10 days self drive in Hokkaido

[teomingern]

On 9/25/2024 at 8:51 AM, Tohto said:

I believe only posting own photo. Not posting photo from internet.

He says he's the digital tourism ambassador mah... believe it or not... wah ha ha ha...

[Jamesc]

Advice for questions on traveling in Japan.

Pretend_Pineapple: Im staying in capsul hotels for a few days in Tokyo right now. I usually sleep in my undies. I just got up to run to the bathroom and realized everyone else has the PJs on. Do I really need to put them on every time I have to pee? Or does anyone really care?

Ans from A: Do you really need to ask this question? Come on dude, there are other people around...at least wear bottoms when you go to the bathroom.

Ans from B: You’re not in your own house. Please be mindful of others. No one wants to see you in just your undies.

Ans from jamesc: Are you male or female?

If you are male for heaven sake please put something on.

If good looking young female someone wants to see you in your undies.

[Jamesc]

Absolute Favourite Thing you did on your First Japan Trip.

My first onsen town and ryokan experience, which took place in kinosaki-onsen. It was crazy expensive, but it was so worth it and memorable.

 

A solitary soak in the outdoor onsen at midnight, watching the snowflakes lazily drift down against a backdrop of snow-covered branches and twinkling stars.

The snowflakes melted along with my aching back and hips.

 

Stayed at a hotel with private onsen in my room in Hokkaido and spent 1 day just going in and out of the onsen.

 

Hiking up Fushimi Inari. Such a spiritual experience.

 

Day trip to Kamakura which is an hour away from Tokyo It's such a beautiful and serene seaside town with beautiful beaches and peaceful vibes. A stark contrast to the madness of Tokyo.

 

 

Buying food from Kombini before heading back to the hotel every night. Trying out as many as possible

 

 

Asakusa at night, trust me it's a lot more peaceful and enjoyable without the crowds

 

 

People watching in general, observing them as they go about their daily lives.

 

 

Summer fireworks festivals. I went in August which is peak festival season.

 

Walking the Ueno market, never seen anything like it before. So interesting. Of course, didn't hurt getting a great bowl of noodles.

 

On my first trip, I’d say the snow monkeys. The friend I was traveling with stayed back in Nagano due to being sick. I went to our pre-booked accommodation in a tiny ski village by myself(had never solo traveled before so even an overnight in a very foreign country was a bit overwhelming) and then bussed it to the snow monkeys. The short hike through the mountain was amazing in the light snowfall, and then it became heavier at the actual onsen where the monkeys are and it was just amazing(this was in Feb though, so just the end of peak snow season).

 

[Jamesc]

Absolute Favourite Thing you did on your First Japan Trip.

The tea house in teamlab borderless. Fantastic experience. If you are intrigued, I urge you not to research it more, but just go and enjoy and be surprised at the experience. It's great tea but much more.

 

We did a Miyajima night cruise, seeing the floating torii gate up close and lit up at night was magical.

I’d recommend an overnight stay in Hiroshima just for that.

 

Biking the shimanami kaido!

 

Getting a (mens) haircut and shave at a barber. Like everything in Japan, the attention to detail is amazing -multiple people with different specialities - the nose and ear lady, the eyebrow shaper, the hot towel guy, the razor man... my husband walked out glowing.

 

Onsen overlooking the ocean over the Izu Peninsula, one of the best hotels I've ever stayed at.

Only topped by this second trip, where I stayed at Dai-Ichi Takimotokan over in Noboribetsu in Hokkaido, which had the onsen grand bath overlooking the Jigokudani Valley. My god those views in a nice hot bath-- I doubt much more can top that.

 

Driving the Hakone Turnpike in a supercar, passing nostalgic landmarks from the Initial D anime series.

 

Biked around Lake Kawaguchiko, it was really nice getting away from the city for a bit, one of the most memorable parts of our trip.

 

Judging by your general itinerary you are already doing this but the shinkansen. It's my favorite way to get around Japan. Splurge for the green car! It's only a few more bucks but it's a much better experience. If you are going from Tokyo to Kyoto or Tokyo to Osaka then definitely try Grand Class. Worth the money for the longer trips.

 

Go to a neighborhood izakaya. I'm talking the small ones that can fit maybe 8 people if we squeeze. We had yakitori an sang disney songs since it was on the tv and that was how we communicated for the night. So much fun, best memory from my first Japan trip. They seem intimidating at first but if you find the right one with the right vibes, it'll be the best time.

 

Nara park for the deer. So frickin fun and cute to watch.

 

It would have been doing Mario kart in Tokyo if I didn’t get rained out. (Going beginning of next year to get my vengeance)

 

I loved Tokyo and Kyoto. Kyotos market is the BEST and I essentially spent all day in one.

 

I loved going to the different Pokémon stores. Honestly not even that big into Pokémon but they were all so unique and fun it made me feel like I was a kid again.

 

Ending the night or starting the day with a 7-11 egg Sammy and onigiri is supreme as well.

 

I know you asked for one, but these were all part of what made my experience so fun

 

Just walking around places. I had so much fun exploring. I remember stopping at Odawara station to change for trains to Hakone, and I just wandered around the station area, and it was so much fun exploring all these random streets.

 

My favourite activity was Nunobiki Herb Gardens in Kobe. Riding the Ropeway up to the mountain top gave incredible views over Kobe. Walking down the different little Gardens downhill was really beautiful and really relaxing, since it wasn't very full when i went there. Early August this year. After walking to the middle station of the ropeway, you can hike the whole way down, along a dam and several water falls.

 

Went to Diver City via ferry, taking in the city skyline on my way to see the Unicorn Gundam. Bought a gachapon Gundam at the store and put it together while waiting for the show to start. Then I walked around the mall, soaking it all in.

Felt amazing after just arriving. Wouldn't be able to recapture that feeling if I retraced my steps.

 

Seeing Mt Fuji and the cherry blossoms in bloom in the canals in Kyoto; worth it to go during cherry blossom season.

 

Visiting the Ghibli Museum

 

Renting a Japanese sportscar and shredding up the Hakone and Ashinoko Skylines

 

Not the first but the second one, went to kiyomizu dera at night, it just hits different

 

Going to the Daikoku carmeet on a saturday. Unless you just straight up hate cars, you can't miss such an experience.

 

rabbit / poison gas island day trip

 

going up mt misen in Miyajima and after a small hike, stumbled upon a monk doing a ceremony in a small temple on top of the world, so magical

 

seeing a geisha in pontocho alley

 

on our first night and for my dad’s birthday, go-karting 2h in Tokyo, so touristy but so fun

 

monkey park in Arashiyama

 

there is too muchmoments !

 

Went on a hike to a remote restaurant in Takarazuka. Best food I've ever had in my life.

 

Ice Cream gotta find them all

 

Joypolis. We went based off of a friend’s recommendation and were a little unsure. It blew us away and we talk about it all the time

[Jamesc]

Fukuoka has the best airport in Japan.

It's right in the middle of the city.

Most cities in Japan try have the train station in the middle of the city.

Having the airport is so much more convenient.

You can just make out a plane landing at the airport 

[Jamesc]

[Jamesc]

[Jamesc]

Please don't go Japan on July 5th.

If going bring swimming trunks and a float.

[Jamesc]

 

[Jamesc]

On 9/25/2024 at 10:42 AM, teomingern said:

He says he's the digital tourism ambassador mah... believe it or not... wah ha ha ha...

Come to Japan.

Its safe.