Japan Trip 3 - Initial Loose Planning
Jul 8th, 2015, 11:16 PM
#22
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Thanks so much HT! Aloha!
We have a development. My dad is our airmile booking guru. I asked him to start looking at booking flights, either for mid March to mid April or late March to late April.
To our surprise, he could find virtually zero seats available already.
In the end, he held an option on the only available options he could get anywhere within that period.
Outbound 29th March (landing 30th) and return 27th April (TOKYO)
Outbound 6th April (landing 7th) and return 5th May (TOKYO)
We really wanted to avoid Golden Week so I've asked him to confirm the first option there.
That gives us our 4 weeks on the ground, but slightly later than we'd originally planned.
HT, I'd still enormously value your input on weather patterns and how they may impact on blossom timings as we'll need to completely review the order in which we visit places to cater to the new dates.
THANKS
Kavey
We have a development. My dad is our airmile booking guru. I asked him to start looking at booking flights, either for mid March to mid April or late March to late April.
To our surprise, he could find virtually zero seats available already.
In the end, he held an option on the only available options he could get anywhere within that period.
Outbound 29th March (landing 30th) and return 27th April (TOKYO)
Outbound 6th April (landing 7th) and return 5th May (TOKYO)
We really wanted to avoid Golden Week so I've asked him to confirm the first option there.
That gives us our 4 weeks on the ground, but slightly later than we'd originally planned.
HT, I'd still enormously value your input on weather patterns and how they may impact on blossom timings as we'll need to completely review the order in which we visit places to cater to the new dates.
THANKS
Kavey
Jul 9th, 2015, 09:33 AM
#23
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* Kanazawa
Gokayama or Shirakawa-go (perhaps combine with return to Takayama)
]
Shirakawa-go is a day trip in MHO. Since you have been to Takayama the Hilda Village is more or less the same only smaller than SKG, and a lot less crowded. Bus runs between Kanazawa and Takayama you can hop off visit and take a later bus takes appx 2 hours each way.
Gokayama or Shirakawa-go (perhaps combine with return to Takayama)
]
Shirakawa-go is a day trip in MHO. Since you have been to Takayama the Hilda Village is more or less the same only smaller than SKG, and a lot less crowded. Bus runs between Kanazawa and Takayama you can hop off visit and take a later bus takes appx 2 hours each way.
Jul 9th, 2015, 10:09 AM
#25
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DonTopaz,
It's all booked now, but thanks for offer to help!
Nearly all the dates were blocked out but it may be because we're doing via codeshare - BA flights using AA miles. All sorted now anyway!
SO EXCITED!
Joanne, thank you, we didn't make it to the Hida Village in Takayama last time so good to have that as an option. Thanks for the idea!
It's all booked now, but thanks for offer to help!
Nearly all the dates were blocked out but it may be because we're doing via codeshare - BA flights using AA miles. All sorted now anyway!
SO EXCITED!
Joanne, thank you, we didn't make it to the Hida Village in Takayama last time so good to have that as an option. Thanks for the idea!
Jul 11th, 2015, 08:09 AM
#26
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I'd still love some help on planning an itinerary now we have our dates locked in.
Perhaps our best bet is to start in Tokyo environs (Tokyo, Nikko, Yokahama and Hakone) since we arrive on 30th March which would normally be peak blossom in Tokyo.
We could then go to Kanazawa and on into Tohoku (and possibly southern Hokkaido).
Then around abouts 16th/ 17th skip southwards to either Chugoku or Shikoku for 10 days, perhaps we can give ourselves a few days in Kyoto, perhaps we reserve the entirety of the 10 days for Kyoto.
We do have to get back up to Tokyo at the end as we didn't manage to get an open jaw (not least because I didn't know what itinerary I'd settle on and there weren't award seats left to wait longer).
Perhaps our best bet is to start in Tokyo environs (Tokyo, Nikko, Yokahama and Hakone) since we arrive on 30th March which would normally be peak blossom in Tokyo.
