A friend (23F) and I (21F) will be going in Mid December from Australia. It will be our first time skiing in Japan. She is a more advanced skiier where I am more beginner-intermediate. We also want to re-explore the big 3, see the night life, go shopping and immerse ourself in the culture. Wed 11/12 to Tue 24/12
Pre-arrival: Create a VJW account for smooth entry through customs. Exchange money. Purchase eSIM
Day 1: Late arrival to Haneda Airprt at 9:15pm
Option a: Organise IC/Suica. Stay overnight in a capsule hotel then leave for Osaka the next day
Option b: Night Bus straight to osaka after flight (cheaper but it may be too intense)
Day 2: Osaka
AM: Drop off luggage at the hotel/ryokan and take the day slowly exploring
PM: Dotonburi at night
Day 3: Osaka USJ
Will take the whole day
Day 4: Kyoto Day Trip
Won’t be able to cover much in one day and will focus on a few things.
\- Nishiki market
\- Gion
\- Kiyozumi-Dera
\- Pontocho alley
\- Fushiri inami taisha
Day 5: Nara Half Day Trip
AM: Forward Luggage to Hakuba Valley. Check out of the hotel/ryokan and have a half day trip in Nara
\- Nara Park
\- Todaiji temple
\- Kasuga taisha
\- Eat Nakatanido Yomogi Mochi
PM: Travel to Hakuba Valley (will take approximately 6 hours via train and bus). Late check-in at Hakuba
Day 6: Hakuba
AM: Organise gear. Start with Tsugaike
Day 7: Hakuba
Try Happo one
Day 8: Hakuba
Choose a ski resort for the day
Day 9: Hakuba
Choose a resort for the day
Day 10: Hakuba
AM: Forward Luggage to Tokyo? Final day of skiing.
PM: Return ski gear. Return to Tokyo (approximately 3 hours via train)
Day 11: Hakone
AM: Day trip to Hakone from Tokyo
PM: Tattoo friendly onsen (will hopefully have better chances going outside of peak hours)
Day 12: Tokyo
AM: Explore Northeast Tokyo (Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara)
PM: Go out to Shinjuku
Day 13: Tokyo
AM: Southeast Tokyo (Oidaba, teamlab Planets). Seeing teamlab is a priority
PM: Go out to Roppongi
Day 14: Half day in Tokyo
AM: Southwest Tokyo (Harajuku, Shibuya). Buy souvenirs. I have started a list of everything I plan to buy.
PM: Arrive at Haneda airport for flight at 9:30pm
We have epic passes and want to utilise all 5 days skiing. We will be spending most of the trip within the Kanto region but I feel that it would be a shame to not go to Osaka/Kyoto. Is the trip to Hakone worth it or should I drop it for something else? Never been but onsen sounds nice after all the skiing. I would be interested in seeing the monkey park on a detour. From what I have researched so far it may take a few days to forward luggage from different regions. Suggestions for Day 4 and 5 especially would be appreciated
by lonelysaad