Itinerary 21 days partly with railpass

Hi! I am going to Japan with my girlfriend for 21 days in mid-december. Since she has only been to Tokyo I was thinking we could see something outside Tokyo as well. My idea was to spend two weeks in Tokyo and one week travelling the country with a Rail Pass. Plan of stay is 15 December to 6 January.

1. For the travelling part I was considering Kyoto and Osaka but she wants to see some Japanese countryside as well, can you recommend any area/city as base for seeing some less city-like experience? Sadly I dont speak Japanese so there must be some possibility of navigate the area without too much interaction in japanese.

2. During the three week stay, which week should be the travelling one and which two in Tokyo? I guess the days right after new year are somewhat difficult to travel? Would the first week of the stay be optimal?

Hello Sullon,

I think two weeks in Tokyo is quite long, I am not sure you can find something to do everyday. I would discover may be Tohoku area by using the JR East Pass which is only 20,000 yen please see here: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_t/index.html

Also if you looking for something local may be the Japan Alps can offer what you looking for please see this page: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5901.html

Try to re-schedule your itinerary, you can make a good one.

Good luck