Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[Lpcsharon1]

Have you bought your airtix? If no, it'll be better to fly back from chitose, than to spend the time travelling back to Tokyo from Hakodate...

Yeah already bought my tickets n flying back from Haneda.

 

[Ruriel]

Yeah already bought my tickets n flying back from Haneda.

Ah. Coz you were asking about flying back from chitose, so I thought you were talking about flying back to SG from chitose. Sorry I got a little confused there.

 

[evilerniex]

Will be faster and likely cheaper to take domestic flight to and from Hokkaido. Train is good if u have places u want to visit along the way from Tokyo to Hokkaido.
Maybe do a calculation to see if JR pass more worth it compared to domestic flight?

 

[LifeIsJinHappy]

First time to Hokkaido, hope to have your inputs/comments

Traveling 4pax with parents who are new to Japan

Driving for non Hakodate/Sapporo areas only. Accommodation is not yet booked if not stated

Day 1&2 - Hakodate
Arrive in Hakodate @ 11am

Day 3 - Lake Toya (Accommodation - Air bnb lake toya)
Take car
Onuma, Toya Kohantei day onsen, ropeway, boat tour

Day 4 - Noboribetsu (Accomodation - Daichi Takimotokan)

Day 5 - Otaru
Cape Kamui, Cape Shakotan, Yoichi Distillery, Yoichi Fruit farm, Otaru cakery, Music box museum, Glass blowing

If cannot finish will spill over to next day

Day 6 - Furano (staying at furano, not sure if anyplace to stay at biei) Looking at Natulux
Biei roads, lavender farm, blue pond, waterfall

Day 7 - Furano
Anpanman/Jam, Cheese factory, Ningle Terrace, Farm Tomita

Day 8 - Jozankei
4am for Unkai terrace, Yubari buffet/shop(not sure if open so early), Hoheikyo dam, rest at Jozankei Onsen if affordable

Day 9 - Sapporo
Mitsui, Sapporo beer museum, Mt Moiwa, Susukino/shopping area

Day 10 - Sapporo
Ishiya factory, Odori, Susukino/shopping area

Day 11 - Fly off PM flight

Any recommended things for Sapporo? Seems like i have time for 1 more attraction.

Are the itineraries do-able? I'm concerned about yoichi part which closes at 5pm and the long drive.

Is the itinerary too little? I've seen people even going to Shiretokogo in a 8 day trip whereas mine is almost 12 days. Wanted to go Shiretokogo but it is too far away.

 

[thwysg]

First time to Hokkaido, hope to have your inputs/comments

Traveling 4pax with parents who are new to Japan

Driving for non Hakodate/Sapporo areas only. Accommodation is not yet booked if not stated

Day 1&2 - Hakodate
Arrive in Hakodate @ 11am

Day 3 - Lake Toya (Accommodation - Air bnb lake toya)
Take car
Onuma, Toya Kohantei day onsen, ropeway, boat tour

Day 4 - Noboribetsu (Accomodation - Daichi Takimotokan)

Day 5 - Otaru
Cape Kamui, Cape Shakotan, Yoichi Distillery, Yoichi Fruit farm, Otaru cakery, Music box museum, Glass blowing

If cannot finish will spill over to next day

Day 6 - Furano (staying at furano, not sure if anyplace to stay at biei) Looking at Natulux
Biei roads, lavender farm, blue pond, waterfall

Day 7 - Furano
Anpanman/Jam, Cheese factory, Ningle Terrace, Farm Tomita

Day 8 - Jozankei
4am for Unkai terrace, Yubari buffet/shop(not sure if open so early), Hoheikyo dam, rest at Jozankei Onsen if affordable

Day 9 - Sapporo
Mitsui, Sapporo beer museum, Mt Moiwa, Susukino/shopping area

Day 10 - Sapporo
Ishiya factory, Odori, Susukino/shopping area

Day 11 - Fly off PM flight

Any recommended things for Sapporo? Seems like i have time for 1 more attraction.

Are the itineraries do-able? I'm concerned about yoichi part which closes at 5pm and the long drive.

Is the itinerary too little? I've seen people even going to Shiretokogo in a 8 day trip whereas mine is almost 12 days. Wanted to go Shiretokogo but it is too far away.

