Hello,
I need help with my itinerary. I plan to travel back and forth to Tokyo since I will be staying at my friend’s house near Kawaguchi Station (Tohoku Main Line)
l will also be purchasing a JR Pass (Which i will use from Day 3)
It will be my first time to visit Japan, see snow and would like to visit the Ski resorts but and I am kind of hesitant to Ski. I might just visit for the View. Hope you could help me out. Thanks for the help.
Day 1 (Jan 17) – Tokyo Arrival (11AM Narita Airport)
*Go around Tokyo, Asakusa & Shibuya
Day 2 (Jan 18) – Mt. Fuji & Tokyo
800-1800 Book a Tour (Mt. Fuji Hakone Tour)
Tokyo at night
Day 3 (Jan 19) – Niigata
Tokyo to Niigata -> Niigata to Tokyo (The only reason I chose to go to Niigata is for the scenic route, not sure if I should skip this one since I will not even Ski, I would just want to see the view)
Tokyo to Echigo Yuzawa (then ride the Hokuetsu Express for Scenic Route)
Go to Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort
*Tokyo at night
Day 4 (Jan 20) – Zao Onsen/ Visit the Snow Monsters
Not sure what else to do in Yamagata. I am also thinking going to Sendai instead since they say there is a bus going to Zao Onsen (haven't found the resources)
Tokyo to Yamagata -> Yamagata to Tokyo
Day 5 (Jan 21) – Nagano (Goal is to see the snow monkeys)
Tokyo to Nagano -> Nagano to Tokyo
Zenkouji Temple, Jigokudani Monkey Park, Shiga Kogen Ski Resort & Onsen
Day 6 (Jan 22) – Nyuto Onsen (Daytrip)
Tokyo to Tazawako -> Tazawako to Tokyo
Tokyo to Tazawako then Bus to Tsurunoyu Onsen (Walk to Onsen 45mins) (Not sure if this would be worth the travel but based on the reviews this is a good Onsen. Just wondering is the snow is too much when I go in January) I already checked and the Tsurunoyu Onsen is full. Checking the other onsens if I decide to stay.
Day 7 (Jan 23) – Travel to Kyoto
Day trip at Kyoto (Would just want to see how it would look in winter, I am aiming to see the golden pavillion covered in snow, and this would be my gateway to Nagoya)
*Kinkaku-ji Temple, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, Tenryu-ji Temple & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Stay at Kyoto then Kyoto to Nagoya (Meet Tour at 950AM the next day)
Day 8 (Jan 24) – Book a Tour for Shirakawa Go (Lights)
I want to visit on this date since the place would be lighted up.
Overnight in Nagoya
Day 9 (Jan 25) – Matsumoto Castle
Nagoya to Matsumoto Castle, Back to Tokyo (Not sure if I should skip this)
Day 10 (Jan 26) – Departure Tokyo (11AM flight)