First time going to Japan! Arriving on 10/2 in the morning (NRT) and leaving 27/2 in the morning
Have only booked a 2 day stay at a ryokan in Kusatsu so far so still pretty flexible. There’s so much to do.
10/2 – touchdown in Narita International
* Going straight to Fukushima to check out Tadami Snow Festival
12/2 – morning train to Hirosaki
* Catching the last day of Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
14/2 – morning train to Kusatsu
* Booked a stay at a ryokan for 2 days (kaiseki breakfast and dinner)
* Plan is just to stay in various onsens and relax
* Thinking of extending the stay at a cheaper place for a couple more days?
16/2 – afternoon train to Tokyo
* Traveling around tokyo to take in the sites, eat food, and shop
* Tokyo Skytree
* Golden Gai
* Teamlab Planets
* Tokyo Tower
* Hachiko Memorial Statue
* Shrine Run
* Hie Shrine
* Kaminarimon Gate
* Imperial Palace
* Zojo-ji
* Senso-ji
* Food places
* Nakiryu
* Akasuka Fukinuki
* Ramen Mutekiya
* Tsukiji fish market
* Sanji Ramen
* Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku
* Rokkasen
I was thinking of going to Kyoto for Baikasai Plum Blossom Festival on 25/2 but not sure if it’s worth it (would prefer to be closer to the airport towards the end of the trip, and also cost wise).
Also – should I buy a 7 day JR pass or 14?
1 comment
With your itinerary, you have to choose whether you will go to Kansai – then a 14 day pass will become viable.
Otherwise – JR East Tohoku Pass plus paying out of the pocket for Kusatsu to Tokyo leg makes more sense.
Thus said, you can also make a 2-3 day trip to Izu Peninsula to see *Kawazuzakura* and enjoy Odawara Plum Blossoms festival (use JR East’s Tokyo Wide Pass), as well as enjoy the hikes, Izu Shaboten Zoo, Shimoda.