I don’t feel that the itinerary is too relaxed, still alright. But I’ve never been on a self-drive trip so can’t comment much. Noboribetsu to Otaru seems to me a little overbearing though with various capes to visit, we visited Marchen Crossing in the afternoon to find only many foods were already sold out (due to huge groups of PRC tourists).

8D including Shiretoko, is this also a road trip? I wouldn’t want to rush through East Hokkaido. Would rather do a trip just to visit this area - summer, autumn or winter. Mine was 12D too, in winter, but the furthest we got to was Lake Shikaribetsu from Obihiro.

Do stop over at those service areas aka Michi no Eki 道の駅 along your drive. Sometimes they serve local seasonal cuisine and souvenirs. And some come with great views.

 

[wongkc]

Will be going on 5th to 16th December. If train is cancelled, what’s the next option I should look at ?

Did you take the Shinkansen to Hokkaido to ? How was the journey like ? Are there any luggage compartment inside the train or I should arrange my luggage delivery to Sapporo instead ?

You might want to check out your Asahiyama Zoo visit whether the penguin walk started yet if that is one of your purpose of visiting the zoo... The schedule will probably be up ard late Nov or early dec...

 

[LifeIsJinHappy]

I don’t feel that the itinerary is too relaxed, still alright. But I’ve never been on a self-drive trip so can’t comment much. Noboribetsu to Otaru seems to me a little overbearing though with various capes to visit, we visited Marchen Crossing in the afternoon to find only many foods were already sold out (due to huge groups of PRC tourists).

Hm no choice haha, too packed due to the Unkai visit which shortened the Furano stay and probably too lazy to go back to Furano after Unkai. Hopefully can do Furano and Biei in 1 1/2 days if Otaru does spill over.

I'll add Marchen Crossing in! First time seeing it.

8D including Shiretoko, is this also a road trip? I wouldn’t want to rush through East Hokkaido. Would rather do a trip just to visit this area - summer, autumn or winter. Mine was 12D too, in winter, but the furthest we got to was Lake Shikaribetsu from Obihiro.

I think it's a tour or something. I'll just leave it for future trips.

Do stop over at those service areas aka Michi no Eki 道の駅 along your drive. Sometimes they serve local seasonal cuisine and souvenirs. And some come with great views.

Hope I get to pass by some of them, haven't planned my routes yet and don't know if I'll see any.

Thanks for the comments!

 

[thwysg]

Hm no choice haha, too packed due to the Unkai visit which shortened the Furano stay and probably too lazy to go back to Furano after Unkai. Hopefully can do Furano and Biei in 1 1/2 days if Otaru does spill over.

I'll add Marchen Crossing in! First time seeing it.

I think it's a tour or something. I'll just leave it for future trips.

Hope I get to pass by some of them, haven't planned my routes yet and don't know if I'll see any.

Thanks for the comments!

It’s called Marchen Crossroads where LeTAO main store and Otaru Orgel Museum are, not Crossings

Check the sticky on compilation of trip reports.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/compilation-trip-reports-3158981.html

The places I visited in Otaru. Mostly on food lol.. Been here during my Princess Cruise summer tour in 2015 - visited Tenguyama and Sankaku Ichiba.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/tokyo-hokkaido-trip-feb-2018-a-5722689-3.html

 

[tatsit]

I'm planning a 10 day scenic trip to Tokyo-Osaka next month, how is my itinerary:

Day 1
-Reach Tokyo
Check in hotel
Explore nearby

Day 2
-Explore Fuji lake and 5th station

Day 3
-Explore Nikko
Toshogu Shrine

Day 4
-Explore Tokyo
Asakusa
Western Tokyo

Day 5
-Check out Tokyo hotel
Shinkansen to Osaka
Check in Osaka hotel
Explore nearby

Day 6
-USJ

Day 7
-Explore Nara

Day 8
-Explore Kyoto

Day 9
-Explore Osaka

Day 10
-Check out and fly back

 

[evilerniex]

I'm planning a 10 day scenic trip to Tokyo-Osaka next month, how is my itinerary:

