Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[Delardino]

Doing some early planning for my April trip, will land and return at Hiroshima. 12d/12n, 13th day is a morning flight.

Must Go
2Days Hiroshima & Miyajima
3Days Osaka, Kyoto & Amanohashidate
2Days Takayama & Shirakawago

Considering
2Days Nagoya (Day trips to Matsumoto & Kiso Valley)
2Days Fukuoka
1 more day pending

Need some ideas to sort out the places because headache abt transport passes.
5 days Hiro-Kansai Pass & 7 Days JR Pass
5 days Hiro-Yamaguchi Area Pass & 7 Days JR Pass
5 days Hiro-Kansai Pass, 5 Days Taka-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass & a 1 way shinkansen back to Hiro on last night (if this option then Fukuoka & Nagoya is out,got to chg to Kanazawa? and any rec.)

Any recommendations or places which is along the route worth to stop by?
I did Kansai 10days last year, so Himeji Kobe Nara is out.

 

[evilerniex]

Doing some early planning for my April trip, will land and return at Hiroshima. 12d/12n, 13th day is a morning flight.

Must Go
2Days Hiroshima & Miyajima
3Days Osaka, Kyoto & Amanohashidate
2Days Takayama & Shirakawago

Considering
2Days Nagoya (Day trips to Matsumoto & Kiso Valley)
2Days Fukuoka
1 more day pending

Need some ideas to sort out the places because headache abt transport passes.
5 days Hiro-Kansai Pass & 7 Days JR Pass
5 days Hiro-Yamaguchi Area Pass & 7 Days JR Pass
5 days Hiro-Kansai Pass, 5 Days Taka-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass & a 1 way shinkansen back to Hiro on last night (if this option then Fukuoka & Nagoya is out,got to chg to Kanazawa? and any rec.)

Any recommendations or places which is along the route worth to stop by?
I did Kansai 10days last year, so Himeji Kobe Nara is out.

since u are landing in hiroshima, y not focus on chugoku region and visit places that are covered by kansai-hiroshima pass or sanyo-sanin pass?
u can visit kinosaki onsen, tottori, yamaguchi etc.

the places u have identified are spread out over chugoku, kansai and chubu region, which makes it very hard to find passes to cover then all. would have been more ideal if u land in kansai airport.

nevertheless, based on the must-go places u have listed, u may want to consider getting kansai-hokuriku are pass. get single trip tickets to get from hiroshima to okayama then use the pass to travel kansai and hokuriku area. return back to okayama and get single trip ticket again to return to hiroshima.

 

[taquito]

is it possible to go to japan without any itinerary ? just stay in one spot and use public transport to wander around everyday..

 

[thwysg]

is it possible to go to japan without any itinerary ? just stay in one spot and use public transport to wander around everyday..

Depends on which part of Japan you're wandering. November is a busy month for autumn colors in Tokyo and Kyoto and areas near these two.

I suppose you've not secured your flight tickets and lodging since you were asking about it in another thread. If you're heading to Tokyo and Kyoto, chances are you might have low chances of finding good lodging or any over the weekend.

 

[Ruriel]

is it possible to go to japan without any itinerary ? just stay in one spot and use public transport to wander around everyday..

Can anyone recommend the best area/spot to stay if i am going to just tour around using the bullet train ? Thanks!

are flights to japan in Nov cheap ? which is the best capsule hotel to stay?

hey bro, do you know any guide/website for tips for 1st time solo travel to tokyo? can i just go there empty-handed and just book on the spot? do you recommend capsule hotel?

Saw many of your posts all over this subforum (some in edmw too, in AHSS Japan trip thread). I'll try and lump them all together for you to get the bigger picture.

1) Flights to Japan is not cheap. If you want cheap flights, you must look out for sale fares by budget airlines. If you want to just suddenly last minute buy a flight out, "pack and go without itinerary", then no it's not cheap.

2) Google "Best capsule hotel in Tokyo".

3) You don't just "tour around using bullet train" if you don't intend to do any planning or reading up. First of all, shinkansen is to travel from region to region. You take shinkansen from Kanto (eg Tokyo) to Kansai (eg Kyoto), for example. You don't take shinkansen to and fro within a big city (eg Tokyo), like Shinjuku to Shibuya. If you don't intend to do ANY kind of planning at all, I suggest you just stay around Tokyo station (easiest for you to get around and you only need to learn how to get to/fro the airport from hotel) and take their normal trains to visit the areas within Tokyo like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, etc.

