Hello!
I am going to Japan with a friend from June 3-26. I have been to Japan twice and it will be my friend’s first time in Japan. My biggest concern is our first week in north Japan. I may have added too much to the schedule and any tips would be helpful!
Our days in Tokyo and Osaka are unplanned so far because we are with another group of friends during that time and waiting on their schedule.
**June 3 8:00pm (arrive in Narita)**
-crash at the airport overnight and take the first train in the morning to Aomori
**June 4 (Aomori)**
-activate JR Pass (21 days)
-train to Aomori
-apple dishes, beer/deer meat, 300m wooden bridge, check out city
**June 5 (Noboribetsu)**
-Train to Noboribetsu in morning
-Hell valley, Hike to Jigokudani
-stay in ryokan at night
**June 6-8 (Sapporo)**
*June 6*: train to Sapporo
– check into hotel and explore Sapporo
Hokkaido Jingu (Shrine), Shiroikobito Park, Odori Park, Clock Tower, TV Tower, Sapporo beer garden
*June 7*: flex day (maybe day trip to Asahikawa)
*June 8*: day trip to Yoichi and Otaru
*June 9*: Explore Sapporo more
-train to Hakodate at night
**June 9 (Hakodate)**
-Hakodate morning market
-mt Hakodate observatory, brick warehouses, goryokaku, motomachi
-train to Tokyo at night
**June 10-13 (Tokyo)**
-we are joining a group of friends in Tokyo
**June 14-18 (Osaka)**
-with the same group of friends
**June 19-20 (Hiroshima)**
*June 19*: train to Hiroshima
-Atomic bomb dome, peace memorial, Hiroshima castle, Nagarekawa at night
*June 20*: Miyajima Island
-Misen mountain cable car, maritime shrine, shopping streets
-Hondori shopping street at night in Hiroshima
**June 21-22 (Onomichi – Omishima)**
*June 21*: train to Onomichi, leave luggage at lockers for 2 days, rent bicycles
-Cycle the shimanami Kaido to Omishima
*June 22*: Omishima to Imabari
-train back to Onomichi and grab luggage
-train to Hakone
**June 23-24 (Hakone)**
-onsen hotel and explore hakone
**June 25-26 (Tokyo)**
-flex days for anything we might’ve missed in Tokyo
-fly out of Narita airport June 26 at night
**JR Pass**
I am thinking of getting the 21 day JR pass and I’ve done rough calculations that show the 21 day pass is worth it. We are bringing one checked luggage each.
Is there a chance that the JR pass does not work well for the areas listed?
Our between city travels are:
Tokyo – Aomori
Aomori – Noboribetsu
Noboribetsu – Sapporo
Sapporo – Otaru/Yoichi
Sapporo – Hakodate
Hakodate – Tokyo
Tokyo – Osaka – Hiroshima
Hiroshima – Onomichi
Onomichi – Hakone – Tokyo
**Thank you for reading!**
2 comments
I love Hokkaido, but that’s way too much train time for me.
* Aomori ~4H
* Noboribetsu ~ 4.5 H
* Hakodate ~ 4 H
* Tokyo ~ 6.5 H
* Osaka ~ 3H
* Hakone ~ 6H
You’re sitting at a minimum of 28 hours on the train. That’s not including all the small 1-2 hour trips you’re making in between, which probably puts you over 40.
If you really want to do Hokkaido, do it right. Dedicate it to its own separate trip or I’d revise the itinerary so you aren’t backtracking as much.
However, if this is what you’re set on, i’d probably fly from Tokyo to a city in Hokkaido and then work your way down south. Still too much train for my liking.
I’d look at places in Chubu / Kansai / Kanto that you haven’t been to and see if you can utilize your time to experience those places instead.
Agree with previous poster about flying, especially since you will be at Narita Airport. It’s not even like you have to travel to get to an airport, you’re right there!
I’d fly to Sapporo probably. I would look to see if your ryokan in Noboribetsu offers a free or discounted shuttle from Sapporo since some do.
I would also think long and hard about doing the Onomichi bike ride because June is hot and humid and can be rainy. I mean maybe those are not issues for you, but I know a lot of people who the heat and humidity at least are definite negatives.
I think late June is the best time to visit Hakone, since it is hydrangea season and they run special hydrangea trains at night. If you’re not into flowers then you might not find it as lovely as I do.