Hello!
I would love feedback on our planned June itinerary! We will be going to Japan for the first time in late June, starting and ending in Tokyo on a tight budget with no car. Main goal is to sample the geography and culture, and do some alpine hiking if possible given snow conditions. We would like to stay in a traditional Ryokan and a capsule hotel at some point. Regarding hiking, we are very comfortable walking up to ~20 miles / ~6000 ft elevation gain in a day and can bring crampons and an ice axe if needed.
Dates: June 17-28 (approx – I have changed the exact dates for safety)
June 17: Travel from Tokyo to Matsumoto
- We have work obligations until midday
- Train to Matsumoto is 3-4.5 hours and ~7070yen. Leave around 1pm.
- Stock up on food at grocery store in Matsumoto (Aeon is nearby)
- Stay at Nawate Guesthouse in Matsumoto
June 18: Explore Kamikoche via train from Matsumoto station
- Train to Kamikoche visitor center via Shin-shimashima takes about 2 hrs, about 4000yen.
- Depending on weather and snow conditions, hike Mt Yake, Mt Nishihotaka, or stay lower elevation in the valley.
- Return to Matsumoto Nawate Guesthouse via same train
June 19: Explore Matsumoto.
- Morning: Weather permitting, take taxi to Ichinosawa trailhead to hike Mt. Jonen (~6.5 mi with 4500ft of gain by shortest route, this will take me <4-5 hours).
- Evening: explore Matsumoto castle, walk along Nakamachi-dori
- Dinner in Nakamachi area
June 20: Nakasendo Day 1
- Take train from Matsumoto station to Narai (~600y and ~1hr). Forward luggage to Kyoto hotel using Yamato service for about 6000y.
- Hike Nakasendo trail from from Narai over Torii pass to Kiso (Yabuhara) (4mi, 1000ft)
- Take train from Yabuhara station to Nojiri (~700yen, <1hr, comes every ~2hrs)
- Stay at Forespa Kiso Atera in Nojiri
June 21: Nakasendo Day 2
- Hike from Nojiri to Magome (16mi, 3400ft gain) or Nakatsugawa (20mi, 2800 ft gain) (both of these are comfortable for me in one day).
- Stop for food in Tsumago
- If ending in Magome, stay at Magome Furusato Gakkou hostel. If Nakatsugawa, stay at one of several cheap hostels near the station.
June 22: Train from Nakatsugawa to Kyoto
- Morning: Train from Nakatsugawa to Kyoto (>2hrs, one switch, ~7000y, regularly from ~5:30am-10pm)
- Check in at hotel and check that luggage has arrived. Plan to stay at Millennials Kyoto capsule hotel.
- Afternoon/evening: Explore Kyoto. Depending on time, visit Kyiomizu-dera and Maruyama-koen, and eat dinner near hotel in Kyoto
June 23: Explore Kyoto
- Morning: Fushimi-Inari-Taishi
- Lunch at Nishiki Market
- Afternoon: Will probably take the afternoon to work unless there are other must-see attractions people suggest.
- Stay at Millenials Kyoto
June 24: Train to Hakone area
- I would like some opinions here: original plan was to stay in Hakone, but I could also stay in Odawara instead. I would like to see the beach in Odawara and it is a bit cheaper and easier to access, but on the other hand Hakone is what I would spend most of the time exploring.
- If Hakone, check into Hakone Guesthouse Toi. If Odawara, check into Plum hostel or Have a Nice Day hostel.
- Either way, when passing through Odawara get dinner and walk along the beach. Odawara castle if time.
June 25: Explore Hakone
- If staying in Odawara, take the bus (~1hr and $7) to Hakone
- Hike around lake Ashi
- Take cable car to see Owakudani valley fumaroles
- Return to hostel
June 26: Train to Tokyo
- Train from Odawara station to Tokyo (about 2hrs and 200yen)
- Buy bento box at train station
- Check into A16 Hostel in Asakusa
- Find dinner near hostel in Asakusa
June 27: Explore Tokyo
- Morning: All within a 5 mi radius of hostel are Ueno Park, Asakusa shrine, Imperial Palace. Make a loop to see these. Reserve morning tour of palace.
- Buy lunch in Asakusa area
- Afternoon: Senso-ji temple and if time Tokyo Skytree
June 28: Explore Tokyo and fly out via Haneda
- Morning: Train to Shibuya, see Shibuya crossing
- Walk to Meiji Jingu shrine if time
- Afternoon: Take train directly to Haneda airport (45min, <1000yen), arriving by 6pm (9pm flight).
Questions:
(1) Does this seem like a reasonable plan? Too much or too little?
(2) I would love to stay in a mountain hut overnight during a hike, but I'm not sure how this would fit in with my plans, with storing luggage, and with seasonal closure of the huts. Has anyone done this in late June?
(3) I would love recommendations hikes that are easy to access via public transit only and accessible (I am a strong hiker and can bring crampons if necessary) early season. My understanding is Fuji is not open yet, but that would have been a great option.
Thank you so much in advance for any opinions or suggestions!
by Successful_Angle_552