January 2021 Itinerary Help?

13 comments

1. > and I really do hope that the pandemic dies down this year

   My advice to you is to keep your eyes open about limited tourism reopening around the end of the year. The pandemic will likely *not* die down before there is a vaccine but there is a possibility of limited ‘travel bubbles’ that certain countries will implement.

   Basically, if Japan is satisfied that the Philippines has a strong testing regime and that the incidence of the coronavirus in the country is close to zero, then there is a possibility of allowing tourism travel.

   That said, the possibility of PH being included in the first group of countries agreeing mutual travel is…well, you should know best..

2. I was in Japan in March/April and I wanted to visit the Kyoto Railway Museum but it was closed because of covid 🙁 I love trains too, just being in Japan and traveling on the Shinkansen was such a cool experience. The train system in my country is basically non existent.

   ​

   EDIT: and I went to Japan from Manila, I was one of the stranded tourists thanks to the Luzon lockdown

3. For your Tokyo leg, is there a reason you’re not doing Omoide Yokocho on the same day you’re already in Shinjuku? Just seems like you could cut down on some travel time. Similarly, Ueno and Akihabara are quite close to each other so I’d recommend putting those on the same day if you have time.

4. > If there are any nearby places to visit in Akabane, I’d love to know too!

   As far as tourist attractions go, there isn’t anything flashy in Akabane. *It is* a stone’s throw away from the Saitama border, so I guess one really shouldn’t be expecting much. Also, apologies if some of the below is “old news” for you.

   That being said, as a local, a couple of places in the area that I imagine might be potentially interesting:

   **[Akabane Hachiman Shrine](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066448-d5888070-Reviews-Akabane_Hachiman_Shrine-Kita_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html):**

   * 10-ish minutes from the station, notable as the only shrine in Japan standing directly on top of a Shinkansen line

   * Solid views of Akabane and trains approaching the station from the hilltop, and the shrine itself was established 1200+ years ago, and so is steeped in history of the local area

   **[Akabane Ichiban Gai](https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/90/index.html):**

   * Known for an abundance of cheap, good izakaya.

   * Gems nearby like [Unagi Kawaei](https://www.google.com/amp/s/savorjapan.com/amp/0006077508/) with good eel cuisine, along with delicacies like chicken sashimi

   **[Saya no Yudokoro Hot Spring](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066446-d3387591-Reviews-Maenohara_Onsen_Sayano_Yudokoro-Itabashi_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html):**

   * A 15-minute bus ride away from Akabane

   * A *super sento* style public bath, with genuine hot springs and a cozy, semi-onsen ryokan style feel. Great outdoor baths, good Japanese food, and a nice garden to look at.

   **[Jujo Ginza shopping arcade](https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/670/index.html):**

   * One station away from Akabane, Jujo Ginza is a go-to among locals for good, cheap food

   ***Subject to how deep your interest in trains are***

   **[Toden Arakawa Line (Tokyo Sakura Tram)](https://www.google.com/amp/s/livejapan.com/en/article-a0001665/amp/)**

   * The only remaining tram line in Tokyo, it passes through Oji station, a few minutes from Akabane

   * The [Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping street](https://digjapan.travel/en/blog/id=11843), also known as the Grandma’s Harajuku, is also along the tram line

   * The section of the line adjacent to Oji station near Asukayama park is the only place where trains operate on the road alongside cars

   * Speaking of Asukayama, the [park](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asukayama_Park) has an old tram and a steam locomotive preserved in its premises. It’s also famous for cherry blossoms, although barring some cataclysmic climate event you’d unfortunately be too early for them.

   **[Hoku Topia observation deck](http://mockmoon.sblo.jp/s/article/29771486.html)**

   * Also adjacent to Oji station, the free observation deck has sweeping views of the Shinkansen and other train lines running below.

   **[The abandoned Kita-Oji freight line](https://www.photolibrary.jp/mhd4/img732/450-20190913215920186015.jpg)**

   * Okay, I guess you’d have to be *really* interested in trains to specifically visit it, but there’s a largely intact, abandoned freight line running through the middle of an otherwise nondescript residential neighborhood near Oji station.

   ….well, if you couldn’t tell, I’m out of ideas at this point 😅

   ———————————————————————————————-
   What I usually do when I land at Narita with luggage is take a highway bus to Ikebukuro, then a taxi to Akabane. The taxi fare is usually around 2500 yen.

   The primary way out of Narita is the Narita Express/Skyliner trains, but the bus/taxi route has the benefit of you not having to make transfers or stand on the train while hauling your luggage.

   If you’re visiting the Kyoto Railway Museum, have you also considered visiting the Railway Museum near Tokyo?

   Time permitting, there’s also a bunch of other museums dotted around Tokyo, each run by a different private railway like Tokyo Metro, Tobu, Tokyu, Keikyu, etc

5. Abura Soba Shinjuku were my favorite noodles while in Japan

6. Regarding Sapporo, if you are looking for a city with great food that will be covered in snow then Sapporo is a great choice. You wouldn’t need to head back to Tokyo to fly there as a lot of the airports in Kansai have flights there.

   However, if you are more interested in seeing snow in the countryside or mountains then have a look at Takayama, Shirakawago and Nagano. You could explore that area in 3-4 days and have a great time. Shirakawago has a winter light up that time of year (assuming it is going ahead).

7. Hello, fellow Filipino here! 😉

   As someone who visits Enoshima every year (except maybe this 2020, sayang), I recommend going there early if you like to appreciate the nature around this island. Around 8-9am is best as the stores open and the place really gets crowded after that.

   After walking around for an hour or so, I suggest you eat brunch there as well. There is a popular cafe on top of the island called Loncafe, and they serve one of the best french toasts I have ever tasted. They open at 11am, but I suggest to come earlier to get a cue number and to choose the best seat with a view.

