Hi everyone, my partner and I want to travel to Japan (2 weeks) and Korea (1 week) this year in either September or October. Our itinerary is still a bit rough so I would love some input from you guys, especially regarding logistics.
This will be our second time visiting Japan (first time Korea) so we are mostly focused on Tokyo area and Hokkaido.
So the rough draft would be this:
Day 1-5: Seoul + Busan
*Day 6: Take ferry from Busan to Fukuoka, stay at hotel near airport*
*Day 7: Fly from Fukuoka to Sapporo + getting settled.*
Day 8-10: stuff around Sapporo, more suggestions welcome!
Odori Park
Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo
Sapporo Mt.Moiwa Ropeway
Tanuki-Koji
Shiroi koibito Park
Sapporo Beer Museum
Nikka Whiskey Distillery
*Day 11: Travel to Sounkyo by train/bus*
*Day 12: Walking around Sounkyo area / casual hiking / onsen*
*Day 13: Full day travel from Sounkyo -> Tokyo by train (12+ hours, seems like such a waste?)*
Day 14::Stuff in Tokyo
Day 15: Trip to Hakone and lodgings in Odawara
Day 16: See Fuji five lakes, travel back to Tokyo
Day 17 – 21: Stuff in Tokyo + Disney (ideas are welcome!)
So my main two concerns are the logistics with Busan -> Fukuoka -> Sapporo. I’m questioning if we would be better off by going back to Seoul by train and fly out to Sapporo from there. I like the idea of the ferry but I don’t know if it really adds to our trip. Are there any recommendations in Fukuoka so we could plan an extra day there?
My other concern is Sounkyo and if it is really worth it. My partner suggested it as a nice break from sightseeing and to include some nature, but I’m not big on hiking (I love walking, but I get scared easily with heights and uneven terrain). Are there other options we could do instead of Sounkyo that make more sense?
I’m opting for Korea first because it will be a new country for us, but if it ends up making more sense we could always do Japan first and then go to Korea.
Thanks in advance for all feedback and suggestions 🙂