We could then go to Kanazawa and on into Tohoku (and possibly southern Hokkaido).
Then around abouts 16th/ 17th skip southwards to either Chugoku or Shikoku for 10 days, perhaps we can give ourselves a few days in Kyoto, perhaps we reserve the entirety of the 10 days for Kyoto.
We do have to get back up to Tokyo at the end as we didn't manage to get an open jaw (not least because I didn't know what itinerary I'd settle on and there weren't award seats left to wait longer).
Jul 13th, 2015, 09:18 AM
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Joanne, thank you, we didn't make it to the Hida Village in Takayama last time so good to have that as an option. Thanks for the idea!
Public bus runs runs up there about every 1/2 hour ditto return to T. station. If you go a little later in day mid-morning on there are crafts people working in various houses and be sure to get your stamp they have a booth just inside to stamp your passport or temple book or ticket which makes a nice memory.
Public bus runs runs up there about every 1/2 hour ditto return to T. station. If you go a little later in day mid-morning on there are crafts people working in various houses and be sure to get your stamp they have a booth just inside to stamp your passport or temple book or ticket which makes a nice memory.
Jul 13th, 2015, 04:56 PM
#28
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I loved Hida no Sato! And it's just a short walk from the Hida Takayama Museum of Art, with its stunning collection of glass art and Macintosh interior design and various Art Nouveau and Art Deco treasures.
Jul 25th, 2015, 06:33 AM
#30
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As I mentioned earlier, we have 4 weeks on the ground, landing in Tokyo on 30th March and departing Tokyo 27th April.
Hakone
=======
I'm going to book Hakone in right at the beginning - thinking either one or two nights in Tokyo after landing followed immediately by two nights in Hakone. So we'd hit Hakone on either 31st March or 1 April, which should be good for blossom, if it follows 2015 timetable. I've already sent a reservation enquiry for Hakone Ginyu through, not expecting to hear back until early to mid next week - I did this via Japanese Guest Houses as the Ryokan Collection website is flaky as heck when I try and view availability let alone book directly. I also feel more confident in terms of asking questions about what we are being offered if I go via JGH.
Does my timing sound sensible? And does anyone have any thoughts on the difference between lower and higher floor rooms? The floor 1 rooms have the benefit of the adorable private gardens and a lower price, though of course, they don't give one that incredible view, like the 3rd or 4th floor ones.
Also, given the expense, would it make more sense to do only 1 night in Hakone? Or 2 night in posh ryokan and one in a budget hotel (if such a thing exists)?
Tohoku vs Chubu / Kanto
========================
Tohoku
-------
I've been reading trip reports here and elsewhere, Japan Guide and random web meandering and am still struggling to pin down where to go.
In Tohoku my two main draws are Hirosaki (very blossom driven) and Tsurunoyu Onsen (for a more traditional outdoor, specifically mixed gender onsen experience).
Kakunodate is only am medium-level draw - the samurai houses are the only key attraction for me there and I'm not sure that's enough.
Morioka briefly held my attention for its noodle notoriety, but again, don't think that's enough.
I'd love to visit Yamadera but realistically there's no way I'll manage the 1000+ steps up the mountainside to reach the key sights.
Sendai looks like a cool city to visit but again, little in the way of must-see attractions, though it's not far from there to Nikka's Miyagikyo Distillery, which does appeal.
Chubu
------
Another option, instead of northern Tohoku, which I'm very likely completely under-appreciating, is to explore Chubu in more depth. The more I look at this region, the more and more I'm drawn to it...
We could readily rent a car for some segments and drive around the local villages in Shirakawaga, there are several that are not the obvious tourist ones, such as Suganuma, Ainokura and nearby Gokayama Onsen.
And there seem to be many towns that are worthy of one or two night stops?
I loved reading HT's reports with Tohoku content. Could anyone direct me (links particularly helpful) to posts/ reports that feature content on any of the Chubu prefectures - that's Niigata, Nagano, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Gifu, Aichi, Shizuoka and Yamanashi?
