Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[flowerpalms]

i am not familiar with all the places u are going, so u may have to do research on how to get to those places and see which is more convenient.


my sensing is that kyoto station would still be a better choice. coz u can probably get to anywhere in kyoto and have direct train to places outside kyoto. whereas for downtown kyoto, u may be nearer to some of the attractions in kyoto, but i may be a hassle to get to other places. for example, getting to arashiyama may require a change of train, and to osaka, the journey is longer compared to via JR train from kyoto station.


kyoto station will also have more choice is food and shopping

Is himeiji in osaka area?

 

[thwysg]

Is himeiji in osaka area?

Have you tried using Google Maps and Japan Guide and JNTO?

https://www.japan-guide.com

 

[flowerpalms]

Have you tried using Google Maps and Japan Guide and JNTO?

https://www.japan-guide.com

I planned my draft itinerary using inside insidekyoto.com and kyoto guide.

 

[thwysg]

I planned my draft itinerary using inside insidekyoto.com and kyoto guide.

It’s your choice if you wished to restrict yourself with just these two websites. I would prefer to read and do research in all forms - travel sites, books, travel forums/groups and travel articles.

 

[evilerniex]

I planned my draft itinerary using inside insidekyoto.com and kyoto guide.

Maybe u can expand u search and look outside of Kyoto. See wat else is there in kansai region.
Japan-guide is one of the best place to start planning.
U can also refer to the sticky thread on compilation of trip reports to get ideas

 

[flowerpalms]

Maybe u can expand u search and look outside of Kyoto. See wat else is there in kansai region.
Japan-guide is one of the best place to start planning.
U can also refer to the sticky thread on compilation of trip reports to get ideas

Actually my priority is kyoto for the zen and autumn colours. This is the first time going to japan so i base there, also go osaka and nara. I know there is more places in kansai region but just want to keep it simple.

 

[purpleberry]

Hi all, I will need some advise on my upcoming Hokkaido Itinerary . I am planning to have my 1st self drive trip. But if possible i am oso hoping to strike a balance to take their public transport as well

After getting some suggestions from some people from my earlier thread, i have come up with 2 itineraries . I intend to collect my rental car from Chitose. Is it recommended to get the Hokkaido Expressway Pass?


Itinerary A
-------------

Day 1 - Chitose(Landing around noon time) to Noboribetsu

Day 2 - Noboribetsu to Hakodate

Day 3 - Hakodate

Day 4 - Hakodate to Lake Toya

Day 5 - Lake Toya to Jozankei

Day 6 - Jozankei to Asahiyama

Day 7 - Furano/Biel

Day 8 - Furano to Otaru

Day 9 - Otaru to Yoichi(Yamamoto Fruits Farm)
- Yoichi to Kamui Cape
- Kamui Cape to Shakotan town (Uni Rice bowl for lunch)
- Shakotan town to Cape Shakotan
- Cape Shakotan to Sapporo

Day 10 - Sapporo (Day trip to Shiroi Koibito Park)

Day 11 - Sapporo

Day 12 - Sapporo

Day 13 - Sapporo to Chitose (Departure Chitose around 1pm)


Itinerary B
--------------

Day 1 - Chitose(Landing around noon time) to Noboribetsu

Day 2 - Noboribetsu to Hakodate

Day 3 - Hakodate

Day 4 - Hakodate to Lake Toya to Niseko ( Worth to stay a nite at Lake Toya
for fireworks?)

Day 5 - Niseko to Kamui Cape
- Kamui Cape to Cape Shakotan(Uni Rice bowl for lunch)
- Cape Shakotan to to Yoichi(Yamamoto Fruits Farm)
- Yoichi to Otaru

Day 6 - Otaru to Asahiyama(Explore Otaru in the morning)

Day 7 - Furano/Biel

Day 8 - Furano to Sapporo

Day 9 - Sapporo (Day trip to Shiroi Koibito Park)

Day 10 - Sapporo

Day 11 - Sapporo

Day 12 - Sapporo

Day 13 - Sapporo to Chitose (Departure Chitose around 1pm)

I'll be following more or less the same itinerary as you but arriving at Hakodate airport first. How was your trip? Any recommended changes?

 

[qhong61]

If flying to Tokyo and leaving from osaka, which airlines to recommend? Not too expensive. Thanks.

 

[qhong61]

If just Tokyo and osaka, is 7 days sufficient?

 

[qhong61]

Which hotel in Tokyo and osaka to recommend? Maybe 3 to 4 stars.

 

[thwysg]

If flying to Tokyo and leaving from osaka, which airlines to recommend? Not too expensive. Thanks.

There’s no direct flights except SQ. Else you’ll need to look at budget airlines or codeshare flights or ANA/JAL.

 

[thwysg]

Which hotel in Tokyo and osaka to recommend? Maybe 3 to 4 stars.

If just Tokyo and osaka, is 7 days sufficient?

I’d stay in just one city if there’s only seven days. Try business hotels since you’ve got a tight budget.

 

[qhong61]

I’d stay in just one city if there’s only seven days. Try business hotels since you’ve got a tight budget.

