Hello! Looking for feedback on what will be my 3rd trip to Japan. I have spent some time on this draft and despite being used to travelling at an energetic pace, still feel like I could cut some areas from the itinerary to make it more enjoyable. I’m also aware of the summer heat + potential for delays due to rain/typhoon. Looking for your experiences and recommendations on what to keep/what to cut.
For reference, my first trip was solo, sakura season/golden week, for a project, 21 days Osaka – Hiroshima – Miyajima – Nara – Tokyo – Fuji – Kyoto – Kurashiki – Naoshima – Teshima – Miyajima again – Tokyo again.
My 2nd trip was with one friend, sakura season, 14 days Tokyo – Hakone – Kobe – Shimanami Kaido – Onomichi – Beppu – Yufuin – Oita – Takachiho – Aso – Osaka.
This 3rd trip will be with 3 friends, summer peak, 17 days through Tohoku and Hokkaido.
Because of the high demand with the festivals, the only housing options I could find were quite far away for those nights. I will keep an eye out for new reservation openings and hopefully move closer if possible. Italicized are the events that are key for me (yukata thrifting, Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, at least one matsuri, at least one onsen preferably nyuto for water quality).
**Sun July 28: TOKYO.** 5:50pm arrival, sort suica/JR, train 2Hr to Shinjuku for capsule check-in. Dinner+stroll near Shinjuku/Kabukicho.
**Mon July 29: TOKYO.** Harajuku area – *thrift for yukata/obi/geta, and thrift for second-hand manga/books.* No specific plans for early morning/late night – if up for it we can explore, otherwise rest. Need to figure out best way to store/ship books, because I don’t want to carry them throughout the trip.
**Tues July 30: TOKYO to KUSATSU.** Ekiben on train 4Hr to Kusatsu. Dinner kaiseki included in ryokan. Free onsen hopping: Jizo no yu, Shirahata no yu, Chiyo no yu.
**Weds July 31: KUSATSU to NIIGATA:** Breakfast included in ryokan. Ekiben on train 3.5Hr to Echigo-Yuzawa. Pick up rental car. Looking to reserve car rental and James Turrell *House of Light* lodging when it opens for reservations. Evening – some art field exploring, or rest.
**Thurs Aug 1: NIIGATA:** *Drive 45Min to Matsudai, 30Min to Tomakachi art field exploration.* Refill gas and 45Min return car at Echigo-Yuzawa. Walk 30Min to hotel (unsure taxi availability).
**Friday Aug 2: NIIGATA:** *Bus 1Hr to Kiyotsu Gorge.* Ideally beat morning rush but at mercy of bus schedule. Change (yukata + hair). *Train 2Hr to Nagaoka for Hanabi Matsuri* (long trip, but car feels difficult to park for major festival). Don’t miss last train back to Echigo-Yuzawa hotel.
**Sat Aug 3: NIIGATA to AKITA:** Ekiben on train. Long ride 6Hr to Akita hotel (rest or change for matsuri lol); check-in. *Train 1.5Hr to Kanto Matsuri.* Don’t miss last train back to hotel.
**Sun Aug 4: AKITA:** Train 2.5Hr to Nyuto; check into hotel. *Bus 1Hr to onsens – onsen hop via Yu Meguri Pass + wild outdoor onsens.* Last bus back to hotel is 5 or 6pm; not sure about taxi availability otherwise.
**Mon Aug 5: AKITA to AOMORI:** Ekiben on train; reserve *Shirakami Resort Joyful train 5Hr to Aomori along coast.* Transfer 1Hr to Hachinohe; check into hotel. Change for matsuri. *1Hr train to Aomori Nebuta Matsuri.* Don’t miss last train back to Hachinohe hotel.
**Tues Aug 6: AOMORI to HAKODATE:** 1Hr train to Aomori. Explore. 2.5HR to Hakodate; check into hotel. Dinner + night view Mt Hakodate.
**Weds Aug 7: HAKODATE to SAPPORO:** Morning market/seafood, explore. 4Hr train to Sapporo. Dinner at ramen yokocho or susukino. Not sure if Mt Moiwa is worth a visit for night view, having done Mt Hakodate the night before.
**Thurs Aug 8: SAPPORO to TOMAMU:** Curb market/nijo market/seafood. Pick from Makomanai cemetery and open air museum art park, Odori park area, beer museum. 45Min train to CTS to pick up car rental; drive 2.5Hr to Tomamu.
**Fri Aug 9: TOMAMU to FURANO to BIEI to TOMAMU:** *Very early morning to Unkai Terraces for cloud viewing.* 1.5Hr to Furano: Farm Tomita, Lavendar Fields. 30Min drive to BIEI – Shikisai no Oka, Blue Pond. Options for bike rental or Norroko open-window train. 1.5Hr drive back to Tomamu.
**Sat Aug 10: TOMAMU to NOBORIBETSU to SHIRAOI:** Very early morning second change at Unkai Terrace if no clouds previous day. 3.5Hr drive to Noboribetsu. Jigokudani hike + Oyunuma hot spring river. *Noboribetsu Daichi Takimotokan*, day onsen pass. 30Min to Shiraoi.
**Sun Aug 11: SHIRAOI to NOBORIBETSU to SAPPORO to NARITA:** Traditional Ainu Village/Potoro Lake area. 1.5Hr drive to CTS Airport. Refill gas and return car. CTS to NRT flight. Train 2Hr to Shinjuku for capsule check-in.
**Mon Aug 12: TOKYO:** Final morning, slow brunch or stroll or temple/shrine visit. 2Hr train to NRT. NRT departure flight at 6:40pm.
Please be kind with your responses! I see that fast-paced itineraries here will sometimes receive very harsh comments. Personally in a vacation I am looking adventure and excitement, and not relaxation and peace. That being said, I’m happy to receive your constructive suggestions and to hear what experiences you really liked/didn’t like. Thanks in advance!
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by clear_monday