For a 2nd visit, I’m seeking a less touristy Japan — cities, temples, nature, baseball, and food. Also going south to north to avoid rain. I am not an onsen person and want to do it all by public transport. I’d welcome a critique on the following, including (1) best JRpass to get, (2) the order of cities to visit and those to use as bases for visiting nearby areas. This is less a “seeing it all in as fast a time as possible” visit and more of an attempt to relax and take it all in.
Day 1: Tokyo — one night at arrival
Day 2: Tokyo touring (jet lag dealing) and afternoon train to Nikko (sleep Nikko)
\* Walking tours of Tokyo neighborhoods; possible visit to Imperial Palace garden
Day 3: Visit Nikko (sleep Nikko)
\* Visit Toshogu Shrine, lemitsu Mausoleum, and Rinnoji Temple, and Nikko National Park
Day 4: Train to Sendai (sleep Sendai)
\* Morning at Zuihoden Mausoleum, see Sendai Castle ruins, take Loople Sendai to sights, eat Gyuton
Day 5: Visit Hiraizumi and Geibikei Gorge (sleep Sendai)
\* Visit hūsonji Temple, Motsuji Temple, and the Takkoku Saikoji Temple – Bishamond. Take a bus to Geibikei Gorge. Take a boat ride and hike.
Day 6: Visit Matsushima Bay (sleep Sendai)
\* Take a cruise, visit Zuiganji Temple and Entsuin Temple
Day 7: Tour Sendai (sleep Sendai)
\*Visit Osaki Hachimang, visit Sendai Mediatheque, visit Sendai Asaichi market, and go to an Eagles game
Day 8: Visit Yamadera Temple (sleep Sendai)
\* Climb to the temple. Hike.
Day 9: Train to Morioka City (sleep Morioka City)
\* Visit Morioka Castle park, eat Soba, visit Morioka Machiya Monogatari Museum, depending on the weather, possible visit to Koiwai Farm
Day 10: Visit Kakunodate (sleep Morioka City)
\* Visit Ishiguro Samurai House, Kakunodate Historic Samurai Village, Denshokan Museum
Day 11: Train to Hachinohe. Visit and train to Aomari (sleep Aomari)
\* In Hachinohe, visit Hasshoku Center Fish Market, Korekawa Jomon Museum, Walk the Michinoku Coastal Trail
Day 12: Visit Hirosaki (sleep Aomori)
\* Take Dotemachi Loop Bus, see Hirosaki Castle grounds, take walking tour
Day 13: Visit Aomori (sleep Aomari)
\* Visit Wa-Rasse Museum, visit A-Factory OR travel to Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge
Day 14: Train to Hakodate (sleep Hakodate)
\* Visit Hakodate Magistrate’s Office, visit The Old Souma House, visit Hachimangu Shrine
Day 15: Visit Hakodate (sleep Hakodate)
\* Visit Hakodate Morning Market, visit Motomachi area, visit Goryokaku park
Day 16: Train to Noboribetsu, visit and then train to Sapporo (sleep Sapporo)
\* In Noboribetsu, visit Hell Valley, walk to Oyunuma Pond
Day 17: Visit Sapporo (sleep Sapporo)
\* Visit Beer Museum, walk botanical gardens, see Sapporo Clock Tower, visit Odori Park
Day 18: Visit Otaru (sleep Sapporo)
\* Visit the Sankaku Market, walk along the Otaru Canal, spend time on Sakaimachi Street, see the clock at the Otaru Music Box Museum
Day 19: Fly from CTS to Tokyo (sleep Tokyo)
2 comments
Depending on the time of year, “[The Hokkaidō Love 6-Day Pass](https://japancheapo.com/travel/limited-time-only-the-hokkaido-love-6-day-pass/)” is sometimes available. This pass is a great way to save money when touring Hokkaido for a few days.
What time of year are you going? I’m going in late September, early October, and I’m also thinking along these lines, as I did the Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka thing last time.
Is there a reason you’re spending the most nights in Sendai? I’m not familiar with it at all.