How much the average hotel stay per nite for twin sharing?

 

[qhong61]

I’d stay in just one city if there’s only seven days. Try business hotels since you’ve got a tight budget.

If including osaka, how many days is sufficient?

 

[evilerniex]

If including osaka, how many days is sufficient?

Maybe 10days to 2 weeks will be good.
Although personally I will still separate osaka and Tokyo into 2 trips coz these 2 places are far apart and there are direct flights to both places. And there is enuf things to see and do in each area.

 

[thwysg]

How much the average hotel stay per nite for twin sharing?

Depends on season and location of the hotel. I’ve stayed in Keio Presso Inn Tokyo Station that cost ¥13,000 per night this February, inclusive of free breakfast. Small double room, think 13sqm but we were fine since we needed to catch the morning bus to Narita Airport the following day. Around 5 minutes’ walk to Tokyo station.

 

[purpleberry]

Hokkaido experts, please advise:

Day 1 - Hakodate (stay 1 night)

Day 2 - Noboribetsu & Lake Toya (stay 2 nights)

Day 3 - Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Day 4 - Furano, stop at Chitose outlet mall along the way (stay 1 night)

Day 5 - Asahikawa (stay 2 nights)

Day 6 - Asahikawa

Day 7 - Otaru - Sapporo (stay 4 nights)

Day 8 - Sapporo

Day 9 - Sapporo

Day 10 - Sapporo

Total 10 nights

 

[oceanicmanta]

Hokkaido experts, please advise:

Day 1 - Hakodate (stay 1 night)

Day 2 - Noboribetsu & Lake Toya (stay 2 nights)

Day 3 - Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Day 4 - Furano, stop at Chitose outlet mall along the way (stay 1 night)

Day 5 - Asahikawa (stay 2 nights)

Day 6 - Asahikawa

Day 7 - Otaru - Sapporo (stay 4 nights)

Day 8 - Sapporo

Day 9 - Sapporo

Day 10 - Sapporo

Total 10 nights

when r you there ?

I would suggest :
Hako - Toya - Otaru - Asahikawa - Furano - Sapporo

It's a long drive from Toya to Furano, so could be in a rush for the outlet on that day.

From Toya, u can also detour to visit Cape Kamui & Yoichi Whisky before heading to Otaru ... but that detour will take up the entire day ... too far if in winter.

Keep the rental car for another day in Sapporo - u can go to Rera & Mitsui Outlets. I prefer Mitsui over Rera. Over the years, seems less good value stuff ... guess maybe the season. Avoid weekends, crowded.

Would also recommend visiting the Mega Don Quixote in Sapporo Shinkawa outskirt ... more things to buy for me.

parking in Sapporo hotel shld be around jpy 1000-1500 a night.

 

[purpleberry]

when r you there ?

I would suggest :
Hako - Toya - Otaru - Asahikawa - Furano - Sapporo

It's a long drive from Toya to Furano, so could be in a rush for the outlet on that day.

From Toya, u can also detour to visit Cape Kamui & Yoichi Whisky before heading to Otaru ... but that detour will take up the entire day ... too far if in winter.

Keep the rental car for another day in Sapporo - u can go to Rera & Mitsui Outlets. I prefer Mitsui over Rera. Over the years, seems less good value stuff ... guess maybe the season. Avoid weekends, crowded.

Would also recommend visiting the Mega Don Quixote in Sapporo Shinkawa outskirt ... more things to buy for me.

parking in Sapporo hotel shld be around jpy 1000-1500 a night.

Planning for the summer holidays. Any good buys at Mitsui? Mostly into local JP brands rather than Adidas or Nike.

Thanks, will include Mega Don Quixote in my plan. Cape Kamui looks an interesting stop.

How are the allocated nights for the following places? Not sure if Asahikawa need to spend 2 nights or not. I might spend another night at Toya instead. More relaxing it seems.

Hako (1) - Toya (2) - Otaru - Asahikawa (2) - Furano (1) - Sapporo (4)

 

[oceanicmanta]

Planning for the summer holidays. Any good buys at Mitsui? Mostly into local JP brands rather than Adidas or Nike.

Thanks, will include Mega Don Quixote in my plan. Cape Kamui looks an interesting stop.

How are the allocated nights for the following places? Not sure if Asahikawa need to spend 2 nights or not. I might spend another night at Toya instead. More relaxing it seems.

Hako (1) - Toya (2) - Otaru - Asahikawa (2) - Furano (1) - Sapporo (4)

not so much into shopping n not familiar with JP brands .. only recall seeing many international brands at both outlets. i look for asics deals.

Summer is season for the Bafun uni in the Shakotan area (near Cape Kamui). There is also a picturesque public onsen (entry fee) with sunset view.

I think u will need 1 night in Otaru ... it's a very long drive from Toya via Otaru to Asahikawa, especially if u r visiting Kamui

3 nights in Sapporo shld be fine ..

edit : also not sure about Asahikawa in summer ... I go there for snow capped mountains. maybe other folks can suggest ...