Hi there, hoping to get some enlightenment / recommendations, really!
We will be traveling to Japan on 2 Nov, which is really drawing close but still have yet to build an itinerary!
Initially we were hoping to travel to Hokkaido, after spending two days in Tokyo (flying in to Narita, and will be departing again from Narita) However after much discouragement from reading on people's experiences and advices from friends who had been saying that Nov is not the best time to visit Hokkaido, and perhaps we will be disappointed after having seen pictures of Hokkaido in winter. We decided to perhaps visit Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka however upon further research, seems like the Japanese Alps (Takayama) and surroundings seem like a great (and better) destination. Hakone is also one we are keen to explore, and just for the sake of cats, Tashirojima.
Could you please advise on how we should approach this trip, where best to start with, which places are worth to stay more than a night in and recommendations on how to get around (We were initially thinking of getting the 7 day JR pass, as we have come to realize that there is the Hakone Free Pass) And lastly, the must visits of the Japanese Alps! I apologize for the many questions however we really struggle with planning the itinerary, especially as there are so much informations that ( not necessarily applied to us but we read through) had in turned intimidated us. Thanks so much for reading!
putrinput