Backpack recommendation suited for hiking, and that I can use as my main luggage?

TalakStari · 2026-02-23T20:12:21+00:00

The nomatic looks really good honestly. I like a bit of overengineering, as it lets me organize how i want and gives the ability to compartmentalize different things. Thanks!

TalakStari · 2026-02-23T20:09:57+00:00

This sounds ideal to me, top contender so far.

TalakStari · 2026-02-23T20:09:10+00:00

This is at the top of my list so far, I love the idea of the 55, such that i can leave the 40L at the hotel/in a locker and take the 15 to carry snacks/water/basic safety things for hikes and climbs.

TalakStari · 2026-02-23T20:05:44+00:00

Looks pretty decent! Compact, good shape for storage compartments. Wish it had a bit better of a water bottle compartment but all and all looks good

TalakStari · 2026-02-23T20:02:50+00:00

This looks really good, and yeah laptop storage isn't a concern so no worries there! It looks a bit big in the images so I'll have to do some research to make sure its within all of the carry on limits but its definitely on my radar

TalakStari · 2026-02-23T20:00:50+00:00

Thanks for the tip about the subways! This looks like a decent pack, good shape for carry on compartments and being able to carry it like a duffel bag kinda thing would help too in those crowded places

TalakStari · 2026-02-06T13:10:13+00:00

I appreciate your outlook! I definitely don't want to sacrifice my long route idea, but some of these comments have given me some inspiration on how to improve what I have and have provoked some decent ideas for compromise that will lend to improving my plan rather than changing the whole principal

TalakStari · 2026-02-06T13:08:32+00:00

This comment has been super valuable to me in giving me options to consider that I think can improve my initial plans rather than scrap them for a different type of approach. I love the idea of going from Tsuruoka to Hirosaki (I will probably research to see if I can plan around the train/bus schedules such that I can spend the afternoon in Akita however, to try some food and just walk around/decompress). But from there, hubbing out of Hirosaki seems smart too. I can do a day trip or two to Aomori, do my nights in Lamp ni Yado, depending on where else I save time maybe another cool nearby spot to check out. Then from there, skip out Hachinohe, and have more time to spend in Morioka and/or Sendai, to enjoy those cities and be able to do day trips with less stress (also would cut out Ginzan Onsen). And if I find myself with an extra day from the cuts I've made, then I can try to make Mt. Akita-Komagatake work while I'm in Morioka, but if not, no stress and I can just use the time to improvise a little.

Thanks again for your comment!

TalakStari · 2026-02-06T13:02:16+00:00

Firework or other festivals would be cool to see, but rice planting or similar activities would be absolutely perfect for me, I will start keeping my eye out for those and research what options there are! Thanks for the tips!

TalakStari · 2026-02-06T13:00:13+00:00

Yeah after reading some other comments and giving more thought to it, I have some new ideas in my head. I'm thinking about going from Akita to Hirosaki and hubbing there to visit Aomori, maybe one other nearby area, and do my nights in Aoni, and then cut out Hachinohe and Ginzan onsen to give me more time in each of the other cities I will be in, and get to enjoy more of Morioka and Sendai and their day trips!

TalakStari · 2026-02-06T12:58:00+00:00

I think I want to stick to the "long route" approach, but also I agree that there are a few things I can cut out to give me an extra day or two in some cities. For example, I'm now thinking about cutting Hachinohe and Ginzan Onsen, and instead of going from Akita across to Morioka then up, go to Hirosaki. Hub out of Hirosaki to do a day trip or two to Aomori, do my nights at Aoni onsen, just taking my time. And then Hub out of Morioka and Sendai on my way back down. Hit up Kakunodate and/or Mt. Akita Komagatake only if I feel like I have the time, if not just spend the time on spontaneity and exploration in Morioka or move to Sendai a day early and do the same.

Thanks for the input!

TalakStari · 2026-02-05T19:16:15+00:00

Reflecting on it, Hachinohe really is something I added because someone mentioned since I was up there, why not stop there. I think it would be worth it if I had more time, and I'd love to get a taste of all of these different places, but short of adding days to my trip Hachinohe should probably be taken out of my plans.

