Hello r/JapanTravel!
I will be travelling with my mum early April for a 14 day trip to these places as part of my quote unquote “grad trip” after finishing college and also to celebrate my sister’s birthday who currently resides in Sapporo, Hokkaido. I have been to Japan a total of 3 times, mostly in Hokkaido where my sister lives in and only ever once or twice in Tokyo for exchange flights.
So this is my first official trip to other parts of Japan and very new to what are in these places that we planned to stop by for sightseeing or places just to rest for a night. We will be travelling either via the local buses or the subway lines and we’ll be getting the Jr passes as well. The places stated are confirmed places we’re visiting. Any places from Tokyo onwards to Wakkanai that you would like to recommend to visit or to stop at will be greatly appreciated. Sister’s birthday will be celebrated in Wakkanai. We also plan to stay in budget accommodations, air bnbs, hostels or capsules, so we can use the extra money elsewhere during the trip.
About me: I do a lot of photography as a hobby, mainly architectural and landscape. Anywhere where you’ve taken pictures at, photography spots or any cheesy IG spots. Please do recommend. I love pastries and coffee, wouldn’t mind walking anywhere. Anything cultural like early visits to shrines and the like would be nice too. Also an art, history enjoyer/appreciator.
Mum: Fine with anything, pretty healthy her age.
**Arrival: Osaka**
**March 24**
* Arrive in Kansai International Airport 1540 (6 hour flight)
* Get Suica cards and 2 travel SIMs
* Take Nankai Limited Express Rapid Train to Namba station
* Travel 5-10mins to our accommodation at 4-chōme-15 Nipponbashi, Naniwa Ward
* Wander over to Dontonburi, Kinryu Ramen (Dinner), Wanaka Takoyaki (snacks)
* Glico Running Man
* FamilyMart for any forgotten toiletries
**March 25**
* Wake up and leave by 0800, get some quick bites/breakfast at Kuromon Market
* Travel to Osaka Castle
* Have lunch at Harukomen Hoten
* Walk downwards to Grenier for pastries
* Travel back and go to Lattice なんばマルイ店 to shop
* Get dinner at Tonkatsu Daiki
**March 26 (Leave for Kyoto)**
* Grab some breakfast before checking out by 830am
* Travel to Shin-Osaka station and take the 933am train
* Check in to air bnb within 5 min from Fushimi Inari station
* Make way to gion, mum wants to do the geisha makeover experience
* Explore Sanneizaka, split mid way as I go to Kiyomizu-dera temple
* Have dinner at Sushitetsu
* Recommendations for lunch or places to stop by in the areas?
**March 27**
* Wake up early and head to Fushimi Inari Shrine
* After awhile, head over to Tofuku-ji Tsutenkyo Temple (50/50)
* Stop by Nikishiki Market for lunch/quick bites
* Travel to the Arashiyama Bamboo forest
* Recommendations for dinner or places of interest?
**March 28 (Visit Nara before leaving for Odawara)**
* Check out by 830am and transport luggage items to Aomori
* Take local train to Nara (30mins)
* Pet deers at Nara park
* Have lunch at Kamaiki
* Get some mochi from Nakatanidou
* Travel back to Kyoto station and get on the 510pm train to Odawara
* Arrive around 810pm, check into Odawara Terminal Hotel
* Have dinner in the area (recommendations?)
**March 29 (Leave for Kawaguchiko)**
* Check out by 830am and make way to Fuji Subaru Line 5th station for sightseeing
* Have lunch (?)
* Check into hotel near Kawaguchiko station
* Get dinner (?)
* Places to check out please do recommend
**March 30 (Leave for Aomori)**
* Check out by 9am and make way to Aomori (6ish hours)
* Reach Aomori around 3-4pm. Retrieve luggage and check into accoms (TBD)
* Get dinner in the area
* Places to check out please do recommend
**March 31 (Leave for Aomori)**
* Check out of accoms and make way to Hakodate
* Recommendations!
**April 1 – 3 (Leave for Wakkanai)**
* Meet up with sister and travel to Wakkanai to celebrate her birthday there
* Leave on the 3rd (Monday) towards Sapporo, sister has work on Tuesday
* Further plans for Wakkanai has yet to be discussed, recommendations in the place is appreciated
**April 4 – 8 (Arrive in Sapporo)**
* Have yet to plan what to do, could travel out from Sapporo or stay in the area.
* Places to visit or check out please do recommend!
Quite a lengthy itinerary, but I am still planning it out even when I upload this. I just want to hear if you guys would have any places to recommend while I plan out this trip for my mum and I. Thank you in advance!
1 comment
You cannot get a Suica at KIX because suica is sold by JR East only. Instead you can get the Icoca card that can be used the same way and in the same places. You can get the Kansai One Pass instead, that is an Icoca card for tourist, it offer rebates in different locations.
If you go to from Osaka to somewhere close to Fushimi-Inari, then consider using the Keihan line from Osaka to Kyoto, getting to shin-osaka, I assume to get on the shinkansen would cost much more money and make the trip more complicated.