Signed,
Madame Analysis-Paralysis x
Hakone
=======
I'm going to book Hakone in right at the beginning - thinking either one or two nights in Tokyo after landing followed immediately by two nights in Hakone. So we'd hit Hakone on either 31st March or 1 April, which should be good for blossom, if it follows 2015 timetable. I've already sent a reservation enquiry for Hakone Ginyu through, not expecting to hear back until early to mid next week - I did this via Japanese Guest Houses as the Ryokan Collection website is flaky as heck when I try and view availability let alone book directly. I also feel more confident in terms of asking questions about what we are being offered if I go via JGH.
Does my timing sound sensible? And does anyone have any thoughts on the difference between lower and higher floor rooms? The floor 1 rooms have the benefit of the adorable private gardens and a lower price, though of course, they don't give one that incredible view, like the 3rd or 4th floor ones.
Also, given the expense, would it make more sense to do only 1 night in Hakone? Or 2 night in posh ryokan and one in a budget hotel (if such a thing exists)?
Tohoku vs Chubu / Kanto
========================
Tohoku
-------
I've been reading trip reports here and elsewhere, Japan Guide and random web meandering and am still struggling to pin down where to go.
In Tohoku my two main draws are Hirosaki (very blossom driven) and Tsurunoyu Onsen (for a more traditional outdoor, specifically mixed gender onsen experience).
Kakunodate is only am medium-level draw - the samurai houses are the only key attraction for me there and I'm not sure that's enough.
Morioka briefly held my attention for its noodle notoriety, but again, don't think that's enough.
I'd love to visit Yamadera but realistically there's no way I'll manage the 1000+ steps up the mountainside to reach the key sights.
Sendai looks like a cool city to visit but again, little in the way of must-see attractions, though it's not far from there to Nikka's Miyagikyo Distillery, which does appeal.
Chubu
------
Another option, instead of northern Tohoku, which I'm very likely completely under-appreciating, is to explore Chubu in more depth. The more I look at this region, the more and more I'm drawn to it...
We could readily rent a car for some segments and drive around the local villages in Shirakawaga, there are several that are not the obvious tourist ones, such as Suganuma, Ainokura and nearby Gokayama Onsen.
And there seem to be many towns that are worthy of one or two night stops?
I loved reading HT's reports with Tohoku content. Could anyone direct me (links particularly helpful) to posts/ reports that feature content on any of the Chubu prefectures - that's Niigata, Nagano, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Gifu, Aichi, Shizuoka and Yamanashi?
Signed,
Madame Analysis-Paralysis x
Jul 25th, 2015, 08:44 AM
#31
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I don't know about any trip reports but two other interesting places in the Chubu area imo are Gujo Hachiman and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route....
I spent a week in Tohoku this spring - there is a lot to see and do there for sure...
A difficult decision......
I spent a week in Tohoku this spring - there is a lot to see and do there for sure...
A difficult decision......
Jul 25th, 2015, 10:52 AM
#32
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Our room was on the 4th floor (Keifu) and the view was gorgeous We generally prefer a higher floor, so for us it was the right choice (not that we had a choice, but lucky us that this was the only remaining room). There was both an indoor and outdoor tub AND two balconies adjacent to the outdoor tub (one was open and the other was enclosed). There were two bathrooms. I mean, the room was incredible. It was quite expensive but the yen has fallen even further since last year
Jul 25th, 2015, 11:05 PM
#33
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Mara
Thanks, yes Gujo Hachiman appeals on numerous levels. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine too, though I notice we won't be able to self-drive through it, but still would be cool to visit.
I think with Tohoku, one of the aspects that's steering me away is that many of the sites I'm looking at are of more appeal to hikers and those who enjoy adventure/ outdoor activities, which is definitely not me. But I'll review again for sure.
FromDC, yes rate of Yen drop is making prices very reasonable, though I have no idea what it will be by next April, it could recover quite a bit in that time, potentially... We had an indoor and an outdoor tub in our room at Sanga ryokan, which was amazing.
