Hi. I made tentative plan on places to visit for my 10-days solo trip. Would appreciate advice, especially on transportation on JR pass or if Suica is sufficient as I owned one, and would love any better suggestions and improvement to my plan. So far I only have my air-tickets to/fro Narita and accommodation in Tokyo confirmed.
Day 1: 30/11 - Arrive Tokyo early morning. Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 2: 1/12 - Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 3: 2/12 - To Nagoya - city tour. To Takayama. Overnight in Takayama.
Day 4: 3/12 - Visit Shirakawago. To Toyama. Overnight in Toyama.
Day 5: 4/12 - To Nagano - visit Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani. Overnight in Nagano.
Day 6: 5/12 - To Tokyo. Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 7: 6/12 - Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 8: 7/12 - Daytrip to Nikko. Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 9: 8/12 - Daytrip to Kawasaki, Yokohama and Kamakura. Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 10: 9/22 - Early departure flight.
I just saw Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route’s last tour date is 30/11. Is there any suggestions how I can do a Daytrip from Nagano as I am willing to change my air-tickets to earlier departure i.e. arrival in Tokyo on 28/11 early morning and head straight to Nagano.
Are you planning to get a 7d JR pass?
I’ve been to all the places on your list except for the tateyama alpine route, so I can’t say for sure whether it’s really worth changing your flights for it or not.
One recommendation I have is to visit the ryokan/onsen next to the Snow monkey park either overnight or just at lunchtime, it is a hidden gem,
I’ve been a few times as a non-guest (i.e.pay to use the outdoor onsen, I can’t remember the exact time but maybe 12-3pm)
Each time I have had the outdoor onsen all to myself (and a bunch of monkeys).
Just bring some swimwear (one of the rare places that allow you to cover yourself because of tourists outside) and towels.
cheers
Q
Thanks for sharing your experience. Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan’s review is helpful, too. I am also considering spending a night at Shirakawa.
Would you know if body tattoo is allowed at the Onsen?
Regarding 7d JR pass, I am still unclear and uncertain which pass suits my itinerary best. There seemed to be few passes available but information I gathered confuses me.
I don’t know if body tattoo is allowed or not. I guess if you can cover it with your swimsuit than it should be fine. Most traditional bathhouses still strict though.
7d pass would seem to work for you. A shinkansen return train ticket to Nagano would already cost you 20,000. If you really want to be sure, just use hyperdia to estimate the cost of each leg