Hello!
Planning a solo trip to Tohoku, Hokkaido Region in May/June. I’ve been to Japan a few times and have visited most of the areas aside from Tohoku, Shikoku and Kyushu (planning that for the next visit). Will be doing mostly day trips, shopping and relaxing in onsens. Luggage will either be forwarded or stored at lockers.
**5/28 – Tokyo/Sendai**
Arrive at HND in the afternoon, trade in JR Pass (not sure which one to get for now) and train to Sendai
**5/29 – Sendai**
Matsushima Half Day Trip in the morning
Return to Sendai in the afternoon to go to the Sendai Asaichi (opened till 6 pm)
**5/30 – Sendai**
Yamadera Temple Day Trip – looking to get my goshuincho stamped
Return to Sendai in the afternoon to try local delicacies at an izakaya (gyutan)
**5/31 – Hiraizumi / Morioka**
Travel to Morioka with a stop by Hiraizumi World Heritage site – Motsuji and Chusonji Temple (not sure if I can make both), only intend to be there until 12 or 1 PM (will get lunch in the area too)
**6/1 – Morioka**
Visit Jodogahama Beach in the morning – this will be tricky because it involves traveling 3 hours each way. JR Morioka Station Express Bus 106 at 8:40 AM > Miyako (10:55 AM) > bus to Oku-Jodogahama
I tried [dummy booking a seat reservation for bus 106](http://www.iwate-kenpokubus.co.jp/morioka-miyako106/en/) in the upcoming weeks and everything says no seats available, is it not operating or is it really fully booked?
Eat Lunch at Miyako Fish Market after arriving
Return to Morioka (take 14:35 -> 16:50 bus)
**6/2 – Misawa**
Stay at Hoshino Resorts Aomoriya – reserve free shuttle from Misawa
**6/3 Aomori**
Travel from Misawa to Aomori in the morning
Lunch at Aomori Nekkodon around 12 – 1 PM
Explore Nebuta Museum afterwards
**6/4 – Aomori**
Visit Shirakami Sanchi – Train from Aomori to Hirasaki and then take the 9:15 bus to Shirakami Sanchi (Anmon Falls). Does anyone have an updated bus schedule? It looks like I can take the 14:20 bus to get back to Hirasaki.
**6/5 – Aomori**
Visit Yokohama Nanohana – Train from Aomori to Mutsu-Ykohama and then walk for an hour. Not sure if there will be anything left given the nanohana blooms in May, but maybe still worth a try? The train runs around the coast so that is nice
**6/6 – 6/7 Hakodate**
Yunokawa Onsen Ryokan Area – Days of relaxation
Climb Mt Hakodate before sunset on 6/6, take the cable car down after sunset
**6/8 Hakodate**
Change accommodations to Hakodate station to position for departure on next day
Check out the Hakodate morning market
**6/9 Tokyo**
Travel day to Tokyo via Shinkansen
**6/10 Tokyo**
Kawaguchi-ko day trip – Could use the last day on JR Pass to cover the Shinjuku to Otsuki portion
**6/11 – 6/13 – Tokyo**
Free days to do the following:
*Stationery Stores – Sekaido, Traveler’s Factory, Itoya
*Teamlab Borderless – went here a few years ago, looking to reserve another day for it again
*Vintage Thrift Shopping – Amore, Daikokuya
*Souvenir Shopping at Don Quijote
**6/14 Fly home**
**My question is, does it make sense to get the JR East Pass (covers 5 days 5/28 – 6/1) and the JR East South Pass (covers 6 days 6/4 – 6/9) or just get the JR Pass for 14 days (5/28 – 6/10)?** The only thing with JR Pass is you don’t get a discount on the Joyful trains. Particularly interested in the Pokemon With You and Tohoku Emotion trains but seeing the schedule is mostly on the weekend, I would really need to move my itinerary to accommodate and not sure I am *that* interested. They also seem to run along the east coast, which means i would have to circle back to Morioka or find a new base and skip Morioka. Would like to hear ideas on which pass to get and any comments on the itinerary. Flights have been booked and looking to finalize hotels this weekend. Thanks in advance!
1 comment
Have you considered domestic flights? Assuming availability of foreigner tickets (5500 yen HND to anywhere in Tohuku; 11000 yen Hakodate-Tokyo) it could work out cheaper bc you would really only need a JR East pass for 5/31 to 6/3 (can take ferry to Hakodate from Aomori). It also makes 6/9 less of a travel day and you can still do stuff in Tokyo in the afternoon, you could possibly even take the last flight out on 6/8 and get an extra full day in Tokyo. That said I have not done the step by step maths for this, just going by vibes for now.
For kawaguchiko take the express bus from Shinjuku (imo on aggregate the traffic woes are kinda overblown by people trying to justify the JR pass especially considering the various transfers involved, but it is true there is more uncertainty)
For the intra-sendai days get 2x Sendai Area Pass which will cover yamadera and Matsushima.
Edit: using the domestic flight method also lets you avoid having to do JR pass exchange at a Tokyo airport, surely one of the least efficient parts of Japan.