Last but not least, it is possible to go ANYWHERE in the world without an itinerary or prior planning. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world to do that. Just buy an airticket, fly in to your destination, grab a cab and go to the hotel that people recommended you, drop off your bags and explore on your foot from there. But you are losing out on many things and experience, as well as the whole cost of the trip (with no planning or itinerary you wouldn't know the cheapest way to go about going place A or B or C), especially when you have already taken leave from work (I'm assuming you are working) and already paid so much for the airticket.

If you are really really lazy to read up, then go with a tour group. If you hate tour groups and really want to explore Japan on your own, then either start off by reading up and plan your trip, or you can of course just let your wanderlust bite and "go there empty handed and book on the spot", "without any itinerary". You are just not getting the best bang for your bucks, if you decide to choose the latter. But it's your money anyway...

 

[Wham]

Hi Guys, planning our (wifey and 15yr old boy) first trip to Sapporo this November. (20-29Nov17)
Need some help and suggestions for my itinerary appended below.

Day 1 Arrived CTS at noon, Shuttle bus to Noboribetsu (stay Sekisui Tei @ Noboribetsu) Geyser in Sengen Park,Jigokudani (Hell Valley), Oyunuma Lake, Oyunuma Brook Natural Footpath
Day 2 Day trip to Lake Toya, Lake Toya foot bath , Lake Hill farm
Day 3 Shuttle to Sapporo, visit some tourist attractions around hotel, Dinner at Sapporo Beer Garden (stay Hotel Montery Edelhof)
Day 4 Breakfast at Nijo market, visit Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park. Mount Moiwa in the evening
Day 5 Day trip to Otaru
Day 6 Reserved for day trip- any suggestions?
Day 7 Mitsui Outlet Park shopping
Day 8 Seafood @ Sapporo Wholesale Curb Market, Hokkaido Shrine, Shopping @ Tanukikoji Street
Day 9 Depart for Singapore

Should I squeeze my day 4 activities into day 3 so that I can free up another day for a day trip? Any ideas/suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

[evilerniex]

Hi Guys, planning our (wifey and 15yr old boy) first trip to Sapporo this November. (20-29Nov17)
Need some help and suggestions for my itinerary appended below.

Day 1 Arrived CTS at noon, Shuttle bus to Noboribetsu (stay Sekisui Tei @ Noboribetsu) Geyser in Sengen Park,Jigokudani (Hell Valley), Oyunuma Lake, Oyunuma Brook Natural Footpath
Day 2 Day trip to Lake Toya, Lake Toya foot bath , Lake Hill farm
Day 3 Shuttle to Sapporo, visit some tourist attractions around hotel, Dinner at Sapporo Beer Garden (stay Hotel Montery Edelhof)
Day 4 Breakfast at Nijo market, visit Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park. Mount Moiwa in the evening
Day 5 Day trip to Otaru
Day 6 Reserved for day trip- any suggestions?
Day 7 Mitsui Outlet Park shopping
Day 8 Seafood @ Sapporo Wholesale Curb Market, Hokkaido Shrine, Shopping @ Tanukikoji Street
Day 9 Depart for Singapore

Should I squeeze my day 4 activities into day 3 so that I can free up another day for a day trip? Any ideas/suggestions would be very much appreciated.

I think ur squeeze day 3 and 4 will be too packed already. Just take it easy and go at a relax pack.
How about going shiroi kobito choc factory on day 6?

 

[Wham]

I think ur squeeze day 3 and 4 will be too packed already. Just take it easy and go at a relax pack.
How about going shiroi kobito choc factory on day 6?

Thanks evilerniex fror the suggestion.
Do I need to spend a day there?
I'm looking at something that is within 2 hours train ride day trip.

 

[thwysg]

Thanks evilerniex fror the suggestion.
Do I need to spend a day there?
I'm looking at something that is within 2 hours train ride day trip.

