Dear Admin;

Just provide summary based on my backpacking trip for 10 days Tokyo trip concluded on 4th Feb 2019.

Day 1:
Morning: Asakusa + Kappabashi
- Lunch at Daikokuya recommended by sweetpez. Slightly pricey IMO but definitely worth the short queue in cold weather.

Afternoon:
- Ginza Pedestrian Paradise + Police Museum + Itoya + Uniqlo Ginza + Tokyo International Forum
The pedestrian paradise is something behold and fun to walk along the stretch. Uniqlo Ginza visited 11th Floor as per sweetpez recommendation to check out their LE Shirts.

Evening: Caretta Shiodome Night Illumination & Observatory + Tokyo Tower
Purposely arrange to see Tokyo Tower on Saturday to see the special light pattern shown only on Saturday 8pm - 10pm. The Tokyo Tower photo taking spot pointed by RegentCid were super long queue and the locals looking at the ppl why we are queuing up there.





Day 2:
Morning: Ueno Park + Ameyoko Street + Imperial Garden Palace + Tokyo Tower + Zojoji Temple
Sadly when I visited Ameyoko Street around 10.30am only a handful of it just open so can't really feel the crowd. During Sunday apparently there's a stretch of road from Hibiya Park to Imperial Palace closed off for vehicles so can see Tokyoites exercising around the park on Sunday. Revisit Tokyo Tower again to climb up Tokyo Tower via stairs as it's only Sunday event and will gift you a small certificate when opt for the climb.

Afternoon: Akihabara
Streets at Akiba closed on Sunday 12/1pm - 5pm so basically arranged such that can explore around Akiba after having lunch at Kanda Yabusoba recommended by Chinti. Mostly dining there are locals from the looks of it. But damn the Soba is really good and really regret that I ordered only a set instead of 2.

Evening: Ebisu Garden Place + Observatory
Enjoyed the quiet surrounding and the observatory tower at Level 45 is nice to enjoy night view as little to no tourists around the area. The illumination is not as beautiful as Carretta Shiodome ones but definitely has its own charm.

Day 3
Morning: Nikko
Bought 2k yen World Heritage Pass to Nikko. Took the WH bus from Tobu Nikko Station to Futarasan Jinja and visited temples around it including Toshogu Shrine. There's a path behind the Shrine that leads to the Tokugawa Ieyasu tomb which provides greater vantage point. Still I felt is very pricey to pay 1300¥ to visit the shrine. Didn't visit Rinnoji as is full of scaffolding when I'm there. From there walk all the way down to Shinkyo Bridge and back to Tobu Nikko Station. Would love to have a meal at Hippari Dako but shop not open yet when I walked past.



Afternoon: Kinugawa Onsen
Visited Kinu Tateiwa bridge and had footbath before return to Shibuya on late afternoon.

Evening: Shibuya
Checked out the Shibuya crossing since sweetpez recommend to see it at night which then had dinner at Sushi no Midori recommended by Chinti. Spent the rest of evening checking out Tokyu Hands.

Day 4
Morning: Yasakuni Shrine + Tokyo Metropolitan Observatory + Meiji Shrine + Harajuku + Omotesando
With help from fellow forummer VinceLee, I activated the highway bus reservation to Lake Kawaguchiko and bought Fuji Hakone Pass at Odakyu Tourist Information Center. Visited Harajuku and tried their crepe. But cant really feel the atmosphere when I'm there probably due to weekdays. Will give it a pass if I going to visit Tokyo again. Wander deep into Harajuku and ended up at Omotesando street. Skipped Yoyogi Park as wind was blowing seriously hard and literally nobody around the park.

Afternoon: Nakameguro + Daikanyama
Went to check out Meguro Sky Garden and didn't regret it. The park provides great viewing spot around Nakameguro and relax place to hang around. Afterwards visited Shukuyama Bridge and move to Daikanyama. Had a short walk around Daikayama Tsutaya Book Store and Log Road before boarding train to Nakano.




