Itinerary Check: Tokyo/Japanese Alps/Hokkaido

Hi all,

Will be travelling to Japan for the first time next year in mid-January for two weeks with my partner. We’re big foodies and love all things historical and anime so we’d love to get some feedback on our itinerary as well as recommendations on places to eat and/or things to see and do where feasible.

 

Also, please note that we will be utilising coin lockers and luggage services to transport our bags and luggages around.

 

**• DAY 1: TOKYO | 15TH JAN**
– Arrive Haneda Airport 5:30AM
 
– Check into Hotel
– Rest/chill for the morning
– Head out to Harajuku around midday
– Tokyu Plaza
– Takeshita Street
 
– Shibuya Sky for sunset
– Dinner

 

**• DAY 2: ASAKUSA | 16TH JAN**
– Breakfast/chill for the morning in Tokyo
 
– Head out to Asakusa
– Nakamise Dori
– Senso Ji Temple, Jinja Shrine
 
– Sumo Tournament in the late afternoon for high division wrestlers (pending if we can get tickets)
– Dinner

 

**• DAY 3: MT. FUJI | 17TH JAN**
– Express bus to Kawaguchiko
– Drop bags off at Ryokan
– Lake Kawaguchiko
– Explore Shimoyoshida and grab lunch
– Akakurayama Sengen
– Stay overnight

 

**• DAY 4: SHINJUKU | 18TH JAN**
– Head back and drop bags off at hotel
– Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
– Omoide Yokocho

 

**• DAY 5: NAGANO | 19TH JAN**
– Check out and leave nice and early for Nagano
– Zenkoji Nakamise and Temple
– Jigokudani Monkey Park
 
– Head to Matsumoto in the afternoon
– Explore Nawate Dori and castle if we’re not tired and time permits
– Dinner and stay the night

 

This is where things get a little rough as I feel the next couple of days will be quite full on in terms of travelling. Would really appreciate your feedback here.

 

**• DAY 6: TAKAYAMA | 20TH JAN**
– Check out of hotel and travel to Takayama super early (2.5hrs via bus)
– Drop bags off Ryokan
– Shinhotaka Ropeway (1.5hrs via bus)
– Back to Takayama in the late afternoon and stay the night

 

**• DAY 7: SHIRAKAWA-GO | 21ST JAN**
– Check out of hotel and head out early to Shirakawago Village (55mins via bus)
– Explore for a few hours (stay no longer than 2 or 3pm)
– Take bus to Toyama Station and then from there another bus to Toyama Airport
– Fly out to New Chitose at 6:30PM

 

Is Day 6 and Day 7 too much ? Should I only consider doing one of them ? My partner suggest to scrap the idea of going to the ropeway and just spend the day at our ryokan and/or explore Takayama.

 

**• DAY 8: SAPPORO | 22ND JAN**
– Daimaru Shopping
– Sapporo Beer Garden/Museum
– Hokkaido Jingu Shrine
– Tanukikoji Shopping
– Mt Moiwa ropeway in the late afternoon for sunset
– Dinner

 

**• DAY 9 | 23RD JAN**
– Private day tour (Lake shikotsu/Toya/Noribetsu)

 

**• DAY 10: ASAHIKAWA | 24TH JAN**
– Train to Asahikawa
– Horseback riding private tour (2hrs)
– Furarito Alley for late lunch
– Back to Sapporo

 

**• DAY 11: OTARU | 25TH JAN**
– Explore canal
– Stained Glass Museum
– Sapporo’s Fushimi Inari Shrine

 
– Head to New Chitose Airport and fly out to Memanbetsu 6:40PM

 

**• DAY 12: SHIRETOKO | 26TH JAN**
– Private day tour: Snow shoeing at Shiretoko National Park & Furepe Waterfall followed by Drift Ice Walk

 

**• DAY 13: TOKYO | 27TH JAN**
– Head to Memanbetsu Aiport and fly back to Tokyo 9:25AM
– Ginza for shopping and entertainment
– Check out UNIQLO
– Dinner

 

**• DAY 14: TOKYO/SHIBUYA | 28TH JAN**
– Shibuya 109/Parco

 

**• DAY 15: HOME | 29TH JAN**