If you're taking the subway from Odori station, it's only 30min including walking. 3-4 hours perhaps? No need full day.
http://www.shiroikoibitopark.jp/access/

 

[oceanicmanta]

@wham - I recommend a day trip to Asahidake, the highest mountain in Hokkaido.
You shld check weather forecast 2 days & day before the trip. Go only when the weather is fine.
Also check that ropeway is operating.
Google for live cam pictures of Asahidake Sugatami Ropeway Station.
JR to Asahikawa (1.5hrs), then public bus to Asahidake ropeway (1.5hr), Cable Car (20mins) .. a bit of hassle using public transport. Start early. You can spend 1.5-2hrs around Sugatami station if weather is good.
There will be a lot of snow. Snow boots are free to rent at Sugatami ropeway station.
Can stay a night at Asahikawa - many hotel options & cheap.
It will be a memorable experience.

 

[oceanicmanta]

@wham - I recommend a day trip to Asahidake, the highest mountain in Hokkaido.
You shld check weather forecast 2 days & day before the trip. Go only when the weather is fine.
Also check that ropeway is operating.
Google for live cam pictures of Asahidake Sugatami Ropeway Station.
JR to Asahikawa (1.5hrs), then public bus to Asahidake ropeway (1.5hr), Cable Car (20mins) .. a bit of hassle using public transport. Start early. You can spend 1.5-2hrs around Sugatami station if weather is good.
There will be a lot of snow. Snow boots are free to rent at Sugatami ropeway station.
Can stay a night at Asahikawa - many hotel options & cheap.
It will be a memorable experience.

Scratched the idea ... the ropeway is closed 11 Nov to 10 Dec for maintenance

 

[Wham]

Scratched the idea ... the ropeway is closed 11 Nov to 10 Dec for maintenance

Thanks oceanicmanta. Have to look elsewhere.

 

[rain_myth]

left 70+ days to my first jpn trip

jin nervous.....

 

[codexboy]

Going for 2 weeks in end Oct with my parents.

First trip to japan, planning to do Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka (nara, kobe etc).

Any suggestions? should i stop by hakone enroute from tokyo to kyoto. ALthough i heard the hida valley is more scenic

 

[evilerniex]

Going for 2 weeks in end Oct with my parents.

First trip to japan, planning to do Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka (nara, kobe etc).

Any suggestions? should i stop by hakone enroute from tokyo to kyoto. ALthough i heard the hida valley is more scenic

hida is in Gifu, Chubu region, which is a bit out of the way from the place u are going. as a first trip, maybe it will be easier to stick to Tokyo kyoto osaka. yes, u can do hakone enroute from tokyo to kyoto

are u landing in tokyo, and departing from kansai airport?

 

[evilerniex]

left 70+ days to my first jpn trip

jin nervous.....

shld be looking forward instead of being nervous!

u have already done ur planning, so just enjoy the trip, be flexible and play by ear.

 

[rabbit1]

I have 3 days in Kyoto and I'm not sure what to do in day 3. Anyone has any suggestions? ((
And BTW those anyone know if Kiyomizudera is worth a visit since it's currently covered up and undergoing major works?


My day 1&2 plans:
Day 1- Visit Arashiyama, bamboo forest, monkey park and golden pavilion
Day 2- Visit the Torri gates, some temples with Koyo colours and Kiyomizudera.

 

[Swiftyz]

I'll be going to kawaguchiko in Dec and staying for a night there. Anyone got recommendations for the whole day there? Looking to spend it with gf in romance!

 

[Ruriel]

I have 3 days in Kyoto and I'm not sure what to do in day 3. Anyone has any suggestions? ((
And BTW those anyone know if Kiyomizudera is worth a visit since it's currently covered up and undergoing major works?


My day 1&2 plans:
Day 1- Visit Arashiyama, bamboo forest, monkey park and golden pavilion
Day 2- Visit the Torri gates, some temples with Koyo colours and Kiyomizudera.

I think different people have different expectations when travelling. I went to kiyomizudera when they just started boarding up (still can see view from main hall, just got some skeletal frames blocking a bit of the view) and to be honest I didn't spend much time there. I spent more time looking at the landscape from other areas of kiyomizudera. So for some, the main hall is the main attraction, but actually not that much for me. I enjoy the rest of the temple grounds as well. So it's really up to individual...

 

[codexboy]

hida is in Gifu, Chubu region, which is a bit out of the way from the place u are going. as a first trip, maybe it will be easier to stick to Tokyo kyoto osaka. yes, u can do hakone enroute from tokyo to kyoto

are u landing in tokyo, and departing from kansai airport?

Landing and flying tokyo, so im thinking 4 days in tokyo first, hakone 2 days, kyoto/osaka/nara etc in the middle, then spend last 3 days back in tokyo