flowers in last week of feb is a long shot too. Thats why this is a dilemma but will monitor.


It seems yahoo weather is forecasting snow this friday onwards. We shall see if that is sustained.

 

[kifo]

No leh, i have been following the live web cam and Shirakawago has not snowed the past few days. Even the old snow is melting away. Ideally, if it shows at night, then next day get up, the fresh layer of snow will make it very pretty.

http://shirakawa-go.org/livecam/

actually shirakawago is not pretty unless it is under a few feet of snow... a thin coat of snow is not enough. with the current weather, the snow is completely melted away each day by afternoon so it is impossible to build up

 

[pop]

actually shirakawago is not pretty unless it is under a few feet of snow... a thin coat of snow is not enough. with the current weather, the snow is completely melted away each day by afternoon so it is impossible to build up

Precisely. With other years, late feb is sure to see shirakawago covered in a thick layer of snow. This year, will be lucky even if it drops a thin layer of snow as you sleep. So at least next morning can still see the roofs covered with snow before it quickly melts away.

 

[Nalgene123]

No leh, i have been following the live web cam and Shirakawago has not snowed the past few days. Even the old snow is melting away. Ideally, if it shows at night, then next day get up, the fresh layer of snow will make it very pretty.

http://shirakawa-go.org/livecam/

U should follow this Facebook page

https://m.facebook.com/shirakawagoinfo

They have consistent and frequent update of pictures of the village itself...

The village was under a layer of snow on 01/01/2016..and was absolutely breathtaking

 

[pop]

U should follow this Facebook page

https://m.facebook.com/shirakawagoinfo

They have consistent and frequent update of pictures of the village itself...

The village was under a layer of snow on 01/01/2016..and was absolutely breathtaking

Ya, i also follow their facebook. These few days have been ugly brown. If i get to see that photo showed on 1 jan, i will be contented. It was still a thin layer though that melted away later in the day.

 

[pop]

Bro kifo, any onsen ryokans to recommend for Beppu and Yufuin?

 

[kifo]

Bro kifo, any onsen ryokans to recommend for Beppu and Yufuin?

i have not stayed in any ryokans in beppu or yufuin... beppu was limited to the famous takegawara onsen bath in the middle of town as i was staying with my friend living in beppu then... it has been a while since i was there so i should go back too!