I have a trip planned for late May, one 7-day JR pass, and my wish list is scattered all over the place.
While my starting and ending points cannot be changed (I’m going after the cheapest plane tickets), I’m looking for ways to “clean up” what’s in the middle as economically as possible. I know this sounds crazy, but I’ve done [Asahikawa to Kagoshima in 16 days](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/1by8g41/trip_report_asahikawa_to_kagoshima_in_16_days/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) and was happy with how the trip turned out. This would also be my 6th? 7th? trip to Japan, so I’m trying to scope out more unusual attractions. I would be very grateful if anyone knows any cool spots to check out, even though shrines and castles aren’t really at the top of my list. Here goes!
Day 1: Afternoon arrival at KIX; spend the night there
\- Plan B: Also thinking about traveling to and staying at Kyoto
Day 2: Travel from Osaka to Okayama
\- Possible detour to revisit Kaiyukan, but otherwise there’s nothing in Osaka that I really want to see
\- Plan B: I’ve never really visited Kyoto, so that is another option. Though I’m certain that I will be able to do a dedicated Kansai trip in the future, as I live very close to Japan. 2 days does not seem enough for what Kyoto has to offer.
Day 3: Start using the JR Pass. Travel from Okayama to Takamatsu early in the morning; go on a ferry to visit two islands (**Megijima – Ogijima**) in the Seto inlet, and return in the evening to take the overnight **Sunrise Seto** train to Tokyo; this has been on my list for so long and the reason why I’m starting my trip from Shikoku.
Day 4: Tokyo day trip to **Mt. Fuji**, Yokohama for ramen in the afternoon, meet up with friend A (working in Tokyo) to hopefully check out the fishing restaurant in the evening.
\- Question: is Mt. Fuji worth the day trip, or should I head elsewhere while using Tokyo as a Hub? I’ve heard that it can get foggy in late May.
Day 5: Shopping day in Tokyo to check out cool stationery/restock some daily items. Evening Shinkansen to Morioka and stay there.
Day 6: Day trip from Morioka to **Ryusendo** (cool cave 2h away), then Shinkansen Morioka to Hakodate. Cable car to see the city lights from **Mt. Hakodate** (I’ve been there before, but it was foggy on my visit)
\- Question: I’d also like to get to the **Minamisanriku coast** which is semi-reachable through Sendai, but it’s very, very remote and my current itinerary cannot accommodate the detour. Perhaps I can skip the Kansai and try to wedge that into the itinerary?
\- Plan B: I am also thinking about staying at another spot somewhere between Hakodate and Sapporo, since I’ve already been to Hakodate, and doing so would shave a few hours off from the hellishly long train journey the next day..
Day 7: Check out some **museums in Hakodate** after breakfast kaisendon at the morning market. Head to Asahikawa in the evening. Maybe **Asahiyama zoo** if time allows-I think not
\- Plan B: might also be Sapporo-Asahikawa. The zoo would then be an option
Day 8: Asahikawa to Wakkanai bright and early. Ferry to **Rebun Island** in the afternoon. Spend the evening trekking to Sukoton Cape and back (staying in the northeast part of the island).
\- Currently not thinking about moving Rebun to another day because housing will get too expensive.
Day 9: Last day of JR Pass. Rebun to Sapporo after morning hike. Hang out whereever in central Sapporo in the evening. Buy souvenirs for friends and family.
Day 10: Check out New Chitose Airport (I heard it’s good, but never had a chance to explore it on my last two visits to Hokkaido), fly home in the afternoon.
Thanks in advance for any input!
P.S. I am planning to get a project done during all that train time (possibly a manuscript for a review article). So the time would be spent productively, and it definitely feels like a one-of-a-kind challenge! 😀
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by jamieclo