1st time trip and using JR pass

Hello Jennifer,

1.) Yes, the route looks good to me and nearly all of it is covered by the JR Pass.

2.) I think the order you've written them in is good but I would visit Hakone before going to Tokyo. Other than that I would not change the route.

Also note that travel to Sapporo takes a long time, about 7 hours in the train. Ask yourself if you would want to spend this much of time on the train.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Hi Daniel
So thankful for your reply.
1. The Sapporo trip seems hectic, but I would like to visit the Furrano farm, would that be closer via the train? Is it worth to visit the farm by mid June?

1. Can you have a look on the below route and number of days, you think it is fine?
   Osaka 2 days
   Kyoto 3 days
   Hiroshima and Miyajima – 1 day
   Hakone for Mt Fuji 1 day
   Tokyo 3 days
   Furano for Farms 2 days
   Sapporo - remove

2. I would like to try the "private" onsen in which stop can you suggest I have it a try.

3. Using the JR pass, How much would it cost me? Do you have any package as well? We will be 2 in this trip.

Thank you

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

1.) Furano is even a bit further than Sapporo. It would indeed be hard to fit it in but could be possible if you really want to do it. The rest of your itinerary looks great.

2.) You'll find Onsen all around Japan. One I can recommend in Kyoto is called Kurama Onsen. Hakone is also an Onsen Paradise, just search for one and you'll find many. I'm sure there's one that will fit your wishes. If you go up to Hokkaido, then you could make a stop at Nobori-Betsu, there are nice onsen there too.

3.) For JR Pass pricing see: here. You could do all fo this with a 14 day JR Pass.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Thank you Daniel
Change in plans... might be able to visit on the last week of May for 8 days and I know that wont allow me to cover all of my plans.
1. I want to include Hokkaido to see the the flowers and cherry blossom if there is still some.
2. Can you help me to plan, is it best to include the below:
Kyoto (must see)
Hiroshima and Miyajima
Tokyo (must see)
Hokkaido (must see)

and I will remove:
Osaka
Hakone

1. Among the above is there an area where I can still have a glimpse of Mt. Fuji even by just passing?

2. What do you suggest with the areas to cover and remove.

3. Which is best among my least priorities?
   Osaka
   Hakone
   Hiroshima and Miyajima

4. Is it a better time to visit in late May compared to late June?

Thank you

Jennifer

hi
awaiting for your help please
thank you

Hi Jennifer,

Sorry for the delay in reply, here it is:

I must admit that 8 days is not a lot to do both Hokkaido and the the major cities in Kansai and Hiroshima. Going up to Sapporo in Hokkaido takes about 7 hours by train from Tokyo. You'd basically need 2 travel days alone to make the trip up, then you will want at least 2-3 days to enjoy Hokkaido and you can see that there's not much time left for the rest. I would either do one of two options. 1.) Focus your itinerary on Tohoku and Hokkaido, these are the Northern parts of Japan. An 8 day itinerary could be, Tokyo - Sendai - Sapporo - Furano - Otaru - Hakodate - Tokyo or 2.) focus on visiting Kansai & Hiroshima. If you go trough most posts here on the forum, you'll see that people who visit Japan usually do a mix of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka within 7 days. Add Hakone and Hiroshima to that and you'll already be pretty well packed. So your itinerary could look like Tokyo - Osaka - Hiroshima - Kyoto - Hakone - Tokyo. You could get a great view from Hakone here.

You can always come back to Japan later if you want to see more :)

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Thank you for all that info I appreciate it
Actually I am thinking of these adjustments as I am also concerned on the weather, I have been reading feedbacks that June is rainy and humid which is not so nice when travelling and doing outdoor sites.
So now I am planning:
Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
And might add Hokkaido - Furano

with this where can I have a glimpse of Mt. Fuji?

And how bad is the weather in June (3rd-4th week)?

thanks

Hi there,

I'm not a weather man and can't give you predictions there. You may have some really good days but you might be in the middle of a summer typhoon too. Hokkaido is a safe pick as there is barely any raining season there.

For Fuji, you could make a stop at Hakone (Odawara station), Mishima, Atami or Gotemba on the route between Tokyo - Kyoto to see the Shinkansen or even on a a clear day see it from the train itself!

Hope this helps,
Daniel