I’m traveling solo starting June 25 and want to take the long way from Tokyo to Osaka via the Alps so I can do some hiking and visit some onsens and see a different part of Japan. Here’s what I am planning — the feedback has been great so far and I apologize that my post keeps getting deleted by the moderators. Hopefully this is more descriptive.
Day 1-2: Tokyo
Stay in Shinjuku (have been to Tokyo before). Some of the usual sites and great food while I start to acclimate.
Day 3: Matsumoto by train
Explore the castle. Overnight at Guesthouse Raicho.
Day 4: Kamikochi and onsen (Hirayu no mori)
Visit sights in Kamikochi then train to Hirayu onsen to overnight at a ryokan (still researching which one)
Day 5: Takayama
Arrive in morning. Visit the cobblestoned streets lined with charming old wooden houses with small shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Stay in Yamakyu ryokan
Day 6: Alpine route Omachi to Toyama
Full day with luggage forwarding on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route via buses, trolleys, cable cars, and ropeways.
Day 7-8 Kanazawa
Kanazawa Castle and the old historical castle garden Kenroku-en Japanese Garden. Geisha district. Stay in Korinbo area at Shaq Bighouse.
Day 9: Nakasendo trail— Magome
(Nakatsugawa train station) to Tsumago (Nagiso train station) hike, then Magome bus return. Will start early in day. Overnight Nagoya or Osaka? Is this trail worth it?
Day 10-11: Osaka
Castle, Dotonburi, etc. Have been previously but only for quick trips from Kyoto. Will head to Fuji after.
Day 12-14: Mt Fuji climb
First night stay in Kawaguchiko to prepare for the climb. Stay at K’s House Fuji View. Overnight hike and stay in hit. Descend and head to Tokyo. Should be open in early July.
Day 15: Tokyo
Final day and fly home
3 comments
I would suggest reconsidering the sequence. Takayama to Omachi is 5 hours? And Kanazawa to Nakasendo is also like 6 hours. Then Nakasendo to Osaka is a goof 4 hours and 6 hours going back from Osaka to Kawaguchiko. You’re going to be spending half of your time just getting from point A to point B.
Would recommend the following sequence to minimize travlling time: Tokyo > Takayama (Nakasendo Trail) > Matsumoto > Alpine route from Ogizawa > Kanazawa > Osaka (via Kyoto). You can either schedule the Fuji climb at the start or the end.
Hey, what a coincidence. I happen to have a very similar itinerary to yours. Only difference is mine starts next week!
Your routing during the Nagano/Toyama prefecture looks to be a little rough around the edges, they don’t seem to connect that well together.
Let me share what’s mine:
Day 1 – 2: Tokyo
Day 3: Matsumoto / Azumino
Day 4 – 5: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route via Omachi (1st night in Murodo, 2nd night at Takaoka)
Day 6: Shirakawa-go / Takayama
Day 7 – 8: Kamikochi (1st night in Karasawa, 2nd night at Matsumoto)
Day 9 – 11: Nakasendo trail (Narai > Nakatsugawa)
Day 12 – Nagoya / Hikone
Day 13 – 15: Kyoto / Nara
Day 16 – 18: Osaka / Kobe
It’s quite tightly packed but I hope this helps you to plan yours out smoothly.
Happy travels!