Another Japan itinerary question

Hi, we're planning a trip to Japan early next year and would like some advice as to the route to go. We plan to fly into Chitose airport and go to Sapporo for the Snow Festival and do a one day trip to Otaru for the Snow Gleaming Festival. From there we plan to fly from Chitose to Tokyo and stay in Tokyo for a few days. From Tokyo, we then plan to head to Kyoto by shinkansen, stay for a few days and leave Japan from Kansai airport. We want to spend a night in Miyajima and also go to Nagano for the snow monkeys. Is it best to go to Miyajima as a side trip from Kyoto? And Nagano to see the snow monkeys, can this be done as a stopover when travelling between Tokyo and Kyoto? We would also like to go to a hot spring area - would you suggest Beppu or JozankeiHot Springs? Thanks for your help!

Is it best to go to Miyajima as a side trip from Kyoto?

Yes. It is possible as one day trip, but an overnight stay is recommended.

And Nagano to see the snow monkeys, can this be done as a stopover when travelling between Tokyo and Kyoto?

Yes. It would be a slight detour, but it is possible:

Tokyo - (Nagano Shinkansen) - Nagano - (bus or train) - snow monkeys - (bus or train) - Nagano - (Shinano limited express) - Nagoya - (Tokaido Shinkansen) - Kyoto

would you suggest Beppu or Jozankei Hot Springs?

Considering your itinerary, you could easily incorporate a side trip to Jozankei from Sapporo. Beppu, however, would require a lot of additional travel (at least a 2-day side trip from Kyoto).

thanks Uji! Just a few more questions:

we had planned to stay overnight at Miyajima, can this also be done on the way from Tokyo to Kyoto? Or go to Miyajima first and backtrack to Kyoto? (as we don't want to do Miyajima in the middle of our Kyoto stay and waste one night of our accomodation in Kyoto). Also would Nagano be better done as a one day trip instead from Tokyo?

Looks like Jozankei may be a better option than Beppu for us this time.

thanks for your help!

Yes you can go straight to Miyajima from Tokyo,but should leave early enough from Tokyo as you have to change trains TWICE (check www.hyperdia.com) then take the ferry to the island then walk to the hotel or ryokan. After staying there you can go to Kyoto. It takes 2 hrs one way to go to Nagano from Tokyo (from either Tokyo or Ueno stations)

As mentioned by Red Frog, you can go to Miyajima first and then backtrack to Kyoto. Note that it takes two transfers of trains to go to Miyajima regardless of whether you start your trip from Tokyo or Kyoto (assuming you use the Japan Rail Pass).

Also would Nagano be better done as a one day trip instead from Tokyo?

Do you mean: could Nagano be done as a one day trip from Tokyo instead of along the way between Tokyo and Kyoto?

Either would be fine!

Thanks Red Frog and Uji! Can I ask between Jozankei, Lake Toya and Noboribetsu, which one would you recommend? (I'm trying to decide if maybe I should go to Lake Toya or Noboribetsu instead of Jozankei) Thanks for your help

Noboribetsu has the best baths and a fascinating "hell valley". Lake Toya also has some interesting volcanic site. Jozankei is closest to Sapporo.

It is a question of time and personal interest. I personally would select Noboribetsu.