August 2023 - Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka &?

Hello - We have an upcoming late August trip to Japan. We have time in Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka with 3 extra nights. The original plan was to spend that time on the Kyotango Peninsula, but now having 2nd thoughts of beach time vs. somewhere higher elevation where it might be a little cooler. We know it will be very hot/humid when we are there.

Any suggestions of spots that would warrant 2-3 nights? We'd be coming from Kyoto and needing to be back in Tokyo 3 days later for a flight home the next day so need options that are at least north of Kyoto.

We are a family of 4...2 adults + 11 & 12 year olds. We are coming to Japan for the culture and food mostly. We enjoy hiking, but wouldn't be bringing any heavy duty gear with us.

Would love any suggestions...thank you!

Yep it will be hot, unless it is rainy.

I would try to get to Kamikochi and/or Karuizawa. Kamikochi is pretty much a 1 or 2 night thing. Karuizawa is a nice hub for day trips and has plenty of stuff young adults might like. We tend to spend a few nights there before leaving Japan, as it is only an hour out of Tokyo by bullet train.

So best to get to Matsumoto (which is still pretty hot, despite the elevation), then go one way for Kamikochi, to get from Matsumoto to Karuizawa it is train to Nagano then bullet train to Karuizawa.

If you have time and it isnt too hot, there are some hikes you can do on the Chuo line between Nagoya and Matsumoto, as it has access to sections of the Nakesendo Way. Magome in particular is very nice on a weekend, and Narai is pretty too.

You might consider going north from Kyoto and spending a night or two in Kanazawa, then travelling by the Tateyama Alpine Route to Nagano and from there back to Tokyo. The Alpine Route has lots of different transportation methods, and takes a full day. I think 11 and 12 year olds might enjoy it.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7550.html

Yes, August can be brutal. Aside from going up to the mountains though, I highly recommend you spend at least half a day to see Nara Park.
https://goo.gl/LfvWnL

Karuizawa would indeed be a good and accessible way to escape the heat for a day. Or a day trip up to Sendai, which is just 90 minutes away by bullet train. Nikko might be another idea.

Another great place to escape the heat are museums (and other indoor places). Just saying because it isn�ft going to be THAT cool in the Alps either. At least not in the day.