Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [8]
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NORTH BY NORTHEAST THROUGH HONSHŪ
Two Weeks to One month / Tokyo/Kansai & Northern Japan
This route, which involves around 28 hours of train travel, is for those who want to combine the urban/cultural attractions of Tokyo or Kansai with a few Northern Honshū and Hokkaidō attractions.
This route allows you to experience Kyoto and/or Tokyo and then sample the wild, natural side of Japan. The route starts in either Kyoto or Tokyo, from where you head to the Japan Alps towns of Matsumoto and Nagano, which are excellent bases for hikes in and around places like Kamikōchi. From Nagano, you might travel up to Niigata and from there to the island of Sado-ga-shima, famous for its taiko drummers and Earth Celebration in August. On the other side of Honshū, the city of Sendai provides easy access to Matsushima, one of Japan’s most celebrated scenic outlooks.
Highlights north of Sendai include peaceful Kinkasan and Tazawa-ko, the deepest lake in Japan, Morioka, Hachimantai and Osore-zan.
Travelling from Northern Honshū to Hokkaidō by train involves a journey from Aomori through the world’s longest underwater tunnel, the Seikan Tunnel; rail travellers arriving via the Seikan Tunnel might consider a visit (including seafood meals) to the historic fishing port of Hakodate. Sapporo is a good base for your Hokkaidō travels. It’s particularly lively during its Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival; Click here).
The real treasures of Hokkaidō are its national parks, which require either more time or your own transport. If you’ve only got three or four days in Hokkaidō, you might hit Shiretoko National Park and Akan National Park. If you’ve got at least a week, head to Daisetsuzan National Park.
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ROADS LESS TRAVELLED
ISLAND HOPPING THROUGH THE SOUTHWEST ISLANDS
Three Weeks to One month / Kyūshū to Iriomote-jima
This route takes around 60 hours of travel time. It highlights a laid-back, tropical side of Japan that is relatively unknown outside the country. If you arrive in the dead of winter and need a break from the cold, head to the islands – you won’t regret it!
For those with the time to explore tropical laid-back Japan, this is a great option. The route starts on the southern island of Kyūshū, in the city of Kagoshima, where you can catch an overnight ferry to the island of Amami-Ōshima, which has some great beaches and semitropical jungles. From Amami-Ōshima, board another ferry and head south to tiny Yoron-tō. This little gem of an island is fringed by beaches on all sides. After a few days kicking backing on the beaches of Yoron-tō, hop on another ferry for the short ride to Naha, on the island of Okinawa-hontō. First, check out the city for a day or two, and then take the short ferry ride out to Kerama-shotō. Here, the tiny island of Aka-jima has some of the best beaches in the entire archipelago.
If you’re out of time, you can fly back to the mainland from Naha; otherwise, take a flight down to Ishigaki-jima. If you’ve got scuba certification and you’re there between June and October, you’ll want to dive the mantas. Next, hop a ferry for the quick journey to jungle-covered Iriomote-jima, which has some incredible coral reefs around its shores. From Iriomote-jima, return to Ishigaki-jima for the flight back to the mainland.
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THE WILDS OF HOKKAIDŌ
Two Weeks to One Month / Hokkaidō
This route, which involves around 40 hours of travel, is popular as it allows you to do what you have time for. Use Sapporo as a hub and do day trips or overnight to nearby attractions, then loop out eastward, renting a car for the most remote regions.
Whether you’re on a JR Pass or flying directly, Sapporo makes a good hub for Hokkaidō excursions. A one- or two-night visit to Hakodate should be first on the list. Jump over to the cherry