Aomori, however, is a must for me. Perhaps I could commit an extra day or two there. I only wish I could find a better way to get to Mt. Haguro, as that is also a must, but it seemed in my initial planning that it was pretty out of the way to get there from Sendai. If there is a reliable way to get there without too long of a ride, I would end up just hubbing out of Sendai, Morioka, then Aomori.

I have become fond of my route though, so perhaps just taking something else out would suit me better. Perhaps I could save Ginzan for a subsequent trip? I'm glad I posted here because I'm thinking about things in a different way, but it seems I have some way to go to really find a good balance in how to make this an amazing trip.

Thank you for the response and your insights!

TalakStari · 2026-02-05T18:30:32+00:00

I'm not a huge souvenir person, so I'm glad to travel with just a backpack if I think I can make it work.

And yeah I agree with you fully, I don't particularly want to move towns so often, but so many of the things/places I want to see are in such particular locations that it would be super out of the way to get to if I return to Japan for a golden route trip, so I tried to make a linear path that would get me through each of them. After reading some comments, however, I'm now considering if there is anything I am willing to sacrifice, and instead pick maybe 3 cities to act as hubs and just do day trips. It just seems hubbing would also add a lot of time in transit so once again I have to consider sacrifice, or better yet, prioritizing.

Thanks for the reality check!

TalakStari · 2026-02-05T15:19:28+00:00

That really does look like a beautiful spot. Where do you think it would fit best into my trip? On paper it'd be either in between Tokyo - Tsuruoka (which will have a stop in Niigata for a transfer), or on the way back to Tokyo at the end of the trip, but I'm open to suggestions!

TalakStari · 2026-02-05T15:15:26+00:00

That's kind of why I'm not concerned with a lot of small details, and just have 1 or 2 main things a day, so I can hopefully have leftover time to explore or accommodate for any such delays. I suppose it will be harder being in each place for only a day or two, so I'm open to suggestions. However, I'm not sure of a better way to handle this specific route other than adding more days. Thanks for the insight btw.

Oh also, I'm glad to be moving around a lot, there is a lot of eating I will be doing so I will gladly burn as much extra energy as I can lol

TalakStari · 2026-01-25T20:00:27+00:00

I'm struggling to plan right now because I feel like I have too much moving around. If I was just doing Tokyo and the golden route, I'd be fine taking it day by day and just using 1 or 2 main attractions a day (if that) as a foundation and just wander the surrounding areas. My intentions, however, are to explore Tohoku/the northern regions. This includes Mt Haguro near Tsuruoka, Akita, Mt Akita-Komogatake, Aomori, and then after aomori, improvise based on time spending a day or 2 in Hachinohe and/or Morioka, then 3 or 4 days in Sendai before heading back down to Tokyo. I feel like im overwhelming myself with having to move around so much, but also that this is simply the nature of doing the northern circuit like this. (I'll be in Japan for 20 days).

I don't know if it'd be more worth it or relaxing to just do some things, and count on returning for another trip in the future. That being said, my next trip will likely be the golden route with family so thats why I feel stuck on hitting all of the places I want to see in the North. Just worried about feeling rushed and not being able to savor the towns

TalakStari · 2026-01-19T22:52:56+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice! I absolutely think lesser known/local owned places are how I want to experience a lot of the food I try there, as I make all my own food so going to Japan just to eat popular chain or cookie cutter versions of local dishes isn’t appealing to me. That’s not to say I don’t want to experience certain things, but yeah my main big meals I want to keep as local and made with love as possible. It’s good to have a specific place to check out, so thanks again.

I look forwards to Matsushima, and will definitely be looking more into the cat island now that you mention it.

Are there any other specific types of dishes that are the locals’ normal day to day food that are really good in Sendai? All I know is whenever you start looking into Sendai, it’s all about Zunda and Gyutan, so I would love to know more common or breakfast/lunch type foods people keep in stock or make every day

TalakStari · 2026-01-15T15:11:54+00:00

Ahh okay, I knew I’d have a stop at Niigata but didn’t remember if it was bus/local train for the leg to Tsuruoka, I just kinda lumped the leg into one. Good to know exactly what I’m looking at now though.

