Japan In Depth - 2015: Itinerary
Our travel plan
Below is a table with the broad picture of our itinerary. Below that is a more detailed day-by-day description of the plan as of the date at the bottom of the page.
An itinerary is a plan as of a particular point in time of where to go, when, and how. But plans change, sometimes even from moment to moment. So our plans may change based on weather, surprise opportunities, changing interests, and factors beyond our control.
Nagano, Sado, Kanazawa, Takayama
Day | Date | Itinerary |
Thu | 15 October | Leave Denver in A.M. to your gateway city then to Narita |
Fri | 16 October | Arrive Tokyo Narita (NRT); Narita Express to Shinagawa station; walk to Shinagawa Prince Hotel |
Sat | 17 October | To Nagano by Hokuriku shinkansen (JR Pass); One night in Hotel Metropolitan Nagano |
Sun | 18 October | Nagano Sightseeing in Nagano then picked up and taken to Yakimochia in mountains for a true ryokan experience |
Mon | 19 October | To Sado shinkansen to Naoetsu Port (JR pass), ferry to Ogi port on Sado island, bus ride to Yahatakan ryokan |
Tue | 20 October | To Kanazawa: bus to Ogi port, ferry to Naoetsu Port, shinkansen to Kanazawa (JR pass); staying at Sai no niwa hotel |
Wed | 21 October | Kanazawa Sightseeing around Kanazawa |
Thu | 22 October | To Takayama: Shinkansen to Toyama, local train to Takayama; (JR pass); staying at Open Heart Pension |
Fri | 23 October | Takayama including * Party to celebrate 55th anniversary of Denver / Takayama connection |
Sat | 24 October | To Tokyo Bus to Shinjuku bus station then to the brand new Tokyu Stay Hotel |
Sun | 25 October |
Morning free then airport limousine bus to Narita
Depart for Denver; arrive evening of same day(!) |
We're taking off
* See the page Shopping for air travel for thoughts on getting to Japan
We arrive in Japan
* Arrive Narita International Airport on your flight of choice
* Quarantine, Immigration (passport)
* Pick up bags, Customs
* Exchange currency
* Set JR passes to activate immediately
* Narita Express (train) to Shinagawa Station (JR Pass)
* Walk or taxi to Shinagawa Prince Hotel
* Check in, explore neighborhood
* Dinner in local restaurant (or just crash!)
To Nagano
* Shinkansen Hikari 502 - depart Shinagawa 8:34, arrive Tokyo Station track 15 at 8:40
* Shinkansen Asama 605 - depart Tokyo Station 9:04 on track 20; arrive Nagano track 11 at 10:53
* Walk to Hotel Metropolitan Nagano
* Visit Jigokudani Yean-koen
(snow monkey park)
* Dinner at Hanbey izakaya (included)
Nagano
* Sightseeing in Nagano
* Ship bags ahead to Kanazawa hotel, from Hotel Metropolitan
* 3:30, picked up by ryokan staff, taken to Yakimochia in
mountains for a true ryokan experience
* Dinner at the ryokan (included)
To Sado island:
* Breakfast at 6:15
* 7:15 ryokan staff takes group to Nagano Station
* Shinkansen Hakutaka 551 - board at 8:10 on track 12, arrive Joetsu-Myoko at 8:32
* Myoko Haneuma Line - board at 8:44, arrive Naoetsu at 9:00
* Taxi to Naoetsu Port to catch 9:30 ferry to Sado (Naoetsu Taxi reserved)
* Arrive Ogi Port 11:10
(Ferry schedule is here.)
* Site seeing in Ogi area; maybe tub-boats
* 40 minute bus ride to Yahatakan ryokan
(Oki Line bound for Sawata Bus Station, get off at Yahata Onsen)
* Attend Aikawa festival (maybe) see
this page for a little more detail
To Kanazawa:
* 40 minute bus ride to Ogi port
* Catch 11:50 ferry, arriving at Noetsu port at 1:30
* Local bus to Noetsu station
* LTD. EXP SHIRAYUKI 65 departs at 3:22, arrive Joetsu-Myoko at 3:37
* Shinkansen Hakutaka 565 - board at 3:45, arrive Kanazawa on track 13 at 4:48
* Hotel shuttle bus (17:35) or walk to Sai no niwa hotel
To Takayama:
* Shinkansen Tsurugi 708, departs from track 11 at 12:06, arriving Toyama on track 11 at 12:29
* Ltd. Express Hida 14, departs from track 2 at 1:02, arriving Takayama at 2:32
* Itinerary by City of Takayama and Takayama Denver Friendship Association:
Dress in kimono and stroll around town
* Staying at Open Heart Pension
Takayama:
* Itinerary by City of Takayama and Takayama Denver Friendship Association:
Morning - Shin Hodaka Ropeway
Noon: Lunch on the way to Takayama
Afternoon: Visit to a Shunkei Craftman (Mr. Kumazaki)
Afternoon: Hida Folk Village & Friendly Hill (City of Denver Park)
* Party to celebrate 55th anniversary of Denver / Takayama connection
To Tokyo:
* Bus from Takayama (8:00 a.m.) to Shinjuku station (1:30 p.m.)
* Walk to the brand new Tokyu Stay Hotel
* Last night in Japan!