Hi,
My boyfriend and I planing a trip to Japan in August. I want to do some over night hiking and lodging after Tokyo and i’m torn between Kamikochi and Mt Shirouma. This is my rough itinerary:
August 17-26: Tokyo staying in Shinjuku
August 26 Plan 1: leave to Nagano by train then rent a car and go to mt Shirouma, hike the mountain and stay at Hakuba senso then take the snow gorge.
Plan 2: go to Kamikochi, hike to Karasawa Cirque and stay over night at Hotakadake Sanso.
August 27: hike down either mountains and drive to Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku.
August 28: drive and drop the car in Kyoto.
August 29: spend the day in Kyoto
August 30: stay in Osaka.
August 31: visit Koya San
September 1st: go out in Osaka
September 2nd: Back to Tokyo
September 3rd: Leave.
Is this itinerary possible? Which hiking option would you recommend/ prettier?
I like Shirouma because of its diverse landscape and one of the trails is on the mountain edge which is very unique. However, Kamikochi is on every single recommendation list of hiking in japan as well and thats why I cant decide between them. Any suggestions are helpful.
Thanks
2 comments
7 days in Tokyo right off the bat is a ton, I think 3 days is enough for most people before it’s time to leave and explore. There’s tons to see, sure, but it starts to all feel the same after a little while.
You’re not going to have enough time for either mountain if you’re coming from Tokyo by train on the same day. It takes a while to get to the trailhead for both hikes. And both hikes are quite long and strenuous and you need to start early to arrive at the hut by 4pm. Also keep in mind it’s gonna be brutally hot in august, I would recommend starting at 5am to avoid some of that heat.
Since you’re limited for time I would go to Kamikochi as the driving time is less that way and you can get a nightbus from Tokyo.
In terms of beauty both hikes are really nice. Difficulty is similar especially if you plan on going all the way to Hotaka sanso. You could make it easier and stay at Karasawa Huette.