Destination: Japan
LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: North by Northeast
2 WEEKS-1 MONTH/TOKYO/KANSAI & NORTHERN JAPAN
This 2600km route, which involves around 28 hours of train travel, is a good spring/summer/autumn route for those who want to combine the urban/cultural attractions of Tokyo or Kansai with scenic wonders like the Japan Alps of central Honshu and the national parks and islands of Hokkaido, with a few northern Honshu attractions along the way.
A good approach to northern Japan from either Tokyo or Kyoto is via Matsumoto and Nagano, which are excellent bases for hikes in and around places like Kamikochi. 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 Honshu, 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, Towada-Hachimantai National Park and Osore-zan.
Travelling from northern Honshu to Hokkaido 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. If you're short on time, Sapporo is a good base, with relatively easy access to Otaru, Shikotsu-Toya National Park and Biei. Sapporo is particularly lively during its Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival).
The real treasures of Hokkaido are its national parks, which require either more time or your own transport. If you've only got three or four days in Hokkaido, you might hit Shiretoko National Park and Akan National Park. If you've got at least a week, head to Daisetsuzan National Park. More distant but rewarding destinations include the scenic islands of Rebun-to and Rishiri-to.
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