Hello all! I have visited Japan once before and spent 2 weeks across Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto. It was a winter trip, and I had an amazing time. Next summer, my wife and I are going to do a follow up trip. I have a month available (June 15-July 15), but I currently only have about 3 weeks planned out.
I’d love to hear any comments regarding “add this” or “skip that”. I’m putting general details for each day, but nothing crazy detailed yet. I can add UP TO 6 more days to this trip, keep as is, or even reduce. God willing we’ll have a vaccine by then because I want to do this trip insanely badly. I also have a lot of Chase points burning a hole in my pocket.
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Day 0: Arrive in Tokyo (Haneda) mid-day
**Day 1:** Tokyo. Nakameguro, Shinjuku Gyoen Park. Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama (love this place)
**Day 2**: Tokyo. Shibuya Sky. Tokyo Whiskey Library. Kyubey for sushi.
**Day 3:** train to Kawaguchiko: Stay at Konansou. Ropeway.
**Day 4**: Miyajima. Stay at Iwaso, climb to top of Daishoin.
**Day 5**: Miyajima (day trip to Hiroshima, visit Peace memorial…eat okonomiyaki)
**Day 6**: Train to Osaka. Explore city, Dotonburi. See Baseball game at Osaka Dome. (or another night, as schedule allows)
**Day 7**: Osaka (morning trip to Yamazaki)
**Day 8**: Osaka (morning trip to Himeiji Castle)
**Day 9**: Osaka. Umeda Sky Building at night, Tanoji Park.
**Day 10**: Fly to Sapporo. Odari Park, Sapporo Beer museum
**Day 11**: Sapporo. Bicycle tour.
**Day 12**: Sapporo (Otaru day trip) Music Box museum. Mt. Tengu, Otaru canals
**Day 13**: Drive to Asahikawa (through Furano and Biei)
**Day 14**: Daisetsuzan National Park. Kurodake ropeway + hike
**Day 15**: Shiretoko National Park. Find hikes.
**Day 16**: Shiretoko National Park. Find hikes.
**Day 17**: to Mashu National Park. Find hikes.
**Day 18**: to Noboribetsu. Stay at ryokan, hot springs, hell valley.
**Day 19**: Lake Toya. Go kayaking
**Day 20**: Hakodate – Mt. Hakodate hike at night, Motomachi, Gorykaku.
**Day 21**: Hakodate – Morning market, Tsugaru fort,
**Day 22:** Fly to Tokyo, Disneyland. Wife is huge Disney fan—we went here last time and I have to say it was pretty fun.
**Day 23**: Tokyo Disney Sea
**Day 24**: Fly home
4 comments
Hey! I have a few thoughts on your Hokkaido itinerary, but first a question – will you be renting a car here?
Day 4 : Kawaguchiko to Miyajima will take a long time. So you will not have that much time to visit Miyajima on the day you are going. The big problem is that Kawaguchiko is not really on the way to the Kansai area. The two ways to do it are either to return to Toyko or take a bus to Mishima station to take the shinkansen from there.
Day 8 : Why not stop by Himeji when you pass by ? This sound like a waste of time in the train to me, especially when in your plan you already pass by twice.
Why not do Kawaguchiko to Osaka. One the way to Miyajima stop by Himeiji and fly to Sapporo from Hiroshima. For me that would me much more effective.
If you are to add a couple of days, you can easily take more time to move between Osaka and Hiroshima and stop in different location such as Okayama, Kurashiki and Onomichi just to name some options.
Depending on the baseball schedule, you can also check for games in Tokyo area, Hiroshima or Sapporo, unless it’s Tigers or nothing.
As a side note, it’s Dotonbori not Dotonburi.
Another nice day trip from Osaka would be Mount Koya.
If you are in Kawaguchiko I recommend not taking the ropeway if you are in good health but rather to hike up the path. It’s about 40 minutes per way but you really experience the climb and nature. There’s a very nice panorama platform about halfway up with an amazing view of Fuji-san. When I was there I was surprised by a family of wild monkeys. One of the most memorable experiences of my entire life I must say.
Maybe you’re looking into some things that are a bit off the beaten track. In 2018 I was in the Japanese Alps, town of Hirayu no mori. There’s a great spa hotel there and some bus hub which can get you to Shin-Hotaka ropeway. You have a breathtaking view of the mountains. You could combine it with a trip Takayama.
Last year I was in Matsumoto and fell in love with that city. I think they have the oldest original castle in Japan. The city itself is beautiful and you there are some interesting side trips. I quite liked the Daio Wasabi Farm which is a mix between a wasabi theme park (lots of stalls, no rides 😉 ) and a farm. There are a few restaurants where you can try real wasabi. Really good experience. There’s also a clock museum and some Meiji-era school buildings you can visit.
If you’re into Onsen towns do yourself a favor and visit Kusatsu. Of course it’s a different experience in winter when I went but the whole town and area are very cute. You can do some mountain hiking and visit some famous Onsenin and around Kusatsu.
Sorry for the long text but I get nostalgic about Japan. It’s my favorite country to visit and I didn’t have a chance this year. If you’re looking for more recommendations just say so.