Itinerary opinions

Hello everyone,
We're going to Japan for 20 days in the autumn, and are naturally looking at the itineraries in this site. I heard some recommendations regarding Matsumoto and Kamikochi, which are not in the itinerary on this site (spending a day climbing Yakedake and leaving).
On the other hand, if we do this, we're not traveling beyond Osaka, missing Hiroshima and Nagasaki (no time left).
As you see, it's a hard choice, and I will thank any opinions on the subject.
All the best,
Alex

I would take the Matsumoto and Kamikochi option as especially Kamikochi is going to be very different and pretty amazing compared to the many cities that are likely to be in your itinerary.

Personally, I didn't care for Hiroshima at all but I did like Nagasaki. Still, I would trade them in for a trip to Kamikochi.

Hi Alex

As a person living in Japan, I highly recommend you to visit Matsumoto and Kamikochi.

Matsumoto is known as a city where unique and attractive hand-made crafts are produced. It is basically a craft work city:
http://www.ozmall.co.jp/trip/jikan/013/
Information for English-speaking tourists visiting Matsumoto:
http://welcome.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/contents08+index.htm
YouTube video showing an arts and crafts fair in Matsumoto (annual event held in May):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbSFEiAKCUU

As you may see, Kamikochi is known to be one of Japan's Extreme Nature spots. This highland and great nature there will surprise you a lot.

Basically, Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been well-known urban cities among most people visiting Japan for many years ("too popular" sightseeing spots), so you might see there something you have ever seen on your guide books before.

Note that climbing the south peak of Yake Dake (Mt. Yake) seems to be now prohibited due to potential rock fall accidents. Japan's Meteorological Agency warns all Yake Dake climbers to be careful with poisonous volcano gases around the north peak of the mountain.

In my opinion, you should choose which is more important for you: visiting cool (comfortable) highlands or visiting hot urban cities.

Thanks a lot! That was helpful, looks like this decision is easier than i thought.
dosanko100 - Is there a site where I can find updated forecast for the climb option?

Thanks!

Hiya again.

Is there a site where I can find updated forecast for the climb option?

The official volcanic alert statements by Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) are listed here in order of time (written in Japanese):
http://www.seisvol.kishou.go.jp/tokyo/STOCK/volinfo/keiho.html

According to my survey, the statement dated March 31, 2011:
http://www.seisvol.kishou.go.jp/tokyo/STOCK/volinfo/VJ20110331130029_3...
only says that Level 1 (the lowest volcanic alert level) was issued for Yakedake on March 31 when a series of weak earthquakes were recorded under the mountain. This statement is the latest one, and there has been no updated statement since then for Yakedake.

The latest statement mentioned above also says that the mountain is gradually going back to its normal (no indication of volcanic eruption so far), adding that there might be a ban on access to its crater in the future depending on poisonous gases blowing out from the crater.

So, if you definitely want to know the latest official statement for Yakedake, post your question later (several days before you visit Japan). Then, I or someone on this Q&A forum can let you know the latest statement. Just before climbing the north peak, ask someone at a nearby mountain lodge to see if you can climb the peak safely.

Anyway, be careful with poisonous gases near the crater (Yakedake looks like a silent volcano, but it is officially listed as an active volcano). Some people living in Japan call the mountain Io-dake (meaning Sulfur Mountain).

Thanks a lot. That was very helpful