Help me plan my itinerary

[martin]

Ok, this is very preliminary. Just starting with a rough idea. Will listen to suggestions and adapt.

Ok, say I have 7-8 days but can extend more if need be. If I fly into Tokyo. Not spending time there. Will go to Sendai, then to Aomori, then Hakodate and end at Sapporo, and fly back to SG.

I intend to stay 1-2 nights at each of the above cities. What are the must see sites on this route? I'm into sceneries mainly and this is for mid april 2016, cherry blossom viewing. Should I stay at the above cities or do you suggest others instead? If time is too short to include Hokkaido, I can turn back from Aomori and cover other cities or stay longer at each cities. Should I include Akita?

Very open to suggestions. Thanks.

 

[evilerniex]

this is my old thread on Sendai. dunno if the information is still relevant.
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/evilerniexs-quick-guide-sendai-2278428.html

the 'must-see' for sendai is probably Matsushima bay, one of the 3 most scenic spot in japan. and for hakodate, it is the night view of the city from mount hakodate, which is the 3 best night view in japan. (japanese are obsessed with top 3s )

depending on ur itinerary, it may be easier to take domestic flight from sapporo back instead of travelling back by train, even if u are not covering much of hokkaido.

 

[martin]

this is my old thread on Sendai. dunno if the information is still relevant.
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/evilerniexs-quick-guide-sendai-2278428.html

the 'must-see' for sendai is probably Matsushima bay, one of the 3 most scenic spot in japan. and for hakodate, it is the night view of the city from mount hakodate, which is the 3 best night view in japan. (japanese are obsessed with top 3s )

depending on ur itinerary, it may be easier to take domestic flight from sapporo back instead of travelling back by train, even if u are not covering much of hokkaido.

Thanks, Bro. Great thread there. Gave me some ideas. I've now done some reading on japan guide and i think i should leave Hokkaido for another day and concentrate on just Tohoku this time. Here's my tentative plan. Still a long way before April, so will change accordingly as I receive more info and suggestions. Experts opinions are most welcomed.

Day1 on arrival at HND/NRT head straight to Nyuto Onsen and overnight.
Day2 explore Hachimantai &'Kakunodate (not sure enough time for 2), head to Aomori overnight
Day3 explore Aomori and Hirosaki, head to Morioka overnight
Day4 explore Hiraizumi and Kitakami, then to Sendai (3 nights here)
Day5 Yamadera day trip
Day6 Matsushima and Naruko Gorge (not sure enough time or not)
Day7 spend the day at Sendai before heading to Tokyo airport (aiming to book a very late flight)

I could still add a day or two if need be.

 

[Wood41]

Cherry blossoms 'traditionally' is end of April at
Tohoku.

 

[evilerniex]

depends on which part of tohoku also, since tohoku is such a big region.
back then I was able to catch sakura in both Tokyo and Sendai ard early april. but no luck for Kakunodate.

 

[martin]

depends on which part of tohoku also, since tohoku is such a big region.
back then I was able to catch sakura in both Tokyo and Sendai ard early april. but no luck for Kakunodate.

Meaning Kakunodate was later right?

 

[evilerniex]

Meaning Kakunodate was later right?

yes, shld be later

 

[Wood41]

I will be at northern Tohoku & southern Hokkaido for
the cherry blossom between April 27-May 1 next year.
Hopefully my luck is with me again.

 

[VD]

the last time I was in Hokkaido, we managed to see the cherry blossom on the 2nd week of May

 

[martin]

Evil, just curious. When you said no luck at kakunodate, you meant absolutely no flowers at all? Not even isolated plants that bloom earlier? And at Sendai, was it peak then or you were seeing just some isolated trees blooming? Just want to understand how different Sendai and higher up cities might differ. I am planning on going to Aomori and Hirosaki which are even higher up than Kakunodate.

 

[tkk97]

.
Seems to me weather has changed a lot. Winter and Summer extended greatly, whereas Spring and Autumn period is noticing shorter and shorter.

Btw, the best cherry blossom my cock eyes saw was in Washington State and Downtown Vancouver.
As if one bao the whole Flowering street. Japan may give you the mood, as everyones jin happy fooding under the Cherry trees and also too many fotographers

Onuma koen near Hakodate may worth a visit.

Wah lao eh, your time tables machiam Korea Cram School.

 

[evilerniex]

Evil, just curious. When you said no luck at kakunodate, you meant absolutely no flowers at all? Not even isolated plants that bloom earlier? And at Sendai, was it peak then or you were seeing just some isolated trees blooming? Just want to understand how different Sendai and higher up cities might differ. I am planning on going to Aomori and Hirosaki which are even higher up than Kakunodate.

sendai was in full bloom at one of the park. but some other parks not full bloom yet. generally can see all over the city.
kakunodate is total bare, not a single tree in bloom.

 

[martin]

sendai was in full bloom at one of the park. but some other parks not full bloom yet. generally can see all over the city.
kakunodate is total bare, not a single tree in bloom.

Thanks, bro.

 

[martin]

.
Seems to me weather has changed a lot. Winter and Summer extended greatly, whereas Spring and Autumn period is noticing shorter and shorter.

Btw, the best cherry blossom my cock eyes saw was in Washington State and Downtown Vancouver.
As if one bao the whole Flowering street. Japan may give you the mood, as everyones jin happy fooding under the Cherry trees and also too many fotographers

Onuma koen near Hakodate may worth a visit.

Wah lao eh, your time tables machiam Korea Cram School.

Huh? Like that still cram meh? I take bus and trains leh, not walk on bare foot like you leh.

 

[tkk97]

Huh? Like that still cram meh? I take bus and trains leh, not walk on bare foot like you leh.

Can not compare like that one. 我是罪人苦行，你是游人欢行，tio boh ?

逍遥游，must have ample of times to enjoy mah. 不然，来去冲冲，会忘我的，then how to
write trip report here ?

 

[martin]

Can not compare like that one. 我是罪人苦行，你是游人欢行，tio boh ?

逍遥游，must have ample of times to enjoy mah. 不然，来去冲冲，会忘我的，then how to
write trip report here ?

您是聖人修行， 我是庸人旅行。

 

[Wood41]

Oh my , my April trip is Tokyo to Fukuoka then to Toyama up to Aomori / Hakodate then back to
Tokyo.
My mission : flower + Hiroshima atomic bomb site
+ Alphine route

 

[evilerniex]

Oh my , my April trip is Tokyo to Fukuoka then to Toyama up to Aomori / Hakodate then back to
Tokyo.
My mission : flower + Hiroshima atomic bomb site
+ Alphine route

how many days?
u covering almost the whole of japan!

 

[martin]

Ya, how many days? Envious.

Must you fly into and out of tokyo? Otherwise can enter via osaka, nearer to fukuoka and exit via sapporo or tokyo.

I have never been to kyushu nor tohoku. If tohoku is too early for sakuras in mid apr, i might do kyushu instead and save tohoku for autumn.

 

[martin]

Now I am thinking if mid apr is too early for cherry blossoms in Tohoku, should I do Kyushu instead? I have not been to both yet so I can still do Tohoku in autumn which might be better as Northern japan has better red leaves?

But then, will mid apr be too late for sakuras in kyushu? Does Kyushu have good places for sakuras?