Evening: Nakano Broadway + Shinjuku
I would say if looking for old stuff, figurines and tokusatsu this place is worth checking out, else Akiba is good enough. Tried their multi flavoured ice-cream though. Hostel I stayed at Shinjuku is the worst. Checked in around 8pm after which go to the usual suspect spots. When I return to the capsule bed there's one guy bottom naked sleep on my bed. The bed sheet is wet and my bags kena. Dont know if is pee or not I dont want to know but I just quickly informed the receptionist and asked him to change me to new bed and had quickly have a quick wash. Midnight TV show is interesting though



Day 5
Morning: Lake Kawaguchiko + Mount Kachi Kachi + Lake Saiko
Boarded bus from Shinjuku to Lake Kawa. Due to poor time planning, visited Mt Kachi Kachi when visitor at its peak and missed Chuureito Pagoda. When boarding bus to Lake Saiko got off the wrong station end up walked 7km to reached the destination. The walk mercifully is view rewarding and even more so at Lake Saiko as shown below.



Afternoon: Natural Living Centre + Lake Yamanakanko
Had Hoto Fudo as lunch before head to Natural Living Centre. Park is really crowded and Mt Fuji view is not really spectacular IMO. Definitely would swap this for Chuureito Pagoda if I were to do it again. Boarded bus to Lake Yamanakanko and walked for 3km plus before reached the photo shooting point. Definitely must give it a visit as per sweetpez recommendation, at least up until the photo viewing point.



Day 6:
Morning: Chuureito Pagoda + Oshino Hakkai Village + Venetian Glass Museum
Borrowed hostel's bicycle ride to Chuureito Pagoda. Sadly the cloud covered the entire Mt Fuji so . Oshino Hakkai is a good place to visit but the zen is totally broken when tonnes of C/K visitors are there and shouting around the area. Venetian Glass Museum nice place to walk around but still little pricey IMO even after the Pass discount.

Afternoon: Owakudani + Moto Hakone Shrine
Took bus from museum to Gora Station head to Owakudani. Weather is really cloudy and windy that day but nevertheless tried their black noodles and black ice cream. After that from Togendai to Moto Hakone port and visited Moto Hakone Shrine.



Evening: Shinjuku
Before leaving Hakone exchanged the souvenir at Hakone Yumoto Station. Basically collecting 4 and above chop at each main tourist spot and get exchange for free for a limited time. Wandering around Shinjuku including playing baseball before boarding overnight bus to Kanazawa.

Day 7
Morning: Kenrokuen
I booked my tickets via Bushikaku instead of Willer Express and JapanBusOnline which I found some are more expensive by more than 50%. If fellow forummer need help on this let me know. Kanazawa is snowing that day so is really fun for someone never experience snowing before Took the conventional commuter bus instead of Loop Bus since I'm at Kanazawa station early. The garden itself during winter is really majestic, worth the second visit.



Afternoon: Takayama
Booked Nohi Bus via JapanBusOnline from Kanazawa to Takayama. Tried their rice cakes, walk around the old streets and visited some shrines. Went to Harada Sake Brewery to try their sake. For 300¥ they allow visitors to try 12 kinds of sake once and let you keep the cup.

Only regret is didnt take train to Hida Furukawa visit around and take the photo at the train station.

Day 8
Morning: Miyagawa Morning Market + Shirakawago
During Winter market opens at 8am, but only 5 stalls when I visited on Saturday. Street itself is very nice to photograph though at early morning. Took bus to Shirakawago walk around village and visited the Outdoor Museum. The museum is a must visit if you want to see the collection of Gassho Zukkuri. There's little to none tourist here yet this place offers one of the best photo taking spots in Shirakawago.





Afternoon: Suganuma + Ainokura
Took Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus to Suganuma and is quieter than Shirakawago. Final stop at Ainokura check in Yomoshiro as per sweetpez recommendation. Host were very courteous, the second best after Hana Hostel at Fujisan Station.



Day 9
Morning: Shirakawago
After wander around Ainokura Village and took photo at the viewpoint, took bus back to Shirakawago explore remaining of the area and took bus again to Takaoka Station for Light Up Tour.



Evening: Shirakawago Light Up
From Takaoka I joined the Kaetsunou bus tour to Shirakawago for Light Up. Apparently the Shiroyama viewpoint usually open for public to ascend during daylight is closed during light up and only allow descend. Anyway the viewpoint is crazily crowded during the light up but the view is really magical so can see why so much ppl flock to there. After that return to Takaoka from Shirakawago I took overnight bus to Tokyo from Toyama.