Day 1
-Reach Tokyo
Check in hotel
Explore nearby

Day 2
-Explore Fuji lake and 5th station

Day 3
-Explore Nikko
Toshogu Shrine

Day 4
-Explore Tokyo
Asakusa
Western Tokyo

Day 5
-Check out Tokyo hotel
Shinkansen to Osaka
Check in Osaka hotel
Explore nearby

Day 6
-USJ

Day 7
-Explore Nara

Day 8
-Explore Kyoto

Day 9
-Explore Osaka

Day 10
-Check out and fly back

I feel it is a bit packed if it is the first time u are going to these places.
Day trip to fuji and Nikko will be quite rushed due to the traveling time needed. Will be better to stay a day or two at each of those places.
One day for Kyoto also too rushed. Lots of attraction to cover in Kyoto.

 

[tatsit]

I feel it is a bit packed if it is the first time u are going to these places.
Day trip to fuji and Nikko will be quite rushed due to the traveling time needed. Will be better to stay a day or two at each of those places.
One day for Kyoto also too rushed. Lots of attraction to cover in Kyoto.

any recommendations for day trip? save the hassle of changing hotels

yeah, agreed kyoto kind of rushed. maybe i should change it to kobe or himeji? or just stay in osaka?

 

[evilerniex]

any recommendations for day trip? save the hassle of changing hotels

yeah, agreed kyoto kind of rushed. maybe i should change it to kobe or himeji? or just stay in osaka?

Day trips from osaka or Tokyo?
I think already too many day trips. Would suggest u drop either fuji or Nikko, or both. Coz u only have 1 full day in Tokyo, which is not enuf.
For osaka, maybe can do a second day trip to Kyoto? Day time go Kyoto, evening back in osaka for shopping/food

 

[tatsit]

Day trips from osaka or Tokyo?
I think already too many day trips. Would suggest u drop either fuji or Nikko, or both. Coz u only have 1 full day in Tokyo, which is not enuf.
For osaka, maybe can do a second day trip to Kyoto? Day time go Kyoto, evening back in osaka for shopping/food

Ok, i think will drop Nikko because wanted to see Fuji.

For Tokyo, for scenic, any recommendations?

Second day trip to Kyoto? Ok, sounds good

 

[evilerniex]

Ok, i think will drop Nikko because wanted to see Fuji.

For Tokyo, for scenic, any recommendations?

Second day trip to Kyoto? Ok, sounds good

For Tokyo, I feel the more scenic places are meiji shrine, sensoji, Tokyo tower, Tokyo skytree, and rainbow Bridge.
If u want natural scenery, then have to travel out of the city

 

[thwysg]

For Tokyo, I feel the more scenic places are meiji shrine, sensoji, Tokyo tower, Tokyo skytree, and rainbow Bridge.
If u want natural scenery, then have to travel out of the city

Next month? Early July - wet, humid and hot? Late July - hot.
New green for this time round. Might still be able to catch some flowers like hydrangea and fireflies for early July. Tanabata also if you’re in time.

 

[evilerniex]

Next month? Early July - wet, humid and hot? Late July - hot.
New green for this time round. Might still be able to catch some flowers like hydrangea and fireflies for early July. Tanabata also if you’re in time.

July to September is generally not good for japan. Coz is summer and also typhoon season. So either raining or too hot
Hitachi seaside park will be a good place to catch hydrangeas.

 

[tatsit]

I'm going on late July. Yeah, agree that it is not a good time to go, but it's quite a last min thing

 

[thwysg]

I'm going on late July. Yeah, agree that it is not a good time to go, but it's quite a last min thing

Think it’s subjective. I’ve been to Japan for summers 4 times. Late July - check for fireworks festivals. Sumida Fireworks in Tokyo and Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. See if you can make it for either one.

 

[evilerniex]

I'm going on late July. Yeah, agree that it is not a good time to go, but it's quite a last min thing

There is gion matsuri on 17 and 24 July, and tenjin matsuri on 25 July.
There are also a few fireworks festivals in the region during that period.

 

[thwysg]

There is gion matsuri on 17 and 24 July, and tenjin matsuri on 25 July.
There are also a few fireworks festivals in the region during that period.

Tenjin is a 2-day event. 24-25 July.