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Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/3 12:55
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I am planning my second trip to Japan. I had visited Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo on my first trip and enjoyed it very much. For this trip, I would like to see Hokkaido and the alps area. So I was wondering how feasible the following itinerary is. I am planning to go in mid May/June. If this itinerary is too hectic, or if more time would be better spent in one area over two, I am open to saving Hokkaido for another trip.
Day 1 - Sapporo Day 2 - Sapporo Day 3 - Otaru Day 4 - Hakodate Day 5 - fly from Sapporo to Tokyo, catch train/bus to Kusatsu Day 6 - Yamanouchi Day 7 - Matsumoto Day 8 - Kamikochi Day 9 - Take alpine route to Toyama Day 10 - Kanazawa Day 11 - Shirakawago during the day, then to Takayama Day 12 - Takayama Day 13 - Takayama Day 14 - Nagoya Day 15 - take Shinkansen to Tokyo, then take Narita Express to Narita airport for evening flight home
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by travelgeek (guest)
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Re: Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/4 09:57
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The middle section is not realistic. Anywhere from 3 to 5 hours of travel per day. Plus moving hotels etc etc.
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by hakata14 (guest)
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Re: Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/4 09:58
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Drop Nagoya and one Takayama day, and add it to the middle section of your itinerary.
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by hakata14 (guest)
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Re: Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/4 16:12
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For Day 5 consider if you can take a flight or Shinkansen from Hakodate to Tokyo instead of back tracking to Shin Chitose.
Enjoy your trip to Japan!
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by LikeBike (guest)
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Re: Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/5 01:30
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You can also make Kamikochi a one day trip from Takayama. You could even take bus to Shinhotaka ropeway, ride it up and go down the mountain on the other side to Kamikochi and then take bus back to Takayama. Price of bus (Nouhi bus) from and to Takayama should be around 5000 JPY I think.
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by haens
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Re: Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/7 12:25
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Thanks everyone for your reply and input:
Would the following revisions make the plans more feasible?
Plan 1: Day 1 - Sapporo Day 2 - Sapporo Day 3 - Otaru Day 4 - Hakodate Day 5 - fly from Hakodate to Tokyo, catch train/bus to Kusatsu Day 6 - Kusatsu Day 7 - Yamanouchi Day 8 - Matsumoto Day 9 - Matsumoto Day 10 - Kamikochi Day 11 - Alpine route to Toyama Day 12 - Kanazawa Day 13 - Shirakawago during the day, then to Takayama Day 14 - Takayama Day 15 - Train to Nagoya, Shinkansen to Tokyo, then take Narita Express to Narita airport for evening flight home
OR
Plan 2: Day 1 - Sapporo Day 2 - Sapporo Day 3 - Otaru Day 4 - Hakodate Day 5 - fly from Hakodate to Tokyo, catch train/bus to Kusatsu Day 6 - Kusatsu Day 7 - Yamanouchi Day 8 - Matsumoto Day 9 - Matsumoto Day 10 - Alpine route to Toyama Day 11 - Kanazawa Day 12 - Shirakawago during the day, then to Takayama Day 13 - Takayama Day 14 - Takayama - day trip to Kamikochi Day 15 - Train to Nagoya, Shinkansen to Tokyo, then take Narita Express to Narita airport for evening flight home
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by travelgeek (guest)
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Re: Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/7 23:43
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The Hokkaido part looks fine. Note that Otaru is quite close to Sapporo can can make a nice afternoon/night trip. I do think that Lake Toya or Noboribetsu might be more memorable from a nature perspective. Is there a reason you want to spend 2 nights in Matsumoto and only 1 night in Kanazawa? A possible option for Matsumoto/Yamanouchi might be to stay 2 nights in Nagano instead and complete day trips. Obuse and my other post are also places nice near Nagano. https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1573https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1572I've also stated this in another thread - but Tohoku is also quite spectacular this time of year and has better transport links and is easier to get to as well (along with being less busy).....
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by mfedley
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Re: Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/8 00:29
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Hi!
Trying to get from Kamikochi to the Alpine Route and completing it in one day is pretty challenging. Even if you take the first bus from Kamikochi at 7:50 am you're not going to get to Matsumoto until 9:50, you can then take a 10:27 train and get to Shinano-Omachi at 11:01 The earliest bus to Ogizawa is at 11:20 and you won't reach Ogizawa until noon. And that's when you actually really start the route.
I love Nagano. It's pretty underrated on this forum. I also agree with @Mfedley that you should think about Tohoku. It has a lot to offer and some really interesting and different sights.
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by rkold
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Re: Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/8 07:42
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Like others wrote, I would spend more time in Tohoku, too. Whether culture, nature or food, it has a lot to offer.
The same goes for Hokkaido. May to June is a great season in Hokkaido. If you're a nature-going person, you can spend more than a couple of days in Hokkaido. And it easily takes more than 5 hrs to travel around Hokkaido! Also, the national museum for the indigenous Ainu is opening in April 2020 - next year. It'll be located in the southern Hokkaido area (approx 1.5 hrs drive from Sapporo). This is worth visiting for sure! I'm looking forward to it myself.
I recommend you keep Hokkaido for your next trip.
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by Junko (guest)
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Re: Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/17 11:15
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Thanks again everyone for your input. I am seriously considering saving Hokkaido for another trip. Would the four days be better spent in Tohoku or lengthening the stay in the Nagano/Kanazawa/Takayama areas?
Here is my revised itinerary:
Day 1 - Sapporo Day 2 - Sapporo Day 3 - Otaru Day 4 - Hakodate Day 5 - fly from Hakodate to Tokyo, catch train/bus to Kusatsu Day 6 - Kusatsu Day 7 - Nagano - day trip to Yamanouchi Day 8 - Nagano - day trip to Matsumoto Day 9 - Nagano (day time) to Shinano-Omachi (evening) Day 10 - Tateyama/Alpine route to Toyama Day 11 - Kanazawa Day 12 - Kanazawa (morning) Shirakawago (afternoon), then to Takayama Day 13 - Takayama Day 14 - Takayama - day trip to Kamikochi Day 15 - Train to Nagoya, Shinkansen to Tokyo, then take Narita Express to Narita airport for evening flight home
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by travelgeek (guest)
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Re: Second trip to Japan - mid May
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2019/3/17 14:42
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This trip is doable but there is still a lot of travel in Hokkaido. What are you hoping to see and do on this trip? What things do you like to do?
These two questions can significantly open up other people's expertise to see things most people don't...
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by mfedley
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