Thanks, yes Gujo Hachiman appeals on numerous levels. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine too, though I notice we won't be able to self-drive through it, but still would be cool to visit.
I think with Tohoku, one of the aspects that's steering me away is that many of the sites I'm looking at are of more appeal to hikers and those who enjoy adventure/ outdoor activities, which is definitely not me. But I'll review again for sure.
FromDC, yes rate of Yen drop is making prices very reasonable, though I have no idea what it will be by next April, it could recover quite a bit in that time, potentially... We had an indoor and an outdoor tub in our room at Sanga ryokan, which was amazing.
Jul 28th, 2015, 08:51 AM
#34
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since you are thinking of renting a car that opens up a lot. Have you thought about driving the Romantic Road? Onsen,scenery,Japanese countryside,three different prefectures in Japan...
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7450.html
Aloha!
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7450.html
Aloha!
Jul 28th, 2015, 11:10 AM
#35
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I have indeed, I have bookmarked that very page! 
I'm currently struggling to pull ALL the myriad Chubu places I want to visit into some kind of coherent itinerary, it's a NIGHTMARE! But fun at the same time. Well, at the moment it's defeating me but I WILL FIND A WAY!
I'm currently struggling to pull ALL the myriad Chubu places I want to visit into some kind of coherent itinerary, it's a NIGHTMARE! But fun at the same time. Well, at the moment it's defeating me but I WILL FIND A WAY!
Jul 28th, 2015, 05:58 PM
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I went along the Romantic Road as far as Fukiware no Taki at the end of October a year or so ago. The scenery was very good and Fukiware is a very unusual waterfall (Google for images). The koyo was in full force. In the other direction, Utsunomiya is the gyoza capitol of Japan.
Jul 29th, 2015, 07:42 AM
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Yes, I rented a car from Nissan at Nikko ekimae. There's also a Nippon rentacar across the street. I used Tocoo to set up the rental--I've used them many times with no difficulties.
You mention the Alpine Route and I've also been along that, as far as Murodo, to see the snow corridor. I went the day after it opened (which was 16 April) and it was pretty busy with Chinese tour groups, but an interesting trip. You cannot drive it yourself at that time of year but there's a highly organized train/bus/funicular system. The main hassle is the infrequent and amazingly slow train out of Toyoma. The tour groups come in by bus and join at the funicular.
You mention the Alpine Route and I've also been along that, as far as Murodo, to see the snow corridor. I went the day after it opened (which was 16 April) and it was pretty busy with Chinese tour groups, but an interesting trip. You cannot drive it yourself at that time of year but there's a highly organized train/bus/funicular system. The main hassle is the infrequent and amazingly slow train out of Toyoma. The tour groups come in by bus and join at the funicular.
Jul 29th, 2015, 11:06 AM
#39
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are you considering Kyushu too? Almost forgot about this we saw one year long ago....
https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/...=yhs-fh_lsonsw
Aloha!
https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/...=yhs-fh_lsonsw
Aloha!
Jul 29th, 2015, 09:38 PM
#40
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someotherguy Yes we used Toocoo to set up our car rental for Kyushu in 2013, would use them again.
Thanks for the info on the Alpine route.
HT, not considering Kyushu this time, though I've seen photos of that same place, with the wisteria gardens. There is lots more we want to visit in Kyushu but we'll do that another time.
And I'm now 100% that we'll combine northern Tohoku with Hokkaido at a different time of year, rather than combine northern Tohoku with this trip and leave Hokkaido for later. I think northern Tohoku logistically fits better for us with Hokkaido.
x
Thanks for the info on the Alpine route.
HT, not considering Kyushu this time, though I've seen photos of that same place, with the wisteria gardens. There is lots more we want to visit in Kyushu but we'll do that another time.
And I'm now 100% that we'll combine northern Tohoku with Hokkaido at a different time of year, rather than combine northern Tohoku with this trip and leave Hokkaido for later. I think northern Tohoku logistically fits better for us with Hokkaido.
x
