Hi guys, I’ve just firmed up my own itinerary to Japan, and would like some advice on it!
My tentative itinerary
Day 1: Narita to Tokyo (settle Logistics)
Day 2: Head to Toyama. Explore Toyama
Day 3: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from Toyama to Shinano Omachi (bought the Alpine Tourist Pass for 5 days) Stay at Omachi.
Day 4: Go back up to hike Mt Tate
Day 5: Take bus/train to Hakuba
Day 6: Hike around Hakuba – Happo – ike
Day 7 (Sat): Head to Matsumoto
Day 8 (Sun): Sightsee around Matsumoto/Chill
Day 9: Hike Senjojiki Cirque/Mt Kiso-Komagatake
Day 10: Head to Tokyo
Day 11 & 12: Tokyo (Kiyosumi Gardens or Shinjuku Gyeon National Garden and Tsukiji Fish Market) Maybe Ghibli Museum? Staying at Shinjuku area
Day: 13: Fly back home
Some questions:
1. As I would like to hike up Senjojiki Cirque, where would you recommend I park myself on day 7-9? Is staying in Matsumoto okay or should I stay nearer to Komagane station?
2. As JR Pass isn’t worth it for my trip, can I ask whether the individual shinkansen tickets like from Tokyo to Toyama, will they be increased from 1 Oct too or are their prices still the same? Would you recommend me buying them in advance or just purchasing from Tokyo station is fine?
3. I can’t seem to find accommodations in Matsumoto and Komagane for a decent price (around US$90 and under per night) for 7-10th October this year, if you have any recommendations pls let me know!
4. Any cool places in Tokyo to visit!
Edit: sorry didn’t put down the month! Have edited it 🙂
Thank you for your help! Any other advice/recs will be very welcomed too 🙂
3 comments
Since you are not using the Toyama-Takayama-Nagoya portion of the Alpine Tourist Pass, might the 立山黒部アルペンきっぷ work better for you? It’s valid for more days (8 vs 5) at a similar price, so could provide more itinerary flexibility.
> 7-10th
You don’t say which month – assuming October, the problem is the weekend day which are expensive in Matsumoto.
Why don’t you stay at Murodo and the alpine Route? Makes no sense to go up there twice. Plenty of huts there! They even have hot springs.
I would stay close to komagane the night before you hike Kisokoma. Takes a while to get up there since you have to take bus and ropeway first.
Just stay at the top at murodou.