Hello all, visiting Tokyo and the areas nearby in May for a couple of weeks! I will be travelling alone and my interests lie in nature (simple hikes) and visiting quaint Japanese towns 🙂
I didn’t want to go to the likes of Kyoto, Osaka and Takayama as I have been there before, so I thought I would check out Tokyo and the (relatively) nearby areas this time around
**Days 1-3**
Arrive in Tokyo in the morning, get a train to Nagoya.
In addition to Nagoya itself, I would like to see at least 2 of Tsumago, Magome and Gujo Hachiman.
**Day 4**
Take a train to Tateyama to spend the day at the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, before arriving in Matsumoto.
**Day 5**
Staying in Matsumoto, probably visit the Matsumoto castle and the art museum.
Also considering to just spend the day hiking at Kamikochi and Taisho Ike Pond.
Or can I do all of the above in 1 day?
**Day 6**
Take the Limited Express ‘Shinano’ service to Nagano Station, from where I will take a limited express service from Nagano to Yudanaka before going to Shibu Onsen to hopefully catch the Snow Monkeys.
**Day 7**
Going around Shibu Onsen to do the 9 healing hot springs.
**Day 8**
Head to Tokyo via Nagano where I will spend the rest of my trip.
This day will likely be spent settling down in the city and the neighbourhood.
**Days 9 – 13**
Exploring Tokyo in general, including day trips to at least 2 of Hakone, Mt. Nokogiri and Kawagoe.
Questions I currently have :
1. So far nothing much in Nagoya seems to interest me – should I spend a night or two at one of the towns listed above / Kiso Valley instead? My worry here is the luggage I will be taking with me.
2. Another dilemma I have is whether to reduce the time I have in Tokyo for 1 more day in Matsumoto for the Kamikochi alps, assuming I can’t do that and checking out Matsumoto itself within the same day. However, doing so would mean I would have to cut 1 of the 3 day trips for Tokyo, all of which I am keen on going
Thanks for reading and any advice is welcome :))
2 comments
I haven’t done this, but unless you have a mandatory reason, why stay somewhere that isn’t interesting to you?
What if you went directly to Matsumoto instead of Nagoya and did day trips from there, then pick up your plans in Day 6? Less lodging changes, more time to do other things.
Day 4 bothers me in that you have a long train journey to get to the Alpine route where the recommended time allowance is 6-7 hours. It is do-able but rushed if as you say you like to hike and there are a number of scenic trails available.
I would consider going to Toyama on your first day or on your last afternoon in Nagoya. You would then be able to make an early start on the Alpine Route. I like your decision to go to Matsumoto after completing the Route as it’s the most convenient. If you do go to Toyama on day 1 you may be able to squeeze in a Kurobe Gorge Railway excursion depending on timing.