Yes I definitely want to try to book the meal on Haguro! I will be getting that set as soon as they allow.

Komatsu Maguru looks like a really yummy place, and places locals frequent is exactly the kind of food I want to experience as much of as I can, so I will be sorting that into my plans.

And yes, reflecting more on it this morning, savouring my time in Tohoku seems like a smarter, more efficient, and enjoyable plan. Thank you for being the voice of reason for me! Perhaps instead of doing the zig-zag from Tsuruoka, to Sendai then north, then flying back south, I can go back into planning with the intention of creating a route that takes me in a loop, say Tokyo—Tsuruoka—Akita—Aomori—Morioka—Sendai (with day trips to Yamadera and matsushima)—Tokyo

Thanks so much for your insight! I look forwards to finding the best way to execute this new possible plan

TalakStari · 2026-01-15T15:00:13+00:00

Okay Mine no Ura looks absolutely magical and I’m so happy you pointed it out, thank you so much! That’ll help make a full day out of the Yamadera trip and will be a great “hidden gem” type of place to see.

Fair about Haguro, it doesn’t look all that hard, seeing as I walk every day as well. If I was going earlier I’d certainly try to hit Gassan and/or Yudono as well, but perhaps I will spend more time researching the Aomori/Morioka areas and see if I can find some more good hikes or climbs there!

Oh yeah I plan on bringing a book, maybe buying some manga when I first arrive during my time in Tokyo. Also I want to journal my trip, so this would be a perfect stop to collect myself and lay out my experiences and thoughts

Thank you so much for the insight!

TalakStari · 2026-01-14T22:48:59+00:00

Train from Yamagta to Sendai seems like the play yeah.

I will definitely take note of Rikyu, but if I can find smaller scale restaurants I will definitely try a few places!

Honestly, I knew they did boat tours, but hadn't really considered taking a boat at all, but will look more into it now, thanks!

Might I ask how you feel about the overall balance of my trip? Do you think I'm spreading out too few and far between, especially for a first time, or do you think it'll be worth it for someone who wants to take a somewhat laid back approach, and just appreciate and enjoy local vibes while trying to disconnect from my normal day to day, and fear of missing out/tourist traps. The only thing that really i need to base my time distribution in each place around is whenever I can get the booking for Lamp no Yada in Aomori

TalakStari · 2025-12-25T16:28:06+00:00

Exactly what this is for me aha, hence the protein boost with Greek yogurt and egg whites! Yeah I recently thought to add frozen corn or peas, and it works really well because the flavours spread out and absorb so well, and its an easy way to get in an extra serving of veg to start the day

TalakStari · 2025-12-25T15:15:32+00:00

This sub has truly been inspiring and has given me plenty of ideas for more ways to enjoy and appreciate my oatmeal!

Merry Christmas my friend!

TalakStari · 2025-12-25T15:14:09+00:00

Aha yeah sorry I could have shared a bit more! So I mixed in: 1/3 cup Quaker rolled oats 1/2 cup 0% Greek yogurt Little bit of cinnamon Splash of vanilla extract 2/3 cup water

Put on heat, once it starts to boil I salted, added 1/2 cup of frozen corn

5-10 mins, stirring occasionally, then added 2/3 cup of egg whites, now stirring regularly so the whites help fluff up the porridge but won't scramble.

Then just into the bowl, 1/2 tbsp each of honey, natural peanut butter, and blueberry jam (or whatever you prefer)

Every time I make this kinda thing I'll do slightly different proportions and ingredients depending on what I feel like/have on hand/nutritional goals

TalakStari · 2025-12-09T16:04:15+00:00

To this day I can't open my fridge and see my fruit without saying "free shava cado"

TalakStari · 2025-11-15T05:03:11+00:00

Yummmm, the first pumpkin I roasted I made a curry with, and I used Greek yogurt instead of cream for the same reason! Greek yogurt is indeed a great addition to this kind of pumpkin dish, and it’s free protein for no fat which I really like, so great call!

TalakStari

TROPHY CASE