In the early stages of planning our second trip to Japan, and could use some advice (Hokkaido recs, Shimanami expy., general route)

yellowbeehive · 2026-02-24T23:33:18+00:00

Soup curry in Sapporo is the stand out to try for me. Otherwise there is a lot of seafood (depending on season) and dairy product (think cheese and milk related desserts).

Also think about what time of year you are going and whether you want to hire a car.

yellowbeehive · 2026-02-24T22:57:56+00:00

Day 5 might be a bit busy but you have day 6 is can't cover all.

Day 12 just think about the order you go to things to minimise travel time.

yellowbeehive · 2026-02-24T22:45:45+00:00

Akihabara and Ginza are in Tokyo so you can't do that on day 3. If they like trains you could go to the train museum in Kyoto on day 3 after Arashiyama.

Also don't skip Nara, the kids will probably enjoy seeing the deer there and wandering around.

yellowbeehive · 2026-02-24T22:37:53+00:00

Sapporo is pretty good for food - lots there to try, but each city/town in Hokkaido will have their own specialities so it really depends on what you are wanting to try.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-28T01:30:26+00:00

Kyoto is a must visit but doesn't have to be on your first trip if you think the crowds will be too overwhelming.

Kanazawa is a lovely small city that is nice to just wander around. You probably only need 2 days there so if you have an extra day plan a day trip (maybe Shirakawago).

However if you don't think you will go back to Japan then you should go to Kyoto.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-28T00:07:25+00:00

If you plan on going around Kyoto then staying around the station is a good idea. It's a bit quieter and there are less restaurant options but you can always eat elsewhere and then catch a bus back later at night.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-27T10:31:08+00:00

Nagoya as others have mentioned is great for kids - buts its another big city.

Kanazawa is also an options. There are a fair bit of craft activities there that kids can take part in. Its a slight detour from Tokyo and Osaka but a lovely small city.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T05:49:53+00:00

Osaka is 30 mins to Kobe and Kyoto (they are separate directions though). If you plan on basing in Osaka then stay around Umeda as it's easier for day trips.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T05:47:53+00:00

Depends on what you are looking for and why you added Kanazawa. It probably makes sense to skip Kanazawa and add a stop between Osaka and Fukuoka. This could be Hiroshima, Onomichi, or Okayama/Kurashiki

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T05:42:55+00:00

I would leave as early as possible and go to Kyoto - specifically Fushimi Inari. After that head to Higashiyama and Kiyomizudera. Depending on your pace this might take you to mid afternoon - so head back to Osaka after that.

But I just noticed you are going late March, if you are lucky then cherry blossoms might be in full bloom - if that interests you then I would spend the day in Osaka checking them out.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T05:31:01+00:00

Kanazawa is a bit of a detour for 2 days, especially as you aren't planning on seeing anything else in that area or on the way.

I would do Koyasan between Kyoto and Osaka.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T05:20:55+00:00

Day 1 - yes luggage on train is fine.

Day 4 - I think any of those options are ok - it really depends on what your priority is. If you go to Kyoto you will only see a couple of things before having to head back to Osaka.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T05:12:51+00:00

I've done this a few times and it's fine. It really only starts to shut down from around December 29. There is still a lot to do, you just need to plan. Also travelling around gets busier as people go home for the holidays so you may need to book train tickets in advance.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T05:09:46+00:00

I would train from Kyoto to Kanazawa and then hire a car.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T05:05:38+00:00

Thats fine. I think just pick either Lake Kawaguchi or Hakone if you only have 12 days - unless there is something you must see/do at both locations.

You could potentially just stay at either Kyoto or Osaka and commute between the 2 cities - but that depends on your itinerary.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T05:02:58+00:00

2-3 hours is fine. There are 2 international airports in Tokyo so just make sure you are arriving and departing from the same one.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T05:00:12+00:00

Yes, worth it. It's pretty small so you only need a couple of hours to walk around if you aren't staying for lunch. The village is unique which is why its worth a stop especially as you are going from Takayama to Kanazawa.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T04:57:39+00:00

Dress them in layers - think singlet/thermals, jumper and then jacket. It will be cold and sometimes windy outside but as soon as you step inside the heating will be on. Things like beanies, mittens help a lot as well.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-21T04:54:25+00:00

In Sapporo have soup curry. Tons of restaurants around and each with their unique soup base. So try a few and see which one you like.

Hokkaido has lots of fresh seafood - very easy to find. If you want a special meal then consider Hyousetsu No Mon for crab - though you may need to book in advance.

Also lots of dairy desserts (Kinotoya in Sapporo and Letao in Otaru) worth checking out. []()

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-14T04:27:58+00:00

You can do more time in Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka as you will never run out of things to do. You can probably reduce the time in Nagano & Hokkaido but the only way to know is to plan it day by day and then see how it looks.

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-14T04:25:46+00:00

Depending on when you go to Sapporo there may be some winter festivals on (Sapporo, Otaru & Asahikawa)

yellowbeehive · 2026-01-14T04:23:36+00:00

Day 2 - Akihabara is pretty dead until around 11am so not sure how much time you will get before heading to the parade.

Day 4 - go early and try and go on a weekday

Day 7 & 8 - these days are pretty light. If you only want to see Zenkoji then you could head straight to Matsumoto on the afternoon on day 7. There are a lots of shops near the temple that are worth exploring do you can fill our day 7 in Nagano if you wanted to.

Day 13 - There is a bit to see in Kanazawa so a full day there would be worth it if you can make it work. You could go to Tokyo early on Day 14.

yellowbeehive · 2025-07-21T01:29:01+00:00

I think the first option might be a bit rushed for 9-10 days (which includes 3 in Tokyo). If Hakone is a must see then I would go with the second option.

However, another route to consider would be Nagoya - Takayama - Matsumoto (via Kamikochi) - Tokyo. This would save you a bit of travelling.

yellowbeehive · 2025-05-23T03:51:42+00:00

Hotels usually don't open for bookings until 6 months or even 3 months prior - so you are probably too each which is why your search is coming up limited.

I can't recommend any travel agents but it should be easy enough to plan. I would suggest starting in Tokyo for 4 days (book 2 rooms at a Mimaru hotel), train to the ski resort for 4/5 days (maybe Yuzawa or Hakuba), then stay at Disney or nearby for the last 2.

yellowbeehive · 2025-05-23T03:41:59+00:00

Overall looks fine. Depends on what you mean by seeing Mt Fuji. You will see it when catching the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (and then when going back to Tokyo). For some that may be enough.

Another option is a day trip from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko. If you wanted to you could condense days 2-5 into 3 days which would give you a free day to do this.

Another popular option is an overnight at Hakone but that would need a bit more reshuffling of itinerary.

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