Draft Itinerary

[cpuer]

Hi
So far drafted these 6 day trips out from Tokyo. I am not too sure of what to visit when reach the destinations, but my normal approach is just go by the on site visitors' info/guide or the recommendations by the train companies like Odakyu and JR. Hows my itinerary? seems to be lots of hiking in the mountains? My old knee don't know can take it or not Any major mistake or counter suggestions? First time to Kanto area.

Period of visit: 9 Dec onward. Not necessary to be continuous except when using Kanto Area pass, have to be continuous 3 days.

Lodging in Shin-Okubo near Shinjuku.

TIA
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Shin-Okubo - Takaosanguchi - Shin-Okubo Yen 130x2+1056 Keio Takaosan Return Tickets(incl cable cars)

Shin-Okubo - Enoshima-Kamakura Yen 130x2 + 1430
Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass | Economical Excursion Tickets | Odakyu Electric Railway

Shin-Okubo - Hakone - Gotemba - Shin-Okubo Yen 130x2 + 7200 + 900(top up for Odakyu bus return)
Fuji Hakone Pass | Economical Excursion Tickets | Odakyu Electric Railway
Moments In My Life: Japan

Shin-Okubo - Izu Yen 130x2 + 8000 (Kanto Area Pass)
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/kantoareapass/index.html#category04

Shin-Okubo - Nikko Yen 130x2 + Kanto Area Pass

Shin-Okubo - Mt Tanigawa Yen 130x2 + Kanto Area Pass + 2000 Ropeway + 650x2 local bus
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/destinations/gunma/course/d_course.html

http://1n103e.blogspot.sg/

 

[kifo]

I seldom comment on itineraries but your itinerary is rather unique.

Shin-Okubo is a Korean area. I suppose your travelling companions are heavily into Korean culture that they must have Korea even if you are visiting Japan?

I noticed you have Gotemba. Is that together with your Hakone itinerary?

But why so many visits to mountains and parks? Is your group heavily into hiking? Takaosan, Mt Tanigawa. I would think even Karuizawa and Kamakura can include nature hikes and such.

 

[evilerniex]

interesting itinerary... great for hiking
will save this itinerary for my future trips

 

[cpuer]

thanks for the input. Our "hotel" is Hotel Empire. We selected it due to its low cost and proximity to Shinjuku.

Yes, it does seems to be more mountain oriented. So I tried to balance it with some sea(Enoshima/Izu). Any other suggestions than places already listed in my itinerary?

 

[cpuer]

interesting itinerary... great for hiking
will save this itinerary for my future trips

Anything to add/deduct?

 

[cpuer]

I seldom comment on itineraries but your itinerary is rather unique.

Shin-Okubo is a Korean area. I suppose your travelling companions are heavily into Korean culture that they must have Korea even if you are visiting Japan?

I noticed you have Gotemba. Is that together with your Hakone itinerary?

But why so many visits to mountains and parks? Is your group heavily into hiking? Takaosan, Mt Tanigawa. I would think even Karuizawa and Kamakura can include nature hikes and such.

yes, was trying to follow the linked blogger's approach of doing Gotemba after Hakone. Shortlisted Karuizawa too. But from what I can gathered, it isn't too unique a place. So I switched it to Tanigawa. Hope it's not worst off.

 

[evilerniex]

is Nikko going to be a day trip?
if u are planning to do some hiking, 1 day may be a bit rush due to travelling time.
i havent been to nikko though, but i am planning for it

 

[cpuer]

is Nikko going to be a day trip?
if u are planning to do some hiking, 1 day may be a bit rush due to travelling time.
i havent been to nikko though, but i am planning for it

Not really planning for any hiking, but if need to hike for the sights then no choice.

 

[evilerniex]

Not really planning for any hiking, but if need to hike for the sights then no choice.

there are 2 main attractions in nikko. one is the temples and shrine, and the other is the national park.

for national park, u may need to do a little hiking to see the waterfall and lake chuzenji

 

[kifo]

Karuizawa is more like an upmarket resort. Its claim to fame was when the royal couple first met there. There are lots of shopping you can do, Starbucks you can drink and the outdoor areas are just outside the town. Karuizawa is directly on the Shinkansen line and you can reach there direct from Tokyo in 1hr 20mins flat.

Mt Tanigawa is more like a real nature area. There is probably nothing much to do there except to hike or ski (in winter). Since your trip is in December is off the hiking season and the snow has not come down low enough yet, I expect there should be nothing much open except for 1-2 souvenir shops? And getting to Mt Tanigawa needs to a shinkansen and then 2 bus rides, probably a 2 hrs + one-way.

Depends on how much your group values hiking I guess?

If your group loves hiking, I would think the hiking trails in Kamakura will be something worth exploring too.

I think perhaps none of us here has been to Takaosan or Mt Tanigawa yet. So we will all love to read your field report here after your trip!

Have a great trip!

 

[cpuer]

Karuizawa is more like an upmarket resort. Its claim to fame was when the royal couple first met there. There are lots of shopping you can do, Starbucks you can drink and the outdoor areas are just outside the town. Karuizawa is directly on the Shinkansen line and you can reach there direct from Tokyo in 1hr 20mins flat.

Mt Tanigawa is more like a real nature area. There is probably nothing much to do there except to hike or ski (in winter). Since your trip is in December is off the hiking season and the snow has not come down low enough yet, I expect there should be nothing much open except for 1-2 souvenir shops? And getting to Mt Tanigawa needs to a shinkansen and then 2 bus rides, probably a 2 hrs + one-way.

Depends on how much your group values hiking I guess?

If your group loves hiking, I would think the hiking trails in Kamakura will be something worth exploring too.

I think perhaps none of us here has been to Takaosan or Mt Tanigawa yet. So we will all love to read your field report here after your trip!

Have a great trip!

Alamak, seems like most of you think that we purposely planned for hiking, far from it, we are tru blue "neng kar" couch potatoes.

Hmm, Tanigawa seems like too tough liao....

But takaosan seems highly doable and near enough.

 

[cpuer]

there are 2 main attractions in nikko. one is the temples and shrine, and the other is the national park.

for national park, u may need to do a little hiking to see the waterfall and lake chuzenji

The Kegon waterfall?
Nikko Travel: Kegon Waterfall (Kegon no taki)

We will surely got for it, be it from far or get nearer, depends on how tough it is.

 

[evilerniex]

The Kegon waterfall?
Nikko Travel: Kegon Waterfall (Kegon no taki)

We will surely got for it, be it from far or get nearer, depends on how tough it is.

yah, kegon waterfall is one of them. there is one more at the other end of lake chuzenji.

hiking may be very little, but need to cater time to take bus to these places. so it may be quite rush to squeeze national park and temple and shrines into a day trip

 

[evilerniex]

Alamak, seems like most of you think that we purposely planned for hiking, far from it, we are tru blue "neng kar" couch potatoes.

Hmm, Tanigawa seems like too tough liao....

But takaosan seems highly doable and near enough.

hahaaa.. so i guess u are not really into hiking, but u enjoy natural sceneries?

often the best sceneries are found only through hiking