Third Japan trip help/advice

[moleman4eva]

A little context. My first visit, i went with my brother. Full 7 days in tokyo. Last year went with my wife for our honeymoon post covid. Did Tokyo-Nagano-Kyoto-Osaka. Planning this is when I found out about Wanderblog to plan. 10/10 best decision. Highlight during this trip was definitely Nagano. Due to my mistake of actually taking the train to Nagoya instead on Nagano, we ended spending only a day here. When we left we promised ourself we will be back to enjoy Nagano on less hectic schedule.

Fast forward. I have 8 of us planned for 8days7night this January. I have a few first timers in this trip as well. Im planning to split my days as such.

Land in Tokyo straight to Nagano for 3 nights before coming back to Tokyo for our 4 nights and flying out from there.

Im not too worried about my Tokyo itinerary. Im just unsure about the Nagano part. Last time I stayed at Shibu Onsen in a ryokan. This time due to the amount of people in this trip Im planning on staying in one of the hotels near Nagano then travelling to the required places. As of now I have the following places in mind.

- Jigokudani Monkey Park
- Togakushi Shrine
- Hakuba - City baker
- Kusatsu looked amazing but Im not sure i can make it work with my itinerary.

Question.
Is 3nights too much for Nagano. Is there something else I could be doing instead?

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[s7460597]

A little context. My first visit, i went with my brother. Full 7 days in tokyo. Last year went with my wife for our honeymoon post covid. Did Tokyo-Nagano-Kyoto-Osaka. Planning this is when I found out about Wanderblog to plan. 10/10 best decision. Highlight during this trip was definitely Nagano. Due to my mistake of actually taking the train to Nagoya instead on Nagano, we ended spending only a day here. When we left we promised ourself we will be back to enjoy Nagano on less hectic schedule.

Fast forward. I have 8 of us planned for 8days7night this January. I have a few first timers in this trip as well. Im planning to split my days as such.

Land in Tokyo straight to Nagano for 3 nights before coming back to Tokyo for our 4 nights and flying out from there.

Im not too worried about my Tokyo itinerary. Im just unsure about the Nagano part. Last time I stayed at Shibu Onsen in a ryokan. This time due to the amount of people in this trip Im planning on staying in one of the hotels near Nagano then travelling to the required places. As of now I have the following places in mind.

- Jigokudani Monkey Park
- Togakushi Shrine
- Hakuba - City baker
- Kusatsu looked amazing but Im not sure i can make it work with my itinerary.

Question.
Is 3nights too much for Nagano. Is there something else I could be doing instead?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Was thinking of Nagano but couldn't make it. Look at hakuba and Matsumoto.

 

[rrr2015]

- Jigokudani Monkey Park
- Togakushi Shrine
- Hakuba - City baker
- Kusatsu looked amazing but Im not sure i can make it work with my itinerary.

Question.
Is 3nights too much for Nagano. Is there something else I could be doing instead?

Any advice is much appreciated.

u could visit karuizawa. i think there's bus from karuizawa to kusatsu, best to stay a night there

 

[moleman4eva]

Decide to set aside hakuba for one day and another day for matsumoto and naraijuku

 

[ctan84]

A little context. My first visit, i went with my brother. Full 7 days in tokyo. Last year went with my wife for our honeymoon post covid. Did Tokyo-Nagano-Kyoto-Osaka. Planning this is when I found out about Wanderblog to plan. 10/10 best decision. Highlight during this trip was definitely Nagano. Due to my mistake of actually taking the train to Nagoya instead on Nagano, we ended spending only a day here. When we left we promised ourself we will be back to enjoy Nagano on less hectic schedule.

Fast forward. I have 8 of us planned for 8days7night this January. I have a few first timers in this trip as well. Im planning to split my days as such.

Land in Tokyo straight to Nagano for 3 nights before coming back to Tokyo for our 4 nights and flying out from there.

Im not too worried about my Tokyo itinerary. Im just unsure about the Nagano part. Last time I stayed at Shibu Onsen in a ryokan. This time due to the amount of people in this trip Im planning on staying in one of the hotels near Nagano then travelling to the required places. As of now I have the following places in mind.

- Jigokudani Monkey Park
- Togakushi Shrine
- Hakuba - City baker
- Kusatsu looked amazing but Im not sure i can make it work with my itinerary.

Question.
Is 3nights too much for Nagano. Is there something else I could be doing instead?

Any advice is much appreciated.

What's so enjoyable about Nagano that made you want to spend more time there?

 

[moleman4eva]

Really enjoyed the country vibe over there. Places like kusatsu/naraijuku are so amazing. Plus im trying to let my wife enjoy snowfall for the first time. Interestingly none of us is interested in skiing.

 

[ixora2007]

What's so enjoyable about Nagano that made you want to spend more time there

Nagano not as crowded as city, got nice country scenery.
Nice change from the usual city scene.
was less than 5 degree during day time and -0 degree at night or early morning.
Light snow on 1 of the morning when i was there last week.