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Mahik · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 89

I'm thinking of traveling Japan during my 2-week summer vacation in August and I was hoping people here might give me some advice.

I really wanna go to the north (like Hokkaido) and work my way back down to Osaka (where I live), checking major sights on the way. Assuming money is no consequence (I have enough saved that I could easily do this trip with money to spare, although I'd still prefer cheapest options available), should I try to do this in the two week period that I have?

What places should I visit between Osaka and Tokyo? Tokyo and Hokkaido? All I know so far is that I want to go to Hokkaido, visit Tokyo, and climb Mt. Fuji.

Should I visit major sights on the way to Hokkaido, or go straight to Hokkaido and work my way down? Is it better to just fly to or from Hokkaido or take Shinkansen? Keep in mind a friend of mine has a JR pass and will be traveling with me.

In particular though, is this plan realistic? Should I just scrap it and explore southern Japan? I've already been to Hiroshima and Miyajima, and I've never been further north than Tokyo before so I really wanna try to see it when it isn't too cold.

It'll be me and a friend of mine, and any advice whatsoever would be appreciated. Thanks.

Grasshopper · Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Japan

Hi There,

Well, I think the best thing to do is decide what it is that you really want to do. Hokkaido is a great place to visit in the summer time because it is the least hot and humid. Kyushu is great, but in the summer is it hot and wet.

I would say if you want to go to Hokkaido fly or take the train up there, and do that for a few days or so (depending on what you want to do). If you're really into nature, then you could spend the time going around for a week or even longer. But Sapporo is a good city in and of itself, and there's a lot to see. I liked it, at least. A lot of people also like Hakodate. I like Otaru, which is small, but the fish is great. And then, depending on what you want to do and see in the part of Japan between there and Osaka, save enough time to do that.

Then climb Mt. Fuji and come back to Osaka.

Just keep in mind, pretty much wherever you go, it's going to be really hot and humid at that time, and it is typhoon season, so it would be good to have some back up plans for outside activities.

Just some things to think about.

Have a good trip.

G

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

The shinkansen does not go all the way to Hokkaido. You will have to transfer to another train which goes through the underwater Seikan Tunnel connecting Honshu and Hokkaido. Depending on flight connections (usually to Sapporo are best), you will have to decide whether to fly from whatever port you enter (Tokyo? Osaka? Nagoya?) or hop a train. There is an overnight train from Ueno to Sapporo, by the way.

What to see in Hokkaido in August? Well, why did you choose Hokkaido in the first place? Little traditional architecture. Only one castle (rebuilt). Shrines are the same everywhere. Mostly a farming island.

Mahik · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 89

Why indeed... I've never been that far north and everyone tells me I should go to Hokkaido so... I just gotta get outta Osaka, go somewhere else. This city has me so depressed there's no way I'll last out my contract if I don't take a holiday.

It's either Japan or Thailand and I know the weather won't be much better in Thailand. What I'm wondering is if a trip to Hokkaido is even worth it since I only have two weeks. I mean, is it just national parks? What's there to do there in the summer? I wanna see northern Japan but I actually want to see something, especially since I'll have a friend here.

Thanks for the above replies.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

Mahik · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 89

There's nothing wrong with Japan, I'd say it's just me. I have no friends here and have been getting really lonely, and my prospects don't seem good since I've already been here half a year.

I felt much better after my last holiday to Thailand during Golden week, but that high didn't last long... So I'm hoping this one will last at least until December, that is if I make it through the two months up to August. I find myself counting the hours I have left to work about 30 minutes after I get there...

BUT ANYWAYS, I really need to plan for this trip. So advice is greatly appreciated. I think my biggest concern is time. I want to go to Hokkaido but also Tokyo, Mt Fuji, and other spots in North Japan. With that plan I could only give Hokkaido 2 or 3 days, tops. Is it really worth it? I'm not sure I'll get any other chance to visit Hokkaido...

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

For the money you will be spending I don't think going to Hokkaido is worth it (other than to say you've been there) I loved Hokkaido when I went there for 5 days in summer but that was when I was coming from outside Japan (Thailand actually), so since I'm in Japan I don't really feel that it offers much truly different from what I can get just down the road.
Fuji might be a bit of a non-event also, unless you want to say that you went up it. In mountaineering terms it's a dull molehill. The best thing about Fuji is looking at it (mainly in spring) but you can't see it went you're on it. The sense of achievement might be your thing (certainly is for thousands of others, who will most likely be up there the same time as you)

My advice? Take a map of mountainous areas of Honshu/Shikoku close your eyes and point. Go to that place, see what ever is on offer, stay at youth hostels, plonk yourself down with a bottle of sake in the common room at night, meet people. Enjoy Japan.