Hi all
I have been to Japan a few times (7 weeks total), but always in either March/April (around cherry blossom) and November (foilage season), and they have all been around Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa, Toyama, Takayama and Hiroshima and never in the northern part. I have now decided to visit Japan in a few weeks to visit Hokkaido (for the first time) and do some hiking. Having never been to Hokkaido or done any hiking in Japan, I am looking for a little input on my trip, in particular as I will be traveling during Obon week. I will be traveling solo this time and my main interests are (i) food, (ii) specialty coffee and (iii) hiking.
My itinerary currently looks like this:
Sunday 11 August
Arrive at around 8 AM (after approx. 13 hours flight), check in to the hotel and head for my favorite coffee shop (Glitch). Spend the day around Tokyo adjusting to the jetlag and hopefully not get to bed too late.
Monday 12 August
Grab a morning coffee, potentially to Tsukiji fish market and get some nice sushi for lunch before flying to Sapporo.
Afternoon in Sapporo getting some good ramen and walking around a park. I'll be renting a car from the airport and driving to the city.
Tuesday 13 August
Either spend the day in Sapporo or Otaru – not sure whether the trip to Otaru makes sense with my main interests? I would be driving for a few hours towards Asahikawa towards the afternoon for my accomodation. Would probably have dinner in Asahikawa.
Wednesday 14 August
Hike Asahidake mountain in the morning. Spend the afternoon/evening around Biei.
Thursday 15 August
Hike Tokachi mountain in the morning. Spend the afternoon/evening around Furano (does this make sense after having been to Biei?).
Friday 16 August
Spend the morning in Furano seeing the flower fields etc. and drive back to the airport for a flight back to Tokyo. Spend the evening in Shinjuku where I'll stay the night.
Saturday 17 August
Take the morning bus to Gotemba and the shuttle bus to Subashiri 5th station for a hike up Mt. Fuji. Currently have Upper Edoya (kami-edoya) booked for the night, but considering it is a Saturday during Obon week, I am quite worried that there will be too many people on the trail (especially as the Yoshida trail is now limited to 4,000 people and there is no limit on the Subashiri trail).
Sunday 18 August
Hike up the last part of Mt. Fuji to see the sunrise and head back down via the Yoshida trail and take the bus back to Tokyo. Spend the afternoon chilling at the hotel around Ginza and have a fulfilling dinner.
Monday 19 August
Spend the day around Tokyo, probably going to Yoyogi park or another park in Tokyo (weather dependant), hit some nice coffee shops (never been to Fuglen at Yoyogi but that is high up on my list) or even another visit to Kaffee Mameya (have been to both branches previously). Trying to get a table at Jambo Hanare for dinner, but nothing available yet.
Tuesday 20 August
Morning coffee at Glitch before heading to the airport for the flight home.
With respect to the Mt. Fuji hike, I have also just managed to secure a spot at the Lower Edoya (shita-edoya) for Sunday 18 August, in which case I could shift my itinerary by one day and stay two nights in Tokyo at the beginning and only one night at the end. This would avoid hiking Mt. Fuji on the Saturday during Obon week, but its obviously still a weekend day. Would there be fewer people on the trail considering that fewer people are likely to be overnighting and see the sunrise at Mt. Fuji on Monday morning? Almost all mountain huts on Mt. Fuji are fully booked on both days, so I am not sure if it makes a difference?
By shifting the trip by one day, I would also be able to get a table at Sushi Ryujiro (although at the second counter) on 12 August, which I would like to try. Alternatively, I guess it shouldn't be too difficult to secure a table at another nice omakase sushi restaurant for one person on Monday 19 August considering it will no longer be Obon week then.
What do you think about the itinerary? Any suggested changes or stuff I am missing out on?
by Japanofiletraveler