Day 10:
Morning: Tokyo Station + Yushima Tenmangu
Mainly visit area around Tokyo Station and went to Yushima Tenmangu to see plum blossom. No tourist around and plenty of room to check out the plum blossoms. Absolutely gorgeous to look at.



Afternoon: Akihabara
Revisit Akiba to reconfirm prices, item availability and souvenirs shopping. For plastic models, I noticed Radio Kaikan AmiAmi is the cheapest, followed by Yellow Submarine. Tools/accessories wise Yodobashi Camera Akiba definitely got more choices and cheaper than RadioKaikan.

Had lunch at Kasugatei as per Chinti recommendation. Have to say such ramen is refreshing to chow. Love every bit of it.

I did check the Kitkat store forummers mentioned here, sadly apart from Tokyo Banana the rest of the Kitkats can be found in Don Quijote at cheaper prices.

Evening: Odaiba
Quick stop at Odaiba area to see Tokyo Bigsight then to Oedo Onsen Monogatari finally to DiverCity and surrounding area before concluding the trip.



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Last trip to Kyoto/Osaka I had similar problems so this time whenever I visited that particular area (eg. Nikko/ Owakudani) I try buy the local products there especially handmade ones. During last day at Tokyo I also what to buy so end up buying daifuku on top of rare KitKats.

By all means please do.

I picked Ainokura because I saw your reply to another forummer on area to stay. It was not snowing that time but weather is cozy to have leisure stroll around the village. Personally I liked Ainokura way more since it is so much less people and commercialised. The viewpoint offers breathtaking view and I waited until the sun shines on the village which I think presents the best majestic view of the entire village.

Also would suggest if you know you will be travelling back and forth between Shirakawago and Ainokura, check the Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus Fare as getting the pass may be worthwhile @3.5k¥ else don't bother getting it.

I did try to look for the Taiyaki store you mentioned sadly it was closed when I was at Ginza. Definitely will go for look it that time if there's post about it but no regrets on Daikokuya since the queue move very fast and within my acceptable time limit in queuing.

My 2 cents from the trip I did a week ago.

I opted Fuji Hakone Pass (8k¥). Depart to Lake Kawa by bus and return by normal train. Didnt opt for romance train since I got the time to spare for longer time return to Tokyo. Just show the pass for to board the transportation around Lake Kawa/Hakone. This pass can't get from Klook and one of the forummer shared the info with me how to book the pass.

Owakudani I think is worth stopping by to try their ice cream or their noodles if you feel their eggs are over rated.. When I was there it was very windy so its a nice place to be and the view of the mountain is spectacular. Their local products definitely can't be found in Don Quijote/BIC Cam/ Yodobashi so can grab some stuff before you leave.

Pirate ship tour allow to see Hakone surrounding area while give opportunity to rest. Since already covered in the pass just ride along as it's part of the way back to Hakone Yumoto station anyway.

Yup. Recommend to take Kaetsunou World Heritage Pass if you're travelling between villages for trip flexibility and using World Heritage Bus.

If Takayama you can take Nohi Bus to Shirakawago, which is what I did last time.

World Heritage Bus Pass only worth if you travelling alot between villages (Gokayama, Suganuma, Ainokura etc) as it serve from Shirakawago to Takaoka Station.

This post has been edited by trespasser: Jun 1 2019, 03:50 PM

If end Jan or early Feb I think is close to nil since I was there during this period. Probably because its near the end of winter.

Personally I prefer Kanazawa because there's Kenrokuen (can see Kenrokuen's Winter Light Up if timing is right) but cons is travelling time to Shirakawago is longer than Takayama.

Takayama is more mundane but can reach Shirakawago faster. Toyama travelling time also about same as Kanazawa but lesser frequency on transportation if not mistaken.

TL;DR: If want short travelling time to Shirakawago. Takayama as base.

May I recommend Lake Shojiko? There's very little ppl there so chances of getting a nice view without being disturbed.

Can take green bus to there from Kawaguchiko Station. Alternatively Lake Yamanakako also not bad but got some walking to do depends where you get down at bus station.

I did almost the same route as yours except I did from Tokyo - Fujisan - Tokyo - Kanazawa - Shirakawago - Takayama - Toyama - Tokyo.

You travel to these spots by shinkansen?