   You can also try to line up for octopus crackers, where they literally press the octopus until it becomes flat and crispy. There is one store that sells this at the island entrance. A lot of people line up so you will easily spot that.

   Lastly, you can go at the edge of the island where there is a boat service which takes you back to the main island.

   I might not go back there until mid next year, so say hi to all the cats and turtles (you can spot them chilling around) for me!

8. Your time in Kamakura looks like it’s going to be really tight. There’s enough content down there for nearly a week if you really do it all. Enoshima itself can easily be a day trip but if you want to do both, you’ll need to get an early start.

   I suggest going to Enoshima first then making your way over to Hase-dera and the Daibutsu. From there, you can walk back towards Kamakura Station, hit up the shopping street and end the day trip at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.

   Shoot me a message and I can pass you some links to things that might help more…

9. may I steal the itinerary? I am planning my second trip to Japan too.

10. Hey, a fellow train fan!

    Love the suggestions u/FCIUS made, I can attest to the super sento, Jujo-Ginza, and Hoku Topia, and the Sakura Tram as a Itabashi local. Near Hoku Topia is Asukayama Park which has a SL train on display.

    Be sure to use the 24-hour Tokyo Metro Pass for Jan 12.

    For Kamakura, enjoy the Enoden and Shonan Monorails, they call the monorail a roller coaster ride 🙂 Look for special tourist passes, there are plenty of options there such as the Odakyu Enoshima pass (sadly does not include Shonan Monorail or JR lines) and more.

    In Osaka, take a daytrip to Himeji Castle, use that JR Pass for a quick ride either on the Shinkansen or **Super Hakuto** limited express there. That’ll be half a day then you’ll have the evening to explore Osaka however you wish.

    Osaka is honestly a train-lover’s paradise, Hankyu’s Umeda Station is great, so is the Hankai Tram. It’s also home to the largest non-JR railway, Kintestu, which reminds me, **why don’t you allow time for a day time to Nara?**

    Make sure you utilize the JR Pass… Take the **Thunderbird** or **Haruka** from Osaka to Kyoto. Some nice trains to watch are: Sunrize Izumo/Seto sleeper train (arrives midnight in Osaka, or you can see it either early morning or in the evening at Tokyo Station), Kuroshio (aka Ocean Liner), the **Eizan Electric Railway HIEI train (in Kyoto).**

    To take the Shinkansen into Tokyo to fly to Sapporo is a waste of time, take the **Haruka** train from Kyoto to KIX (yay, more JR pass time!) and fly from there. You would also be able to use the JR Pass to take the **Airport Liner** (on reserved seats) into Sapporo station. Shinkansen all the way to Hakodate then a limited express would be overkill (11 hours) even as a train fan, but it’s fun doing some research on what’s the better route using Hyperdia. That’s a long way to go. RIP Twilight Express, that sleeper train would have taken you from Osaka to Sapporo direct.

11. Check out shimokitazawa in tokyo, it is very hip, cultural and vintage, my favorite part of tokyo haha. Also check Minatomirai in Yokohama, it is between kamakura and tokyo

12. **Tokyo:**

    If you guys are anime fans, you can go to the places where the scenes of Kimi no na Wa takes place. Along the way on one of the stops, you’ll be able to see the Tokyo Olympic Stadium as well.

    **Osaka:**

    While you’re in Osaka, you can visit the Umeda Sky Building too. It’s very nice to see the sunset from high above. You can visit the Tsutenkaku tower as well.

    **Kobe:**

    Kobe is just an hour local train ride away from Osaka. In Kobe, you can visit the Kobe Port Tower, and you can also try out the Kobe beef that they have there (though might be expensive).

    **Kyoto:**

    If you are really into history and the Shinsengumi, there are a few places where you can visit.

    * Sanjo Bridge
    * Nishihongan-ji Temple
    * Mibudera (Location of the Shinsengumi headquarter)
    * Ikedaya Hana no mai (A restaurant that was the location of the Ikedaya Incident) <- Though keep in mind if you want to eat at this restaurant, you need to have a reservation in which the hotel staff would be able to book a reservation for you.

    **Nara:**

    Nara is accessible from both Osaka and Kyoto by local train which would take 1 hour and 30 minutes to get there. During the Nara Period, it was the capital of Japan and the Emperor used to reside in Nara before moving to live in Kyoto.

    * Visit the deers in Nara Park and feed them.
    * I would recommend you to try this place where they make fresh mochi everyday and do live demonstrations of the mochi poundings as well (they have different times for each day; need to ask the staff).
    * Nakatanidou: 29 Hashimotocho, Nara, 630-8217, Japan.

    If you have any other questions, please let me know and I will be happy to answer them for you. If not, then I wish you happy planning for the trip to come. 🙂

13. * Strong Zero for cheap booze, available everywhere
    * staying overnight in Hiroshima (or even Miyajima) is highly recommended
    * consider taking overnight buses for the Tokyo-Osaka and Osaka-Tokyo legs, then using the JR Kansai-Hiroshima pass for in Osaka/Kyoto/Hiroshima to save money and maximize daylight (ie you’re not spending 6hrs of it on a train)
    * you might be missing out on the Sapporo Snow Festival since it’s early February, but All. That. Food.
    * Some not-usually-seen-here recos
    * Karuizawa near Tokyo
    * Hikone near Kyoto
    * Oarai, Hitachi, Mito, and the JAXA site in Tsukuba, all in Ibaraki

    I would normally advocate staying in one region only to minimize transit time and maximize sight-seeing time. You can do a lot in Kanto (Tokyo, Ibaraki, etc) alone, for example.