travel tip

Hi Adel&Zsolt,

Thank you for your post, I love questions like these :)

1.) There are many, in Kyushu I can highly recommend Kurokawa Onsen. It can be a bit hard to access but you won't find many non-Japanese tourists there. Others would include Yamanaka Onsen (near Kanawaza), Shimoda (izu) and Wakura Onsen (though this last one is still recovering from Earthquake damage).

2.) The number one cycle destination is the Shimanami Kaido. It is a wonderful experience going from island to island and visiting the small villages along the way. It starts in Onomichi and you can go all the way to Shikoku, or just visit a few as you like. Alternatively, Kyoto is amazing to explore on bicycle.

3.) Navitime is the best, as you should be good with that.

4.) It is but it will mean spending most of your time on the train that day, for some that is a blessing for others not so much :)

Happy travels,
Daniel

Dear Daniel-san!
Thank you for your guidance last year, our trip went very well, we did everything you suggested!
We were happy to buy a flight ticket this year and are traveling to Tokyo in June. We would like to spend two weeks in the north (Hokkaido, Sapporo for sure), in small villages, with hiking and cycling plans. Which train ticket do you recommend (shinkansen) for this two-week period? We would be happy to receive any tips on what is worth seeing and where to see traditional Japanese things?
We look forward to your soonest reply!
Thank you: Adél&Zsolt

Hi Adél&Zsolt,

Thank you for your message and glad to year your last trip went very well! Apologies, for the late reply as well - I simply don't spend so much time on the forum anymore, but am still here :)

Japan gets hot during summer, hot and humid. Going to Hokkaido is the right call. The train ride to Sapporo is pretty long, about 7h. Add travel to your accommodation and you're looking at spending two days of your trip on the train. Instead, I'd look at a domestic flight from Tokyo to Sapporo and then a local pass option like the Hokkaido Rail Pass.

Hokkaido is a completely different beast to explore than say Tokyo, public transport is often limited renting a car can be a good option too. That said, if you want to go to super remote places like Wakkanai and the Rebun and Reshiri island - then the Hokkaido Rail Pass offers great value to get there. Same for going the JR Hokkaido circle (Sapporo - Asahikawa - Abashiri - Shiretoko - Kushiri - Obigito - Sapporo) or go as much east as possible in Japan and visit Nemuro & Cape Nosappu.

If you interested in "tourist" destinations then the part between Hakodate and Sapporo is the best with stops like lake Toya, Nobori Betsu (great Onsen and volcanic landscape) and a few national park options.

I can give you a few more suggestions, depending on your interests.

Best regards,
Daniel